1. How to Increase Fruitfulness Applying Love

2. Luke 13:6-9 “Sir... I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year fine! If not, then cut it down.”

3. Introduction Personal life – Heart – Thoughts, emotions and behaviors

4. Introduction Personal Relationships – God, family and friends

5. Introduction Performance – Talents, gifts and purpose

6. Introduction Where is the problem? – The fruit, the tree, or the soil? – Barren, failure, unproductive, Fruit is only a yard stick – Looking at the wrong thing

7. Introduction Contrast of the acts of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Spirit

8. Galatians 5:19 and 22 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious...” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control”

9. Fertilize Three Components of Fertilizer – Nitrogen - Love – Phosphate - Grace – Potassium - Truth

10. Cultivate Love Two Greatest commandments – “Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength” – Mk 12:30 – “Love your neighbor as yourself” – Mk 12:31 “Love your enemies” – Mt 5:44

11. Cultivate the Love of God God is the source of love – “for God is love...” 1 Jn 4:8 – “God shed his love abroad” Ro 5:5

12. Cultivate the Love of God Saturate yourself with God’s love – “Those who do what Christ tells them will love God more and more” (1 Jn 2:5 TLB) – Work it into your heart

13. Cultivate Love for Others We are Family – “...The love the Father bestowed on us that we should be called sons of God” – 1 Jn 3:1 – “from the beginning... we should love one another” – 1 Jn 3:11

14. Cultivate Love for Others Fill yourself with good will Prefer one another Take pleasure in one another Put your spouse / family / neighbor on equal turf

15. Cultivate Love for your enemies “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” Mt 5:44 (KJV).

16. Cultivate Love for Your Enemies Speak blessing on them Find something good to do for them Pray for them

17. Cultivate Love for Your Enemies Pursue growth – God uses adversity to develop character – Roman 4:4

18. Cultivate Love for Your Enemies – “Add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly love... They will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive” – 2 Peter 1:5-8

19. Application Good soil needs basic ingredients Love is the most important – Love God with all your being – Love your neighbor as yourself – Love your enemies