The Secret of Divine Blessedness

 

Secrets of Divine Blessedness - Part 1

Some basic things are required for true success in life. One of them is the blessing of the Lord. I concede that one can amass wealth by hook or by crook without the blessing of the Lord. But the result won’t be a true success.

Proverbs 10:22 says the blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

The Hebrew word for blessing in this scripture is berakah, which means “benediction; by implication prosperity” (Strong’s Concordance). Therefore, to be blessed means to be empowered to prosper, and to prosper means to be successful.

Amazingly, even Satan acknowledged that the blessing of the LORD can make a difference in someone’s life. Satan told God that one of the reasons Job feared God was because “You [God] have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land” (Job 1:10 NKJV). The word “blessed” in this scripture is barak in Hebrew.

Before the fall of man, God blessed (Hebrew: barak) man at creation (Genesis 1:28). Though He blessed the sea creatures and the birds to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:22), it was only the man that He gave the power to have dominion.

Although God pronounced a curse on man after the fall, we can, through Jesus, access the blessing of the Lord. “How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 NLT). Every child of God is blessed and can access His blessing.

I pray that like Naphtali, you will be satisfied with favor and full of the blessing of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:23).

How to access the blessing of the Lord

1. Be Born again :- The Bible says, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:7-8 NKJV). That means those who have not yet received forgiveness of their sins are not blessed because their sins still count against them. They’re still under the curse of the law. Proverbs 28:13 says whoever covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

To access the blessing of the Lord, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Believe in your heart unto righteousness and confess with your mouth unto salvation (Romans 10:10). Believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and your Saviour.

2. Obey God :- Obedience to God’s Word is key to accessing His blessing. Disobedience will hinder anyone from accessing the blessing of the Lord. You cannot continue in sin and ask that grace abound (Romans 6:1).

Deuteronomy 28 records blessings and curses. Obedience attracts the blessing of the Lord (verses 1-14) while disobedience attracts curses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Leviticus 26:14-46).

Because Abraham had obeyed the LORD to sacrifice Isaac and He stopped him at the point of killing him, He said, “blessing I will bless you” (Genesis 22:17a NKJV). He blessed him. If you want to access the blessing of the Lord, obey His Word and the Holy Spirit. Although we are no more under the law and Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, God still demands obedience to Him. To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22b).

3. Consecrate yourself :- God is holy. He told the children of Israel, and by extension, all His children, “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 20:7 NKJV).

Consecrate yourself and be holy as Moses told the Levites. “Then Moses said, ‘Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day’” (Exodus 32:29a NKJV). You cannot be willfully living in sin and think you can access the blessing of the Lord.

4. Be faithful :- Faithful people are trustworthy people, and such people are blessed by the Lord and men. Proverbs 28:20a says, “A faithful man will abound with blessings” (NKJV).

Illustrating the Kingdom of heaven with the story of three servants, Jesus said that the first two servants were praised by their master, one after the other, for being faithful in handling the small amounts he gave them. Therefore, he made them rulers over many things (Matthew 25:21, 23). But the unfaithful third servant was not blessed by his master. He was punished (verses 26-30). A similar thing happened in the parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27).

In the parable of the unjust steward, Jesus said, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke16:10-11 NKJV).

5. Put your trust in the Lord :- Put your trust in Him. “Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2:12b NKJV).

Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (NKJV).

If you want to enjoy the blessing of the Lord, put your trust in Him, not in man. Jeremiah 17:5-6 says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited” (NKJV).

6. Give to the Lord :- Giving money and other material things to the Lord opens your life to His blessing. This does not mean His blessing is for sale. It means that you’re a responsible child. Nobody can buy the blessing of the Lord. How much will you pay the Lord who is the owner of everything?

After Solomon had offered the LORD a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon, He appeared to him in a dream and blessed him. He gave him more than he asked for. He gave him a wise and understanding heart which he had asked for so that there had not been anyone like him before and after him. He also gave him riches and honour, which he didn’t ask for so that there shall not be anyone like him among the kings all his days (1 Kings 3:4-15).

7. Honour the servants of the Lord and give to the poor and needy :- Honouring the servants of the Lord can provoke the pronouncement of His blessing on you. This includes giving financial and material gifts to the servants of God (Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). “The best of all firstfruits of any kind, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifices, shall be the priest’s; also you shall give to the priest the first of your ground meal, to cause a blessing to rest on your house” (Ezekiel 44:30 NKJV).

The Shunammite woman got the miracle of a son because she took care of the prophet of God, Elisha. When the son died, Elisha also raised him back to life (2 Kings 4:8-37).

Moses pronounced a blessing upon the Israelites before he died. Deuteronomy 33:1 introduces this chapter by saying, “This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave to the people of Israel before his death” (NLT) Please take note of the phrase “Moses, the man of God.”

While it is true that all believers today are priests, the Lord has given some people as gifts to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). As men of God, they can pronounce His blessing on you in response to your support for them.

Paul said, “The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain” (2 Timothy 1:16 NKJV). He also prayed for the Philippians who had sent gifts to him, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV).

Also, giving to the poor and needy can release the blessing of the Lord upon you. Proverbs 22:9 says, “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor” (NKJV). The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered (Proverbs 11:25).

Likewise, Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given” (NKJV). The Lord is not a debtor. He will pay back whatever you lend Him. Also, Proverbs 28:27 says, “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses” (NKJV). If you give to the poor and needy, the Lord will bless you.

8. Provide for your parents :- One of the important keys to accessing the blessings of the Lord is to provide for your parents. Even if they have everything they need, look for ways to do for them what will make them bless you.

Isaac told Esau to make him savory food, such as he loved. He said he should bring it to him so that he might eat and his soul might bless him before he died (Genesis 27:4). After Isaac realized that Jacob had deceived him to receive the blessing, he told Esau, “I have blessed him [Jacob] — and indeed he shall be blessed” (Genesis 27:33b NKJV). It was the savory food that Isaac ate that provoked the blessing he released upon Jacob. Also in Genesis 49, Jacob spoke his last words to his sons, which was in form of a blessing.

Providing for your parents is part of honouring your father and your mother so that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God has given you (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). It will attract the blessing of the Lord on you. Jesus supported giving to one’s parents (Mark 7:9-13). Giving to the Lord doesn’t cancel this.

9. Associate with the carriers of the blessing of the Lord :- Joseph was a successful man in Potiphar’s house because the LORD was with him. The LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; His blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

Associating with those the blessing of the Lord is upon opens you up to the blessing of the Lord. That was what the Egyptian boss of Joseph enjoyed. The opposite is also true. The curse, working in someone’s life, may affect those associated with him. How do you recognize such people? Listen to the Holy Spirit. Be sensitive. Potiphar was not a Christian; yet, he recognized that there was something positively unique about Joseph! Joseph’s boss recognized the impact of his presence and he committed his entire household into his hand (Genesis 39:2-6).

But the mariners in the ship with Jonah would have shipwrecked because of Jonah (Jonah 1:4-16). If God is resisting a man, partnering him in any endeavour may end in a colossal failure

(2 Chronicles 20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48). Romans 8:31b says, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (KJV). Conversely, if God is against someone, it makes no difference who is for him. May God not be against you in Jesus’ name.

10. Pray:- Prayer is important in accessing the blessing of the Lord. But without the previous conditions being satisfied, it will be ineffective. Prayer for the blessing of the Lord is an acknowledgment that it is superior to your labour but not a substitute. Do all you are supposed to do and pray for the blessing of the Lord.

Zechariah 10:1 says, “Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone” (NKJV). In Israel, the former rain fell in autumn (October-November) while the latter rain fell between March and April in the spring. The former rain was needed for planting while the latter rain was needed for an abundant grain harvest. This is the literal meaning of the former rain and latter rain.

Praying for the blessing of the Lord is like praying for rain at the planting of your seeds and for your crops to mature for harvest as you do all you need to do. Paul planted and Apollos watered, but only God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). May the blessing of the Lord be upon you.

Conclusion: As I’ve pointed out, if Satan could acknowledge the difference the blessing of the LORD could make in someone’s life, you should not despise it. Ensure that you access the blessing of the Lord.

TAKE ACTION!

The Gates of Hell Shall not Prevail

The Gates of Hell Shall not Prevail!

Jesus said:

“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18)

The phrase pulai hadou (gates of hell) is a Jewish expression meaning “realm of the dead.” The same two words appear in the Septuagint version of Job 38:17: “Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness [ puloroi de hadou]?” They appear again in Isaiah 38:10: “I said in the middle of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol [pulais hadou] for the rest of my years.” In both passages, pulai hadou is a euphemism for death.

There is no doubt that we are involved in an intense spiritual warfare. God is impressing upon us that we are in a battle against an enemy who is taking the offensive against us. Satan’s kingdom is not divided and disorganized as some would believe, but is a highly organized array of spiritual powers and principalities. However, God is also impressing upon us that we have the authority to take the initiative against our enemy, and effectively counteract his ruling spirits and influences.

In fact, if we do not take the initiative against Satan, he will take the initiative against us. Whether we like it or not, we are at war with the kingdom of Satan, and we must not settle for a negotiated peace. We must utterly dominate Satan and his co-workers.

As I pondered this, I realized that Satan has a place, a gate, where he counsels together with his forces and exercises authority out of that council. To effectively counteract those satanic forces then, the Church needs its leadership, under the head of Jesus Christ, to gather together in unity and harmony in a sense of government. When this happens the gates of hell will be no match for the Church.

some Christians are not even aware of who or what the Church is. My understanding of the Greek term which gives us the ward "church," is that it is similar to the governmental houses in the United States which used to be called "assemblies." It is men coming together in right order, exercising a certain amount of rule and authority. This type of order and unity represents a tremendous threat to Satan, because his basic strategy towards the Church has always been to divide and conquer. As Jesus said, "Any kingdom divided against itself would be no match for its opposition. For this reason it is necessary for the leadership of the Church to assemble together, counsel together and exercise the corporate authority needed to defeat the government of Satan.

Adam failed in his delegated responsibility to rule the earth for the Lord, and that enabled Satan’s rulership to be established. But Jesus won the right of rulership back, and as we come together and align ourselves with Jesus, once again exercising the authority and dominion that Adam forfeited, there is a clash of governments — a conflict between the government of Satan and the government of God.

Satan, through trying to influence governments in the world, is trying to take dominion over the earth or at least regain his former dominion.

Jesus follows this by saying “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven” so that what the church binds and looses on earth will be bound and loosed in heaven. Whatever the church locks up when it bashes down the gates of Hades will be locked up in heaven, and whatever it unlocks and sets free will be set free in heaven.

Another corporate picture, in addition to the one of our being the army of God, is a picture that we are still trying to come to grips with in many ways, that or being God’s government on earth. To successfully attack the strongholds of the nations, "binding the strong man" and "plundering his home" and thus ultimately fulfil the Great Commission to disciple not only individuals but nations, is going to take the authority of Christ invested in His people as a corporate Body under the government of God. Against this type of Church assembly the gates of hell are no match.

2Cor. 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

The Realm of Death and its arrays cannot Overcome the Triumphant Church.

REFERENCE:

1. Chuck pierce - storming the gates of hell(Spiritual Warfare)

THE BLOOD SPEAKS

THE BLOOD SPEAKS

Hebrews  8:6:- But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.  12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

The power of the blood of Jesus has provided everything you need to live a life of victory, including Redemption, fellowship, healing, protection and authority over the devil.




As Christians, we know about the blood, sing hymns about the blood, and remember it during Communion. But how many of us truly know how deep its power runs, and all that it has provided for us? Even more important—how many of us use it and apply it in our lives every day?



From Genesis to Revelation, the words the blood are kept before our eyes—a reminder of its importance and significance to God and to us. The sacrifices of Abel, Noah and Isaac, and the Passover lamb, and the giving of the Law all came to pass, but “not without blood” (Hebrews 9:7, NKJV). The blood symbolizes cleansing and purification—the settling of a matter.



God is love. And the greatest expression of His love toward us is the blood of Jesus. That love covers every need man has had or ever will have, and every time we apply the blood, we experience an outpouring of this love. It is love, through the blood, that has created a barrier between you and all the works of the devil.



“Of all the glorious things that the blood means, this is one of the most glorious: His blood is the sign, the measure, yes, the impartation of His love.” —Andrew Murray



Let’s elevate the blood of Jesus to the same place in our hearts that it has in God’s heart—and awaken in our spirits those powerful things the blood has procured for us. The power of the blood of Jesus has provided everything you need to live a life of victory, including redemption, fellowship, healing, protection and authority over the devil.

Faith in the blood produces great results.”

Authority Over the Devil Through the Blood of Jesus
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” –Revelation 12:11 (KJV)

Activate the Efficacy and Supernatural Power In the Blood and Experience The Believers Authority over the Works of Hell and Darkness.

STEWARDING THE MANTLE OF FIRE

STEADWARDING THE MANTLE OF FIRE

Acts.  3:21:- Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

The mantle of fire marks the anointing of those whose callings usher in agendas that fulfill key prophecies and the release of accompanying moves of His Spirit.

There are also situations in which the Lord made allowance by covering ones with the shadow of His hand. Scripture then unveils a time of salvation, when supernaturally, God Himself will intervene to present the prophets, the saints and all who fear His Name, as faultless before the presence of His glory. (Jude 1:24-25 and Rev 11:18)

When God is sovereignly moving, “more of the same harder” will run into the ditch. It is a time to hold steady and move with faithful caution. Being alert and prepared incorporates the need to understand what is to be expected.

This new thing God is doing and the authority for the mantle of fire are tied to His holiness and power. It will be marked by the restoration of many ancient mysteries.
“Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads and look. Then ask for the ancient paths where the good way lies. Then walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” Jer 6:16

Being alert to the new and restored dimensions of what God is doing may stretch us beyond our comfort zones and require a fresh alignment of our hearts with His. Such an alignment is predicated on seeking Him with a pure and unencumbered heart.

Maintaining the Momentum. Between the turmoil and what God is releasing will be events that transpire fast. The potential to be overwhelmed must be resisted by a fervent focus giving priority to time in seeking the Lord. A word for this hour is that whatever sphere of influence we walk into, that we should immediately begin looking beyond it, lest it overwhelm us.

God’s antidote is the mantle of fire which employs only a pure holy fire.
“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” John 7:18.

The times demand not just the pure fire, but the restoration of the holy process without the polluted add-ons. Daniel noted that in the time of the end many would be purified and refined, but that wickedness would increase and abound. The times upon us are bordering between the times of sorrow spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24 and the times of the end described by Daniel. Wickedness is on the increase and gaining root.

The Unstoppable Dynamic
The early church was seen by the world as “those who are turning the world upside down.” Their faith-response involved sacrifice and, as a people, THEY became the catalysts to releasing the Glory and Power. There’s nothing to compare with that complete exchange of His life for ours, within community, to actuate the maturity spoken of by Paul to the Ephesians.

True spiritual maturity leads. It is evidenced by those who take responsibility beyond their selves, face the fire, and penetrate the veil to reverse the bondages. The full knowledge of the Lord (Eph 4) is not a head-thing or the resolution of all our soulish issues; but rather an operational application of the mantle of fire.

We are in a time in which the wisdom and power that flowed in the early church is not just being restored. It will become the launch-pad for even greater levels of the release of His power and glory.

Those wielding the mantle of pure fire will pierce the extremes of darkness with God’s glory and power. The pure fire has always been tied to God’s presence and the consumption of darkness in its wake. The word to the church for this day is to reach for the fire, the pure fire.

“I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Then the nations will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst.”  Ezek 37:26-28.

The Believers Authority

                                         

                                         THE BELIEVERS’ AUTHORITY

Matthew 28:18-20  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore [you] go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

•• In the famous Great Commission, we see an impartation of authority from Jesus Christ to believers in Him. In some of His final words to His disciples before He ascended back to heaven, Jesus sends them forth into the world to preach, teach, baptize, and otherwise minister on His behalf — in essence, to teach the world "everything" (vs. 20) that Jesus had entrusted to His chosen disciples. The parallel Great Commission in Mark's Gospel (see next) confirms this transfer of heavenly authority to believers on earth.

Mark 16:15-20  [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

•• Here again, the Great Commission sender is Jesus. Those who are sent forth to minister in all the world are His disciples — "those who believe" (vs. 17). And we are not sent powerless. No! If we believe Jesus and His promises, we will heal the sick, speak in new tongues, cast out demons, and much more as we bring the Gospel to the far corners of the earth. How? Because Jesus, who has "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18) has given us this commission and the authority to fulfill it — even with the confirmation of supernatural signs.

•• Unfortunately, in too many churches today the saints are not taught that they, not just the pastor, are called and empowered to do the work of the ministry. The antidote for this is for believers to see in Scripture that Jesus has given all of us the power and authority to accomplish His work on earth, consistent with His unique callings and the spiritual enablements given to each one of us.

Luke 9:1-2; 10:19  When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick... [and to 72 others He said, 10:19] I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

•• Not just to His apostles, but to a larger group of His followers (10:17) Jesus gave power and authority to proclaim the kingdom, to heal the sick, to cast out demons, and to overcome all the power of the enemy! And we have just seen (above) Jesus giving that same power and authority to believers to further the Great Commission in "all the world".That includes you and me!

John 14:12  Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

•• What works had Jesus been doing? Healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, casting out devils, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and more. Who else can do these works, and "even greater"? — the answer: "whoevever believes in [Jesus]". Not just His twelve apostles, not just pastors and church leaders, but whoever believes in Him! You can share the Gospel, confirmed with powerful signs, because Jesus has delegated this authority to believers. And the believer's authority is not restricted by our own natural limitations. Remember, it is God's authority given through Jesus to us.

Mark 13:34, KJV  For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

•• In the context above, Jesus was speaking to His disciples about the time between His first and second coming. He said He was going to "leave his house" — that is, return to heaven. And He gave to each of His servants on earth work to do and the authority to get it done. For this entire Church Age, Jesus has given spiritual authority to His servants on earth.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

•• The apostle Paul refused to depend on his natural abilities (as prodigious as those were!). Let this be a lesson to us. Instead, he intended that people's faith would rest, not on his human wisdom, but on a Gospel preached with a confirming "demonstration of the Spirit's power". Let's see now the source of that Holy Ghost power that Jesus has promised to us.

Acts 1:5, 8  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit... [8] you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

•• We have seen that Jesus willingly gives authority to us, His followers. And the power to wield that authority effectively comes in the promised baptism with the Holy Spirit. That is where believers "will receive power" to fulfill the Lord's work on earth. The early Church needed to be filled with the Spirit, and so do we today.

•• Now let's look at some encouraging biblical examples of Christ's authority working effectively in the lives of believers.

1) Leading a soul to Jesus — John 4:28-30, 39  Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him... [39] Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”

•• This Samaritan woman was herself a brand-new believer. But there was already within her as a believer the ability to say to her townspeople, "Come and see. Could this be the Messiah?" And they did come and hear Jesus speak, and many became believers in Christ, in great measure "because of the woman's testimony". This woman, not knowing theology, simply shared what faith she had, and souls were gathered to Jesus. If she could do this, so can we. Why? Because Jesus Christ has given us power from God and the authority to minister for Him with that delegated power here on earth.

2) Leading someone into the baptism with the Holy Spirit — Acts 9:10, 17  In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” ... [17] Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord — Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

•• Ananias was simply "a disciple", a "devout man" (Acts 22:12, KJV), a believer in Jesus. Yet the Lord used him to heal Saul's blindness and to minister the baptism with the Holy Spirit to Saul (who later became the apostle Paul).

3) Cast out devils — Mark 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.

•• "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy" (Luke 10:19). Jesus confirmed this promise in the Great Commission: "These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons" (Mark 16:17).

4) Healing the sick — Mark 16:17-18, KJV  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name ... [18] they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

•• It is the privilege of all believers ("them that believe") to lay hands on the sick and see them healed.the sick. Among them might very well be some with the Holy Spirit-given "gifts of healing" (1 Corinthians 12:9).

5) Have prayers answered — James 5:13a, 16b  Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray... [16b] The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

•• Remember, believers have authority given by Jesus, the possessor of all authority in heaven and on earth. This applies to our prayer lives as well, where we find that the prayer of "a righteous man" is powerful and effective. Be confident as you pray, come boldly to His throne of grace in your times of need (Hebrews 4:16).

6) Manifesting gifts of the Holy Spirit — Acts 21:8-9  ...we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. [Amplified: "who had the gift of prophecy"]

•• Four young ladies, each of whom had the gift of prophecy. This is consistent with Peter's great Pentecost sermon where, quoting the prophet Joel, he says, "...I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy..." (Acts 2:17).

-Not just pastors and five-fold ministers, but the members of the church  and laity broadly — born-again Christians, aware of the authority Jesus has given believers, and finding the source of spiritual power in the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:19-20  Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t wedrive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

•• Many Christians, like those disciples, may be thinking, "Why couldn't we...?" And Jesus replies quite simply that's it's a matter of faith.

• Do you believe that Jesus has given authority to His servants? (Mark 13:34)

• Do you believe that He gives us a large measure of divine power in the baptism with the Holy Spirit? (Acts 1:5, 8)

• Do you believe that, as you go forth with the Good News, He will confirm the word with supernatural signs? (Mark 16:20)

• Do you believe that those with faith in Jesus will do His works and "even greater"? (John 14:12)

•• Jesus told his doubting disciples that, if they had faith, they could "move mountains", and nothing would be impossible for them.

•• How can this be? Simply because our resurrected Savior, who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18-20) has chosen to impart authority to His servants, so that we might go forth in power to expand the kingdom of God on this earth. And you are one of those servants that our Lord has called and empowered to be effective ambassadors for Christ to this lost world.

Jesus did not leave behind a powerless church when He ascended back to heaven. To the contrary, He imparted divine authority to those who follow Him, along with Holy Spirit power to accomplish great works embedded in righteousness for Him on this earth.

FRUITS MEET FOR REPENTANCE

“CALLED TO PRODUCE FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE” (LUKE 3:8)

John’s message had a twofold emphasis.

(i) The imminent appearance of the Messianic kingdom.

(ii) The imminent appearance to prepare for this event. He proclaimed an exhibition of repentance in the affairs of ordinary life and wanted his audience to show it in their daily relationship with one another. He therefore has an answer for every group of people who cared to how and what was expected of them (Luke 3:10 – 14).

Let us first of all look at the three key words in this theme “CALLED TO PRODUCE FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE” (LUKE 3:8)

1. REPENTANCE The world “CALLED” is derived from the Greek word “Kaleo”. In practical terms, fruit represent good works, a thought, attitude or action that God values because it glorifies Him. You produce inner fruit when you allow God to nurture in you a new Christ-like quality. You produce outward fruit when you allow God to work through you to bring Him glory. This would certainly include sharing your faith with others. The Apostles saw every area of life as an opportunity to produce fruit. For instance Paul wrote, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8). 19 Jesus shows how important and valuable fruit bearing is when He says, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain.” (John 15:16) The fruit you produce is your only permanent deposit in heaven. Repentance is one of the main themes of the Bible. The world “REPENTANCE” is used 110 times from Genesis 6:6 to Revelation 16:11.

The original Greek word for “Repentance” is “Metanoia” which stands for “a real change of mind and attitude towards sin and its cause, not merely the consequences of it” as used in Matthew 3:8 and Luke 24:27. Repentance prepares a soul for remission of sin. Some examples of repentance found in the Bible include the following: - The brothers of Joseph (Genesis 50:17) - David (psalm 51) - The people of Nineveh (Jonah 3) - The prodigal son (Luke 18:9-14) - The Publican (Luke 15:11-24) and - Peter (Matt. 26:75).

- Who does the calling? - Why are we called? - What type of fruit should a Christian produce? - What are the things that hinder us from producing fruit? - Are there Biblical examples of people who have succeeded in producing fruit in keeping with repentance? - How can one produce fruit in keeping with one‟s repentance? - What are the benefits or rewards for the Christian that produces fruit? Answers to these and other questions are bound to give us more insight to a better understanding of the theme.

Who Calls? The Bible makes it clear that God always takes the initiative in calling people. - God called Abraham to go to the Promised land (Genesis 12:1). -

Moses was called by God to go and deliver the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 3:10). -

Gideon was called to save Israel from the Midianites who were harassing them (Judges 6:14). - Elisha was called to replace Elijah the Prophet (1 Kings 19:19). -

Isaiah was called to go and send a message to the people of Israel (Isaiah 6:8) - And Paul was divinely called to be a Minister of the gospel (Acts 26:16). What is the Purpose of God when He calls? Is it for the well being of God or for the good of the person being called? The Prophet Jeremiah is of the view that it is for the good of the person God call (Jeremiah 29:11). Indeed God has a plan for the life of each individual believer. His call does not only involve a wonderful purpose of us throughout eternity, but we also have an expression of that call upon the earth now.

Alfred P. Gibbs in his book “the Preacher and his Preaching” emphatically asserts that “the authority of the call is the prerogative of Christ alone, for He calls whomsoever He wills.”

Why are we called? Whenever God calls us He has a reason or purpose for the call.

(i) To Be Separated to Him: When God calls a sinner, it is so that the sinner will repent and live to please Him. This involves a position transfer. The Sinner is called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). The person becomes separated unto God. Yes, God has emphatically proclaimed that those who were not His people shall be called the children of the living God (Romans 9:26). Such people are separated to the family of God.

(ii) To Fulfill His Purpose: The salvation of a Christian is not based on anything the person has done. It is actually dependent on the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Similarly, Christians are saved and called to holy living not because of what they have done but because of God’s own purpose and grace (2 Timothy 1:8-9). God has a purpose for us to fulfill here on earth and later in eternity. What a joy to actually know the purpose for which God has called us, and to fulfill it. How wonderful it will be if we can dedicate ourselves as Paul did to fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives by pressing forward towards the mark … (Philippians 3:14).

(iii) To Produce Fruit That Remains: People that are called by God are chosen by Him, Such people are ordained by God to go and produce fruit. Jesus emphasized the need for every believer to produce fruit in John 15. If the believer is fruitful he is pruned to produce more fruit. However, it is pertinent to draw our attention to the type of fruit that God requires his children to produce. It is a fruit that is in keeping with repentance and therefore remains (John 15:15).

What Type of Fruit should a Christian Produce?

Let us consider the characteristics of a fruit that is in keeping with repentance. The qualities of such a fruit include the following:

(i) It is an Outcome of a Changed Mind, heart and Will: True repentance involves a change of our mind (Matt. 21:28-29), our heart (2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Isaiah 57:15) and will (Luke 15:18-20). Jesus stressed the need for repentance in His sermon (Cf. Mark 15, Matt. 4:17; Luke 5:32). The Pillars of the first century church emphasized repentance. Peter in his second epistle, chapter three and verse nine notes “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Paul asserts that “a godly sorrow leads to repentance…” (2Cor. 7:10).

Repentance is the start of a walk with God. It is the departure point with the old life style and the beginning of a new life in Christ. There is not Christianity without repentance, a total, decisive, once and for all turning away from all known sins and turning to God.

(ii) It Emphasizes Restitution: Restitution is an act of restoring what has been wrongfully taken. It is a bold step taken to right an earlier wrong done. It is only those that have truly repented that can contemplate or embark on restitution. Let me emphasize here that most sins committed by me are against God, as well as against our neighbours. It seems to me that the only way to have a conscience void of offence toward man is the restoration of wrongs, damages, or losses suffered. By restitution you make your ways right before man and with repentance, you come into right relationship with God. This Christian practice has Biblical support (Cf. Genesis 20:7; Exodus 24:1-4 Matthew 5:23- 24).

(iii) It is an Embodiment of Good Works: Although we are not saved by our good works, good works are the expected fruit of true repentance. This is highlighted severally in the Scriptures (Cf. Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20; 2Tim. 3:17 and 1Pet. 2:12). Surely we are created in Christ Jesus to produce good works (Ephesians 2:10).

(iv) It easily Forgives no Matter What: Any person who produces fruit in keeping with repentance understands the need to forgive others. He goes a long way to forgive even his enemies (Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 6:37 and Ephesians 4:32).

(v) It shows Evidence of the fruit of the Spirit: As opposed to the works of the flesh, the Christian that produces fruits in keeping with repentance usually manifests the fruits of the Spirit in speech and conduct. Let us closely examine the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

This one fruit is made up of nine components namely: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).

(a) Love: The Greek word for divine love is “AGAPE” which is a strong, ardent, tender, compassionate, devotion to the well-being of someone. A person manifesting this fruit seeks for the good of God and his fellow human beings. He is patient, kind, generous, humble, courteous, unselfish, righteous and sincere (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Kenneth E. Hagin asserts in his book titled “Growing up Spiritually: that this fruit of the Spirit is a fruit that grows in your life because of the life of Christ within”.

(b) Joy: The original Greek world is “CHARA” which means the emotional excitement, gladness, delight over blessings received or expected for self and for others. This attribute is the hallmark of anyone who produces fruit in keeping with repentance (Luke 19:6) even when undergoing difficulties (2 Corinthians 7:4). The British writer and Oxford Professor, C.S. Lewis said his conversion from atheism was purely intellectual. He studied the claims of Christ and saw that the truth was on Christ’s side. The only honest thing he could say was, “Here I am Lord, if you’ll have me”.

But Lewis added that later on he was surprised by joy. This joy of the Lord comes from a dedication and commitment to the will and plan of God for the child of God.

(c) Peace: This component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is derived from the Greek word “EIRENE” which stands for the state of quietness, rest, repose, harmony, order and security in the midst of turmoil, strife and temptations. Since God is the author of peace and Christ is the Prince of peace, it stands to reason that the person who manifests this fruit must have encountered Jesus Christ.

This peace of God helps us believe God will supply all our need “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:19). It helps us keep our trust in God so we rest in Him in the midst of the storms of life.

(d) Longsuffering: The Greek word “MAKROTHUMIA” means patient, endurance, to bear long with the frailties, offences, injuries and provocations of others, without mourning, repining or resentment. Frankly speaking I am of the opinion that his fruit component only be produced by a Christian who produces fruit that is keeping with repentance (Cf. Colossians 1:10-11). The Holy Spirit helps us to be patient and even tempered even toward those that deliberately try to upset or harm us. This fruit of the spirit helps us to go the extra mile, turn the second cheek, endure insult and bear with those that ridicule us.

(e) Gentleness: The word is derived from the Greek word “CHRESTOTES” which means a disposition to be gentle, soft spoken, kind, even tempered, cultured and refined in character and conduct. In our modern age where most people are always in a hurry to catch up with one appointment, meeting or business transaction, this quality seems to have been missing. Nevertheless, this fruit is sympathetic, sensitive to people’s needs, and problems. It gives a soft answer that turns away wrath and avoids stirring up angry outbursts of temper (Proverbs 15:1). (f) Goodness: The Greek word “AGATHOSUNE” represents the state of being good, kind, virtuous, benevolent, generous and God like in life and conduct. The Bible makes it clear that man of himself cannot do good (Psalms 14:3). However, after being born of the Spirit, the Christian can be endued with this attribute. It manifests in helping others and meeting their real needs.

(g) Faith: In Greek the word “FAITH” is written as “PISTIS” which means the loving, divinely implanted, acquired and created principles of inward and wholehearted confidence, assurance, trust and reliance of God and all that He says. Simply put faith as total trust and confidence in what God has promise. The Christian life is a walk of faith since without faith one cannot please God (Hebrew 11:6). Every Christian needs to manifest this fruit so as to have meaningful relation with God.

(h) Meekness: This word is derived from the Greek word “PRAOTES” which means the disposition to be gentle, kind, indulgent, even balance in temper and passions, and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge. God helps the meek person (Psalms 147:6) and make him a blessing to others (Galatians 6:1). No wonder only true believers can produce this fruit that was manifest in the life of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:7; Matt. 11:28-30).

(i) Temperance: The Greek word “ENKRATEIA” means self-control; a moderation in the indulgence of the appetites and passions. Daniel exhibited this wonderful fruits while living as exile in Babylon, He had his friend had this fruit and God blessed them as they refused to eat the King's food (Daniel 1:8f). How wonderful our Christian witness would be if we coveted this attribute. Let me at this juncture say that temperance is not mere moderation. Rather, it is a self-control that results from self-discipline. The corresponding verb is used in 1Cor. 9:25 of athletes who must exercise self-control in everything if they want to win. This fruit helps the Christian to put to death all the desires, Passions. Appetites and tendencies of the flesh.

What are the Things that Hinder us from producing Fruit?

The following obstacles hinder a Christian from producing fruit in line with repentance.

(i) Unbelief: This is the act of not exercising faith in what God has said. It leads to doubt and blocks the production of fruit in the life of a Christian. In Matthew 21:21a) Jesus Christ highlights the undesirable attribute of unbelief in the life of a believer. James the Apostle also is of the same view (James 1:6-8).

(ii) Lack of the Word of God: The amount of the word of God in the life of a believer is a measure of the spiritual growth of that believer. Hosea the prophet puts it this way and I quote, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6a) Mark 11:24 says “You err because you know not the scriptures.” In the parable of the Sower, Jesus explained, “the seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). God‟s will for our lives is fruitfulness (Psalms 1:3) because the righteous is said to be like a tree planted, cultivated and well watered. The Apostle Paul boldly advised Timothy to study the word of God in order to be approved of Him.

(iii) Prayerlessness: In an age where people are so busy chasing after money, position, title, etc. Conscientious and effective praying becomes difficult if not impossible. To pray is not only to win but to bear fruit. The time we spend with the Lord in prayer can release a great, life – changing and historic power to a needy word. A prayerless Christian is a defeated Christian who definitely cannot bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Dr. lee Robertson in his book titled “For Preachers only” said, “it is a sin not to pray and how often we have sinned against God”. He suggest three major reasons for prayerlessness and I quote. “it may be we haven’t prayed because we are selfish we think only of ourselves, not of others. It may be we have failed to pray because of forgetfulness we are so busy with the things around us, we don’t take time to pray. It may be we didn’t pray because of foolish pride we have an idea we can work it out for ourselves and so we didn’t call upon God.”

(iv) Lack of Generosity: The Bible teaches that Christians can give willingly and cheerfully, from a spirit of generosity (Exodus 25:2; 2Cor. 9:6, 7). One cannot produce fruit if one does not give God does not measure our giving by the amount we give, rather He rewards us according to what is left after we give. No wonder Jesus said the very little amount given by the Widow was greater than all the others because it was “all she had”. (Luke 21:1)

(v) We need to be generous when we give for the things of God. It is a proof of our love for God and our fruitfulness. To refuse to be a faithful and fruitful steward by giving is an act of robbery and rebellion towards God.

(vi) Not Abiding in Christ: The danger of fruitlessness has been expressly highlighted by Jesus in John 15:4 and I quote “Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the Vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (GNB). It is a fact that only Christian that does not abide or get connected to Christ will not be able to produce fruit. We need to do all in our power to always ensure that we remain attached to Jesus to ensure our fruitfulness.

Are there Biblical Examples of People who have Succeeded in Producing Fruit?

The answer is a resounding yes as we shall see from the following examples.

(i) Zacchaeus: According to Luke 19:1-10, a man named Zacchaeus has a life changing encounter with the Lord Jesus. Like all Publicans, he had become very rich by oppression and extortion of money from the Jews. He was an avowed and certified sinner. However, after his encounter with Jesus, his life changed. In a singular act, he repented of his sins and received salvation. Although God had forgiven him, Jesus had something against him. Listen to the heartbeat of a changed Zacchaeus, “Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor.” This is a commitment of the present reality of his changed life not of his past. He continued, “if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” What a sign of changed personality.

(ii) Zacchaeus showed that repentance is more than shedding tears. It requires that one has to produce evidence of one‟s repentance.

(iii) The Samaritan Woman: This woman obviously had led a very sinful life but her story did not end on that sad note (John 4:7f). After having a direct encounter with Jesus Christ, her life became beautiful. She began to produce fruit by calling on others to come and meet the Lord; and the Bible records that she was very successful in doing so (John 4:29-30). How many of today’s Christians would have done what she did?

(iv) Nicodemus: Information available indicate that this man was a Jewish Rabbi, member of the Sanhedrin, very wealthy and a ruler of the Jews. Nevertheless, he recognized his need of Jesus and went to see Him to get more insight on things of God. Christ used the opportunity to inform Nicodemus of the necessity of the new birth experience (John 3:1f). After his meeting with Jesus Christ the Bible records that Nicodemus produced fruit keeping with repentance. For one thing, he testified for Christ (John 7:50-51) and again he did service for Christ (John 19:19). It is indeed possible to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. We have numerous examples of people who had produced fruit in keeping with repentance; such as Stephen, Peter Paul, James, the thief on the cross etc.

How can We produce Fruit in Keeping with Repentance?

Before any tree can produce fruit, it has to be planted and grow to maturity. Similarly for someone to bear fruit in keeping with repentance he has to meet the following requirement.

(i) Get the New Birth Experience: This foundational truth was canvassed by Christ depth in this discussion with a Jewish ruler Nicodemus. In this experience a person receives a new holy nature from God which is an essential requirement to be part of God’s holy Kingdom. We become born of the Spirit as opposed to being born of the flesh. We become born of God in contrast to being born of man (John 1:13). Watchman Nee in his book titled “The Spiritual Man” has this note of warning concerning those who do not have the new birth experience and I quote: “When a man is regenerated he obtains God‟s life. This is the minimum for every believer. Whoever has not believed in the death of the Lord Jesus and received a supernatural life which he originally did not have, regardless of how zealously he may be progressing in the areas of religion, morality and learning, is still a dead man in God’s sight. All who do not have God’s own life are dead.” Our Igbo Hymnbook (Ekpere na Abụ) contains several greatly inspired hymns on this subject. Take for example Abụ 258 that asks the challenging question, “Have you been to the Lord for the cleansing power?” Even Abu 266 emphasizes the new birth experience as it tells the story of “A ruler once came to Jesus by night.” All these go to show the necessity of the new birth experience.

(ii) Be a Spiritual Man: By this I mean that anybody who wishes to produce fruit in keeping with repentance should be subject to the rule of the Holy Spirit. A spiritual man is someone whose mind, will and emotion are completely under the control of the Holy Spirit. The spiritual man has come to know the intimacy of the Holy Spirit as he is unveiled in the word. We need to become conscious of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, and learn to walk in the light of the Word. Kenneth E. Hagin writing on this subject said and I quote: “The Spiritual man is the one whom the Word has gained the ascendancy over his mind and over his body. It has brought him into harmony with the will of God…” Again, David Yonggi Cho in his book titled “The Holy Spirit: My Senior partner” highlights the need for the Christian to intimately relate with the Holy Spirit and I quote: “Fervently fellowship with the living Holy Spirit, Without it, the Church naturally becomes cold, worship becomes mechanical and faith loses the burning passion which gives a depth to our whole personality.”

(iii) Abide in Christ: Jesus Christ taught this spiritual principle in John 15:5 and I quote: “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The vast majority of trees have branches and it is on these branches that the fruits are found. It is therefore a great importance that the branch is firmly attached on the stem of the tree for it to produce fruit. Without the stem the branch will not exist. To be a fruit producing Christian, we need to abide or remain in Christ at all times. Failure to do so will lead to unfruitfulness and destruction.

(iv) Live a Holy Life: To some people living a life of holiness seems impossible but god commands His people, in the NIV, “Be just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Pet. 1:15). To some Christians to live a life of holiness is to dress in a certain way devoid of ear rings, necklace or make-up. Such people are very concerned with the outward appearance; but is God really concerned about the outward man or the inner man? Let Samuel the Prophet provide the answer and I quote: “But the Lord said to Samuel, do not consider his appearance or his height, man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1Sam.l 16:7). Living a holy life is to be separated from all sin and immoral living a consecration to the same end in life that God is consecrated to. It permeates the personal moral cleanness of life and conduct. It is evidenced by purity of life and morals, not by outward appearance and the customary adoring which make a person more beautiful and a better representation of true religion.

(v) Obey the Great Commission: Just prior to Christ’s ascension, he issued the Great Commission to His disciples and I quote: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age: (Matthew 28:19-20). The major command in this directive of Jesus is for his disciples to make new disciples or to produce fruits for Him.

How can a Christian obey the Great Commission in this age? Stan Toler in his book titled “The 26 people principle: transforming lay persons into leaders” makes a case for the Church today to adopt the use of personal evangelism and I share that viewpoint. Personal evangelism is always a one-to-one relationship, effective only as we build bridges of good interaction with the person we are leading to Christ. Evangelism becomes effective when every member of the church is reaching out and winning souls for Christ. We need to teach our congregations that personal evangelism is an essential part of Christian living.

The world renowned Evangelist Billy Graham in his book titled “The Billy Graham Christian Worker's handbook” said and I quote: “Only by a life of Obedience to the Voice of the Spirit, by a daily denying of self, by full dedication to Christ, and by constant fellowship with Him, are we enabled to live a Godly life and an influential life in this present ungodly world.” Let us mobilize our congregations to be concerned about evangelism. We cannot pretend to love God and profess that we are Obedient to Him if we are not involved in the Church’s mission to reach those who do not know Christ. Every Anglican member should obey the great Commission by sharing Jesus with all.

Let us begin to step outside our Comfort Zones to share the good news of Christ with all by every possible means.

(vi) Put a Premium of the Cultivation of the Fruit of the Spirit: Although a Christian begins to manifest some measure of Christian virtues immediately after repentance, let us not lose sight of the fact that further and continuous fruitfulness depends on cultivation. Although a tree produces fruit from its own life, the branches must be pruned and the fruit sheltered and protected from insects and wild birds. Since we reap what we sow, those who fail to cultivate their inner spiritual life will fail to reap a bountiful harvest of Christian virtues. Let us not neglect the cultivation of our Christian life.

A neglected garden grows weeds and soon becomes fruitless. You must repent if your fruits have become rotten due to neglect or carelessness. Do not depend on the fruit you produce in yesteryears. Let your fruit be fresh so that those that come in contact with you will see the freshness of your fruit, taste its sweetness and giving glory to God for your life. Therefore, let us put a premium on the cultivation of the fruit of the spirit in our lives. Every church must begin to emphasize fruit bearing in the lives of her members. The totality of our members should be taught on the importance of producing fruit in keeping with repentance. For the 21st Century to move Forward, Christian virtues must abound in her. No matter the amount of success enjoyed by the church, she should not lose sight of the importance of real Christian character. Christian workers and leaders should be examples to the flock. The higher we go in the cultivation of Christian virtues, the more wholesome our impact on the generality of the member. Do not despair if you discover now that you are fruitless. Let the Lord restore you, prune you and make you fruitful in Jesus name Amen.

(vii) What are the Benefits or Rewards for the Christian that Produces Fruit?

(a) He Avoids God‟s Disciplinary Interventions: Bruce Wilkinson in his book titled “Secrets of the Vine” highlights how God intervenes in the life of a barren Christian and I quote, “If your life consistently bears no fruit, God will intervene to discipline you. If necessary, he will use painful measures to bring you to repentance.” A child of God who  produces fruit will definitely avoid God‟s disciplinary measures reserved for the unproductive Christian (John 15:2).

(b) He Attracts God’s Pruning to produce more Fruit: If your life bears some fruit, then God will intervene to prune you. If necessary he will risk your misunderstanding of His methods and motives. His purpose is for you to put away immature commitments and lesser priorities to make room for greater abundance to His glory. Pruning is the vine dresser’s single most important technique for ensuring a plentiful harvest. In pruning, God asks you to let go of things that keep you from His kingdom purposes and your ultimate good. This kind of pruning goes beyond rearranging priorities to the heart of what defines us – the people we love, the possessions we cling to, our deep sense of personal rights. They are the very ears God must rule if we are to bear more fruit.

(c) He Gets Invitation to Abide More Deeply With Him in order to Bear much Fruit: God's purpose for a Christian is not for him to do more for God but that he will choose to be more with God. It is only by remaining and staying closely connected to Him that one can enjoy the most rewarding friendship with God and experience the greatest abundance of His glory. If we are not abiding in Him, we wither and die and become of no spiritual use. However, if we stay connected to him, if we draw spiritual nourishment from Him. If we allow the power that flows through Him to flow through us, then nothing will stop us from producing much fruit. The invitation to abide more deeply comes from Christ to the fruit producing Christian (john 15:9). The challenge in abiding in Him is always to break out from dutiful activities to a living, flourishing relationship with God, Someone may wonder how working less for God in order to spend more time with Him can give rise to “much fruit” in your life. Reason is that when you abide with Him, God rewards you by supernaturally multiplying your efforts. Let me point out that abiding in Christ carries with it a promise of answered prayer. Jesus said, “if you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.” (John 15:7, 8). Later, in verse 16, Jesus repeats the promise, Nothing pleases God more than when we ask for what He wants to give. Let us begin to spend more time with Him. Let us allow priorities, passions and purposes to motivate us. Then we will ask for things that are closest to His heart and will bear much fruit. He lives in Joyful Abundance: Undoubtedly the most startling symbol of abundance in the Old Testament is the snapshot of what the spies found in the promised land as recorded in Numbers 13:23 and I quote: “They came to the valley of Eshcol and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grape; they carried it between two of them or a pole.” To my mind, one cluster of grape that is carried on a pole by two men represents a bumper harvest or a snapshot of supernatural abundance. I believe that it is the portrait of fruitfulness that God has in store for His people. Such a person lives in joyful abundance. After all, Jesus made a wonderful promise to His disciples that night in the vineyard, and I quote: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy be full,” (john 15:11). Joyful abundance is for Christians that produce fruit. You were created for a life mission of abundance for God but you will have to cooperate with God's ways and respond to him in obedience and trust.

CONCLUSION:

The call to produce fruit in keeping with repentance is a call to service. Christians are saved to serve. Every believer must therefore be involved in serving God. There is a place for every child of God in this work; and in God’s Vineyard, no work is considered small. The call to produce fruit is also a call to living life of holiness and purity of heart. It is a call to the church to rise up to her calling and intensify her efforts to evangelism. We are to go out and sow precious seed of the word of God in the hearts of our fellow men. We cannot do these things without the Holy Spirit. Indeed, we cannot do without the Holy Spirit in our Christian Service. Our preaching will be ineffective, our counseling inadequate and every other service will be unproductive expect done by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let me challenge all of us to heed the call to produce fruit, more fruit and much fruit as we dedicate ourselves to walk with the lord, decide to do His will, consistently abide in Him and wholeheartedly trust and obey Him. If you are willing to accept the challenge please join me as I conclude with the 19th century songwriter

Mr. D.B. Towner‟s song titled “Trust and Obey”.

SS & S 642 TRUST AND OBEY

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word

What a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will, he abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But his smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh nor a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil he doth richly repay;

Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of his love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor he shows, and the joy he bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet,

Or we will walk by his side in the way;

What he says we will do, where he sends we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey.