THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 7:15-23
“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 speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
In the church today there is often 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.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
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!
A circle has no beginning nor end. So it is with these three words on the circumference of the circle – knowing = loving = doing. When one knows His Saviour all his activities will be driven by his love of His Master in order to do His will all the time. The Gospel in one word is love. Love in action is seen by the ‘fruits’ – the doings – the activities – the final product. But in order to do His will I must ‘dress’ myself each day anew with the armour of God to equip myself for good works. This way, all what I do and say will be aligned His way for He has made me strong. SpiritLead. GodStrong to make my ArmStrong to do His will and others will see we are Chritians by our love.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us