A Prosperous Life - Lesson 9 - His Fruit

Psalm 1:1-3, ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’

That bringeth forth His fruit in His season
In such a case expectation is never disappointed.
Fruit is expected,
Fruit is born;
And it comes also in the time in which it should come.

A godly education,
Under the influences of the Holy Spirit,
Where the Lord is earnestly sought,
Is sure to produce the fruits of righteousness;

If we read, pray, and meditate,
We will see the work, which God has given us to do;
The power by which we are to perform it;
Also, the times, places, and opportunities for doing those things
By which God can obtain the most glory,
Our own soul the most good,
And our neighbor the most edification.

But the man who delights in God's Word,
Being taught by it,
Brings forth patience in the time of suffering,
Faith in the day of trial,
And holy joy in the hour of prosperity.

We’ve been going over these verses for the past eight weeks.
Are we any better of than when we began?





Aren’t our children ‘His fruit?’
They are certainly not ours.
He has entrusted them with us.
He’s coming back for them.
Will he be pleased with how we took care of His property?

Mark 4:28, ‘For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’

It is at first tender, feeble, perhaps almost imperceptible.
Perhaps also, the fruit lies long in the earth before there are signs of life.
Like the tender grain, also,
Our children need care, kindness, and culture.

A light frost, a cold storm, or a burning sun, similarly injures them.
So tender faithfulness, in the heart of a child,
needs care, love, kindness and culture.
It needs shelter from the frosts and
From the cold of the storms in an unfeeling world.

It needs the friendly morning dew and mild suns of heaven.
In other words, it needs instruction, prayer, and friendly counsel
from parents, teachers, ministers, and experienced Christians,
that they may grow, and bring forth the full fruits of holiness.

Like the grain also,
in due time, it will grow strong;
it will produce its appropriate fruit
a full and rich harvest, to the praise of God.

What can you share with us about that slow but ever so important process?





Do we plant a kernel of corn to reap a kernel of corn?
Do we plant a seed and expect to pluck fruit in the morning?

James 5:7, ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.’

Are you long patient?
If so what can you share with us so we can be more ‘long patient.’
If not what are you going to do to be more ‘long patient.’






I believe Matthew 7:15-16, is speaking to Pastors and Church leaders when it says,
‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?’

I believe these following verses are speaking to us in our ministries,
Whether we serve in a ministry around the church or community,
Or like the title of this class, ‘Family Builders,’
Might these verses be speaking of our family ministry?

Matthew 7:17-20, ‘Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.’

What does that verse say to you?





So do we have unrealistic expectations in area’s where we want growth?
Are we looking for our fruit in our season?
Are we looking His fruit in our season?
Remember our opening verse, ‘…his fruit in his season…’

John 15:4-5 ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’

‘…ye can do nothing,’ meaning spiritually acceptable.
Are we performing for the Lord,
Like a dog doing the same trick over and over to get a treat?

Ore are we truly a vessel that we allow Him to use as He sees fit?





John 15:16, ‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.’

He may give it you…
Why do you think it says ‘may?’





As Christians we are as sensitive to pain as others.
Our spirituality does not dull our sensibilities,
And should not make us emotionally void,
It rather increases our susceptibility to suffering.

The Lord Jesus, probably, felt pain, criticism, and disrespect,
More keenly than any other human being ever did;
We feel the loss of a child, or bodily suffering,
As keenly as any one.


But while our Christianity does not render us
Numb to suffering,
It enables us to bear the pain without murmuring, and
It turns the affliction into a blessing on our soul.

Hebrews 12:11, ‘Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.’

What advice can you give us when we go through these tough times?





As athletes exercised in training for a contest,
Chastisement is the exercise to give experience,
And make the spiritual combatant victorious.

It is never pleasant to endure the chastening,
But it afterwards benefits by the holier life it insures.
In sorrow we naturally cling closer to God.

So let’s remember to pray and wait.

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