Welcome to the year 2017, the year of fruitfulness.
As I have prayed and pondered in my spirit, I am convinced that this is a year of fruitfulness for us as a Church and as individuals.
As a Church we have over the years sown and watered through prayer, giving and the word. We have been a blessing to many in our own little way.
Galatians 6: 7-10 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
In John 15:16 Jesus says “I chose you......”
To be chosen is to be handpicked, to be selected from a number of possibili-ties, to be picked by preference or to be appointed. You were handpicked by Jesus, picked for a purpose and that purpose is to bear lasting fruit.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
Every believer no matter how old, how young, how long you have been a Christian, has been appointed to bear lasting fruit.
Until this point Jesus’ disciples were referred to as servants. Now He calls them friends. As servants there was no possibility of them bearing fruit because servants are told what to do. Servants had no closer relationships with their master. A friend has a closer relationship and knows what is going on, friends walk in fellowship and communion with one another. Jesus calls us friends so He can tell us what is on His heart as we walk in fellowship with Him. As friends He can tell us the secret to bearing fruit. We have been called into a fruit bearing relationship with Jesus.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Jesus wants us to go and bear fruit, He sees in every believer the potential for fruit bearing. Some might bear a 100, 60 or 30 no matter how much fruit you bear. You carry the seed for fruitfulness. There is the seed for fruitfulness in every believer.
When God created man, He put the seed of fruitfulness in man, called “BLESSED”.
Genesis 1:28 “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.”
Genesis 9:1 “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”
Abraham was a man chosen by God, scripture says he was God’s friend and was blessed by God. Genesis 12:2 - ”I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.”
In Genesis 24:35 Abraham’s servant said of his master ... “The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great;”
Unfruitfulness is the sign of a curse, when there is lack or sterility in place, that place or family is regarded as cursed but scripture tells us that we the chosen ones have been redeemed from the curse. Galatians 3:13-14. Christ has redeemed us from the curse and we are blessed. We have been blessed and no one can reverse it, Numbers 23:30.
God is glorified when we bear fruit; His joy is full when His children bear fruit.
This year 2017 and beyond God wants us to bear fruit.
Lasting fruit comes through death to self - John 12:24 ”Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”
Lasting fruit comes through love for one another and loving people, John 15:12 -13 ”This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Lasting Fruit comes through abiding in Him – John 15: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
God is calling His church to fruitfulness in every sphere of our lives. Fruit in soul winning, Fruit in our cells, Fruit in our walk with Him, Fruit in our minis-try, Fruit in our businesses, Fruit in our jobs, Fruit in our homes, Fruit of influence in the community.
Lasting fruit is what brings joy to God. You have been chosen to bear fruit and the seed of fruitfulness dwells in you.
HE BLESSED MAN and said BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY.
