TLDR;
Pastor Mensa Otabil discusses the importance of not only having fruitful thoughts and words but also building and producing tangible results. He emphasizes that our achievements and creations are the ultimate measure of our fruitfulness and reflect the gifts God has given us. He encourages listeners to reflect on what they have built with their ideas and resources, as God assesses us based on our actions and output.
- Fruitfulness requires building and producing tangible results, not just thinking and speaking.
- Our achievements and creations reflect the gifts God has given us.
- God assesses us based on our actions and output, not just our intentions.
The Importance of Building [0:10]
Pastor Otabil references Exodus 36:8, which describes the construction of the tabernacle. He explains that fruitfulness involves not just thinking and speaking but also making or doing something concrete. He highlights that everything around us, from everyday objects to complex structures, was created by someone who turned an idea into reality.
From Ideas to Reality [1:28]
The process of bringing an idea to life involves thinking, speaking, writing, and convincing others of its potential before finally producing it. To be truly fruitful, one must build and produce something tangible. He challenges listeners to consider what they have built or produced with their thoughts, words, and the grace and ideas God has given them.
The Measure of Achievement [2:58]
Pastor Otabil asserts that people often assess us based on what we have built or achieved. In job interviews, for example, employers look beyond resumes and descriptions to see what candidates have actually accomplished. Similarly, God examines what we have done with the gifts He has given us, not just our assurances and encouragements. Experience is measured not by how long we have lived, but by how well we have built and what we have produced.
Revealing God's Gifts Through Production [4:37]
God wants people to start working and building structures, businesses, ideas, books, songs, and more. Whatever we produce reveals the gifts God has given us. God decides whether to add more to us or take away from us based on our production. He prays that God will add more to our gifts as we continue to produce and build fruit.
Prayer for Fruitfulness [5:30]
Pastor Otabil leads a prayer, asking God to help listeners bring their ideas into reality and become fruit producers. He concludes with a blessing of peace and life.