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Kingdom proof: Manifesting The Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit
Acts. 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Conference Promotion Sunday



Introduction
The veracity of whom we claim to be lies in effects of what we manifest. We cannot claim to be kingdom people without a proof. If what we manifest contradicts biblical standard then our claim is invalid. Read 1 John 3:10. The Nigerian society is filled with all manner of religiosity and acclaimed spirituality, yet our nations is bedeviled with unspeakable corruption and backwardness. This creates a gap between what we profess and that which we practice. This is both paradoxical and hypocritical. As kingdom people we have all it takes to transform our world. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14). The theme of our annual conference this year calls our attention to the need to be active in practicing what we profess. To manifest the fruit and gifts of the Spirit is to awake to our responsibilities to the church and the society at large. As we examine the theme this week, may the Lord reveal His mind to us beyond previous knowledge through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.

Our Identity
As kingdom people we are:
1. Disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ (Mark 3:13)
2. Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
3. The salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14)

Our Mandate
Our identity determines our mandate. We are to:
1. Declare the praise of our redeemer.
2. Make disciples of all nations.
3. Transform our world.

Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
 Proof of our kind – Jesus, in Matthew 7:15-20, clearly reveals to us that fruit is not deceptive. It is the true proof of what kind a tree is. People may profess to be good and spiritual, but it takes their fruit to validate their claim. The Holy Spirit who indwells the believers produces the fruit of the Spirit in them. Likewise, the devil who indwells the evil doer produces in them their evil acts (John 8:44). The years of our religiosity cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit. The position we hold in the church is incompetent to produce in us the fruit of the Spirit. The volume of our offerings and sacrifices cannot equate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in the believers.
 Evidence of our Maturity - Reproduction requires maturity. There is no single place in the whole world where infants beget. Trees bear fruit upon maturity. Kingdom project is not exceptional. Infant Christians cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit. Hence, the church cannot grow in their hands neither can they transform their society. Instead, they will be causing troubles in the church and the society through their chaotic and poisonous fruit.

Gifts of the Spirit
Jesus called common men. He discipled them and made them His apostles. Apostleship is responsibility. This accounts for why every disciple of Christ is a minister. The Holy Spirit does not only produce fruit in the believers, He also empowers and equips them for ministry productivity. Acts 1:8 speaks to the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit for empowerment. Acts 2 narrates the manifestation of His coming. The empowerment comes with equipping believers with diverse gifts for the common good (1 Corinthians 12). Paul in Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” In order to accomplish this divine purpose, each of us is given spiritual gift(s). Hence, a Spirit-filled Christian has no reason to be idle in the church. His spiritual gift(s) are of a great benefit to society as well. The gifts are for the common good, not for common evil. A Spirit-filled believer is known for good, not for evil.

Conclusion
Fruit is not deceptive. By your fruit we shall know if truly you are a kingdom person. The kind of impact you have on the body of Christ and the society at large is a function of your spiritual gift. This is a call to us all. Let us be true to our identity and work for the common good of the body Christ and transform our society for good. Arise! Manifest the fruit and gifts of the Spirit.