Sunday 14 June 2015
Speaker: Pastor George Nnamdi
Key Passages:John 15:1-8 &16, Matthew 7:17-19;Luke 13:1-end;and Roman 8:5-11
We have been considering the Person of the Holy Spirit for sometime now. From my little corner I want to add some building blocks to the things that have been said already and those that shall yet be said.
It is undeniably true that we can not talk about the Holy Spirit without talking about fruitfulness.
From the creation story, we learn that part of God’s original mandate is fruitfulness: Man’s major assignment on earth is dominion/rulership in the stead of God (Genesis 1:26). But for him to do this, he needs to multiply his influence and presence on earth through procreation or replication/reproduction of himself. This art of reproduction of one’s self to fill the earth with God’s influence and subdue the earth in God’s stead is called FRUITFULNESS,and for this purpose the Holy Spirit was sent;…..and you shall be witnesses for me from Judea to the uttermost part of the world after the Holy Spirit is come on you.
Why are we here? (Gen 1:27-28)
(a) To express His image (Romans 8:29, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 3:14a)
(b) To enjoy fellowship with Him (John 4:24)
(c) To dominate the earth for Him (Psalm 8:5-6)
(d) To bear fruit of His nature (John 15:8,16a)and reproduce one’s self (it’s a life of influence)
From the above, God created us is to bear fruit in expressing His image, enjoying fellowship with Him, colonizing the earth on His behalf, and reproducing His nature in ourselves through procreation, and leadership influence.
Levels of Fruitfulness
(a) Spiritual fruitfulness -Romans 8:1-8, 1 Corinthians 2:9- The first area of true fruitfulness is in the Spirit. A polluted stream can never give pure water. The spirit controls the physical, and a fruitful spirit is a regenerated spirit. This is why it is impossible to live and run the Christian race without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the bedrock of all fruitfulness.
(b) Physical fruitfulness (bodily) This is the fruitfulness of our body in begetting new children.
(c) Material fruitfulness: This is fruitfulness borne out of the works of our hands (Philippians 4:13).
(d) Soul fruitfulness: (3 John 3) deals with our thought life, it is the seat of our creativity and it controls all our works. If we are unfruitful with our thoughts, our souls will not be fruitful, our health and material well-being shall become disasters waiting to happen.
(e) Time fruitfulness; this may sound out of place but it is equally important. We must be fruitful with our time. Time is the greatest resource or wealth, and so many waste it casually without knowing, and their unfruitfulness with time becomes evident in their inglorious living.
(f) Word fruitfulness:- (Isaiah 55:11),the spoken word frames our existence. If we engage ourselves with empty babbling,we have done our lives in . God does not waste words,and we must not do otherwise.
Factors that Affect Fruitfulness
Every fruit bearing tree is affected by the following:
(a) The nature/type of tree.
(b) The soil where it is planted.
(c) The nature/quality of nutrients it receives.
(d) Natural factors around it.
(e) Human factors affecting it (influence or cultivation attitude)
Similarly,our ability to bear fruit in the Kingdom and the quality and quantity of fruit we bear is a function of the following;
(a) Whose are You? Who/what is your Source? What kind of fruit are you bearing, it will tell us of your source (Luke 6:44).
(b) Where are you Planted? Every seed has the potential of bearing fruit but it’s not every seed that ends up bearing fruit. You need to be rightly planted/positioned. See Luke 4:14- Jesus being filled of the Holy Spirit.
(c) What do you feed On? When and How? (John 3:6) flesh begets flesh & Spirit begets spirit). The spirit gives life and the word is spirit and life altogether, see John 14:17, 26, John 15:26, 16:13.
(d) Who is your Gardener? (1 Corinthians 2:9-14).
(e) Do you know your fruiting Season? 1 Corinthians 12:4
(f) Is there a longing for Fruit? Galatians 5:16-25
(g) How good is your fruit (Matthew 7:17-19)
Activating Fruitfulness
(a) See the harvest first, envision the fruits.
(b) The spoken word -: When you see the harvest; create and speak it into existence.
(c) Pray to the Lord of Harvest to send the rain needed for he harvest.
(d) Pay the price; go out to sow, irrespective of the opposition.
(e) Nurture your plants, cultivate, prune for more fruits.
(f) Avail yourself of every opportunity to do it better; build your fruit bearing capacity.
(g) Your fruit must abide so guard/protect/shelter your fruit.
(h) You are only but a steward, so surrender both yourself and your seed to the Lord of Harvest. Give account of your stewardship.
(I) It was grace that gave you access, the Holy Spirit was the one in you doing the work, you are not your own, so be thankful in all and for all.
Conclusion
We do not live to tell testimonies, we live to create testimonies. What fruit have you been Bearing? Can it stand the test of Time? Could it be charged to your account in favour or against you on the Last Day? Fruitfulness is Heaven’s mandate in forming man. The Holy Spirit is here to help you navigate this mandate, and receive the Master’s well done. He is waiting on you to engage Him. How do you Choose?
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