Fruit Producers

Life does not consist of working our way to heaven, but rather being invited in because of God’s grace.

We bear fruit in our lives because we love God. We do not perform “works” in our Christian lives because we are afraid that God will send us to hell. We do “works” in our Christian lives because we are grateful for the grace, mercy, and forgiveness he has “freely” given us!!!!

God will not keep the doors of heaven shut and prevent anyone from coming in if we do not keep a 40-hour spiritual workweek. Those who “love” God will always be a light. Forgive often. Tell the Jesus story! Be committed to discipleship. Love unconditionally. And, accepts people for who they are. Heavens doors are wide open for anyone who accepts the gifts God has freely given.

It is not our job to be the keeper of the gate and determine who will get heaven. However, fruit bearers who are madly in love with Jesus will share their testimony of what He has done in their lives.

In John 15:5, Jesus declared that successful people are those connected with him.  Without Jesus at the core of a person’s life, there isn’t the needed spiritual nutrient to help a person grow and be a fruit producer in his/her spiritual life.

Spiritual fruit producers do not get results based on their own efforts. Rather, a person will produce more of God's fruit when he/she stays connected to JESUS! When one remains in Christ and allows him to live within our hearts, then there will be a high volume of spiritual producing being put out each day. 

Our world is inundated with negatives every single day.  Money doesn’t stretch as far as it once did.  Crimes are increasing as the economy is tanking.  Layoffs are happening everyday.  More and more need assistance than ever before.  What is happening to the moral fabric of a once steady America?

Our communities need steady.  They need to see values.  They need to experience someone with a godly character.  They need to see hope.  They need to see a group of people who calls themselves Christians to model and produce godly values the way God intended. 

 Is it possible that when we become producers of good fruits that it can change peoples lives?  Yes!  Is it possible that when we model love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Christian community will be seen as a place to be?  Absolutely YES!

In Galatians 5:22-23 the bible says that real fruit that is lasting, tasty and spiritual have no law to govern them because they are of God, not the world.  When the fruit of love takes over ones life, it transforms the person into a producer for God.  When the fruit of self-control is produced, it knows when to resist the devil so he will not poison the roots and destroy the self-control crop.

The only way one can produce fruit is to remain in Christ Jesus.  When we stop hanging out with Jesus and quit listening to what he has to say about life, the production of godly fruit will take a big hit and erosion will set in and the crops will be lost. 

However, those who remain in Jesus will be mass producers of the best fruits God has to offer!  Love.  Joy.  Peace.  Patience.  Kindness.  Goodness.  Faithfulness.  Gentleness. And, self-control!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Jesus Christ, the Superstar!

Jesus was a walking attraction show. No matter where he went, he attracted an audience. Jesus was a superstar! People wanted to touch, see, and hear him. People would line the streets to watch him walk by, sit on the banks of the sea or the side of a mountain to listen to him speak, or climb a tree just to get a glimpse. Others would stretch their arms just to touch him.

Jesus’ star status wasn’t his music ability, acting skills, nor modeling career. His star qualities for the people of his day were his speaking ability, healing powers, miracle works, and raising the dead.

Thousands upon thousands just wanted a touch of an arm. A healing. A miracle. Or, a moment of his time. The people made Jesus their superstar. Legend. Hall of Famer. Most Valuable Player. Golden Globe. Oscar. Hero.

Jesus’ star status was not self-made. He didn’t sit around thinking up ways he could make millions of dollars and have tens of thousands screaming his name: Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! His star attraction came about because he was faithful to living out the very ideas of his Father. When he was twelve, he told his parents. “Why are you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” Luke 2:49 (MSG) also, his service to people made way for his popularity. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Serving the needs of people was his specialty: Jesus healed the sick, cured the man with leprosy, raised the dead to life, he made the blind to see and the deaf to hear, he fed thousands, removed demonic spirits, ate with sinners, visited the home of a tax collector, forgave a woman who broke the law of adultery, talked to other people of ethnicity, forgave. Gave grace, submitted, demonstrated humility, and kept his word to his Father.

Superstar status wasn’t Jesus’ idea. The way he loved people and served others made him the attraction of his day. He didn’t’ sell tickets to his events, nor did he have any hidden agenda. He simply wanted everyone to see his Father. John 14 Jesus said, “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me…That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son….” (MSG)

Is it possible that Jesus’ star status has been diminished because we haven’t allowed him to be on the stage of our lives?  Could it be that the once superstar has lost the lure of followers because there hasn’t been much excitement about his messages among Christians?  Could it be true that his fame has taken a backseat to the culture changes, political correctness, and modern lifestyles?  Could it be said that Jesus’ messages do not motivate us anymore because it makes us think about what is right and wrong?

If ever there is a time that Jesus’ superstar status needs to be the headline show is now!  Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."  God’s people getting along are vital for Jesus to be seen by the world that he is worth following.  When Christians are fussing, fighting, and starting up new churches because they can’t get along, it sends a negative message to a culture that is already skeptical.  We can drive throughout towns in America and find a host of Christian churches in every community. 

If Jesus is going to be the centerpiece of our community, County, State, and Nation, then every believer in Jesus must adopt his model of unity.  He prayed, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”  John 17:20-21

For Jesus’ superstar status to be seen, each believer must live like he lived, love the way he loved, model the characteristics that he modeled: Be simple. Pray often. Love God and people. Be forgiving. Help shape lives. Mentor the young in faith. Sacrifice your selfish desires. Be grace. Live right. Connect with people. Be mercy. Allow the Spirit to indwell. Making it about God, not self.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Who has more influence: Christians or Culture? The Influence of Christians (part 2)

According to dictionary.com the word influence means:  “the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.”

Jesus modeled influence effectively.  Although some of the “so-called” religious people felt his influence was being jeopardized when he spent time with the “less than” people.  In Luke 5:27-32 there is a conversation with “religious” people and Jesus’ disciples about who Jesus was associating himself with.  They asked, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”  Jesus quick on his feet shot back, “healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do.” (New Living Translation)

Christians have an opportunity to demonstrate values that will influence our culture for the greater good.  In reading many surveys, without exemption, the overwhelming view of non-churched people felt that Christians are judgmental, hypocritical, old fashioned, and way too involved in church politics.  I’m sure some can and will argue the perceptions non-churched people have of those of us who call themselves Christians.  Is it fair, maybe not, but could there be some truth to how they perceive us?  Absolutely!

It is amazing to me that Christians can work together at their jobs.  Attend little league to watch their children play baseball.  Cheer in the stands together for the local high school football team.  Eat together in restaurants.  And, have cookouts with their neighbors in their backyards.  But come Sunday morning, it becomes the most segregated time of the week.  There are some streets that have at least two of the same type of church because one thinks they are more right than the other.  Or, we have churches splitting over silliness and start another church across town.  What does this behavior convey to the non-churched person?  How are we as Christians able to influence our culture for the greater good if we cannot get along ourselves?

Our culture needs Jesus followers who are committed to living a consistent spiritual life.  Our culture needs Christians who are bent on demonstrating behaviors that are godly, holy, and right.  Our culture needs to see consistency.  They must see love demonstrated toward each other regardless of their philosophies about salvation.  Our culture needs to see unity between each Christian and not an “I’m the only one right” Christian mentality. 

If Christians live out the following principles of spiritual living in our culture, then our culture will begin to shift into a honorable, loving, caring, selfless, spiritual, and morally sound place.

Culture changing lifestyle for every Christian biblical tips:

Be positive – Philippians 2:14 says to do everything without arguing or complaining.

Be a builder – Ephesians 4:29 says to build up others according to their needs.

Be kind – Galatians 5:22 says that kindness is a bi-product of a Spirit controlled life.

Be friendly – 1 Peter 4:9 says to offer up hospitality.

Be lovers – 1 Peter 1:22 says to love deeply from the heart.

In order to compel others to Jesus, we must be modeling it ourselves.  No theology or doctrine can stand if our influence isn’t there to back it up

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian