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4th Retreat: The Fruitful Life Session 9

23 October 2006

YAG RETREAT- THE FRUITFUL LIFE
Session #9
Monday, 23 October 2006
Evening Session
A Fruitful Life is a Result of the Power of God obtained
INTRODUCTION

1. The human Element

a) Planning

b) Praying

c) “Other Vital Factors”

d) Problem-solving

2. The Divine Element

a) Emphasis needed

b) Balance to be understood and struck

c) Supernatural power must be sought

d) This power must be carefully applied into our life and ministry to effect fruitfulness

3. The Question of the Power of God

a) Problem of being poorly understood

b) Problem of limiting it to supernatural manifestations

c) Problem of not being able to see this power sustained in our life and ministry

A. COMPREHENDING GOD’S PROMISE OF POWER

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; And you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

“And what is the greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…” (Ephesians 1:19)

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

1. Power defined in Evidential fruit

a) Ability and skill          Acts 4:13

b) Effective boldness          Acts 4:13

c) Full of faith and power…wisdom          Acts 6:8, 10

2. Power for ministry

a) Ministry that touches lives deeply

b) Ministry that seeks to reach out to multitudes

c) Ministry that calls for great stamina

d) Ministry that requires much knowledge and wisdom

e) Ministry that calls for might to battle great spiritual forces

3. Power from the Spirit of God

a) Power supreme

b) Power supernatural

c) Power beyond what we ask or think          Ephesians 3:20

B.UNDERSTANDING OF THE PERSON OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

1. The Outpouring of the Spirit of God          Acts 2:1-21; 10:44-48; 11:15

a) Power gloriously manifested

b) Power to speak in languages hitherto unlearned

c) Power to preach mightily

d) Power to bear witness effectively

2. The Filling of the Spirit of God

a) Filling of the Spirit mentioned          Acts 2:4

b) Repeated filling of the Spirit          Acts 4: 8, 31

3. Promise of the Gift of the Spirit of God          Acts 2:38

a) This glorious promise is given to all who believe in Christ

b) We must seek to be filled with the Spirit of God to find power

C. SEEKING THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

1. Wrong ideas about the Person and Power of the Spirit of God          Acts 8:9-24

a) Wrong ideas are potentially dangerous

b) Wrong ideas will be resisted and even be condemned

2. Ignorant about the Person and Power of the Spirit of God          Acts 19:1-7

a) Ignorance is not bliss (where spiritual matters are concerned)

b) Ignorance robs a person of tremendous potential power

3. Understanding the Power of the Spirit of God in the History of the Church (In the Book of Acts)

a) Special (supernatural) ministry of the Spirit of God

i) Special power given to the apostles          Acts 4:33

ii) Special ability to speak in foreign languages          Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; 19:6

iii) Special means of communication          Acts 13:3-4; 16:6; 20:23

b) General (ordinary) ministry of the Spirit of God to all believers

i) Wisdom          Acts 6:10

ii) Comfort of the Spirit of God          Acts 9:31

iii) Joy of the Spirit          Acts 10:52

4. Understanding the Power of the Spirit of God theologically

a) The Spirit of God’s Indwelling as a Seal and Guarantee          Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14

b) The Law of the Spirit          Romans 8:2

c) Walking according to the Spirit of God          Romans 8:4, 5

d) Life from the Spirit of God          Romans 8:10-11

e) Strength to put away evil deeds          Romans 8:13

f) Adoption          Romans 8:14-16

g) Help from the Spirit in our weaknesses          Romans 8:26-27

5. Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit

“For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Ephesians 5:9)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

a) General statement         Ephesians 5:9

b) More specific description of the fruit of the Spirit          Galatians 5:22-23

c) Fruit-bearing – Nothing short of the Power of the Spirit of God involved and displayed

d) Challenge to continue to walk in the Spirit          Galatians 5:25-26

e) Cluster of nine specific fruits to take note of: –

i) Love

ii) Joy

iii) Peace

iv) Longsuffering

v) Kindness

vi) Goodness

vii) Faithfulness

viii) Gentleness

ix) Self-control

6. Other expressions of “Fruit”

a) Idea of firstfruits

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures

James 1:18

b) Fruit of our lips – Thanksgiving

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15)

c) Fruit of caring for the saints

“But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors… Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.” (Romans 15:25-28)

i) Fruit of the churches in Macedonia and Achaia          (Cf. 2 Corinthians 8)

ii) Practical concern for the saints in Jerusalem

d) Fruit of Gift-giving

“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)

i) Paul’s work in founding the Church in Philippi

ii) Cultivation of pastoral relationship with the brethren

iii) Fruit of his labour- the practical, loving care of the Philippians

iv) While some had faltered in sustaining support, the Philippians did not

v) Giving compared to OT burnt offering

DISCOVERING THE POWER OF GOD
1. In real-life

2. In Ministry for the Lord

3. Resulting in fruit-bearing

E. WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR?
1. Request

a) Elisha’s request

“Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9)

b) Comparison: Solomon’s request for wisdom

“Give to your servant an understanding heart…” (1 Kings 3:9)

2. Rationale behind requests

a) Need

b) Understanding

3. Requests granted to both Solomon and Elisha!

4. What would you ask for today?