Bearing Fruit for the Lord - Olu Talabi - February 3, 2019
http://rlcfchurch.org/bearing-fruit-lord River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that Christians are called to be fruitful for the Lord, drawing parallels from parables and John 15. Jesus taught that every branch not bearing fruit will be cut away, while those bearing fruit will be pruned to produce even more. The speaker emphasizes that believers must live with focus and zeal, using the gifts and talents God has given them to fulfill His calling before their time on earth ends.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Chosen to bear fruit that remainsJesus explains that believers are chosen and ordained to go forth and bear fruit that endures, rather than remaining stagnant after salvation.John 15:16
Branches that do not bear fruitEvery branch connected to Christ that fails to bear fruit is taken away, while fruitful branches are purged to bring forth more fruit.Matthew 15:23John 15:2
Having a focused zeal for God's businessJust as Jesus demonstrated a determined focus to do the Father's work within a limited time, believers must realize their time on earth is finite.
Giving an account for our talentsBelievers will one day stand before Christ to give an account for what they did with the resources and gifts entrusted to them, avoiding the mistake of the lazy servant.
The first critical fruit is in our own livesBefore focusing on external works, a believer must prioritize the internal fruit of the Spirit, becoming blameless and walking in the likeness of Jesus.2 Peter 3:14
Being filled with the fruits of righteousnessPaul's prayer is that believers be filled with the fruits of righteousness produced by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.Philippians 1:11
The peaceable fruit of disciplineGod uses the chastening and discipline of the Lord to chisel away unchristlike character, yielding the peaceable fruit of righteousness in those who yield to it.
Living as epistles of ChristBelievers are living epistles written by the Spirit of God, meant to display the character of Jesus so that others can read and see Him in their daily lives.
Bearing the fruit of soulsThe second essential fruit is influencing men and women for Christ so that others come to know the Lord through our witness and sacrifice.
Being ambassadors and stepping out in faithBelievers must actively look for opportunities to share the gospel with others in everyday settings, asking God for the impossible and trusting Him to open doors.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of lifeThe influence of a righteous person continues even after death, and winning souls is described as a mark of true wisdom.Proverbs 11:30
The promise of fruit through abidingJesus promises that whoever abides in Him and has Christ abiding in them will naturally bring forth much fruit.John 15:5
