GOD’S Amazing Plan a Fruitful and Flourishing Life
GOD’S Amazing Plan a Fruitful and Flourishing Life
John the disciple of JESUS prayed for a friend and HS took that simple prayer and put it in the Bible to show us GOD’S will for all of us.
“Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.” 3 John 2
John 15 is JESUS talking to HIS disciples knowing He is about to die. In less than 24 hours HIS body will hang on a cross while His life slips away.
JESUS just finished washing their feet and teaching them about communion. Now they go out into the dark night out of the city wall down into the Kidron valley climbing up towards Gethsemane. Just before reaching the familiar spot of prayer they pass through a vineyard and JESUS stops and reaches out and grabs some branches on the vine and stops to teach this in the dark night.
“I AM the sprouting vine and you’re MY branches. As you live in union with ME as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you – but when you live separated from ME you are powerless.” John 15:5 TPT
Jer. 29:11 GOD has plans for our lives to prosper but we don’t know the details. But we do know HE plans for us to be fruitful and flourish. HE did not want to leave them on earth wondering:
What is GOD up to in my life? Why isn’t my life turning out the way I expected? The disciples must have been wondering this too!
Of all the things JESUS held in HIS hand to make this life lesson memorable not what HE did not hold in HIS hand:
- Map – Bible
- Money
- But a mature grapevine. PIC:
“I AM the true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is My FATHER. HE cares for the branches connected to Me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest.” John 15:1-2 TPT
GOD’S care for the fruitless – by propping up “takes away” from the ground – lifting up from the dirt to be supported by trellises.
PIC:
GOD’S care for the fruitful – by pruning – reshaping according to HIS design and plan to yield more fruit.
What fruit is GOD looking for from my life?
1. Fruit of the SPIRIT – Gal. 5
2. Souls saved – discipled – Mtt 28:19-20
3. Works ordained by GOD “Even before we were born GOD planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!” Eph. 2:10 TPT
Fruit is evident on the outside when
the HOLY SPIRIT is living on the inside!
JESUS said, “As you live in union with ME as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you – but when you live separated from ME you are powerless.”
John 15:5 TPT
“As you live in union with ME” John 15:5 TPT
“He who remains in ME” MEV
He who abides in ME” KJV
Ill. You can abide in a church building w/o abiding in CHRIST. You can abide in USA and not abide by the laws. You can be married and living in the same house but not be abiding in a marriage. You can be born again but yet not abiding in CHRIST. Remember JESUS is talking to HIS disciples not lost people.
Once you are born of the Spirit of GOD a supernatural mystery begins inside you. You still have the same issues, same temperament but you have the kingdom of GOD in you. The kingdom of GOD clashes with the old kingdom of self as you bring your life under new management. Obedience to GOD is about loving and surrendering to a better kingdom.
You can obey GOD without loving HIM. (Pharisees – religious)
But you can’t love GOD without obeying HIM.
Apart from love, obedience is just an obligation!
“You must continually let MY love nourish your hearts. If you keep MY commandments, you will live in MY love.” John 15:9b TPT
The result of living in the love of GOD is fruitfulness:
“As you live in union with ME as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you . . .” John 15:5b TPT
This is the life we always wanted! Why did it take so long to surrender to GOD’S plan?
Fruit grows not from striving but from LIFE flowing within.
Ill. It is like learning to float in a pool. You have to let go of the side of the pool, keep some air in your lungs. This goes against all your natural instincts at first. You have to learn to relax and relinquish control of your life to GOD. Let Him have HIS way with you.
“By this is MY FATHER glorified, that you bear much fruit.” Jn 15:8
How important is bearing fruit?
JESUS said, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain (eternally), BECAUSE whatever you ask the FATHER, FOR MY SAKE, HE will give it to you!” John 15:16
The main reason you are still here is for HIS SAKE, and to bear fruit.
“created in CHRIST JESUS for good works.” Eph. 2:10
We are not here to fulfill our dreams but GOD’S plan – and bring HIM glory.
Title of today’s message: GOD’S amazing plan for you to have a fruitful and flourishing life
Conclusion: Say this out loud:
“Today is a gift from GOD. I will not waste it!”