May 17, 2009
Distinguishing Marks of the Believer:
Fruitfulness! Pt 2
Mike Fritscher, pastor 

Genesis 49:22-28

Introduction: Joseph – Distinguished among His Brothers!

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

God Distinguishes You By His Presence and Work In Your Life!

Joseph's Distinction! Genesis 39:1-6

When God is Present and Working You Are Fruitful!

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

How Do You Remain Faithful?

1. You Trust God! Jeremiah 17:5-9

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

Who Is This God In Whom We Trust?

•  Compassionate God!
•  Ever Attentive! Never Neglectful
•  UnThwartable!
•  Absolute Provider of Your Life!
•  Exclusive caretaker of your life!
•  Exclusive protector of Your life!
•  God is Generous and Kind!
•  God Is Totally Trustworthy!

•  Trusting God Makes Your Life Right!

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

•  Trusting God Removes Anxiety and Fear and Brings Peace!

Isaiah 26:3 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

Psalm 56:11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

•  Trusting God Brings Deliverance and Victory!

The Illustration of King Asa! 2 Chronicles 16

2. Put Your Trust In God's Word! Believe His Word! Psalm 1

Joshua 1:7-8 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 " This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. NASU

3. Abide 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.

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

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. 

• Extending Influence!