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Secrets of the Abundant Life-1

The Secret of Living is Bearing Fruit

TEXTJohn 10:10John 15:8

INTRODUCTION:

A.      SUPPOSE YOU WERE OFFERED GREATEST JOY, THE FULLEST

          MEASURE OF BLESSEDNESS, ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE, AND

          PEACE OF MINDWOULD YOU BE INTERESTED?

B.      JESUS OFFERS SUCH A LIFE( John 10:10 ).

C.      JESUS OFFERS ABUNDANCE THROUGH HIS TEACHINGS( John 15:11 ).

D.      ONE SURE AVENUE TO THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS IN FRUIT BEARING.

I.      DIFFERENT KINDS OF FRUIT WE ARE TO BEAR.

A.      WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST AND HELPING THEM GROW.

          1.       Paul speaks of this kind of "fruit" ( Rom. 1:13 ).

          2.       A branch bearing fruit produces a product identical to itself( Acts 26:29 ).

          3.       Therefore, one way a disciple bears fruit is by producing another disciple!

                   ( Matt. 28:19;  2 Tim. 2:2 ).

B.      SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED.

          1.       Paul speaks of contributing to the poor as a "fruit"( Rom. 15:25-28 ).

          2.       In His own way, Jesus certainly did this( 2 Cor. 8:9 ).

          3.       If the "Vine" did this, His "branches" to do the same( 1 John 3:16-18 ).

C.      DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...

          1.       The "fruit" of the Spirit is the development of certain graces( Gal. 5:22-23 ).

          2.       Certain qualities of character befit the Divine Nature( 2 Pet. 1:4-8 ).

          3.       "renewed...according to the image of Him who created him"( Col. 3:9-10 ).

D.      PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS.

          1.       Hebrews describes such activities as a sort of "fruit"( Heb. 13:15 ).

          2.       Again, the "Vine" was known for such behavior( Luke 10:21;  John 11:41 ).

II.     HOW BEARING FRUIT MAKES FOR AN ABUNDANT LIFE.

A.      THERE IS GREAT "JOY" FOR THOSE WHO WIN SOULS.

          1.       John says that there is "no greater joy"( 3 John 3-4 ).

          2.       Paul's converts at Thessalonica were his "pride and joy"( 1 Thess. 2:19-20 ).

          3.       The greatest work( James 5:19-20 ).

B.      THERE IS GREAT "HAPPINESS" FOR THOSE WHO SHARE.

          1.       They learn by experience the truthfulness of Jesus' teachings( Acts 20:35 ).

          2.       Influence of doing good( Matt. 5:16 ).

          3.       The Lord's perspective( Matt. 25:34-40 ).

          4.       The Lord's promise( Matt. 10:42;  Luke 6:38 ).

C.      GREAT "ASSURANCE" FOR THOSE OF A CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER.

          1.       "The fruit of the Spirit" frees from condemnation ( Gal. 5:22-23 ).

          2.       Result of sharing in the Divine Character( 2 Pet. 1:8-11 ).

D.      THERE IS GREAT "PEACE" FOR THOSE GIVEN TO THANKSGIVING.

          1.       Where is Peace of Mind?( Phil. 4:6-7 ).

          2.       There is peace in trusting Jehovah( Psa. 4:8;  Psa. 119:165 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      A LIFE FILLED WITH JOY, HAPPINESS, ASSURANCE AND PEACE IS   SURELY AN ABUNDANT LIFE.

B.      THE SECRET OF ABUNDANT LIVING IS BEARING FRUIT.

C.      WE CAN ONLY BEAR FRUIT IN JESUS( John 15:4-5 ).

 

 

"In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; for thou, Jehovah, alone makest me dwell in safety"( Psa. 4:8 ).

 

 

"Great peace have they that love thy law; and they have no occasion of stumbling"( Psa. 119:165 )