Real Life Makes a Real Difference

Intro

all have “if it weren’t for”

I would be happy if it weren’t for...

I would have peace...

i would make better grades...

I could manage my temper if it weren’t for...

I wouldn’t need a drink if it weren’t for...

I wouldn’t be so strung out if it weren’t for...

I wouldn’t be in such a mess if it weren’t for...

*** Usuall a person’s name, a group of people, or some thing that seems to be a repeated thorn in your side.

*** the real kicker is that whatever comes before the “if it weren’t for” is a good thing, maybe a God thing that you know He has been calling you toward… when finally gets accomplished, you will be free and your life so much more full and rich and powerful

So why does God keep letting it be this way?

IOW- if your “if it weren’t for keeps messing up your would be, why doesn’t God deal with your if it weren’t for so that your would be becomes an “is”?

Series...

Makes a REal Dfference

Often, re: gifts…, but there’s a bigger question—see gifts are only one small part of the difference you’re meant to make in this world—they operate in places, but you are an agent for the Kingdom of God every moment of your life...

Want to deal with the difference-maker in you

John 15:1–5 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Here’s

fruit--

character of who you are in Christ

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

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

multiplication of what you have been given (gifts, resources, put to work to bring about whgat God has given you to be at work in the lives of others—IOW—the good work of God in you at work in other poeple)

*** NOt technical—just “results—Cf John the Baptist...

SO what happens here?—Metaphor--

*** Heart of God—fruitful life

*** Two things produce fruit--

MUST STAY CONNECTED

(come back to this…)

MUST BE CULTIVATED

Necessary—pruning

** Blueberry bushes...

Prune--

old growth not growing any more

dead parts...

fruitless areas

PRUNING OPERATES OFF SIMPLE PRINCIPLE—the more energy I get into fruit-bearing areas, the more fruit I get

PRUNING IS MULTIPLICATION BY REDUCTION

** Sounds good...

Feels not so good.

WHY?

feels life frustration

feels like limitation

feels like contrary to what needs to be

BRANCH sasy--”I’m going this way...

Opposition comes

three things

simplicity

Matthew 6:33 ESV

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

2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

*** crazy, busy, imaginativve

purity

Malachi 2:17–3:3 ESV

17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” 1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

*** people frustrated—I’m good, what bad peopel getting in way

** starting with you

through you, deal with them

YOUR GROWTH IS THEIR GROWTH

*** THEIR PART IS TO PURIFY YOU

jESUS—PURIFY W/ SPIRIT FIRE

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

jOSEPH

*** lAST THING--

cAPACITY

GAP