Bearing Much Fruit: Living by the Spirit's Power

Devotional

Day 1: Walking in the Spirit Produces Spiritual Fruit

To walk in the Spirit means to allow the Holy Spirit to live inside you, influencing your thoughts, emotions, and actions so that your life is patterned after Jesus Christ. This is not something you can accomplish by sheer willpower or human effort; it requires surrender, repentance, and a daily openness to the Spirit’s leading. As you yield to God’s Spirit, He empowers you to resist the desires of the flesh and to bear the fruit that reflects Christ’s character. The journey is not always easy, but it is filled with joy and purpose as you become more like Him each day. [42:57]

Galatians 5:16-25 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to change, and how can you intentionally surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: Abiding in Christ Is Essential for Fruitfulness

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine, you cannot produce spiritual fruit apart from abiding in Jesus. This abiding is a daily, ongoing relationship—remaining in His presence, letting His words shape you, and allowing His life to flow through you. When you abide in Christ, He prunes away what hinders growth, sometimes through uncomfortable seasons, but always with the purpose of making you more fruitful. Without Him, you can do nothing, but with Him, your life will overflow with fruit that glorifies God and blesses others. [54:42]

John 15:1-8 (ESV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Reflection: In what practical way can you deepen your connection to Jesus this week—through prayer, Scripture, or worship—so that His life flows more freely through you?

Day 3: Spiritual Fruit Grows Through Intentional Living

Bearing spiritual fruit is not automatic; it requires intentional choices, discipline, and a passion to please God above all else. Simply avoiding evil is not enough—spiritual fruit comes from a life surrendered to the Spirit, cultivated by prayer, the Word, and fasting. This process involves sacrifice and sometimes pain, as God uproots self-will and prunes away what does not belong. Yet, as you live with purpose and give God your best, you will see His blessings and transformation in your life and in those around you. [57:40]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one specific habit or routine you can start or adjust this week to intentionally cultivate spiritual fruit in your life?

Day 4: The Fruit of the Spirit Reflects Christ’s Character

The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not just virtues to admire but the very character of Christ formed in you. Each fruit flows from a heart surrendered to God: love that expects nothing in return, joy that endures through trials, peace that calms every storm, patience that perseveres, kindness and goodness that serve others, faithfulness that can be counted on, meekness that is strength under control, and self-control that brings dignity. As these qualities grow in you, your life becomes a living testimony of Jesus to the world. [01:02:15]

Matthew 7:16-20 (ESV)
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you sense God inviting you to grow in most right now, and what is one step you can take to nurture that fruit today?

Day 5: Holiness and Passion for God Lead to a Fruitful Life

God calls you to holiness—not as an outdated concept, but as a living, vibrant reality that sets you apart for His purposes. Holiness is not about perfection, but about a heart passionately pursuing God, forsaking sin, and loving Him with your whole being. When you live with this passion and purpose, your life becomes fruitful, your worship becomes free, and your witness draws others to Christ. Holiness is the evidence of God’s work in you, and it is still His mandate for every believer today. [59:03]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)
But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can pursue greater holiness and passion for God, and how will you take a concrete step toward that today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a church family to seek God’s presence, to intercede for one another, and to be reminded of the true meaning of being a Christian: to be Christ-like in character, conduct, and lifestyle. We began by lifting up the needs among us, believing that God is able to move in our situations—not tomorrow, but right now. There is power in unified prayer, and testimonies are born when we trust God together.

The heart of our time together centered on the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5. We are called not just to avoid evil, but to intentionally cultivate spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. This is not a passive process; it requires desire, cultivation, and sometimes painful pruning. Just as a plant bends but does not break in the storm, so we must hold tightly to God, allowing Him to shape us even when it’s uncomfortable. The pruning process may feel like loss or discomfort, but it is God’s preparation for greater fruitfulness.

Being a Christian is more than Sunday attendance; it is a daily, passionate pursuit of God. The Spirit’s influence in our lives is not just about avoiding sin, but about being transformed—letting God’s Spirit guide our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This is not something we can accomplish by willpower alone; it requires surrender, repentance, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. When we walk in the Spirit, we become sensitive to God’s leading, and our lives begin to reflect Christ more and more.

Living for God is hard when we do it half-heartedly, but when we give Him our all—when we live for Him “hard”—it becomes a joy. The key is a passion to please God, to give Him our best, not just what is left over. Fruitfulness is not instant; it is the result of intentional living, discipline, and allowing God to purge us of anything that hinders holiness. Holiness is not outdated; it is still God’s call for His people.

Ultimately, the fruit of the Spirit is not just for our benefit, but for the sake of others. When we bear fruit, souls are won, families are changed, and God is glorified. Our spiritual health is revealed by the fruit we bear. My prayer is that each of us would have a deep compassion to be more like Jesus, forsake sin, and love God with our whole hearts.

Key Takeaways

1. Fruitfulness Requires Pruning and Surrender True spiritual fruit does not come without discomfort. God often prunes our lives, cutting away what is unnecessary or harmful, so that we can bear more fruit. This process may feel painful or confusing, but it is a sign of God’s loving investment in our growth. Embracing the pruning seasons with surrender leads to greater beauty and fruitfulness in due time. [53:30]
2. Walking in the Spirit Demands Intentionality Living by the Spirit is not accidental; it is a daily choice to be sensitive and obedient to God’s leading. This means allowing the Spirit to influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions, even when it goes against our natural inclinations. Intentional living—through prayer, the Word, and fasting—creates space for the Spirit to produce lasting change in us. [46:04]
3. Passion for God Transforms Difficulty into Joy It is hard to live for God when we do it half-heartedly, but when we pursue Him with passion and give Him our best, the journey becomes a joy. Passion fuels perseverance, making spiritual disciplines and sacrifices not burdensome, but life-giving. A heart set on pleasing God finds fulfillment in surrender and obedience. [51:24]
4. Holiness and Fruitfulness Are Inseparable Holiness is not an outdated concept, but a present mandate for God’s people. The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of a holy life, and holiness is the soil in which spiritual fruit grows. Pursuing holiness means allowing God to purge us of anything that disrupts or decays our spiritual health, so that our lives can truly reflect Christ to the world. [59:03]
5. Spiritual Fruit Impacts Others and Glorifies God Bearing spiritual fruit is not just for personal benefit; it is how souls are won, families are changed, and God is glorified. Our lives become testimonies of God’s power and love when we allow the Spirit to work in us. The fruit we bear is the evidence of our spiritual health and our witness to those around us. [59:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:01] - United Prayer for Needs
[34:15] - Stories of Church and Change
[35:15] - Introducing the Fruit of the Spirit Series
[36:30] - Three Steps to Spiritual Fruit
[38:11] - The True Meaning of Being a Christian
[39:58] - Stirring a Deeper Desire for Christ
[40:17] - Beyond Sunday: The Call to Deeper Living
[42:01] - The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
[44:05] - Receiving and Walking in the Spirit
[46:04] - Letting the Spirit Influence Your Life
[48:18] - Crucifying the Flesh and Spiritual Warfare
[50:09] - Living for God: Easy vs. Hard
[52:14] - The Pruning Process and Bearing Fruit
[54:21] - Abiding in Christ for Fruitfulness
[57:20] - Intentional Living and Spiritual Fruit
[59:03] - The Call to Holiness
[59:43] - The Impact of a Fruitful Life
[62:15] - The Nine Fruits of the Spirit
[66:26] - Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit
[68:33] - A Pastor’s Heart: Becoming More Like Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Galatians 5:16-25 (ESV) — 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

John 15:1-8 (ESV) — 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 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. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Observation Questions

According to Galatians 5, what are the “works of the flesh” and how do they contrast with the “fruit of the Spirit”?
In John 15, what does Jesus say happens to branches that do not bear fruit, and what is the purpose of pruning the branches that do bear fruit?
The sermon described the pruning process as sometimes painful or uncomfortable. What are some examples given of what this pruning might look like in a believer’s life? [[53:30]]
What does it mean to “walk in the Spirit” according to the sermon and Galatians 5? [[46:04]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul lists both the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit together in Galatians 5? What is he trying to show about the Christian life?
The sermon said, “Just as a plant bends but does not break in the storm, so we must hold tightly to God, allowing Him to shape us even when it’s uncomfortable.” How does this image help us understand God’s work in our lives during hard times? [[53:30]]
The pastor said, “It is hard to live for God when you do it half-heartedly, but when we pursue Him with passion and give Him our best, the journey becomes a joy.” Why does passion make such a difference in our spiritual walk? [[51:24]]
According to John 15, what is the connection between abiding in Christ and bearing fruit? How does this relate to the idea of intentional living mentioned in the sermon? [[54:21]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about the pruning process—God cutting away things in our lives that are unnecessary or harmful. Is there something in your life right now that feels like it’s being “pruned”? How are you responding to that process? [[53:30]]
“Living for God is hard when you do it half-heartedly, but when you give Him your all, it becomes a joy.” Are there areas in your walk with God where you feel you’ve been giving only what’s left over instead of your best? What would it look like to give God your best this week? [[51:24]]
The fruit of the Spirit is not just for us, but for others. Can you think of a recent time when your actions or attitude impacted someone else’s faith or view of God? How might God want to use your spiritual fruit to bless others this week? [[59:43]]
The pastor said, “Intentional living—through prayer, the Word, and fasting—creates space for the Spirit to produce lasting change in us.” Which of these spiritual disciplines do you find most challenging, and what is one step you can take to grow in that area? [[46:04]]
Holiness was described as “the soil in which spiritual fruit grows.” Are there habits or attitudes in your life that are disrupting your spiritual health? What is one thing you can surrender to God for Him to “purge” this week? [[59:03]]
The sermon mentioned that “our spiritual health is revealed by the fruit we bear.” If someone looked at your life right now, what kind of fruit would they see? Is there a specific fruit of the Spirit you want to ask God to grow in you? [[01:08:04]]
The pastor encouraged the church to “forsake sin and love God with our whole hearts.” What is one practical way you can show your love for God more fully in your daily routine this week? [[01:08:33]]

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