MEMORISE:

 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Titus 2:7

READ:  John 15:1-5

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

MESSAGE: 

Fruitfulness has qualifications, so does growth. Fruitfulness could be negative if the source and nature are outside the plan of God for an individual’s life. There is a kind of Fruitfulness mentioned in the epistle of Paul to the Galatians which is of the flesh- bad and deadly:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,...” Galatians 5:19-21

There could be positive and blessed fruitfulness as found in Galatians 5:22-23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…..”

Let us look at the secret behind blessed fruitfulness. In our Bible reading of today, it is clearly stated that abiding in Jesus Christ is the secret of bearing good fruit. The first secret of divine fruitfulness is being born again. Another secret is abiding in Jesus Christ. Jesus further said:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

How then can we abide in Jesus Christ? It is very simple. Obey all His commandments. John 15:7-8 says:

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

Beloved, one other fact is that everyone will eat out of whatever fruit he or she bears- be it good or bad. Therefore, it is wise for you to decide today whether you want to bear good or bad fruit. The good news is that everyone is capable of bearing good fruit provided the fellow comes into Jesus Christ by faith in the saving power in His blood. He said “...if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31).

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me abide in Jesus Christ blessed fruitfulness.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 14:24-16

HYMN 20:  PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY.

1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;

Praise Him in glad adoration.

2. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

If with His love He befriend thee.

4. Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,

Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,

Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,

Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

5. Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,

Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,

Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,

Saints with His mercy surrounding.

6. Praise to the Lord, oh, let all that is in me adore Him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him;

Let the Amen sound from His people again,

Gladly for aye we adore Him.