FRUITFULNESS
Genesis 49:22 "Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. [NIV]
Joseph is a fruitful bough (Heb the son of a fruitful tree), A fruitful bough by a fountain; His branches run over the wall. (Heb daughters). [ASV]
I. THE FACT OF FRUITFULNESS
1. WE ARE CHOSEN TO BEAR FRUIT
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
2. WE ARE CHASTENED TO BEAR MORE FRUIT
John 15:1 & 2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes {The Greek for prunes also means cleans.} so that it will be even more fruitful.
Proverbs 3:11 & 12 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
II. THE SOURCE OF SUPPLY
1. THE POSITION
Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Cp. John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
2. THE PLANTING
Psalm 92:12 & 14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
3. THE PREPARATION
Matthew 13:8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
III. THE RESULTING ABUNDANCE
1. WE RECEIVE BY GIVING TO GOD
Malachi 3:10 – 12 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
2. WE RECEIVE BY GIVING TO OTHERS
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Give, and gifts shall be bestowed on you. Full measure, pressed, shaken down, and running over, shall they pour into your laps; for with the same measure that you use they shall measure to you in return. [WEY]
Proverbs 11:24 & 25 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. [AV]
