archives



May 10, 2009
Distinguishing Marks of the Believer:
Fruitfulness
!
Mike Fritscher, pastor
 

Genesis 49:22-28

Genesis 49:22-28 – Joseph – Distinguished among His Brothers!

God Distinguishes You From the Rest of the World By His Presence!

Exodus 33:16 "For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?" 

  • The Distinguishing Marks of Your Life!  

Four! 1. Fruitfulness 2. Victory! 3. Strength! 4. Blessed!

Fruitful!

Genesis 49:22 "Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a spring; Its branches run over a wall.

Fruitfulness Begins With A Vision!

Joseph's Dream - Genesis 37:1-11

Two Kinds of Visions!

•  The World's Vision! Luke 12:15-21 – Eat Drink and Be Merry!
•  God's Vision! Fruitfulness! Luke 13:6-9

John 15:8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

John 15:16-17 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 "This I command you, that you love one another.

Genesis 37:12-36 – The Death of a Vision!

Genesis 41:51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." 52 He named the second Ephraim, "For," he said, " God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

How Did Joseph Remain Faithful? How did He Become a Fruitful Branch?

1.
He Trusted! You Have to Trust God! Jeremiah 17:5-9  

You Become Like the One You Trust! Psalm 115:4-8  

2.
He Trusted God's Word! Psalm 1  
3.
He Abided In God!  

John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Two Facets of Fruitfulness 

  • Character – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control
  • Ministry - Fruit extending over the wall! The people you vest in!  

Philippians 1:22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.