Redeemed To Replenish

"Today, I want to speak to you about a divine calling that every redeemed believer must embrace: the calling to be Redeemed to Replenish. This calling is rooted in God's original purpose for mankind, as seen in Genesis 1:28, where God said, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over everything that moves on the earth.'

First, I want us to understand that God's command to replenish is not just a command but also a promise, because it comes with His blessing. Genesis 1:28 begins with, 'And God blessed them.' The blessing is the divine empowerment; the grace is given to us to fulfill His purpose. His blessing enables us to restore, refill, and renew what has been depleted or broken.

Replenishing is a comprehensive calling, it involves restoring our spiritual lives, healing emotional wounds, nurturing relationships, and actively working to rebuild what the enemy has tried to destroy. When God commands us to replenish, He is calling us to be active participants in His divine restoration plan.

God Reenacts His Blessings: Genesis 9:1-3

To see how God reaffirms His blessing and His plan of replenishment, we look at Genesis 9:1-3. After the flood, God blessed Noah and his sons, saying, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.' This is a reenactment of His original blessing to Adam and Eve. It shows that God's purpose for replenishing and multiplying is eternal and ongoing.

In Genesis 9:1, God is essentially reenacting His blessing to humanity, reaffirming that His plan to fill the earth and steward it is still in effect. It’s God's way of re-establishing His divine order after a reset, showing us that His blessings are renewals opportunities to restore His original intent.

The Cycle of Replenishment: The Five Key Steps

There is a divine cycle involved in fulfilling God's purpose of replenishment. This cycle includes five vital steps, which I want to highlight clearly:

The First Step: Find the Lost

The journey of replenishment begins with seeking out those who are lost. Jesus Himself said in Luke 19:10, 'For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.' As redeemed believers, we are called to mirror Christ’s mission by actively going after those who are hurting and lost spiritually.

This means praying for the lost, sharing the gospel, and demonstrating Christ’s love through our actions. Replenishing begins with outreach; finding the lost, rescuing them from despair, and bringing them into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The Second Step: Flock the Found

Once we have found those who are lost, the next step is to bring them into the community of faith, fostering a safe, loving environment where they can grow and flourish. This is about gathering them into the flock.

In John 10:27, Jesus said, 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.' We are called to create a welcoming environment in our churches and communities where new believers feel accepted, loved, and valued. It’s our duty to disciple them, help them grow in faith, and build bonds that reflect Christ’s love.

The Third Step: Feed the Flocks

Feeding the flock is about spiritual nourishment. Just as a shepherd feeds his sheep, we must provide teaching, discipleship, and encouragement to help believers mature in their faith.

In 1 Peter 2:2, the Apostle Peter urges us to long for the 'pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.' Providing consistent, nourishing spiritual food helps believers develop a strong, resilient faith.

This involves Bible studies, prayer groups, mentorship, and other opportunities that foster growth and maturity. When we feed the flock, we are equipping believers to stand strong and be effective in their walk with Christ.

The Fourth Step: Feel the Flock

Feeling the flock involves showing genuine compassion and empathy. It’s about bearing one another’s burdens, supporting each other emotionally and spiritually.

Galatians 6:2 says, 'Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.' This step emphasizes the importance of community, creating a church where everyone feels loved, valued, and supported.

When we feel the flock, we actively demonstrate Christ’s love through acts of kindness, listening, praying, and comforting. This builds a community where everyone experiences God’s grace through genuine relationship.

The Fifth Step: Field the Flock

The final step in this cycle is to empower believers to fulfill their God-given purpose. This means equipping them with gifts, training, and opportunities to serve.

In Ephesians 4:12, Paul writes that Christ gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, 'to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.'

We are called to send out laborers into the harvest; whether in ministry, outreach, or daily life so that the cycle of replenishment continues. When believers are empowered to serve, they become active participants in God’s restorative work, helping to replenish the earth and expand His kingdom.