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Bearing Fruit

1/20/2011 10:06:16 PM

bearing fruit

Robert DeNorris Darby

My Uncle Jeff had a grape vine in his back yard. It was old and looked pretty rough during the winter months. In the spring it came to life. The numerous branches that grew from the vine would sprout leaves. Those leaves, though young and tender, would grow green and strong. As the summer sun and the spring rain came the leaves would develop blossoms. Then the bees would arrive. They would take the pollen from one plant and share it with the pollen from

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Instruction In Righteousness

10/10/2010 7:13:09 PM

Instruction In Righteousness

(Remember)

The apostle Paul wrote to a young preacher named Timothy to encourage him. He shared with him things that in turn he wanted Timothy to share with others. He reminded him of the value that all Christians must place in scripture. He said: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (II Timothy 3:16)

There are some things that all of us should know. Many will make our day go better, some will make us healthier. A few will make us prosper. But here is one thing that will bless us all the days of our life, and even into the life to come. That thing is the memory.

As John pens this letter he takes direct dictation from Jesus. He quotes Jesus as saying to the churches of Asia: Remember: (keep in mind, to retain information, to memorize, or learn by heart, commit to memory, recall, or recollect).

“ And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:1-6)

There are three things that we are to remember.

Remember The Past:

When we remember what God has done in creation, it helps us to know what God can do in our lives. When we remember what God has done for His people, it helps us to be humble. The memory of our past helps us to live for our present and our future.

Christians must remember what God has done for them in the past in order to respond to what He wants to do for us in the future. We all have to remember the sin that was ours. (For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23) Along with sin came the suffering it caused us, and those that love us. Then there is the sadness that comes to our heart when we realize that our sin hurt God.

When we remember the word of God that pricked our hearts. We remember the encouragement we received for others, through song, hymns and spiritual songs. Remember the songs we sing.. oh how I love Jesus. To me he is so wonderful… etc.

Remember the secrets that only God knows. Remember what God has promised to forget. Our memory keeps us honest and honestly keeps us. When we recall the past we can truly respond to the present and live for God.

Remember The Passion:

Passion is deep under lying desire to do something for or with the object of our passion. Christian passion manifests itself in our doing not only the things that God asks us to do, but in our seeking and striving to do more for the Lord, or the cause of Christ.

Jesus shares with us that God knows and God cares about the things we do or try to do for Him.

“ Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)

After you gave you life to Christ, rememberhow passionately you prayed. Do you recall how passionately you played. Do you remember how you passionately displayed your passion for the lord.

Why are we passionate about Jesus?Wefeel passionate about Jesus because He gave us salvation. It was His blood that washed away our sins. It was His sacrifice that made it possible for us to live as children of Light.

We are passionate about our relationship with Jesus because of the stability and structure He gives to our lives. We are passionate about Christ because of the strength He gives us. He gives us the strength to hold on and to hold out. We are able to trust in someone greater than ourselves. We are able to wait on the Lord. He gives us inner strength that is manifest in an outward show of our lives.

Remember The Promises:

In John 14:1ff Jesus says:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3)

He has promised to be with us always, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20) and never to leave us. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5) Can you remember the promises you made to Jesus? Can you remember your commitment to Him? Jesus talks about commitment in Matthew 10: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

CONCLUSION:

Can you remember your past? Can you remember how much damage your past did to your life, and others? Remember then how great you felt when you gave your life to the lord. The passion that came as a result of you love for Him, remember.

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There Is No Place Like Home!

7/27/2010 8:01:46 PM

There Is No Place Like Home

(A Place For Us)

Scripture Text: John 14:1-3

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

INTRODUCTION:

Everyone whether young or old, rich or poor, educated or not, all want a home of their own. It matters not whether you are tall or short, thick or thin, all seem to desire a place of their own. Home ownership joins the different classes and cultures together when it come to their needs and their desires. For everyone seem to need and desire a home.

Home. Someone said it is where the heart is. It is the place we keep our stuff. It is called by such affectionate names as: the crib, the house, the pad, etc.

A house is not necessarily a home. For four walls of brick and mortar, and having a ceiling and floor does not make it a home. You see, home is where the heart it. If you live in a place you need to enjoy that place, or that place does not feel like home. Young people want to grow up and leave home, sometimes only to desire to come back home. We sometimes get tired of having mom and dad tell us what to do while at home, only to look forward to coming back to mom and dad and asking them how to do things around our home.

It was a songwriter named Lionel Richie that wrote: “There is a place for us. For all the world to see. There is a place out there somewhere for all eternity.” The place that Jesus promised us, the place that we desire to have, is one that is just for us. It is a place for all to see. It is the place that prepares us for all eternity."

When Jesus spoke to His disciples about preparing a place for them, He wanted them to know three things important. That place is a place for family. It is a place for fellowship. It is a place for their future.

A Place For family:

Home is a place for Parents. Home begins with the man and woman. It starts when they become husband and wife. Husbands and fathers are a big part of every home. The man is a vital part in the family. Let’s look at the FATHER.

F – faithful. The father is to be faithful. He must be faithful to being a man. He is to be faithful to his commitment to marriage and family. He is to show his faithfulness to the education and spiritualization of his family.

A – active. A father is to be active in the lives of his family. He is to take an active interest in the welfare and concerns of his wife. He is to be active in the development of the children.

T – teacher, trainer. The father is to be a teacher and trainer. He teaches through his actions, for kids learn more of what they see, than what they hear. As a teacher, trainer, he teaches through his words and example. At times he must train through hands on discipline.

H – head of the family. Biblical example and commands tells us that the man is to accept the privilege of being the head of the family. “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (I Cor. 11:3)

E – efficient. The father must be capable of doing things. He must be organized and proficient, not wasteful but resourceful. He needs to be the go to person in the home.

R – reasonable, reliable. Men are to be accountable to God as well as the laws of the land. He is to be a thinker, or someone who reasons out his decisions. He reasons in all things.

Home is a place for Parenting (children). Into each home comes little blessings. Small reminders of who we are, and where we came from. They reminds us of the potential others saw in us.

Home is a place for Possessions. (property) The valuables, husband, wife, children. The things we place value upon. Our ride, our pride, our side.

A Place For Fellowship:

Jesus promises a place for Praying. A family that prays together stays together. Praying is a sign of seriousness. It tells the family that we lean and depend upon God. It lets others know that you know that you can do all things through Christ, for He strengthens you.

Jesus promises a place of Playing. Fathers take the time to play. For playing relieves tension, and lets off steam. It also bonds the family and binds them closer through physical activities.

Jesus promises a place of Planning. Without a plan for life, life can’t go as planned. As the family fellowships together, it plans other activities. It plans the look of the home. Cleaning, painting, and repairing show the family has plans to stay in the home. It also endears the home to the family, allowing them to feel like it belongs to them.

A Place For Future:

Jesus promises a place of Hope. The family needs to build their hopes on things eternal. Hope helps us to hold on. The family is a resource that God gives us, and allows us to be a part of. It is designed to show hope, and share hope in order to build hope for the future.

Jesus promises a place of Faith. Faith is the foundation that steadies and stablishes the family. It is the trust that is trustworthy. Faith controls that which could easily control you. And, faith holds the heart to the word of God. It roots and grounds and sets the bounds for hope.

Jesus promises a place of Charity. Love makes the world go round. Love also makes the home grow and abound. The family, the fellowship and the future is make complete by love.

CONCLUSION:

Jesus said: “I go and prepare a place for you. A home must be prepared, and the inhabitants must be prepared for a life that makes a house a home. Wherever you live, whether the place is desirable, or whether it desires a little, can be a home. It can be the place that brings you home each day. It can be the place that keeps the family together. It can be a place for us. It can be a place to belong. It can be a place we can call home.

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Victory Over Discouragement

7/27/2010 8:01:46 PM

Victory Over Discouragement

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. (John 21:1-6)

Have you ever been discouraged? I mean have you been quietly down, maybe a little depressed? Have your spirits been so low that you wonder: what am I living for? I have no goals, and no hope of goals. Melancholy fills the air. Strange but the last letters of that word spell holy. Yet, there is nothing holy about the way I feel. For the bible says: “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)

That’s how Peter and the others must have felt. They were personally called by Jesus of Nazareth to follow Him. They forsook all. They left their homes, their families, and their careers. They hoped to follow Him into a glorious future. But, their future was cut short when Jesus was crucified upon the cross. Their hopes of power, prestige and position flowed through their hands like blood flowing at the foot of the cross. All seemed lost. What a waste.

Discouraged and downhearted Peter’s mind went back to his past. Maybe he thought he could pick up the pieces and forget about how his dreams had fallen to pieces. He said: “I go fishing.’

But fate would not be kind this day or night. For they practiced their craft as fishermen, and even though they remembered all that it takes to fish, they had forgotten that fishing can be discouraging too. They had cast the net several times in the course of the night, and drew it to shore without success, and were now greatly disheartened.

Jesus appeared to his disciples several times after His resurrection. It had many purposes, but one was to keep them from being discouraged. It was to enlighten and to inspire, and to inform them of their destiny.

Jesus pointed at their failure by asking the questions that they did not want to answer. “Children, have you and fish?” they had to answer Him, “No.” Jesus told them to take a different approach. He said: "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. (John 21:6)

Three points to help us have victory over Discouragement:

I. Listen (to the commands of Christ) Nevertheless, at thy word I will… Keep on keeping on. (I Corinthians 15:58) (It is not that He did not hear our cries, He knows it is hard for us to see through tears).

B. Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

C. Sometimes I listen to my heart. It speaks from discouragement. I need to listen to Jesus, He speaks from destiny. When your heart fills your head with the noise of discouragement… “Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)

I want to complain… but He tells me to “stand still, and see the glory of the Lord.”

II. Labor (under the direction of Christ) (Matthew 25:34-46)

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40)

A. Nursing home visit.

B. When did we see you naked and cloth you. Hungry and we fed you.

C. When you done it to these the least of thy brethren you have done it to me.

To hear His word is to obey His commands. Disobedience tells us that we are listening to another’s voice, and we are trusting in another way. But Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the Life.”

III. Love (the outcome He gives)

A. Contentment – no matter what state you find yourself in be content.

B. Containment – Keep interest in check. Walk and talk with Jesus.

C. Control - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

CONCLUSION:

Learn (that God is in control)

A. So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. (John 21:1-6)

B. Trust and obey. For there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

C. He who calms the seas can calm your fears. He can speak peace to your soul if you give Him complete control.

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