Fruitfulness
There is a leader inside you, talking to you, calling to you about your destiny. It takes a very confident person to lead, and when Jesus is your boss, your choices are not your own. You are here for a reason – let’s look at why.
Matthew 21:10
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
When Jesus showed up, the whole city started shaking. There was no social media, just word of Jesus coming. What happens when you step on the scene? Jesus came to start talking. You should be talking too, making a joyful noise.
Matthew 21:18-19
Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
So Jesus is hungry, and he comes upon this fig tree. This is a full-grown fig tree, with leaves, and no fruit. Now, keep in mind, he can do anything. Does he make the fig tree grow some fruit for him to eat? No! he curses it. Now, the fruit in this story is important, but the order is more important. Palestinian fig trees bore their fruit first, and then their leaves. This tree was not producing. If you truly love Jesus, you should have fruit in your life and not just leaves. A piece of fruit disconnected from a tree is still useful – it still has seeds. Leaves disconnected from a tree are just dead leaves. Jesus has a problem with trees with no fruit.
What is fruit? Some of the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, and peace. What produces love? Hurt, disappointment, disrespect. Going through those things makes you appreciate how good God is. How do we achieve peace and joy? Do we pray to have God take us out of hard situations? God doesn’t specialize in taking you out of the storms, He specializes on helping you weather them. Fruit is about how you live, not what you say.
If God is sending somebody hungry to your tree, what will they find? You have been chosen and called. It is not about you and your talents. God would have you speak life to your friends and teammates. Can you lead someone to the water?
God is on the throne. Love people who don’t look like you. Wear their sin – you are just as dirty. Show people God’s grace and be fruitful as you extend grace to everyone.
Think about it this way: Shepherds don’t make sheep, sheep make other sheep. Invite someone to FCA, to church. Make it your goal to bring one new person to FCA or to church every week. Be full of the fruit of the Spirit.
