BE FRUITFUL – MULTIPLY

1 God Has Called Every Believer to be Fruitful

• Genesis 1:22   Original mandate given to Adam – Be fruitful.

· God’s original design for man is to be fruitful – productive.

· God’s desire = family people in His own image likeness.

· Salvation – not about getting to heaven, it’s about becoming fruitful.

• John 15:16  “I have chosen you and ordained you that go and bring forth fruit”.

· “Chosen” Þ to select out of group.

· “Ordain” Þ to appoint, set apart for a purpose.

· Every believer has been chosen by God for a purpose.

2 What Does it Mean Bring Forth Fruit?

i) Character

Galatians 5:22  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”

· First work of the Holy Spirit in your life = change you to become like Christ.

· Holy Spirit given to change us.

ii) Conduct

Colossians 1:10  “That you might walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in knowledge of God.”

· Internal change results in external activities for God.

· Faith in Christ is demonstrated by being active serving Him.

· Active in building church (Body of Christ).

· Active in reaching lost for Christ (Extending Kingdom).

· Note:  Something is wrong when a tree is not fruitful.

· Example:  Orange tree – no oranges Þ something is wrong.

· Example:  Christian not growing, serving Þ something is wrong.

· Example:  Orchardist will prune to get fruit then cut tree down.

· cf  John 15:6  Abide not Þ Withered Þ Cast into fire.

3 Enemy of Fruitfulness = “Wrong Thinking”

• Proverbs 23:7  “As a man thinks in his heart so he is.”
• What shapes your thoughts, shapes your action, life, destiny.
• Enemy of fruitfulness = shaped by wrong thinking, attitudes.
• Warning to believers:

· Romans 12:2  “Be not conformed to this world but be transformed.”

· “Conformed” (4914 Strongs) = to make something into same form as something else.  To cast into mould so comes out the same externally.

· “World” (165 Strongs) = This age, this generation with its values and lifestyle.

· Warning not to be shaped so lifestyle, external is same as world.

• What are key influences?

i) Education                   ]        All focus on:

ii) TV/Media                   ]

iii) Close association         ]      * Personal rights

iv) Family/culture            ]      * Self interest

v) Finances                    ]

• Ephesians 2:2  Whole of world value system is shaped by the devil.
• Choice:

· What influences shape your life?  Conform?  Compromise?

· Bear the image of Lord or image of world?

· Life formed by divine or demonic influence?

· Example:  Parable of Sower:  Devil; distress and distraction stop fruit.

4 Three Attributes that Produce Fruit

i) Availability Þ yielded to, at disposal of

Romans 12:1  “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable.”

· Because God has demonstrated mercy, kindness.

· “Present” = To yield your body – means you express life.

· Þ Picture of Old Testament sacrifice made to thank, honour God.

· Þ Person picked the best of the flock – made free will offering.

· Þ Given to God to be used for his purposes.

· Þ Once person gave to God – no claim, no right to take back.

· Make self daily available to live for purpose and honour of God.

ii) Teachability

Romans 12:2  “… be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

· “Transform” (3339 Strongs) = Metamorphis Þ change from caterpillar to butterfly.

· Total change in character and conduct.

· Change takes place as mind – thoughts renewed by Word of God.

· “Renew” = to renovate a house – gut it and rebuild.

· What exposure do you have to the Word?  To the Holy Spirit?  To others speaking into your life?

iii) Stickability

Luke 8:15  Good ground – honest and good heart, having heard the Word of God, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.

· “Patience” (5281 Strongs) = to bear trials and pressure with positive attitude.

· Must learn how to stick with what God has entrusted until fruit.