WHAT ABOUT THE FRUIT?
Thursday – February 20, 2020, Sh’vat 25, 5780
Greetings to our dear friends and partners of Eastern Gate Ministries International and The Three Minute Word blog. God is so good dear saints of God. Welcome back to this in depth, powerful, life changing Bible Study of the Book of John. If we are tired of what the devil is dishing out, let’s determine to study the Bible and do what we find written therein. This is the way of salvation, His salvation. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment to hit the “love” and “share” buttons to give us encouraging feedback and to widen the net of this gospel. Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text and read it aloud.
John 15:1-3 (KJV)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
One might ask about what is the fruit being talked about? We are all familiar with the fruit of the spirit, of our quickened spirit man, as found in Galatians 5:22-23. Scripture talks about fruit of various kinds like the fruit of the womb and the fruit of righteousness. If we evaluate the definitions of fruit, we find that we are talking about increase. Of course, we all know that when we think about it. Now this idea of producing fruit is being discussed by Jesus in the context of love (agape) which is doing the commandments. So, might one conclude that this obedience, this expression of the highest order of love, would bring increase in every area of our lives thus to the Kingdom of God. God cannot increase the Kingdom of God alone and man cannot increase the Kingdom of God alone. Let’s take a few moments to look at another area that exemplifies this idea of increase (being fruitful). There is no lose, and no downhill in the Kingdom of God, only profit and increase of all kinds. The account which we are about to read in Matthew twenty-five is exactly what Jesus is talking about here in John and is also found in Luke nineteen.
Matthew 25:14-18 (KJV)
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Matthew uses the term Kingdom of Heaven but it is the same as Kingdom of God used elsewhere in Scripture. So, Jesus is the man traveling into a far country (Heaven) and He has given work for us to do and gave us all the assets of the Kingdom to accomplish that work. Just thinking on that, how long will we be slack? Why do we have so little faith? We see here that all had equal opportunity but achievement was in the hand of the servant (you and me). The only one dictating our success or failure is we ourselves not other people and not God. God has provided everything for astounding success in everyone’s life. Why don’t we see it? Unbelief and fear which are intertwined. Now let’s look at the outcome of these servants.
Matthew 25:19-30 (KJV)
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I hope we all can see the direct correlation of this account with John 15:2 and following. Each one was in the Kingdom, each one had opportunity, and each one chose their level of achievement. What have you chosen, what have I chosen? Those who increased were rewarded and told to enter the “joy of the lord”. This means they entered into a life like the master or the lord. For us that means living on the same level as God. We are not and will not be God (capital G) but will have the full benefits of the Kingdom having life as He knows life. However, look at the fate of the unproductive, unprofitable servant. Only the devil takes from those who have, those who are industrious and productive and gives to the fearful and unproductive. God gives more to those who love (agape) Him (opposite of fear) and are productive through their obedience. We limit ourselves in the Kingdom of God, we are limited only by our faith and love. I do not want to be the unprofitable servant in outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth or the unfruitful branch that is pruned off.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus name! Quit asking God to bless you, you are already blessed, you have the Blessing, give Him something to do by the words of your mouth. Once you know the will of God, decree the thing (Job 22:28, Isaiah 45:11, Mark 11:23). (The Blessing is the Holy Spirit) We have left God way to long with nothing to do in our lives.
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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