The Fruit of the connected Life (A study of the Fruit of the Spirit) Condition for the Double Portion A story was told in the old testament book of 2Kings. In 2 Kings 2, the bible tells us of the impending departure of Elijah the prophet. Condition for the Double Portion As the time drew near Elijah told Elisha to wait in several places but Elisha refused insisting on following Elijah to the very end. Condition for the Double Portion When the time for Elijah's translation came, Elijah said to Elisha, ask what you want before I am taken away from you. Elisha said he wanted the double portion of Elijah's Power. Condition for the Double Portion In response Elijah said to Elisha that he has asked for a hard thing however if Elisha saw him when he is taken to heaven, he will have his desired request. The bible records that Elisha saw Elijah when he was taken to heaven and he got the double portion of Elijah's power. Condition for the Double Portion This morning my focus is not primarily on the double portion of power that Elisha received my interest is on Elijah's Lamentation when Elisha made the request. In 2 Kings 2: 9-10 the bible tells us ... II Kings 2: 9-10 9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. II Kings 2: 9-10 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. Condition for the Double Portion Please notice in verse 10 Elijah said ...Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. Condition for the Double Portion There are two question that come to mind... 1. Why was Elisha's request a hard Request? 2 Why is the double portion conditioned on Elisha seeing Elijah's departure? Condition for the Double Portion Elisha request is a hard request because He is asking Elijah to do the impossible He is asking Elijah to grant what God only can grant He is asking Elijah to give what only God can give He is asking Elijah to do what only God can do Condition for the Double Portion God is the giver of power not man. Spiritual power is function of God releasing his power on whosoever he choses. Condition for the Double Portion However if the person seeking God’s power is able to stay focused on God, then there is the assurance of scripture that what he seeks he will find. Condition for the Double Portion The second thing to note is that Elijah predicated the receiving of the power on Elisha's ability to see him when he is being translated. The question is Why? Condition for the Double Portion Elijah knew that it is difficult for people to stay focus Elijah knew it is difficult for people to abide in the presence of another Condition for the Double Portion Elijah knew that it difficult to stay focused, (to abide) in the mist of distractions. That is why he said you will get it if you see me go. Condition for the Double Portion It is one thing to want something, It another thing to do what you must do to get what you want. It is one thing to want the double portion, it is another thing to stay focused on the source of the double portion. Condition for the Double Portion Elijah knew that , that is why he said you will get it if you see me go. Condition for the Double Portion There is a central truth in the exchange between Elijah and Elisha. That central truth is this The fact that something is hard does not make it impossible Condition for the Double Portion The fact that something is difficult does not mean it is out our your reach The fact that others don’t have it does not mean that you cannot have it. Condition for the Double Portion Elijah said your request is difficult but if you see me go, then you will have it. Same principle is in the gospel Jesus thought the same principle of abiding in the presence of the Lord In John 15 John 15: reading from verse 1 tells us John 15: 1-8 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. John 15: 1-8 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. John 15: 1-8 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15: 1-8 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Essential Progression Productivity in life is difficult. It is a hard thing to be effective and productive But the bible is saying though a productive life is challenging and difficult it is possible for those who abide in Christ. Essential Progression Though the whole world may not be able to bear fruits that glorify God, Yet if we abide in Christ it will be possible for us. Essential Progression There fore for John 15 that we just read you will notice three very important things 1. Your survival is a function of your productivity 2 Essential Progression Your Survival is a function of your Productivity 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. Luke 15:2 Essential Progression Your survival as a Christian is a function of productivity. In other words if your Christian life is not producing any fruit you are as good as dead. Revelation 3 reading from verse 14 tells us... Essential Progression 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Essential Progression 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Essential Progression 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Essential Progression God is not obligated to you if you are not productive. If all you do is take up space and you are not productive or adding value you will be chopped. Essential Progression If you think this is harsh look at Matthew 25 reading from verse 25 Matthew 25:25-30 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (in other word this guy was not productive) 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Matthew 25:25-30 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. Matthew 25:25-30 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Essential Progression Your survival as a Christian is a function of productivity. In other words if your Christian life is not producing any fruit you are as good as dead. Essential Progression The second thing we notice in John 15 is that Essential Progression Your Productivity is a function of your Connectivity 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. Essential Progression Since your survival as a Christian is a function of productivity. How then do you become productive? You become productive by staying connected to the source of life Essential Progression John 15 : 4 says 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. Essential Progression Unless you stay connected to God you attempt at being productive will be a waste of time. Why is that ? the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Essential Progression Our Lord is saying you must stay connected to the source of life if you want to have life. It is when you have life that you will be productive because the branch cannot bear fruit of itself. Essential Progression The third thing we notice in John 15 is that Essential Progression Your Connectivity is a function of your ability to Abide. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Essential Progression Your productivity and connectivity is not a one time thing. It is not something you do for a while and let it go. It must be continuous. It must be ongoing. Essential Progression The moment you detach your self from the source, you stop being productive. There are many factors and forces that want you to be disconnected. That is why you must do everything possible to abide in christ Essential Progression 2 Peter 1: 10 says . Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: Essential Progression To remain connected the branch must make up its mind to stay connected. Because there are several forces that want to pull the branch away from the source of life. Just like Elijah told Elisha, the only way you can have the double portion of power is for you to see me. In other word you must abide with me for you to receive the power you seek. Jesus is saying to the only way you can productive ( the only way you can bear fruit) is for you to be connected and abide. (Remain connected). The question then is What does it mean to Abide What does it mean to abide? To abide means to remain To stay connected It means not to give up It means keep trusting God What does it mean to abide? It means keep on believing It mean keep on holding on It means staying focused on Christ What does it mean to abide? When Jesus said abide he provides the condition for abiding... What does it mean to abide? In John 15: 7 the bible says 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Requirements to abide? To abide in Christ therefore requires You have encountered the Word You have allowed the word of God to dwell in you Requirements to abide? You have allowed room for the word in your life You have allowed the word to influence your life What does it mean to abide? When you allow God’s word to Access your life Shape your life and Influence your decisions What does it mean to abide? That is when you can remain in his presence, That is when you can access his resources That is when you can pull from his treasures What does it mean to abide? The result of the access that your abiding gives you is that .... Asking start to get answers Seeking stat to get finding Knocking starts to set opening. What does it mean to abide? This is only possible because You Stayed in his presence You allowed his words to permeate your life You allowed your life to be influenced by his word. The difficulty of Abiding But Abiding is difficult, expecially when The word of God has no place in you The word of God has no influence The word of God has no value in your life The difficulty of Abidin Abiding is difficult but its benefits are rewarding. One of the the real benefit of abiding is found in verses 4 and 5 of John 15 John 15: 4-5 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. John 15: 4-5 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. The benefit of Abiding From these verse of scriptures we can see that one of the real benefits of abiding in Christ is Productivity (fruit bearing). Every life bears fruit. Good fruits, bad fruits, ugly fruits, sour fruit Every life bear fruit Matthew 7: 20 tells us ...Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. What kind of Fruit does your life produce? This will be our focus for the rest of the month as we look at The fruit of the Connected Life Let us Pray Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
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