Check the Fruit

Matt 12:33 (NKJV) Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.

Never before has it been easier to establish a "ministry." There are many who take the calling of God lightly and call themselves into ministry. They print out business cards, establish web sites, and put themselves forth as such and such or so and so; all in "Jesus' name" of course.

What really establishes a person in the calling of God? It's simple. Jesus said to look at the fruit of a person's life. What is the fruit of a person's life? What is being produced through their ministry?

For example, if God has called a person to be an 'evangelist,' we will be able to see that and prove it, right? How? We'll be able to see people getting saved. If a person's calling is to be a 'teacher,' then we will be able to see that, too. There will be a steady stream of people that are taught, fed, and growing in the grace of God. The proof of our calling will be fruit coming from our lives.

Look for it. Paul, when he wrote to the Corinthians, did. He pointed out that if there was any proof that he indeed was an apostle, it was the fact that there were believers in Corinth!

"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." 2 Cor 3:1-3 (NKJV)

In His Love,
Pastor Ed


Response
I want to thank you for your human-ness and allowing your walk with the Lord be evident in your preaching. In all the teachings I have ever heard you do, one thing is apparent: your heartfelt desire for the lost and your dedication to getting the Word of the Lord to every person. My husband and I found Calvary Chapel a few months ago. It is the first time in 10+ years that we have found a church we call home and attend regularly. The Lord uses your sermons to reach me on a personal level. I've been in the Christian world from birth and can't tell you how many times I have listened to a sermon and thought how so-and-so should've been there to learn that lesson. In Calvary Chapel, I am the one learning lessons each Sunday. My family is growing in Christ. God is using you and the church to reach us. My 4-1/2 year old daughter asked Jesus to be her Savior last night on our way home from visiting family. The joy in that is indescribable. Anyway, I want to say thank you. I want to say you are in my prayers. I pray that busyness doesn't get you down or distracted and that the Lord continues to work through you and blesses you and your family, giving you exactly what you need to live in His will.