Romans Chapter 6:21-22

So what you prove you have in your life. What do you desire to have an you think you know anybody and who desires to have reached thinking through what, but if you make decisions that produce the kind of fruit that's what. But if you make the decisions and the choices and yield to the Holy Spirit. You can have good fruit welcome to cross a bridge with the just like an apple tree bears apples as a Christian we should bear good fruit today. Pastor David discusses the importance of bearing fruit.

As he continues in Romans six for this teaching free to do what is right is what fruit did you have. Then things are what you are now ashamed for the end of those things is that when you're engaged in said bring shame for no interest in making you feel shame or guilt is a big difference between conviction and condemnation of pastors. A lot of Christians are engaged in condemning people. I want to condemning. However, I do want to see you convicted or convinced of what I'm saying.

What's a different combination drives people away conviction draws people to the Lord. So our looking at these things. Understanding these things I want to see you drawn to the Lord. What happens a lot of times as we we forget the pain and the heartache that we suffered in those seasons of sin if you will remember the good times as part of what draws us back.

Can you imagine being in Egypt years ago children of Israel standing on the edge place of past Moses as the liver, and they stand at the edge ago okay well were free but I don't think I'm going to go anywhere to hang here. You understand that's what some believers understand some of you better listen right now is what you're doing is been set free, but you've not headed out for the promise and the promises of God. Once they got out into the desert going to the promised land. Many of you know the story they got out there and what they wanted. I want to go back to Egypt. We miss onions.

We missed the leaks we missed the garlic and the cucumbers. It was such a great place to live truly interesting when you read the chapters before they were set free.

It talks about them being in bondage and slavery and these people telling their children. But somehow they felt there was a drawl to go back to the press and all for and there's always good to be let drawl go back over time that draw weekends as you press on and you press forward the new living translation gives us this verse like this and says and what was the result.

It was not good since you are now ashamed of the things you used to do things that end in eternal doom, strong words, there but what fruit one fruit. A great question. What foods can come from this well ask yourself that question a lot.

I know that I should ask myself the question, what what fruit is going to come from from this activity. Her from this behavior. What fruit is going to come from is be good freighters will be bad for there certain things bear good fruit in your life. You know what you are engaged in something that bears good fruit can come in here today. You made the decision becoming laid in bed, you can hit the snooze bar on an owner turn the clock against the wall or whatever you came. You yielded to the Holy Spirit to come here is a great choice because this conveyor incredible fruit in your life. It can even bear eternal fruit in your life if you allow God speaking and I've heard people say why don't I don't think you have to go to church knowing God is the one who designed the church in the church when it's doing what God is called to do produces incredible lasting eternal fruit. It does I see nothing here you will worship got better without all the people and so are you had this discussion so many times he knew what it comes down to somewhere in that discussion, you know, go back and forth semi-at the immature deal so you know what I'm asking question, how's it going every time without fail, the responses like this all will is going so well this bad fruit. That's bad fruit. You can have good fruit and good decisions are bad fruit and bad decisions. And since it means interesting because I love talking to people. I love talking to them before they figure out in the past because once I figure I'm a pastor get it just gets weird.

I don't you know I thought try to talk to him as much about spiritual things before his own what you do in a and then when they quit laughing your pastor. That's what I said all usually drink like this usually talk like this. You know they just have limits like they just put up the façade won't let me speak to them anymore so the target well churches. Churches that you know people's excuses for going to church or church hypocrite always room for one more understand because we use this…. The word in the Greek people create these is aware of mass.

What that means is that semi-puts on a mask and they completely pretend to be somebody that not that's a hypocrite because of you. If you're in here this morning got okay you know I'm good.

I'm really not struggling with sand and and you know even though I've rejected Jesus on the tell you I've been born again. That's a hypocrite if you're sitting here today and you're going to have been born again and you actually have your to maintain that you don't ever struggle with sin that's been hypocrite blessed be honest all of us are in this battle.

Paul said in remission present will get will get to that unit. He signaled the things I want to do and I'm not doing those things. Things I don't want to do I not doing that's not Paul being a hypocrite is probably in real let's be honest it were believers were trying to follow Jesus. You know what we are all if you will just hypocrites and transition trying to be more of who Jesus is called us to be. That's what I'm trying to be my perfect.

Absolutely not.

But I want to follow Jesus. So what's the fruit.

The freedom not going to churches is bad fruit. Jesus and Paul. They talk about the church be in the body of Christ when the body works together. You know what you are an incredible and out of your here and whatever you believe what you believe the dude is losing you thing your theistic evolution. I happen to believe the Bible is God created us so you have to stop and think you know and I don't know how you think your purchase all kind of got jumbled together, but that's a whole another that's a whole another thing. We'll talk about evil evil is evil in evolution.

Another time, but you will creation if you allow me to use the word creation just the way your body the way that like right now your rearview is a registered you're here and things and you can you know since think it's just thinking to get some when you're on your new produces here and just travel in God in the Bible and Paul uses this analogy of us being the body of Christ when the body works together. It's incredible and when the body is not working together is bad when the body starts working it's against itself. In fact, one word for that would be cancer then that's not good that produces bad fruit. But when work engaged by just being a spectator timeout actually banning games and fellowship that produces good fruit, but imagine you know talk about the body in a moment error whenever we close go out to eat one and and you know just eating is just it's just a marvel. If you think about the way your brain is interacting with your hands in your food in your mouth and your saliva glands are working in your stomach and your digestion. There and soak all the things that are working together and you realize when you sit down and eat a meal you are taking your hand is taken a deadly object into its possession. Will it happen friend of your hands and I'm tired of being. I want to be the bright since we are got a brain first thing I need to do is take the brain and so there you are. You are innocently thinking your hand is going to take the fork and put the food in your mouth but your hand is in rebellion and smacked in the forehead with a that's the body not working gets ugly, quick. That's what happens when the body of Christ doesn't work together. It can get ugly quick. I've seen it. You've probably seen but when it's working together to produce an incredible fruit since the end of these things is death is a Jewish thing. Sin is the seed that are what fruit James 115 says this is when desire has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

That's, that's the end result of sin. So what fruit do you have in your life.

What fruit do you desire to have in your life. I don't think you know anybody in her desires to have bad fruit stinky fruit rotten fruit, but if you make decisions that produce that kind of fruit that's what's going to happen, but if you make the decisions and the choices and yield to the Holy Spirit. You can have good fruit. And keep in mind. The Bible indicates that we are to produce fruit were to produce good fruit doesn't say which was the beat fruits it says were produced fruits so lifeless here. We should bear good fruit. Simple enough we should bear good fruit. And if you're in here today and you're not bearing good fruit.

You should be concerned. Now you can begin the bear good fruit.

Even in the next few minutes mask like this. If you are arrested for being a Christian be enough evidence to convict you. Could somebody look at your life the way you live your life the things you do. They look at your day planner or whatever and see that your Christian kid they could. They look at your checkbook and gain evidence at your belief are you producing good for talked about Egypt and talked about Moses.

Moses made a choice. He could've lived in greatness in Egypt's but he decided to go down in history. All vitamin a prince of Egypt willingly talking about him today and the others. Many princes of Egypt. Can you even name one. I know I can't.

Maybe some liver princes remember any many people for the Moses. Why is he yielded to the Lord any any followed plan for his life instead of following his own plan were told about in Hebrews 1125 Moses is choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God and to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin that the decision we all have to make whether to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin are really follow the Lord. Don't go back to Egypt friend. There's nothing there been set free from let it go's in the past. The sin thing the cruel taskmaster that is wishes you death reminds me of a story. I'm not sure it's true or not but it's an interesting story because driving down the road. He sees this little kid inefficient at this pond and he figures Rhonda stops he was getting things in a fishlike and noble in it will for sure, but the words are in. The man laughed and drove all down to the gas station or whatever in the in the Navy, your special boy back there is sufficient asking of the fish were biting and he said no but the worms were we told the guy that he was talking to his face went white and I said where's the kid they jumped in the vehicle and drove back shows that is even standing in the nest of baby cotton mouse viscerally killed from this. That's what sin does the Lord comes to Negroes, get out of there.

It will kill you the and the fruit of that is death. And yet how we protest not good. It's okay I just stay here a little while longer would enjoy this for just a few more minutes. How many times have you heard that you become a Christian. One day I'm just enjoying myself. I'm not seeing the world and in the barn next week. But here's what I do know each day that passes brings us one day closer to that event.

When times done and you could still be at that start my glass. I'm about to get started in the Lord to come up say not racism done what will happen then start 2012 off right with the new daily devotional book from David McGee across the bridge every day pick up for yourself what has already helped thousands cross the bridge every day. Features 365 daily devotionals that are sure to make everyday life of God -sized adventure. This book is perfect for your quiet time lunch break evening wind down or can even be used as a small group resource with anti-subject index you can look up various topics on your life's unique circumstances to help encourage you to live every day for Jesus cross a bridge every day is available for a donation of $25 or more to cross the bridge ministries to order simply go online to cross a bridge.com or call our friendly representatives at 877-458-5508. That's 877-458-5508 cross the bridge every day with David McGee and find hope along life's journey. Now let's return to our study.

Look at verse 22 but now having been set free from sin and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness and the end everlasting life, slaves of God. We encourage people to serve its interests. Every now and again select talk about servant so much.

It just bothers me now say okay well let's look at are you serving well. Why do you think it bothers you that I talk about servant look got when I don't I don't shy away from the truth is talking about me and slaves of God, I'm being kind and using the word serve because I didn't. I just didn't think you be good markings. A list of all become slaves of in observing the applicant but that serving the Lord is I don't know how we got to this place were we think that's an option on the Christian we serve God. Serving local church.

I totally reject spectator Christianity and if you're here today and you're not engaged in ministry, you need understand something. I love you enough to encourage you towards doing because that's where you find a lot of the joy in the fulfillment and peace and purpose in all these things are promisingly got from the word find them at the start line you find a measure on the race and in the Bible talks about stirring one another to good works, you know, the Greek word you know that there's another way to translate things, agitate you need understand something.

I love you enough that if I need to agitate you and the servant God I'm willing to do that obviously will do them are agitatedly first, many are more agitated. You know I love you enough to do that because I know that if you take those babies that can push you carpool you are agitate unit taken those babies that you find out what I'm saying what the Bible say is absolutely true.

But if you're there on the start and will start line United fund. All these things are swirling around us some time to be hanging out on the Starbucks time again but most churches. We talked about this before, but most churches have about 5 to 8% of the people are actively engaged in ministry in the church. I think that's harm is the standard average. I don't know why that is, to me that's unacceptable understand a single word you get this it's it's all in the Bible actually that they talked about the fivefold ministry in Ephesians chapter 4 it talks about my responsibility as pastor teacher. My response ability to equip you to do the works of ministry. We've got that backwards is most churches. I will pastor pastors with new work of ministry, not according to the Bible were supposed to do the work and could you imagine if I was trying to do the work of the ministry in this place now and would be such a flop on a ferry Michael out parking lot will help impart an L run and agreed him and other serving coffee in the café. Now go take your children as we join together happens we do the work of the ministry you're equipped or fed the word of God are equipped or challenged to do the work of the ministry and when works of my worst and works beautifully. So in this church.

We have over 50% of the people that attend this church are actively engaged in ministry. That's awesome you. I am convinced each person to make a difference.

Each person wants to see themselves as people influence. I have never taught that advice.

It will what you know I will like to start a run to the grave as fast as I can and try to not make any difference while I'm on the way, I've never heard anybody say that the question is are you willing to do the things will make a different are you willing to yield to the spirit to do these things. Christianity is not just you know, getting your ticket to heaven is not just okay when you know I'm to do thing live my own life and in the Jesus is talk about how to live life now is interesting life is mentioned in the Bible over 520 times live is mentioned in the Bible over 280 and you know what the sinful life is not the abundant life. That's not the blessed life. It's interesting so many people late: they do all this stuff so they can be blessed and you what they don't and a blessed you come to God and God bless you. What is a blessing your rocking chairs are interesting things because they there's a lot of emotion.

I think my activity is not going anywhere and you want this is the way some people live the Christian life. Although not free, rocking as ours wish I was free to make a difference. Hope I can help change the world but I'm not get out the rocking chair. Jesus was to teach us how to live, not tomorrow, not next week, right now we make a decision you make a decision in the next few minutes from where the follow Jesus and and listen to what he saying or saying I'm going. I'm doing my own thing. Jesus talks about life. John 315 says that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 524 most assuredly, I say to you hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come in the judgment, but is passed from death into life. John 1125 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life you believes in me, though he may die, shall live. John 1010 the thief does not come except to steal the kill and to destroy. And I have come that they may have life, that they may have it more abundantly. There is there is the enemy of your soul wants to kill still destroy rip you off and have his way with some of them then here's God is Jesus saying I want to give you the abundant life. Even now there's a battle going on. As you know in a few moments whenever the Lord leads me to close on the closing some of you are engaged struggle.

Some of you already know and invite people to come for Nero to try to work through your I want to do is about right now for each and every one of friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out well right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible. You've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you if you've prayed this prayer with Pastor David receiving Jesus Christ for the first time or re-dedicating your life to the Lord. Please call and let us know want to send you our exclusive first steps package for free. This package will help you grow in your new life receive your first steps package by calling 877-458-5508. That's 877-458-5508 or visit us online@crossthebridge.com when you call that are called team representative know where you heard about our broadcast if you enjoyed today's teaching.

We invite you to visit David's home church. The bridge in Kernersville Sundays at nine, 11:15 AM and Thursdays at 7 PM. You are also invited for a special presentation on February 26 featuring the potter's field ministries. Don't miss this dramatic and musical presentation that offers a vivid illustration of our relationship with the Lord, the master potter and us as the clay for details, visit us online@aboutthebridge.com my name is Pastor David McGee with cross the bridge ministries will encourage you to become a bridge builder. A bridge builder is someone who commits to a monthly financial gift to this ministry. Please help us to reach more people and stay on the station you're listening to.

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