On Sunday, February 2, I preached on the Parable of the Soils from Matthew 13. At the end I mentioned some practical applications that I did not have time to share but promised I would put on my blog site so - here it is and I trust you will find it helpful in its application to your own life.
We’re free to bear fruit for God when we love him, believe He will supply all of our needs, & that He’s made us the heir of all things. But what HINDERS US is GUILT, FEAR and GREED, or FOCUS SHIFT – taking our eyes off Jesus & looking elsewhere for fulfillment & joy.
Why should we bear fruit?
1. Because God expects it. It’s a sign of repentance; John told the crowds to “produce fruit in keeping w/repentance. (Lk. 3:7-8) 2. Because sp. fruit is the primary indicator of discipleship taking place in one’s life. 3. Because fruitless professing Xian will never impact the world for X – if fact, just the opposite.
What are the means that God uses to engender fruit in & through our lives? 1. His Word – “Your Word have I hid in my heart…” 2. He puts us into a band of brothers & sisters – so that we can be strengthened, helped & encouraged by one another 3. God disciplines us when we go fruitless – Heb. 12:11
Where do we bear fruit?
By our mouth/in praise – Heb. 13:15 }we have so much to be thankful for.
By our character – this is an ever developing process that’s to increasingly result in the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…Gal.5:22-23) This is the result of a believer growing in union w/Jesus.
By our worship (private & public) – when we hear or read God’s Word & the Spirit applies it to our life---that’s like Miracle-Gro on tender plants. It’s also a discipline that we cannot afford to take lightly no matter how busy we think we are. Busy never matured any Xian.
John 15 - 1"I am the true vine, & My Father is the vinedresser…4Abide in Me, & I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me & I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 8By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit & so prove (demonstrate) to be My disciples.”
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