Fruitful Living: Fulfilling Our Mission on Earth

Fruitful Living: Fulfilling Our Mission on Earth

Summary: This theme explores the essential role of Christians in the world as agents of change, empowered by the Fruit of the Spirit, to carry out their mission of love, service, and proclamation of the Gospel.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to reflect on their daily lives and relationships, urging them to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit to authentically live out their mission of being salt and light in a world that desperately needs hope and love.

Teaching: The sermon emphasizes that the Fruit of the Spirit is not only for personal growth but is also intended to prepare and enable believers for their mission in the world, equipping them to demonstrate Christ-like character in their interactions with others.

How this passage could point to Christ: The Fruit of the Spirit highlights Christ's transformative power in a believer's life. Just as Jesus exemplified each of these traits during His earthly ministry, Christians are called to embody the same characteristics as a reflection of His presence in their lives and communities.

Big Idea: Our mission on earth as Christians is to bear the Fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating God's love and character, and thereby fulfilling our calling to impact the world around us.

Recommended Study: I suggest delving into Galatians 5:22-23 within your Logos library, focusing on the original Greek terms for each fruit to gain deeper insight into their meanings. Additionally, explore related biblical passages that discuss mission and character, such as Matthew 28:19-20 and 2 Peter 1:5-8, and examine how early church leaders interpreted the roles and responsibilities of believers in spreading the Gospel.

1. Cultivating Christ's Character

Galatians 5:22-23

Galatians 5:22-23 is often referred to as the "Fruit of the Spirit," where the Apostle Paul lists nine qualities that are produced in the life of a believer through the work of the Holy Spirit. These virtues are integral to cultivating a Christian character, reflecting the nature and character of Jesus Christ in a believer’s life.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Each trait reflects Christ's character, urging believers to examine their own lives in light of these qualities.

The fruit of the Spirit describes the character traits that God desires to develop in us as we grow in our faith. These qualities are not merely things we try to produce on our own effort but are the natural result of the Holy Spirit’s work in us.

Cooperation with the Holy Spirit: Christians are called to yield to the Spirit's influence in their lives. We don’t cultivate these traits through human effort alone, but by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, convict, and empower us.

Transformation: As we grow in our relationship with Christ and align ourselves with God’s will, the Holy Spirit transforms our character. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of this transformation, showing how our lives reflect the nature of Jesus.

Character Development: This passage highlights that Christian maturity is less about outward achievement and more about inward transformation. A true Christian character is seen in how we relate to others, how we respond to challenges, and how we reflect Christ's nature.

In essence, cultivating Christian character means allowing the Holy Spirit to mold us into people who reflect God's love and nature in our daily lives. These virtues become more evident as we grow in our relationship with God and live by His Spirit.

Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit:

Each of these traits is the evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a person’s life. As a Christian matures, the Spirit cultivates these virtues within them.

A gardener tends to a tree that boasts lush green leaves but bears no fruit. As he examines the roots, he uncovers a problem: they are bound and unable to draw the nutrients needed for growth. Similarly, in our Christian walk, we can often appear vibrant on the outside—going through the motions of church attendance and worship—yet we may not be bearing fruit in our lives. It’s a cautionary reminder that our spiritual roots must be nurtured to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus curses a fig tree for being full of leaves but having no figs. This act serves as a powerful metaphor for our lives. Are we like that tree, presenting an image of spirituality through our activities, yet lacking true spiritual fruit? It challenges us to examine our hearts and actions, prompting a reflection on whether we are genuinely living out our faith or just putting on a facade.

The story of the vine and the branches in John 15 illustrates that to bear fruit, we must remain connected to the source—Jesus Himself. Without this connection, we may have the outward signs of life through leaves but lack true spiritual vitality. This highlights the importance of cultivating a relationship with Christ, as it is only through Him that we can bear the fruit that glorifies God and impacts others positively.

Paul, in Galatians 5:22-23, outlines the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of God’s transformative power in our lives. Imagine a person who struggles with anger or impatience. As this individual prays and seeks the Holy Spirit’s help, they might deliberately take steps toward forgiveness or patience. This cooperation invites real change, showing that while the Spirit offers gifts, we must choose to cultivate these traits through action and intention.

2. Commissioned for Change

Matthew 28:19-20

The mission to make disciples can only be accomplished with the necessity of embodying the Fruit of the Spirit as a way of life that attracts others to the Gospel.

Matthew 28:19-20 is known as the Great Commission, where Jesus gives his disciples their final instructions before ascending into heaven. Here are the verses:

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

In this passage, Jesus is commissioning His followers, instructing them to carry out a mission that will change the world—making disciples of all nations. Let’s break it down:

1. "Go and make disciples of all nations"

This is a call for the disciples (and us, as believers) to spread the message of Jesus to every corner of the world, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or culture. The mission is universal and transcends any barriers that might divide humanity. The goal is to make disciples—not just converts—meaning people who follow and learn from Jesus, living according to His teachings.

2. "Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

Baptism is a public declaration of faith and a way to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Baptism symbolizes spiritual transformation and the beginning of a new life in Christ.

3. "Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"

This is about discipleship. The disciples aren’t just supposed to baptize people; they must also teach new believers to live according to Jesus' teachings. The goal is life transformation, as Jesus' teachings are meant to reshape how people live, think, and interact with the world.

4. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This is a powerful promise. Even though Jesus would be physically absent after His ascension, He assures His disciples that He will remain spiritually present through the Holy Spirit. This empowers believers to carry out this mission, knowing they are never alone.

Commissioned for Change

The phrase "commissioned for change" encapsulates the idea that this passage is not just about maintaining the status quo, but actively engaging in bringing about transformation in individuals and, ultimately, in the world.

The Great Commission isn't merely a command for the disciples to travel and preach; it is a call to bring about lasting, spiritual change—transforming hearts, minds, and lives, and changing society at large by spreading the teachings of Christ. The disciples (and all believers after them) are commissioned to be agents of change in a broken world, spreading the message of hope, love, and salvation.

Through this commission, the church is entrusted with a mission that has eternal significance and far-reaching impact, as it involves not just evangelism but also lifelong discipleship and a continued witness to the transformative power of Jesus.

In the book of Isaiah, God commissions Isaiah with a daunting task: to bring His message to a people that may not listen. This call highlights that being commissioned for change often comes with challenges. Similarly, when we feel called to make an impact, we may also face resistance. Yet, like Isaiah, we must remember that our mission serves a greater purpose in God’s plan for transformation.

Here in SA we have examples of people who have taken the commission to change things literally:

Have you heard of Tidy Town?

Reg Horne started the initiative, rallying a small group of people to make a change and it has been embraced by the entire community and local businesses as well. It has grown from 4000 to 17000 people.

United communities have the ability to overcome the odds because they stand together through the hard times and celebrate when times are good. The Tidy Towns initiative has become a beacon of light within the community and sees many people getting involved in uplifting the community every week.

We are commissioned by Jesus to make people followers of Him.

But how do we practically do that?

People are atrracted to good things and the indwelling Holy Spirit cultivates the good fruit of the spirit within us. We must work with the Holy Spirit so that we will cahnge into the fruitfull person we are meant to be

By living out our mission with the fruit of the spirit attracting people, we can be agents for change.

We can start here in our own church!

If we can come together in this small matter, then we can also come together in bigger matters.

When we seek change in our lives, we must work actively with the Holy Spirit, who is eager to guide and empower us, rather than passively waiting for transformation to happen.

Picture a gardener who has a dream of a thriving garden full of beautiful blooms. If he simply plants the seeds and walks away, expecting flowers without care, he will be disappointed. But when he works diligently with the soil, waters regularly, and pulls weeds, he invites growth. This is how the Holy Spirit works in our lives; we must engage in our own spiritual growth, allowing Him to cultivate change, rather than waiting idly for a miracle.

3. Committed to Growth

2 Peter 1:5-8

Incorporate 2 Peter 1:5-8, which instructs believers to add to their faith qualities that reflect divine nature. You might suggest this passage builds on Galatians 5 by adding virtues like perseverance and love, encouraging the pursuit of spiritual maturity. Discuss how these attributes equip believers for effective service, pointing out how enduring hope and disciplined focus are essential for fulfilling our mission to manifest God's kingdom on earth.

2 Peter 1:5-8 provides a profound and practical roadmap for spiritual growth, instructing believers on how to add qualities to their faith that reflect God's divine nature. Here are the verses:

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Peter is urging believers to pursue spiritual maturity by deliberately adding virtues to their faith. These virtues reflect God's divine nature and help believers live out the fullness of their calling in Christ.

1. Faith as the Foundation

Peter starts with faith as the foundation. Faith in Christ is the beginning of the Christian life, and everything else grows out of it. Without faith, the other virtues are meaningless because they’re rooted in the relationship with Jesus.

2. Adding Goodness to Faith

Goodness (or virtue) represents moral excellence and moral courage. It's the quality of living with integrity and aligning one's life with the goodness of God's character. It reflects the ethical purity that comes from God's nature.

3. Adding Knowledge to Goodness

Knowledge refers to understanding the will and ways of God. It involves growing in our understanding of God's truth, both through scripture and personal relationship with Him. Knowledge isn't just intellectual; it's practical and leads to wiser, godly living. This quality reflects God's wisdom.

4. Adding Self-Control to Knowledge

Self-control is the ability to manage one's desires and impulses. It's the strength to resist temptation and act according to God's will, rather than giving in to sinful desires. This reflects God's self-discipline and ability to remain sinless and perfect. Believers are called to follow His example in this area.

5. Adding Perseverance to Self-Control

Perseverance (or endurance) is the ability to remain steadfast in faith, even through trials and hardships. It’s about remaining committed to God’s call and growing through challenges. This reflects God’s faithfulness and His endurance through the ages.

6. Adding Godliness to Perseverance

Godliness is a deep reverence for God that shapes every aspect of one’s life. It means living in a way that is pleasing to God, characterized by devotion and holiness. This reflects the very nature of God—His holiness, His purity, and His desire for relationship with His people.

7. Adding Mutual Affection to Godliness

Mutual affection (or brotherly kindness) refers to a genuine love and care for other believers in the body of Christ. It involves being supportive, compassionate, and showing kindness to others, particularly fellow Christians. This quality reflects God's love for His people and the fellowship He desires to see within the church.

8. Adding Love to Mutual Affection

Love (agape love) is the highest and most comprehensive quality—selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. This is the love that God has shown us through Christ, and it's the love we are called to display towards all people. Love encompasses all the previous qualities, serving as the foundation for how believers should relate to God and others.

The Result of These Qualities (Verses 8-9)

Peter emphasizes that if these qualities are present and increasing in a believer’s life, they will prevent the believer from being ineffective and unproductive in their knowledge of Christ. In other words, if these qualities are growing, the believer’s faith becomes dynamic, vibrant, and impactful. They will be effective in their witness, reflecting the divine nature and fulfilling God's purposes on earth.

If a believer lacks these qualities, they are spiritually short-sighted and forget the foundation of their salvation in Christ. Therefore, adding these virtues is not just an option but a vital part of growing as a disciple of Jesus and reflecting His nature in the world.

In Summary:

Faith is the starting point, and from there, believers are called to add a series of virtues that mirror God's divine nature.

These virtues—goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love—are all interconnected and work together to produce a Christ-like character.

The growing presence of these qualities in a believer’s life prevents spiritual stagnation and ensures fruitful, effective living for God’s kingdom.

This process is not something that happens passively; it requires effort (verse 5), intentional pursuit, and dependence on God’s power and grace. But the result is a life that reflects Christ more and more—transforming the believer into a vessel of divine nature, a witness to the world of God's love and holiness.

A gardener diligently tends to his plants, pruning and nurturing them daily. Without his consistent attention, the flowers would wither and die. Just as a gardener is committed to fostering growth, we too must cultivate our spiritual lives through prayer, scripture, and fellowship. Growth requires commitment and intentionality, reflecting the biblical principle of abiding in Christ, who is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5).

This commitment to growth demands discipline and perseverance. The Apostle Paul likens our spiritual journey to running a race, reminding us that to win, we must train our bodies and spirits with equal dedication (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

We are called to plant ourselves in the Word of God, allowing His wisdom and guidance to nourish our spirits, leading to steadfast growth, just as we see in Psalm 1:3, where the righteous flourish like trees bearing fruit.

In conclusion:

We come to faith as believers and that is our starting point.

From that moment onwards, we are being equipped for the Kingdom work that we were called to.

Using a military mission as an analogy is a powerful way to describe the mission of every Christian. Just as soldiers are given a clear objective to accomplish, Christians are called to a mission with a purpose that requires commitment, strategy, and unity. Here's how you can think of it:

The mission of every Christian can be understood as "to advance God's Kingdom by spreading the gospel, making disciples, and living out God's values in every area of life."

1. Mission Objective:

In a military operation, soldiers are given a clear objective—something they must achieve, like securing a territory or neutralizing a threat. For Christians, the objective is similarly clear: to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). This is the primary mission—to share the message of salvation and lead people into a relationship with Jesus.

2. Mission Strategy:

In the military, strategy is essential—how soldiers plan, execute, and coordinate to achieve the mission. Christians are also called to have a strategy for fulfilling their mission.

The strategy for every Christian involves:

Evangelism: Actively sharing the message of salvation with others.

Discipleship: Helping people grow in their faith by teaching them God's Word and guiding them to become more like Christ.

Serving others: Acting with compassion and helping those in need, reflecting God's love in practical ways.

The early church focused on teaching, fellowship, prayer, and serving others.

Romans emphasizes the need for preachers to go out and share the message so others can hear and believe.

3. Mission Equipments:

Just as soldiers are equipped with weapons and tools to carry out their mission, Christians have been equipped with spiritual tools to fulfill their mission.

Spiritual Armor and Tools:

The Word of God (Bible) is our guide and weapon (Ephesians 6:17).

Prayer is our communication with headquarters (God) for guidance, strength, and protection (Ephesians 6:18).

The Holy Spirit is our empowering force that leads and strengthens us to do the work (Acts 1:8; John 14:26).

4. Unity and Support:

In any military mission, teamwork is crucial. Soldiers rely on one another, and the success of the mission depends on cooperation and support. In the Christian mission, the body of Christ (the Church) is called to work together as a team, supporting one another in prayer, encouragement, and accountability.

The Body of Christ: Just as different military units work together to achieve the objective, Christians are called to serve within the body of Christ, with each member playing a different but important role.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (the Church as the body of Christ)

6. Mission Success:

In a military mission, success is measured by achieving the objective—whether it's securing an area or accomplishing a task. For Christians, mission success is seen in lives changed, the gospel spread, and God's Kingdom advancing. Success is not necessarily about numbers but about faithful execution of the mission, which ultimately has eternal significance.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 25:21 (the parable of the talents); John 15:8

Being faithful in the mission leads to fruitful lives, pleasing God.

7. Endurance and Commitment:

In military missions, soldiers are expected to stay committed, even in difficult or dangerous circumstances. Similarly, Christians are called to persevere in their mission, even through hardship, because the mission is of eternal importance.

Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 12:1-2

Christians are called to run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus as the ultimate example.

Summary:

The mission of every Christian can be summed up in military terms as a "divinely appointed operation" to advance God's Kingdom. Just as soldiers have a clear objective, strategy, equipment, and support to achieve their mission, Christians are called to:

Share the gospel and make disciples (the objective).

Use God's Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit to equip themselves (the tools).

Stand firm against spiritual opposition (the enemy).

Work together as the body of Christ (unity).

Endure with faithfulness and perseverance to the end.

In this mission, every Christian has a role to play, and every action has eternal significance. The ultimate success is not measured by worldly standards, but by faithfully fulfilling God's purpose in advancing His Kingdom.

In order to have an impactfull mission, we neeed training.

We need to learn what is compiled in our training guide. That is the b Bible

It is llike a soldier receiving his orders.

If I cpould hand you your mission today, it will sound like the following