TEXT: Matt. 7:16-23
INTRODUCTION: Up till now we have found many ingredients that make up a fruitful life. Some of these are: (i) putting Jesus first (ii) holiness (iii) studying and doing the word of God (iv) compassion (v) love (vi) sacrifice (vii) faith, etc. We want to look at another great ingredient of fruitfulness. It is fellowship with Jesus. May the Lord teach us Himself through His Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
1. JESUS IS THE FRUIT-BEARER: NO ONE CAN BEAR FRUITS WHEN CUT OFF FROM HIM.
John 15:4-10; Acts 4:13; Ps. 73:8; Rev. 3:20; James 4:7; Rev. 3:4; I John 2:6; Amos 3:3.
Our Lord Jesus Christ made the condition for fruit-bearing clear: constant fellowship with Himself. For one thing, those who fellowship with Christ, always get whatever they ask for. Secondly, they have an assurance that they will not backslide. Even though fellowshipping with God requires satisfying some conditions, there are always a few people in every generation willing to pay the price of separation from the world and fellowship with God. Are you going to be one of them in this generation?
2. THE REWARD OF A FRUITFUL LIFE IS ETERNITY WITH CHRIST.
I John 2:28; Gen. 5:22-24; Gen. 6:9; I Kings 17:1; Acts 19:11-12; I Cor. 14:18; II Tim. 4:7-8; I Sam. 13:13-14; Ps. 119:162-164; Ps. 113:2-5; Ps. 71:10-15.
Continuous fellowship with Jesus in this life guarantees fellowship with Him in eternity. The Bible is full of examples of men who fellowshipped with Do you know of any similar guarantees on the market?This Best Test Pass Detox Shampoo has been specifically formulated to remove all toxins and contaminants from your hair. God in this world and are fellowshipping with God in Heaven. A few of such men are Enoch, Noah, Elijah, Paul the Apostle and David. May we be counted with them after our lives here in Jesus, name. Amen.
3. CONCLUSION:
When Jesus chose the first disciples, the first reason he did this was that “they might be with Him” (Mark 3:14). Our constant and deep fellowship with Jesus is a major key to living fruitful lives. As we fellowship with Him, we receive the instructions and the grace to carry out these instructions. Carrying out these instructions (i.e. commandments) is what is called Obedience, which other name is Holiness. Without Holiness, no one shall see the Lord. The encouraging thing is that our LORD is seeking for this fellowship with us (John4:23). Will you deny Him this desire?
Date: 8 August 2010
