Growing In Fruitfulness

Opening illustration: University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, was honored by the Florida Senate. The Senate awarded him the Medallion of Excellence for his achievements off the field, the highest honor given by the chamber. Tebow had a 3.77 grade point average at Florida. He spent his spring break visiting orphans and sick children in the Philippines, where his parents are missionaries.

"There are a lot of role models in football, but there are not a lot of good ones," Tebow said. "People might not think they're a role model, but there are always people watching."

"We are a nation in need of character and in need of doing the right thing," the 20-year-old athlete told the state senators.

Introduction: Our text today focuses on Peter as he reminds believers that God has given them precious promises that sustain them in the faith. If you and I as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ would live fruitful lives we must understand what God has already given us and then make maximum effort to build our lives upon those promises and daily honor our Great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter was one of the great under-shepherds of the Church. He had the job of trying to keep believers unified after many dispersed following the burning of Rome by Nero.

In the first chapter, the apostle is telling us what the Christian life is all about. In the second chapter, he gives a word of warning on how to recognize and handle false teachers; and in the third chapter, he gives us a word of certainty about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the facts that underlie our faith.

When this letter was written, Peter was a prisoner, perhaps of Nero of Rome. He sensed great danger and felt his time was drawing near when he was to put off his body - to go and be with the Lord. And he says the Lord himself showed him this, as recorded for us at the close of the Gospel of John. “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.”

Tradition tells us that Peter was indeed crucified, that he was so humbled by the fact that he was counted worthy to die the same kind of a death that the Lord Jesus did, that he begged his captors to crucify him upside down.

God has made every believer certain unique and "precious promises" that sustain him in troublesome times. It is these promises, of life, hope, protection and salvation that have sustained believers for nearly 2,000 years and enabled them under any circumstances to live fruitful lives – lives that count here and count for the kingdom of God. Don’t you want to live an fruitful life for the Lord Jesus Christ? If we want our Christian lives to shine – Peter tells us how.

In our minds a fruitful life is only connected to living out the American dream i.e. a family with kids and a pet living in a single family fenced home with a garaged SUV and a fat bank balance. Well! God’s Word has a completely different take on it. In fact, it contradicts the universal world view.

How can we Grow in Fruitfulness?

1. A Fruitful Life is Connected to God (vs. 1-4)

How would you describe your fellowship with God the Father these days? Are you close to Him? Are you enjoying close fellowship with the Lord? Are you spending time in His Word – letting Him speak to your heart?

One way to have a great connection with the Lord is to simply have a one on one time with Him every day. This is a time of the day when you can connect best with the Lord. It’s you giving Him your best and God giving you His best.

A fruitful Christian life really begins by knowing God personally and growing in that relationship with Him. Knowing Jesus more and more ought to be the cry of every believer’s heart! “Knowing You, Jesus! Knowing you, there is no greater thing!”

Listen to what Jesus said in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You; the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Philippians 3:10, “…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” The Psalmist said, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God.” In the heart of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a passion to know Him more and more.