30 November 2003 1 Keys to producing Fruit #5
Neither Barren Nor Unfruitful
Keys to Producing Fruit #4
Neither Barren Nor Unfruitful
1. Introduction:
· God's purpose for every believer is that we will be fruitful.
· Romans 7:4 – That we should bring forth fruit to God.
Illustration of Marriage:
· Married to the person for life, unless the person dies.
· Now married to Jesus Christ – the purpose bring forth fruit.
· Now no longer live under duty, law – have the Spirit God within.
· There are two areas God calls us to be fruitful;
i) Character - Galatians 5:22 - fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace...
ii) Good works - Colossians 1:10 - being fruitful in every good work.
· “Walk Worthy” => Lifestyle that represents God well.
· “Pleasing Him” => Lifestyle of faith – trusting & depending on the Word of God.
· “Fruitful” => Works not enough, need to be active serving God.
=> Every good work – not just the ones we like, God's covenant is safe.
· “Increasing” => Growing in Knowledge of God, ways, commands, how He works.
2. Don't Put Off Serving Christ:
Haggai 1:7-10 “….the earth stayed from her fruit”.
· Prophetic picture of the restoration of the house of God – the Temple.
· God's purpose was to restore, to rebuild His house and fill it with glory.
· God's people all knew this was the purpose of God.
(v2) a) Don't put off serving Christ.
· “Time not yet” - people looked at circumstances and put it off.
· They id not say the work should happen.
· They made excuses – the real issue, they were unwilling.
b) Make the Purpose of God Central to your Life.
· Neglected building the House of God so can have time and money for self.
· Excused self from commitment – Family!, Children!, Business!
c) Consequence of wrong Priorities – Frustration.(v7-10)
· The Focus of every person was on own life, desires.
· The Result was lack of “dew of Heaven” = anointing, blessing God.
· Lack of fruit – worked but never seem to have enough.(v6)
· When neglecting God's home – our own home suffers.
· When committed to the purpose of God, then blessing, fruitful of Haggai 2:19
30 November 2003 2 Keys to producing Fruit #5
Neither Barren Nor Unfruitful
3. Develop Your Personal life to Become Fruitful.
Matthew 12:35 Good man out of Good treasure of heart brings forth good things.
· Treasure = accumulation of things you place value upon.
· Treasure of your heart can be Bad eg. Bitter, or Good eg. Love.
· As you develop your inner life your outer life alters.
2 Peter 1:5-11
· Directive – Make it a priority to develop your personal life.(v5)
· “Give Diligence” = 4710 = to make an effort, apply self, use speed.
· Add to your faith – work on growing your personal life: It's 'finish'.
7 Qualities to Culturate to make you fruitful:
i) Virtue = 703 = Manliness, strength or courage, can do attitude.
Attitude to challenges of life – courageous.
(ii) Knowledge = 1108 = Experiential knowledge gained by study, applicate.
Attitude to hearing the Word/ Principles of God.
(iii)Temperance = 1466 = Self control, to be strong, to have mastery.
Attitude to self – maintaining balance in life.
(iv) Patience = 5281 = To endure difficulties with an optimistic, positive attitude without becoming negative or complaining.
Attitude to pressure/difficulties.
(v) Godliness = 2150 = Personal reverence for Christ.
Attitude to Prayer.
(vi) Brotherly Love = 5360 = Kinsman and the Family of God.
Attitude to Christians, Local Church.
(vii) Love = 26 = Sacrificed Serving.
Attitude to obeying the Word of God and serving people.
The Result of Lacking these things:
1) 'Blind' = 5185 = To envelope with smoke, high-minded, be lifted up with pride.
No clear vision of purpose of God.
Shortsightedness – living for the day – can see big picture.
2) 'Forgotten' = Ungrateful
Taking Christ for granted.
The Result of Obedience:
1) 'Not barren' - Busy 2) 'Not fall' - Stable
3) 'Not Unfruitful - Productive 4) Abundant entrance to the Kingdom - Fulfilling