From sustainability to Fruitfulness

1. From sustainability to Fruitfulness

2. Sustainability is defined as our capacity for continuance into the long-term future; It is associated with a predetermined level of existence or function. What is it?

3. Sustainability is a modern concept, the idea is found throughout the Bible; it is seen in the call to preserve and celebrate God’s name and his blessings “through all generations” or “to the next generation”. • God knows that our focus should be on the next generation, but who is the next generation? • THE YOUTH What does the Bible say?

4. For all generations: • What we do in life, echoes in eternity. What we do today must be of such a nature that it benefits those who must pick up where we left off and also be a firm foundation on which they can build forth. • Illustrated by God’s covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. Sustaining ourselves – sustaining others

5. It is relational Sustaining ourselves – sustaining others

6. It is relational: • “No man is an island.” No church is an island. No organization is an island. No HIV/AIDS sufferer is an island. We all need each other. • 1 Corinthians 12: 27 - Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Sustainingourselves – sustaining others

7. It requires hope and joy: • Hope is a feeling that is inextricably linked to the future and with it comes a joy that cannot be suppressed; • Ps 30: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Sustaining ourselves – sustaining others

8. Sustainability results in fruitfulness: • Fruitfulness begins with the creative genius and providential faithfulness of the creator God. It requires the careful stewardship of resources, obeying the ‘instructions on the packet', as it were, in a committed, disciplined and patient way. • 1 Thessalonians 5 - Pray without ceasing Sustaining ourselves – sustaining others