GOD WANTS US TO BE FRUIT BEARERS

John 15:8 - "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

When we bear fruit it brings glory to the Father and shows that you are Christ's disciple. 

There are 2 types of fruit. There is nonspiritual and spiritual. Nonspiritual fruit is produced by man himself whether good or evil.  Spiritual fruit is produced by the Spirit of God which produces righteousness and good works.

God desires us to produce much fruit as we yield to the Holy Spirit's power. Bearing fruit is a natural out working of our relationship with God. The first key to bearing much fruit is being connected to the source of nourishment which is Christ himself. 

John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

I must hold onto God and He will hold onto me. A couple of keys to holding on to Christ is desire, yielding, and obedience.

The second key to producing much fruit is being pruned.

John 15:2 - "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

We are unable to prune ourselves. It is the work of the Gardner.  Yet, we must yield to the pruning and learn from the pruning in order to bear much fruit. 

There is warning to the branch and a promise to the branch. The warning is that if we do not remain in Him, we will but cut off and thrown into the fire. The promise is that are able to ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us.

Do not fret or be envious of those who do wrong.

Psalms 37 encourages us not to fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; rather, we are to trust in the Lord and do good. he gives reasons who not to fret or be envious and reasons why to live righteous lives.

Why should we not fret or be envious of those who do wrong or live a life of sin?

1) They evil person will not endure. There life will be cut short.
2) Fretting only leads to evil and anger.
3) The Lord laughs at the wicked for he knows their day is coming.
4) The plots of the wicked and their evil acts will come back on them.
5) The wealth of the wicked will not go with him in death, and he will receive no inheritance from the Lord.
6) There is not future for the sinful man.
7) Wrong doers will be completely destroyed.

Why should we live righteous lives and do good? 

1) God will give the righteous the desires of their heart.
2) God will make your righteous reward shine, and vindicate us.
3) The righteous will receive the inheritance God has for them which is eternal.
4) The righteous will enjoy peace and prosperity.
5) Even when the righteous have little, they have peace and joy.
6) The righteous are under the Lord's care, and cares for them even in the most difficult times.
7) The Lord makes the righteous steps firm. They may stumble, but not fall.
8) The Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.
9) There is a future for the righteous.
10) The Lord is a strong hold for them in time of trouble.

FIVE GIFTS TO GIVE GOD

Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

God commands us to give. We are to give to God and others. Our objective is to give, not receive. Yet, as we give unto the Lord and others with a right and cheerful heart, we will be blessed. Our blessings will be measured by our giving, blessing of every kind.

Today, I want to challenge you to give God.

The first gift that we need to give to God is repentance.

Matthew 4:17 - " From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Acts 17:30 - " In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

There is our initial repentance at the time of our salvation. Yet, there needs to be continual repentance in our lives. Don't confuse asking forgiveness with repentance. When we ask forgiveness, we ask the Lord to wipe the slate clean. When we repent, we turn away from our sinful ways.

The blessing of repentance is freedom. It brings freedom from condemnation and the destructive consequences of sin. It frees us to serve God with our whole heart and reap its rewards. It brings the rewards of joy, peace and assurance.

 The second gift is the gift of faith.

Romans 1:17 - " For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Hebrews 11:6 - " And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 

Matthew 9:29 - "Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;

The rewards of faith are: you are made righteous; God is pleased; you receive His favor, you are able to move mountains.

The third gift is the the gift of our mind and hearts.

Romans 12:2 - "  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Mark7 :21 - "For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder,"

 The reward of giving God our minds is that we will know His good and perfect will which will be of great benefit to us. It will keep us from all kinds of trouble. The reward of giving out mind and heart  are fruits of a righteous life.

The fourth gift is the gift of witness.

Acts 1:8 - " But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

James 5:20 - " Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

The reward of witnessing is that many will come to salvation and live eternally together with us and it covers a multitude of sins. 

The fifth gift is the gift of your possessions. 

Malachi 3:8-10 - " “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

Matthew 19:21 - "Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

The reward of giving materially is that the flood gates of heaven are opened up and much blessing.

FINISHING WELL

It is not how you begin your life that is the most important thing. Many people have come into this world in very unpleasant circumstances. Other have had difficult or rough early years. What is most important is how you finish this life.

John 19:30 - "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Jesus declaration that "it is finished" was not a declaration that His life was finished. It was a declaration that His work was finished. He obeyed the Father and fulfilled His purpose and mission.

Philippians 3:13-14 -  "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

To finish well, we must not dwell on the past, but look towards the future. We must strain towards what is ahead, and keep our view of heaven. Our heaven perspective will keep us on course, and enable us to obtain our reward.

2 Timothy 4:6-7 - " For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Paul is a testimony of a person who finished well in this life. Paul knew his physical life was coming to an end. Yet, in peace and confidence, he is ready to enter into his eternal dwelling. The goal of every believer should be to fight the good fight of faith and complete the race that God has set before us.

Finishing well requires determination and endurance.

Judges 8:4 - "Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it."
Judges 8:11 - " Gideon went up by the route of the nomads east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the unsuspecting army. ¹² Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, fled, but he pursued them and captured them, routing their entire army."

We must take our stand and not yield to the circumstances.

Daniel 3:17-18 - " If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

2 Peter 1:10-11 - " Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
 

TIMES OF DIFFICULTIES ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND GROW

There are times that God allows testing to come our way like what happened to the people of Israel at the waters of Marah (Ex. 15:22-27). They traveled for 3 days not finding water. Could you imagine how happy they were to see the waters of Marah before the actually tasted it and found out it was bitter.

The result, the people grumbled and Moses cried out to God. God answered Moses prayer and He made the water good to drink. This was a test of God to see how they would react. The people reacted wrongly, but Moses acted properly. Then the Lord instructed them to obey Him and they would be protected (care for them).

After the testing was over, God brought them to an Oasis called Elim that had twelve springs. God will not continually test us. He always brings times of refreshing and blessing after we have learned our lesson.

At Mount Sinai. Moses declares this to the people of Israel in Exodus 20:20 - "Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Also, we see God testing the people of Israel through the giving of the Manna from heaven.
Exodus 16:4 - "Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions."

Exodus 16:20 - "However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them."
We see some of the people failed the test because they didn't obey the instruction God gave them concerning what to do with the Manna.

Finally, we can't forget the test God gave Abraham which was to sacrifice the son God had promised him. We see that Abram passed this test with flying colors. (Genesis 22)
What trial or difficulty are you facing today? How are you responding to it?
Let us ask God to help us respond correctly to our troubles and learn through our them. They are opportunities of growth.

Deuteronomy 8:1-2 - "  Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. ² Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands."

James 1:2-4 - " Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

PROMISES FOR THE RIGHTOUS PART II

Proverbs 11 gives us a number of promises for the righteous.

Verse 6 - He delivers us from the pitfalls of sin. Sinning is a dangerous way of life. Sin brings much trouble on us. How many a person has lost a position, work, status and honor due to the pitfalls of sin?
Sin is a destructive force. It may seem good for a time, but the end result is harm. Verse 8 continues with the same idea. It delivers us from trouble. Yes, the righteous can have trouble, but they didn't bring it on themselves. While the unrighteous bring trouble on themselves.

Verse 10,11 says that a city is blessed by the righteous because they obey the laws and bear the fruit of the Spirit which is a blessing to the city or nation. (Proverbs 14:34)

Verse 18 says that the righteous reaps a sure reward. It is a sure reward in two different ways. One they have reward of eternal life. (v.19; Proverbs 14:32) The other sure reward is that they have been blessed and prospered by doing what is good and right. While the evil or sinful person will cheat, lie and steal to get ahead, and in the end he will be caught and brought to justice due to his ungodly acts. He will often lose that which he obtained by unlawful means. Also, the person will usually lose the confidence of others and in the end take a financial hit.

In Proverbs 14:11, it says that their homes will be blessed. Their homes will be blessed with joy, peace and a clear conscience.

In Proverbs 15:29, says that God is attentive to the prayers of the righteous. Their prayers are more powerful according to James 5:16.

Psalms 37:18-19, says that the righteous will be cared for by God when troubles come. Even when others are struggling greatly due to the political, social and economical problems, God will care for the righteous.

PROMISES FOR THE RIGHTEOUS

THE PROMISES OR BLESSING OF THE RIGHTEOUS FROM PROVERBS CHAPTER 10 -

1. Delivers from death - both spiritual and physical death. You may say that you know of many righteous who have died in tragic situations. This is true. God has set a time for all of us to die, but until His predestined time, we are under His protection. Many of us have no clue how many times God has delivered us from death.

2. He does not allow His righteous to go hungry. You would reply. I know of a lot of Christians who go hungry. Yes, this is true, but are they walking in God's righteousness and applying the biblical principles of stewardship. You can walk in righteousness and go hungry if you do not apply the many principles in God's Word concerning finances.

3. Blessings crown their head - spiritual, physical, social, and financial.

4. What he desires will be granted. this doesn't mean that God will give us our every whim, but He loves to give His righteous ones good things

5. Adds length to life. This doesn't mean all the righteous live to a ripe old age, but a righteous life keeps us from doing things that would harm our health and body. Many sins that man commits are harmful to their bodies. Also, many a wicked persons life is cut short due to their evil ways.

There is other blessing in the chapter, and much more could be said about them, but to keep this short. I will go no further. Today, I encourage you to live a righteous life.

DIE TO LIVE

John 12:23-26 - "²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."

 As a disciple of Christ, God requires much from us. He may not ask us to go into full time ministry, but He asks us to die to ourselves. It is not so much about what we do, but what place we have given Christ in our lives. There are many people who are doing great and wonderful things in the name of the Lord, but have not died to the desires of the flesh. As we serve God out of right attitude and in righteousness, God the Father will be pleased with us and honor us.

Peter & Andrew immediately left their nets and followed Jesus when they were called. They gave up their fishing trade to follow Jesus which probably put a financial crunch on the family.

Matthew 16:21-23 - " From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Some times God calls us to do things as disciples that don't make a lot of sense and even appear counter productive. It is at times like this. Good meaning friends try to discourage us in doing what God has told us to do. They do this because they are looking at the thing through a human point of view and not with God's eyes. It is not totally their fault because they did not receive the word or revelation of the Lord. Yet, we must not allow them to be stumbling block to us. We  must not allow their good intention to keep us from doing what God has asked us to do, no matter what the cost.

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Christ is the prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6) 

 

As result, the Lord wants us to have peace.

 

Isaiah 53:5 - " But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

 

True peace begins with receiving the prince of peace through the sacrifice of Christ.

Romans 5:1 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

 

It is only when we have peace with God that we can have peace in ourselves and others.

Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

To keep the peace that God gives his children, we must keep our minds steadfast on Christ. In other words, we must dwell on His love, faithfulness, and promises. We must trust that He knows all about us, and that He will care for us. We must trust His provision and protection. In this way, the peace of God will remain in us.

Psalms 4:8 - "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,make me dwell in safety."

 

Along with this, we find peace when we cast our cares upon God.

 

Philippians 4:6-7 - " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

 

A Spirit controlled mind brings peace as well.

 

Romans 8:9 - " The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."

Another key to having the peace of God is walking in obedience to His commands.

Psalms 119:165 - "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble."

Isaiah 48:18 - "If only you had paid attention to my commands,your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea." (see to 48:22; 57:2)

 

Isaiah 32:17 - "The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever."

Obeying God's commands brings internal peace and keeps us from being disciplined by God as well as protecting us from many hardships that we bring upon ourselves.

 

It is important for us to have a heart of peace because it promotes health.

 

Proverbs 14:30 - " A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

 

As sons of the prince of peace, we must not only have peace, but  we must be ambassadors  of peace.

Psalms 34:14 - "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." 

Romans 12:18 - "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

 

Romans 14;19 - "  Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

 

As ambassadors of the prince of peace, we most proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ salvation.

 

Isaiah 52:7 - " How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

 

Those who walk in peace are wise because there is a future and a hope for him.

 

Proverbs 13:17 - " Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace."

 

THE FRUIT OF FEARING THE LORD

What are the benefits and fruit of fearing the Lord?

Brings wisdom - Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Adds length to life - Proverbs 10:27 - "The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short."

It is a fountain of life - Proverbs 14:27 - "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death."

Humility, & Blessing - Proverbs 22:4 - "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life."

A deterrent to sin - Exodus 20:20 - " Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Blessing - Psalms 31:19 - "How abundant are the good things

that you have stored up for those who fear you,........"

Eyes of the Lord are upon us (We have his special attention.) - Psalms 33:18 - "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,on those whose hope is in his unfailing love," ( See as well Psalms 85:9; 115:11)

God delights in those who fear Him - Psalms 147:11 - "the Lord delights in those who fear him,who put their hope in his unfailing love."

God will confide in us - Psalms 25:14 - "he Lord confides in those who fear him;he makes his covenant known to them.