KEY FACTORS TO FRUITFULNESS
Sunday 9th October 2022
John 15:1-3...Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every [branch] that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.You are already clean because of the WORD which I have spoken to you.
Jesus introduces to us factors to fruitfulness.
1. The Word.
The word is very crucial as far as bearing fruits is concerned. Every time you see a pruning in any area of your life, you should celebrate because it is an indication that you are still in the hands of the Father.
2. Abiding in Him
John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
If you read the whole scripture of John 15, you find Jesus saying; "abide in me" more than five times. This means that your bearing fruits is greatly dependent on abiding in Him. Some people seem to be in Him but they are not in Him John 15:6.
3. Prayer
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
The third factor to fruitfulness is prayer. It's your abiding in Him that makes your prayers bring forth the answers from heaven.
4. Love
John 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
If you don't walk in love, you are not the Father's son.
The way the Father loved the Son is the same way Jesus loved you and this means that this love flows directly from the Father to you.
Luke 13:6-7 He also spoke this parable: "A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none...
When the Master came back after three and half years, he came to look for fruit. So God expects you and me to bear much fruits.
You cannot know a man by their gifts but by their fruits. Watch out for people's fruit life because the devil has got counterfeit gifts. That's why Jesus says you shall know them by their fruits (Mathew 7:16).
Ephesians 3:16(AMPC) May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
As a child of God , you come to a place in your walk with God where your personality is captured by the Holy Spirit through fellowship with Him and as a result, you bear much fruits .
Genesis 2:8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.
God has given us two things; prayer and the word to tend the garden (your heart).
Prayer is primarily for inviting God into every area of your life and it is God who introduces His word into your heart (Acts 6:4, Mark 4:4).
James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which can save your souls.
You know the condition of your heart. The first step to be helped is to admit that you have a weakness before the word comes to deal with you (Proverbs 16:1).
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
Gifts can be imparted but fruits are cultivated. As long as your heart is open to the word, the word gets inserted into your heart and you begin to see the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life.
The only means God uses to change a man is the word in your heart. The word can be on your lips but not your heart, the only word that transforms a man is the word in the heart. So the heart becomes the center of attraction for one to bear fruits (1 Samuel 16:7).
Further study
Romans 5:5
1 Corinthians 13:4
Galatians 5:22-23
Colossians 3:16
Ephesians 5:17
STAY BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED, WE LOVE YOU. PASTOR BEN OCHOLA!
