Jesus called us a Dirty Word

seeking God’s kingdom is only half the story

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

He’s already righteous.

why “His” righteousness?

Jesus is telling us to seek to be like Him

So, what is Jesus like?

We’ve been given His Spirit

Therefore, the fruits of the Spirit, perfectly describe His character (not ours)

Our fruits are the works of the flesh

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

These fruits, can never come from our own efforts

Bearing fruit is vitally important. In fact, its a salvation issue.

Matthew 7:19 NKJV

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 3:10 NKJV

10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

John 15:2–6 NKJV

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

Romans 7:4 NKJV

4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.

Romans 7:

You were put on this earth for one reason: to bear fruit

Every other thing in life, is optional.

Jesus gave us a picture of how to bear fruit.

Matthew 13:3–8 NKJV

3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Jesus called us soil!

These fruits, can never come from our own efforts

We are constantly planting things!!!

We have 4 jobs: (none of them are to “grow fruit”)

(none of them are to grow fruit)

Get and Plant a seed every day

Luke 8:11 NKJV

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Water the seeds

The Holy Spirit is the water

John 7:38–39 NKJV

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Feed the seeds

actions feed them

be doers of the word, and not hearers only

James 1:21–22 NKJV

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

John 4:32–34 NKJV

32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

Protect the seeds

from thorns and stones