TEXT: Luke 10:25-37
INTRODUCTION: In the first part of series, we saw that as far as God is concerned, what makes your life fruitful is not necessarily how much material wealth you possess. Also, that God’s standard of measuring fruitfulness is different from man’s standard. Some of the things we have learnt so far as contributing to a fruitful life are (i) putting Jesus first (ii) holiness, (iii) following the footsteps of the Lord (vi) loving God (v) reading and meditating on the word of God (vi) doing the word of God (vii) wisdom based on the fear of the Lord. We shall continue to look at those things that make a life fruitful. May the Holy Spirit teach us today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
1. A FRUITFUL LIFE IS ONE OF COMPASSION AND ACTIVE LOVE.
Matt. 9:36; Mark 1:40-41; John 3:16; Acts 3:6-8; John 15:13: John 15:12; Rom. 5:8; I John 4:7-12; Mark 16:15-16; Col. 1:5-8.
Compassion, particularly for the downtrodden, the sick and the unhappy captives of Satan, is an ingredient for a fruitful life. Love for our fellow men, as demonstrated by giving our best be it money, time, tracts, comfort, etc. is another ingredient. A life of love is a life of obedience to God who commanded us to love our neighbours like ourselves. Hence it is a godly, fruitful life.
2. FOR A LIFE TO BE FRUITFUL, IT HAS TO BE SACRIFICIAL.
Luke 21:4; Mark 26:7; I Kings 17:13-15; Ps. 107:21-22; Ps. 116:17; Jer. 17:26; Jer. 33:11; Jonah 2:8-9; Heb. 13:15; II Cor.8:9; Eph. 5:2; I John 3:16.
A fruitful life has to be a life of sacrifice; sacrificial living, sacrificial giving and even sacrificial praising of God. That is how Christ lived His life; that is how we must live our own because He is our example.
3. CONCLUSION:
There is always a tendency in us to focus our attention upon ourselves: our problems and challenges, our homes, our marriages, our tomorrow, our children, our careers, our ministries, etc. and fail to pause for a moment and give some thoughts to others that we are surrounded with. What about them and their well-being?
A fruitful life that counts for eternity is not the one that has accomplished a lot here in terms of the way men measure success. The fruitful life is the one exemplified by the parable of the Good Samaritan. Such lives count far more before God than what men would imagine. Let us pause and ponder: Does my life count for much before God?
Date: 18 August 2010
