Bearing Fruit: A Call to Spiritual Growth
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about the kind of fruit we are bearing in our lives. I started with a story from my childhood about a prank involving lemon juice disguised as Kool-Aid, which led me to reflect on the difference between sour and ripe fruit. This analogy serves as a metaphor for our spiritual lives. Are we bearing sour fruit or fresh, ripe fruit?
We need to examine our outward appearance as Christians. How do we present ourselves to our church family and our community? Just like someone who joins a gym but doesn't commit to the process, we can't expect to grow spiritually if we only put in minimal effort. We have numerous opportunities to get spiritually fed at Westside Christian Church, but it requires more than just attending Sunday services.
In Genesis, God’s first command to humanity was to be fruitful and multiply. This command is not just about physical reproduction but also about bearing spiritual fruit. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be evident in our lives. In contrast, the works of the flesh—idolatry, jealousy, dissensions, and fits of anger—are signs of a life not aligned with God.
To bear good fruit, we must abide in Christ. Jesus said in John 15 that we cannot bear fruit by ourselves; we must remain in Him. This means more than just believing in Christ; it means following, obeying, and living in accordance with His teachings. When we intentionally connect with God, He works in us to produce good fruit.
Paul’s transformation from Saul, a persecutor of Christians, to Paul, a bearer of good fruit, illustrates the power of abiding in Christ. Before his conversion, Saul’s life was marked by sour fruit—legalism, intolerance, and persecution. After meeting Christ, Paul’s life bore the sweet fruit of the Spirit, becoming a powerful example of what it means to live a Christ-centered life.
As Christians, we are called to be the light of the world. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the fruit of the Spirit, even on days when we don’t feel like it. This daily walk requires commitment and self-control. Let’s strive to be fruitful every day, showing the world the love, joy, and peace that come from a life rooted in Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Examine Your Outward Appearance: Reflect on how you present yourself to your church family and community. Are you showing the fruits of the Spirit or the works of the flesh? Your outward actions are a reflection of your inward spiritual condition. [02:52]
2. Commit to Spiritual Growth: Just like a gym membership requires commitment to see results, spiritual growth requires more than just attending Sunday services. Engage in various church activities and Bible studies to deepen your relationship with God. [04:28]
3. Abide in Christ: To bear good fruit, we must remain in Christ. This means more than just believing; it involves following, obeying, and living in accordance with His teachings. When we intentionally connect with God, He works in us to produce good fruit. [09:11]
4. Transformation Through Christ: Paul’s transformation from Saul, a persecutor of Christians, to Paul, a bearer of good fruit, illustrates the power of abiding in Christ. This transformation is available to all who choose to follow Jesus. [17:35]
5. Daily Commitment to Bearing Fruit: Bearing fruit is a daily commitment. Even on days when we don’t feel like it, we are called to show the fruits of the Spirit. Our actions and attitudes should reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. [26:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Childhood Story: Sour vs. Ripe Fruit
[01:51] - Opening Prayer
[02:52] - Examining Our Outward Appearance
[04:28] - Commitment to Spiritual Growth
[06:03] - Created to Bear Fruit
[07:37] - Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit
[09:11] - Abiding in Christ
[10:45] - Jesus as the Vine
[12:17] - God Works in Us
[13:48] - Transformation Through Christ
[15:46] - Reflecting on Our Actions
[17:35] - Paul’s Transformation
[19:24] - Corruption in Society
[21:41] - Paul’s New Life in Christ
[22:42] - Bearing Good Fruit
[24:28] - Daily Commitment to Bearing Fruit
[26:06] - Self-Control and Consistency
[28:08] - Paul’s Lesson on Freedom
[30:20] - Walking by the Spirit
[32:48] - Avoiding Factions
[34:49] - Fruit of the Spirit
[36:26] - Living a Life of Joy
[38:22] - Following the Spirit
[39:10] - Being the Light of the World
[40:16] - Encouragement to Bear Good Fruit
[41:02] - Closing Remarks and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 15:4-5 (NIV): "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
2. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
3. Genesis 1:28 (NIV): "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you" in John 15:4-5?
2. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit that should be evident in a Christian's life?
3. In Genesis 1:28, what was God's first command to humanity, and how does it relate to bearing spiritual fruit?
4. How did the pastor use the analogy of sour and ripe fruit to describe our spiritual lives? [00:30]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it practically mean to "remain in Christ" as described in John 15:4-5? How can this be applied in daily life?
2. How can the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 serve as a measure of our spiritual health and growth?
3. How does the transformation of Saul to Paul illustrate the power of abiding in Christ and bearing good fruit? [17:35]
4. Why is it important to examine our outward appearance as Christians, and what does it reveal about our inward spiritual condition? [02:52]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. What specific steps can you take to ensure you are "remaining in Christ" throughout your day? [09:11]
2. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) that you struggle with. What practical actions can you take this week to cultivate this fruit in your interactions with others? [35:24]
3. Think about a time when you may have unintentionally borne "sour fruit" in your interactions. How can you seek reconciliation and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in that relationship? [15:46]
4. How can you commit to deeper spiritual growth beyond just attending Sunday services? Identify one church activity or Bible study you can join to help you grow. [04:28]
5. Reflect on Paul's transformation from Saul. Is there an area in your life where you need a similar transformation? What steps can you take to allow Christ to work in that area? [17:35]
6. How can you be a light in your community and show the fruits of the Spirit even on days when you don't feel like it? Share a specific example of how you can do this in the coming week. [40:16]
7. Identify one person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer or action you can take before your next interaction with that person to show patience and kindness? [36:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting Our True Spiritual Condition
Description: Our outward actions are a reflection of our inward spiritual condition. As Christians, it is essential to examine how we present ourselves to our church family and community. Are we showing the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—or are we displaying the works of the flesh such as idolatry, jealousy, dissensions, and fits of anger? This self-examination helps us understand whether we are bearing sour or ripe fruit in our spiritual lives. By reflecting on our actions and attitudes, we can align ourselves more closely with God's will and become better representatives of Christ in the world. [02:52]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Think about your interactions over the past week. Were there moments when you displayed the works of the flesh instead of the fruits of the Spirit? How can you consciously choose to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in similar situations this week?
Day 2: Commitment to Spiritual Growth
Description: Spiritual growth requires more than just attending Sunday services; it demands a committed and active engagement in various church activities and Bible studies. Just like a gym membership requires dedication to see physical results, our spiritual lives need consistent effort to grow and flourish. At Westside Christian Church, there are numerous opportunities to get spiritually fed, but it is up to each individual to take advantage of these resources. By immersing ourselves in the Word of God and participating in the life of the church, we can deepen our relationship with God and bear good fruit. [04:28]
2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to engage more deeply in your spiritual growth? Consider joining a Bible study group or volunteering for a church activity.
Day 3: Abiding in Christ
Description: To bear good fruit, we must remain in Christ. This means more than just believing in Him; it involves following, obeying, and living in accordance with His teachings. Jesus said in John 15 that we cannot bear fruit by ourselves; we must remain in Him. When we intentionally connect with God through prayer, worship, and studying His Word, He works in us to produce good fruit. This abiding relationship with Christ transforms our lives and enables us to reflect His love and grace to others. [09:11]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you intentionally connect with Christ today? Set aside specific times for prayer, Bible reading, and worship to deepen your relationship with Him.
Day 4: Transformation Through Christ
Description: Paul’s transformation from Saul, a persecutor of Christians, to Paul, a bearer of good fruit, illustrates the power of abiding in Christ. Before his conversion, Saul’s life was marked by sour fruit—legalism, intolerance, and persecution. After meeting Christ, Paul’s life bore the sweet fruit of the Spirit, becoming a powerful example of what it means to live a Christ-centered life. This transformation is available to all who choose to follow Jesus. By surrendering our lives to Him, we allow His Spirit to work in us, transforming us into His likeness and enabling us to bear good fruit. [17:35]
Acts 9:17-18 (ESV): "So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized."
Reflection: Reflect on a specific area of your life where you need transformation. How can you surrender this area to Christ and allow His Spirit to work in you?
Day 5: Daily Commitment to Bearing Fruit
Description: Bearing fruit is a daily commitment. Even on days when we don’t feel like it, we are called to show the fruits of the Spirit. Our actions and attitudes should reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This daily walk requires commitment and self-control. By consistently choosing to live according to the Spirit, we can be the light of the world and show others the love, joy, and peace that come from a life rooted in Christ. [26:06]
Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show the fruits of the Spirit in your daily interactions today? Consider a specific person or situation where you can demonstrate love, patience, or kindness.
Quotes
1. "So what does your outward appearance as a Christian look like? Uh, if I was to, your outward appearance today, if I was to look at your outward appearance today, what would it look like? What would it look like if you were to judge my appearance today and my outward appearance? If you were to judge me, what would you say about me? How does our outward appearance look like to not only in our church family here, but how does our outward appearance look like in our our community." [02:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So did you know that humans are created to bear fruit, to be fruitful? So in Genesis chapter one, verse 26, it says, then God said, let us make mankind in our image, according to our likeness, and let them roll over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over the earth. And over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth. So it says, so God created man in his own image. In the image of God, he created him. He created the male and female." [06:03] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Being fruitful is a phrase used to describe an outward action that's a result from an inward condition of a human's heart. So what's in our heart is going to be, what's in our heart, if we have fruit, good fruit in our heart, well, we're going to have good fruit come out of us. That's going to be our word. So in our text today, we're going to see the difference of works of the fruit, and we're going to see works of the flesh, and we're going to also see those of the works of the Holy Spirit." [07:37] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So as Christians, we want to bear fruit that is going to keep us in a great relationship with God, right? And so we're going to take these things outwardly and demonstrate that we have been made in Christ. Second Corinthians 517 says, therefore, now, this is where I'm talking to Christians. If you're not a Christian today, that's fine. At least you're here, and you're looking at the possibility of what's going on in this church, and that maybe you're thinking about being a Christian." [08:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So if you are in Christ, you call yourself a Christian, you have became a new creation, which means that we must start to look at bearing good fruit. The old things have passed away. Those are the old fruits. Those are those sour fruits that we're going to look at also. So we need to start bearing good fruit. So what is the key of bearing? Because I could tell you all the time, all day long, that Christians, we need to bear good fruit. But how? How do we do that?" [09:11] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So as Christians we are also called to be the light of the world. So Jesus says you're the light of the world. The city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. But on the lamp stand. And it gives light to all or in a house. So Jesus says your light must shine before men. In such a way that they may see your good works. And glorify your father who is in heaven. So today I encourage you. Go be a light." [40:16] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So it is God who does not, does the work in us. It's not us that does it. God does the work in us. So if we have God inside of us, then God is going to come out of us, right? Our fruit bearing is simple. It's a result of not what we do, but what he does. And the only way that we can do that is by abiding in Christ. So Jesus said to the disciples, and I want us to make sure that we don't read this passage here out of context, because this is a good context for people to take out and say that this supports predestination." [12:17] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So when we accept Christ and we start to abide into Christ, we become disciples, correct? We become those disciples of Christ. So we then have to be fruit bearers. We have to go out and we have to produce this fruit. Second Corinthians 3.18 says, but we all with unveiled faces looking as if we were fruit bearers. We have to go out and we have to produce this fruit. So as we're walking out our Christianity, as we're abiding in Christ and we're following what Christ is telling us to do, Paul's telling us here that we're being transformed into the image." [13:48] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So Paul's saying that our flesh. And our spirit are at war with each other. We. Our flesh wants to go this way. Our spirit wants to go that way. And the spirit against the flesh. For these are in opposition to one another. In order to keep you from doing what you want. So Paul's saying that we're just in this battle. With our flesh and our spirit. But if you are led by the spirit. You are not under the law. Now. Now. The deeds of the flesh are evident." [30:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So as a Christian. Some days the days that you don't want to do it. Are sometimes the best days to do it. Because you're going to get the best result out of it. Paul says. But the fruit of the spirit is love. Love. Joy. Everybody should see us. Joyful all of the time. We just had a celebration of life. Of Lonnie Rizou yesterday. If you were here. He lived a life of joy. He might not have always been happy. Of circumstances." [35:24] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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