The Fruit of Kingdom Life

 

Glory to God!

The Kingdom of God is advancing and the increase of Christ's rule and reign will never end because the zeal of the Lord will accomplish this (see Isaiah 9:6,7). The Father is passionate and zealous to fulfill His purposes on earth. Nothing will hinder the advancement of God's Kingdom! The passion and the power that is behind the advancement of God's Kingdom is the same zeal that is behind the Father's desire for His children to produce the fruit of His Kingdom. Just as Jesus was consumed with the zeal of the Lord in clearing the temple to restore Kingdom order and honour, so the Father wants us to participate in His zeal to see His Kingdom established on earth as it is in heaven as we produce the fruit of His Kingdom. Hallelujah!

Having looked at the motivation (why?) and the method (how?) for fruitfulness last week as we studied John 15, yesterday we examined what the fruit is that God has called and appointed us to bear (Click here to listen to the sermon entitled: The fruit of Kingdom Life). Each of the following branches of Kingdom Life require particular seed to be sown in order to produce the fruit of the Kingdom. Each branch is based on Jesus' commands to the Church and will produce the fruit of His Kingdom as we remain in Christ and obey Him.

Spiritual: a people who depend on God, live for God and are governed by Him.
Jesus' command: "Remain in me." John 15:4
Seed: praying, studying God's Word, worship, being led by the Holy Spirit, faith, etc

Relational: a people who are committed to one another in love.
Jesus' command: "Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12
Seed: reconciliation, forgiveness, connecting, caring, being a significant part of the Church, etc

Maturing: a people who are growing in their knowledge of God, in Christ-likeness and love.
Jesus' command: "Go and bear fruit." John 15:16
Seed: studying God's Word, applying God's Word, renewal of the mind, etc

Healing: a people of hope who bring restoration.
Jesus' command: "Heal the sick." Matthew 10:8
Seed: accepting, listening, caring, ministering the healing power of Jesus, speaking truth and hope into people's lives, encouraging, exhorting, etc

Serving: a people who sacrificially help others.
Jesus' command: "Wash one another's feet." John 13:14
Seed: serving in the church, helping others, meeting needs in Jesus' Name, etc

Generous: a people who give beyond expectation.
Jesus' command: "Freely you have received. Freely give." Matthew 10:8
Seed: giving beyond the tithe, being merciful, being gracious, giving beyond with one's time and energy, etc

Outward-focused: a people who reach out to the unsaved and needy.
Jesus' command: "Be my witnesses." Acts 1:8
Seed: testifying about Jesus, feeding the hungry, visiting prisoners, clothing the poor, etc

Creative: a people who celebrate their gifts for God's glory.
Jesus' command: "Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Seed: using one's gifts to glorify God, dance, literature, music, art, etc

Multiplying: a people who influence with, birth and establish God's Kingdom wherever they are.
Jesus' command: "Go and make disciples." Matthew 28:19
Seed: teaching, mentoring, church planting, leadership training, initiating, etc

As we remain in Jesus and seek to be a spiritual, relational, maturing, healing, serving, generous, outward-focused, creative and multiplying people both individually and corporately, we will produce the fruit of God's Kingdom and be part of the establishing and advancing of God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Hallelujah!