LIVING THE FRUITFUL LIFE OF FAITH
Those who bear fruit stay connected to the root.
INTRODUCTION: This morning, we are in making our way through the upper-room conversation Jesus had with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. And in the middle of his conversation with them he instructs them as to why they were chosen in the first place to be his disciples.
A little backstory: Throughout John’s gospel Jesus refers to himself as the great I AM seven times. This is the last of the seven “I AM’s” Jesus declares that he is the true Vine. As in common with Jesus, he uses Metaphorical Language that his followers could comprehend. And no doubt the disciples would easily identify the meaning behind his message using vineyard and fruit. For Israel was a major grape growing region just like the Napa Valley.
READ JOHN 15:1-17
I. FRUITFULNESS IS THE OF .
Let’s define it:
“Fruit is a life well lived that blesses others and furthers God’s redemptive plans for His glory and not our own.”
A. It’s God’s desire that our lives count for the sake of the gospel.
The Apostle Paul prayed that the Church would be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ–to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)
B. Fruitful Living demands that we stay faithful to Christ.
Jesus uses the word ABIDE (Gr. Meno) several times in John 15, a word that means to continue, remain, persevere. (used over 40 times in the gospels)
- The key to living a life that pleases God and blesses others is all about with CHIRST for the long haul.
- At the peak of Jesus ministry thousands of people followed him around but, in the end, they departed from him after him. (John6 :66-68) And in the contest of this conversation Judas has already bailed on Christ.
It’s not how we start that matters but how we finish!
Example from the Apostle Paul’s life: 2 Tim. 4:3-8
- Fruit is a seasonal thing. Fruit isn’t produced in the winter months. Winter months get the soil of our lives ready for spring growth. Fruitful Living is measured over the course of our lives.
II. BEING DOESN’T TO BEING FRUITFUL.
Jesus speaks about branches that are broken off and burned. Not exactly a good picture of the outcome of faithless living.
I believe Jesus had the Nation of Israel in mind when talking people without fruit who wound end up on the burn pile of humanity. Why? Because the very people that planned to bear fruit but they didn’t.
- In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is frequently described as God’s vineyard or his “choice vine”. In Isaiah 5, Psalm 80, Jeremiah 2:21, she represents God lovingly planting, nurturing, and protecting his people, expecting them to produce fruits of justice and righteousness. Instead, it yielded “wild grapes” (sin and rebellion), leading to judgement
- The Story of the cursed fig tree that Jesus spoke out just a few days before this upper room discourse: Mark 11
- Parable of the man and the fig tree:
III. GOD IS CONTUNIALLY AT WORK IN OUR LIVES LOPPING OFF THINGS THAT KEEP US FROM PRODUCING THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- Jesus speaks of the gardener lifting up the vines to keep them from being ruin. When we’re down and in the dumps the Holy Spirit comes alongside and gives us a little lift. (airo GR. take up, lift up)
- God, our spiritual gardener pulls out his pruning sheers and lops off dead branches and dried out fruit to make room for more fruit.
The word “Prune” GR. (Kathairo) is where our English word, katharsis comes from. The word means to cleanse or purify by removing what hinders us from producing fruit.
- Life doesn’t always make sense when we feel like our desires are not manifesting before us but we must trust that God is working behind scenes to produce the fruit of righteousness in us so he can produce fruit through us.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28-29
APPLICATION: Let me give you fruit producing thoughts as we wrap up:
- Stay in relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Remain in My Love. Stay under the covering of the love God has for you.
- Recognize that His pruning process is for our good and His glory.
- Position yourself to serve others. Phil.2
- Obey the revealed will of God (commands) found in the word of God.
- Love the people in His vineyard. (your brothers and sisters).
- “Ask” God for help in doing His will.
- Avoid close relationships with people who live after the flesh. Psa.1
One Final word of encouragement: As we follow Jesus and position ourselves to produce fruit the Holy Spirit will fill us with the joy of Jesus!!