PRODUCING FRUIT OF THE KINGDOM

READINGS:   Isaiah 5:1 – 7; Philippians 3:3 – 11; Matthew 21:33 – 46.

SERMON OUTLINE:

I. INTRODUCTION

Most, if not all, farmers cultivate various crops with the expectation of reaping a good harvest. I am yet to see a farmer who cultivates without expecting a good harvest. Any crop that is cultivated produces particular fruit as a harvest for all the hard work of the farmer. If the farmer planted maize, he will expect to harvest maize and he will put in all the mechanism that will ensure that he gets good fruit from his farm.

And rightly so the Vineyard owner and the landowner in our first and third Bible readings expected good fruit and fruit from his vineyard and tenants respectively.

Our theme for today’s Service is “Producing fruit of the Kingdom”. We will consider answering the following questions from the passages that we have read and take some lessons for our own lives;

· * What is fruit of the Kingdom?

· * Why do we have to bear or produce fruit of the Kingdom? and

· * How do we bear or produce fruit of the Kingdom?

II. LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGES

A.    What is fruit of the Kingdom?

In our first Bible reading in Isaiah 5:1 – 7, Isaiah talks about God as the owner of a vineyard which is the house of Israel. God planted this vineyard to produce good grapes which is righteousness and justice. Instead the vineyard of God (i.e. the house of Israel) produced bad grapes which is bloodshed and cries of distress.

Jesus in our third Bible reading talks about the land owner and his vineyard but in this instance about tenants of the vineyard. God who is the owner of the vineyard in this context expects fruits from the vineyard.

The fruit of the kingdom is righteousness and justice. In Galatians 5:22 – 23, we are told the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the fruit of the kingdom and God expects every child of the kingdom to bear this fruit. The question is are we part of the kingdom and if so what fruit are we bearing or producing, good fruit or bad fruit? 

B.    Why do we have to bear or produce fruit of the Kingdom?

1. Because of the investment that the owner (God) have put into the vineyard. In Isaiah 5:2 we are told the God located the vineyard on a fertile hill and “He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well.” Jesus in Matthew 21:33 tells us that the landowner who planted a vineyard before renting it out “put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower.” God has invested heavily in the kingdom by giving His Son to us. He paid a heavy price to redeem us who belong to the kingdom. And so we have to bear or produce fruit of the kingdom.

2. Destruction awaits those who do not produce or bear the fruit of the kingdom. In Isaiah 5:5 – 6, God talks of removing his protection from the house of Israel in these terms “Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” and in Matthew 21:41, 43 we are told “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” [43] “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

C.    How do we produce fruit of the Kingdom?

Paul in our second Bible reading tells us that his “righteousness is by faith in Jesus Christ.” We can only attain this righteousness by putting our faith in Jesus Christ and knowing Him through sharing in His suffering, becoming like Him. It is this commitment and attachment to the Lord Jesus Christ that produces the fruit of the kingdom. Truly those who worship God by the Spirit of God glory not in their flesh but in Christ Jesus. Human effort can only produce bad fruit. In John 15:1 – 8, we are told we can only produce fruit only when we are attached to the true vine who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. CONCLUSION

In Mat 7:20, Jesus said “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” We belong to the kingdom of God, then we must produce good fruit. Good fruit is the natural produce of the godly. Have you examined your fruit lately? Is it good fruit or bad fruit? Is it sweet or sour?

God expects the people of His kingdom to produce good fruit of righteousness and justice. This comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and an attachment to Him as the vine and we the branches. (John 15:1 – 8).

I challenge you this week to go and produce the fruit that God expects from you. Let those around you yearn to know and see that you belong to the Kingdom by bearing or producing fruit of righteousness, holiness and justice in all your actions.

This will be difficult if you don’t belong to the Lord Jesus Christ by having His righteousness which comes by faith in Him. He calls you today to allow Him into your heart and give Him control of your life as your Lord and Saviour. Will you do that?

Let us pray.

If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as we have bowed our heads, ask Him to come in and make you a new person. Hand over our life to Him today.

Father we thank You for Your word. Bless us and strengthen us to go out there and produce the fruit of your kingdom as people who belong to You. We pray in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

GREAT FAITH REWARDS

Rev Ing Albert Annan & Family

READINGS:   Genesis 45:1 – 15; Romans 11:29 – 32; Matthew 15:21 – 28.

SERMON OUTLINE:

I. INTRODUCTION

We all have faith in something or someone. Even the atheist believe in something. You have faith that the chair that you are sitting on will not break for you to fall down. Every human being have faith and faith comes in certain measure. Last week, our theme was on “Oh! You of little faith”.

Our theme for today’s Service is “Great Faith Rewards”. We will explore the following from the passages that we have read:
The need of human beings (or the woman)
Where to find fulfilment for that need and
The test of our faith and reward we get from faith or believe in Jesus

  

II. LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGES

A.    The need of the woman and her action

The woman’s daughter was demon possessed and was suffering terribly.

Difficulties are part of life and these will at one point or the other will buffet our lives. Just like the woman, many at one point or the other have fallen into various life challenges. Many have gone to places seeking help. But the help that we need is found in Jesus, “the Son of David”. In using the term “Son of David”, the woman recognized and accepted the fact that Jesus is the Messiah whom the Jews are expecting. What the Jewish leaders and majority of the people rejected, this Gentile woman recognized and believed (c.f. Romans 11: 29 – 32).

B.    The woman sought help from Jesus.

Where do we go when we are in difficult situations or in troubled waters? Many people go to various places seeking help that only comes from God. There many people who have visited every shrine in the country, seeking solution to one challenge in life or another. But true help comes from God. He may seem quite and slow to us at some point in our lives and especially when we need Him the most. His seeming quietness and slowness isn’t rejection. When our prayers seems to be hitting walls, let’s not just give up hope. Let us keep on praying, trusting and waiting on the Lord.

C.    The test of faith, her great faith and the reward for her “great faith”.

Jesus’ response to the woman was a test of her faith in Him. She passed the test and Jesus recommended her as He always does with most Gentiles. He said her faith was great and at the very moment her daughter was healed.

Beloved in the Lord, the time of testing will be over soon when we persist in faith and keep on trusting in Jesus. He will come through for us. Our faith will be rewarded. Difficult situations and challenges require great faith in the Lord. The assurances of God is there for us. (c.f. Romans 11:29)

III. APPLICATION

Faith in God sees things from God’s perspective and not that of man. Joseph's perspective on the action of his brothers in selling him into slavery is an indication of his faith in God and his plans for his life. The brothers’ sinful intent was used by God for accomplishing His own plans and purposes in the life of Joseph. To the brothers they meant destruction but God used this to bring to pass what he has planned for the boy and revealed to him in dreams of the night. Out of destruction and death meant by jealous brother God brought life and salvation to an entire nation and tribe (Israel).

Sufferings, troubles and other difficult moments that come into our lives can be moments that God can use to bring out his purposes in our lives. Have faith in Him that His plans and purposes for your life cannot be thwarted even in the midst of difficulties. The purposes and plans of God cannot be thwarted by human evils and intents of destruction. Because of this don't lose faith in God. This should build up your confidence in Him and walk faithfully with Him no matter what is happening in your life. This is a wonderful and practical truth in Romans 11:29.  We can be rest assured that when the Lord makes a promise to us, there is nothing that can change that promise.  While the world is full of broken promises, we can rest assured that the Lord never breaks a promise that He makes to us.  We read in Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.)”

IV. CONCLUSION

Who or where do you run to when the storms of life are ranging in your life? Who is your anchor in life? Where is your faith and in whom have you placed your faith? Like the Canaanite woman, that we will run to and cling to Jesus for help. That we will kneel before Him and say “Lord, help me.” Because God is faithful and His promises sure, we can put all our faith and confidence in Him. Jesus is willing and ready to help you. Believe in Him and run to Him.