PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 7:21-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name…” (Matthew 7:22)
These people claim to speak for Jesus, drive out demons and perform miracles.
Is there any fruit better than these dramatic signs and wonders?
Yes there is… the will of God as seen in the fruit of the Spirit.
The will of God is not that we perform great wonders, but that we love one another.
In my opinion, the fruit of the Spirit always trump the gifts of the Spirit.
Signs and wonders do not prove that a person knows Jesus!
“If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)
The Lord’s priority for me is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc.
Sometimes christians have a strong desire for the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit.
If only there was as strong a desire for the fruit of the Spirit.
The world will know that we are Christ’s disciples by our… love (John 13:35).
Jesus will know that we are His disciples by the evidence of our… love (Matthew 7:23).
How can we tell if we are authentic followers of Jesus?
By the greatest sign and wonder of all… His kind of love growing and showing in me.
PRAYER
Lord, You are not impressed by the flashiness of our ministry. You are seeking the fruit of Your love in us. I want to know You and the wonder of Your love. I want to show You and the wonder of Your love!
Its all about will – whose will? Whenever I do things completely according to my will – is when falter and mess things up. Or when I think afterwords that it went well -my own foolish need for recognition comes through – I kick myself – knowing it’s because of the work of the HS. Often, in spite of myself, God still comes through and blesses me – I know it is His Grace. When I am in sync – God has permitted me to do so much more! To grow daily to be in ‘sync’ – my heart tuned to the spirit’s leading – then I know I can be a true disciple.
You can fool people some of the time but one none can fool the Lord. Words matter. Actions matter. We are called to love in both word and deed. I need to be a person of integrity. All for Jesus.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands
For it’s only in your will that I am free
For it’s only in your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be