28th Mar 26 | 12:21
Studies by Book
Luke 13 1-9 Repent and bear fruit 08 Ensuring fruitfulness
📖 Luke 13:1-9
16Sep19 - Friend of God - *Ensuring fruitfulness* _Luke 13:1-9_ - Bible reading: *Philippians 1:21-25*
_Luke 13:8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it._
Yesterday we saw the facet of intercession. We are to intercede for the body of Christ, to repent from our self centeredness and be fruit bearing. Not only is there a role for intercession but there is also the responsibility to nurture and do all that is needed to ensure fruit bearing takes place in the church.
Let us understand the heart of God. _Isaiah 5:1-4 Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. (2) He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes. (3) "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. (4) What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?_
Note all that our Lord has done for us, to bear good and abundant fruit, but look at God’s disappointment with us. The same heart of God was in Paul as he did his ministry with the churches and this is the same heart that needs to be there in each of us. _I Corinthians 3:9-10 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. (10) According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 3:2-3 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; (3) clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart._
Writing to the Philippian church, Paul explains how he will stay on earth for a little while longer for their good and for their growth. _Philippians 1:8-11 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. (9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, (10) that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, (11) being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 1:21-25 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22) But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (24) Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (25) And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,_
*Thought to ponder*
```May we always ensure fruitfulness in the church.```