Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

all have “if it weren’t for”

I would be happy if it weren’t for...

I would have peace...

i would make better grades...

I could manage my temper if it weren’t for...

I wouldn’t need a drink if it weren’t for...

I wouldn’t be so strung out if it weren’t for...

I wouldn’t be in such a mess if it weren’t for...

*** Usuall a person’s name, a group of people, or some thing that seems to be a repeated thorn in your side.

*** the real kicker is that whatever comes before the “if it weren’t for” is a good thing, maybe a God thing that you know He has been calling you toward… when finally gets accomplished, you will be free and your life so much more full and rich and powerful

So why does God keep letting it be this way?

IOW- if your “if it weren’t for keeps messing up your would be, why doesn’t God deal with your if it weren’t for so that your would be becomes an “is”?

Series...

Makes a REal Dfference

Often, re: gifts…, but there’s a bigger question—see gifts are only one small part of the difference you’re meant to make in this world—they operate in places, but you are an agent for the Kingdom of God every moment of your life...

Want to deal with the difference-maker in you

Here’s

fruit--

character of who you are in Christ

multiplication of what you have been given (gifts, resources, put to work to bring about whgat God has given you to be at work in the lives of others—IOW—the good work of God in you at work in other poeple)

*** NOt technical—just “results—Cf John the Baptist...

SO what happens here?—Metaphor--

*** Heart of God—fruitful life

*** Two things produce fruit--

MUST STAY CONNECTED

(come back to this…)

MUST BE CULTIVATED

Necessary—pruning

** Blueberry bushes...

Prune--

old growth not growing any more

dead parts...

fruitless areas

PRUNING OPERATES OFF SIMPLE PRINCIPLE—the more energy I get into fruit-bearing areas, the more fruit I get

PRUNING IS MULTIPLICATION BY REDUCTION

** Sounds good...

Feels not so good.

WHY?

feels life frustration

feels like limitation

feels like contrary to what needs to be

BRANCH sasy--”I’m going this way...

Opposition comes

three things

simplicity

*** crazy, busy, imaginativve

purity

*** people frustrated—I’m good, what bad peopel getting in way

** starting with you

through you, deal with them

YOUR GROWTH IS THEIR GROWTH

*** THEIR PART IS TO PURIFY YOU

jESUS—PURIFY W/ SPIRIT FIRE

jOSEPH

*** lAST THING--

cAPACITY

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