I Want Some Fruit
Rom. 1:13-16 (text v. 13)
The "job description" for every Christian is very simple: Glorify God.
Isaiah 43:7 – Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
1 Corinthians 6:20 – For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
The question is: How do I glorify God? Jesus said, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit… Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you , that ye should GO and bring forth fruit…" (John 15:8, 16).
What is fruit? The first time you find the word "fruit" in the Bible is Genesis 1:11 – And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. Simply put, fruit is the reproduction of itself. The fruit of an apple tree is another apple tree. Likewise, the fruit of a Christian is another Christian. You reproduce yourself by winning others to Christ like you were won to Christ.
The Apostle Paul wanted fruit (v. 13).
Bearing fruit was a matter of four things:
I. "I purpose…" (v. 13) – It’s a matter of PURPOSE.
Paul was DETERMINED. "…OFTENTIMES…" – Paul was hindered from going to Rome.
It’s not lack of talent, but lack of purpose and determination that stops us. "The test of your character is what it takes to stop you." –Bob Jones
People don’t get saved by accident. Soul winning isn’t something that is accidental.
A. Aim determines direction, but purpose determines distance.
B. Being fruitful for Jesus Christ should be our supreme purpose in life.
1. Paul was not going to Rome to reform Rome.
2. Paul was not going to Rome to change the Roman government.
II. "I am a debtor…" (v. 14) – It’s a matter of PROPRIETY.
Paul was in DEBT. (Obligated).
It’s the right thing to do—A debt is an obligation to be paid. You’re not a good Christian if you don’t pay your debts.
A. We need to say with Paul, "I am a debtor." This is seldom heard in our "you owe me" society.
B. We are debtors to the unsaved. No distinction in men we are debtors to.
C. We are debtors to the preachers that went before us.
D. We owe it to God to get the Gospel to the lost.
III. "I am ready…" (v. 15) – It’s a matter of PREACHING.
Paul was DRIVEN. ILLUS: Like a runner at the starting line.
A. "As much as in me is..." This means with all of our…
1. Soul (Mind) = We go knowing how to use the Gospel.
2. Body = We go physically groomed to speak the Gospel.
3. Spirit = We go filled with the Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8).
B. "I am ready…" – Paul was not one to make excuses. We are living in an excuse-making society. (Excuses why people don’t witness)
IV. "I am not ashamed…" (v. 16) – It’s a matter of PRIDE.
Paul was DOGMATIC.
A. Paul was proud of His Savior and the Gospel (Gal. 6:14).
?When you are proud of your son or daughter, you brag about them.
B. We have a lot we could be ashamed about, but Jesus or Gospel aren’t one of them. Cf. Psalm 119:46
C. Jesus is not ashamed of you (Heb. 2:11—"…he is not ashamed to call them brethren.")
D. No reason to be ashamed about the Gospel – It is the POWER of God.
1. You aren’t ashamed of Power. No apology for power and strength. You use power, not apologize for it.
?The power of the Gospel knows no limits.
2. The Gospel has power to satisfy the human soul. A dog is satisfied with an old bone; a bird with last year’s nest, but there is nothing in the world that can satisfy man except a relationship with Jesus Christ. The things of this world only satisfy temporarily.
3. The Gospel has the power to save to the uttermost. No matter how despicable your life may be, the Gospel is powerful enough to save your soul; forgive you sin and give you a home in heaven.
SUMMATION: In survey after survey, over 50% of Americans claim to have had a born again experience. If I invite you over to my house for a spaghetti dinner and 50% of it is salt, do you think you’d be able to taste it? If 50% or more of our country were really born again Christians, do you think our country would be just a little bit different?
Also, according to another survey of evangelicals, nearly 80% of those who claim to be born again Christians, have never lead another soul to Christ.
QUESTION: Christian, what is the most important thing you’ve done in your life? Accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior! Amen!
QUESTION: If getting saved was the most important thing you ever did in your life, what is the most important thing you could ever do for someone else???
Do you want to be a fruitful Christian? Then get busy planting some seed.

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