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Nobody likes failing. We enjoy success; we like to achieve things, especially if others notice and cheer us on.
So, what does the Bible teach us about success – about finding success or being successful?
In the Old Testament, individuals found success as they prayed and trusted God for help in achieving something. For example, Abraham’s servant found success in finding a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24 and we are told that David was successful in all of his battles after defeating Goliath (see 1 Sam 18: 30). The book of Proverbs even tells us that The Lord “holds success in store for the upright” (Prov 2: 7).
But, interestingly, the word doesn’t seem to exist in the New Testament!
However, the New Testament does have a lot to say about fruitfulness. For example, Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15: 8).
Much fruit. Did you notice that? The purpose of being a disciple of Jesus is to bear fruit. Much fruit.
What is the fruit Jesus wants us to bear? What does it look like? Let’s break this down into two areas:
Every graduate from Sunday school knows Galatians 5: 22, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” God wants to grow and develop those characteristics in our hearts and everyday practices, and it is an ongoing process throughout our lives.
Rick Warren in his book The Purpose Driven Church asserts that we can measure the fruitfulness of a local church by looking for the following things:
How do you think your church is doing? Is it healthy? Is it fruitful?
If not, what can be done to change that?
Terry Nightingale is a pastor serving in the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, having previously worked in Christian education both in the UK and Perth. He graduated from Vose Seminary with a Masters in Divinity in 2016. He loves sharing the Gospel and teaching the Word of God.
Terry and Sue arrived in Australia in 2003 from the UK for a 1-year adventure. They never returned! The beaches, the sun and God’s call upon their lives persuaded them to settle in the land ‘down-under’. Today they have two grown-up children both married, with four grandchildren and counting.
Terry writes a popular weekly blog at terrynightingale.com called ‘4-minute Devotions’, short Bible -centred messages for the busy Christian on the go. He also writes Christian worship music and plays the guitar.
Looking Back To Move Forward is his first non-fiction book for Christian leaders – in fact for anyone who occasionally faces discouragement or setbacks. His second book, based on his blog, is entitled Bite-Size Devotions For The Busy Christian.
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