Living a Fresh and Fruitful Life in Christ
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by inviting the congregation to consider the irresistible nature of fresh fruit, using it as a metaphor for the kind of life we are designed to live—a life that is fresh, fruitful, and flourishing. I handed out fruit to the congregation, illustrating how life is like a produce aisle where we are constantly searching for something genuine and life-giving. I pointed out that our brains can be hijacked by less healthy options, but deep down, we yearn for the wholesomeness of fresh fruit, which represents the kind of life we truly desire.
I then delved into the teachings of Jesus and His followers, emphasizing that we are created to bear fruit that brings glory to God. I cited examples from the Bible, such as Jesus' words in John 15 about bearing fruit to glorify God and Paul's message in Romans 7 about dying to the law through Christ to bear fruit for God. I also referenced Colossians 1, where Paul prays for the church to live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him by bearing fruit in every good work.
I highlighted the contrast between the life-giving fruit of the Spirit and the rotten fruit produced by living according to the flesh, as described in Galatians 5. I explained that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are relational qualities that focus on our interactions with others and are accompanied by freedom, as there is no law against such things.
I then identified the two key ingredients necessary for living this fresh life: the crucifixion of the flesh and the guidance of the Spirit. I explained that the crucifixion of the flesh involves saying no to a self-directed life and embracing God's will, while the guidance of the Spirit involves seeking and following the Spirit's direction in our everyday decisions.
I offered practical ways the Spirit can guide us, including through circumstances, other believers, Scripture, and prayer. I encouraged the congregation to be open to the Spirit's leading and to recognize that these two ingredients are essential for experiencing the fresh life we were created for.
As I concluded the sermon, I invited the congregation to reflect on whether they are incorporating these two ingredients into their lives and to take steps toward living out God's design for a fruitful life. I closed with a prayer, asking God to help us bring together the essential ingredients for a fresh life and to experience the flourishing life He has in store for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Life is akin to a produce aisle, where we seek authenticity and vitality. Just as we are drawn to fresh fruit, we are designed to live a life that is genuine and satisfying. This life is not only beneficial for us but also serves as a testament to those around us, drawing them to the goodness that emanates from a life lived in accordance with God's design. [41:32]
2. Bearing fruit is not just about personal fulfillment; it glorifies God. When we live out the fruitful life Jesus spoke of, God sees His purpose for us fulfilled. This is the life we were intended to live from the beginning, and it is a life that reflects God's glory and demonstrates our discipleship. [43:14]
3. The fruit of the Spirit is relational and brings freedom. Qualities like love, joy, peace, and patience are meant to enhance our interactions with others. Living by the Spirit frees us from the bondage of the law and allows us to live in a way that is pleasing to God, without the constraints of legalism. [48:00]
4. Crucifying the flesh and walking by the Spirit are non-negotiable for a fruitful life. To bear the fruit of the Spirit, we must daily choose to deny our self-centered desires and live in step with the Spirit's guidance. This choice leads to a life that is both pleasing to God and deeply fulfilling for us. [52:29]
5. The Spirit's guidance is accessible through various means, including circumstances, the community of believers, Scripture, and prayer. By being attentive to these channels, we can discern the Spirit's direction for our lives and make decisions that align with God's will, leading to a life that is abundant in the fruit of the Spirit. [57:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 15:8, 16 (NIV) - "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples... You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."
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. Romans 7:4 (NIV) - "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 15:8, 16, what is the purpose of bearing fruit in the life of a believer?
2. In Galatians 5:22-23, what are the qualities listed as the fruit of the Spirit?
3. How does Romans 7:4 describe the relationship between dying to the law and bearing fruit for God?
4. What are the two key ingredients necessary for living a fresh, fruitful life as mentioned in the sermon? ([52:29])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does bearing fruit glorify God according to John 15:8, 16? What does this reveal about our purpose as disciples of Jesus? ([42:30])
2. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that there is no law against the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? How does this relate to the concept of freedom in Christ? ([48:00])
3. In Romans 7:4, Paul talks about dying to the law through Christ. How does this enable believers to bear fruit for God? What does this mean for our daily lives? ([44:16])
4. The sermon mentions the need to crucify the flesh and walk by the Spirit. How do these actions contribute to living a life that is fresh and fruitful? ([52:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel you are producing "plastic fruit" rather than genuine, life-giving fruit? What steps can you take to change this? ([38:21])
2. The fruit of the Spirit includes qualities like love, joy, and peace. Choose one of these qualities and think of a specific action you can take this week to cultivate it in your interactions with others. ([45:59])
3. Consider the concept of crucifying the flesh. What self-directed desires or habits do you need to say no to in order to embrace God's will more fully? ([53:33])
4. How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions? Identify one practical way you can seek the Spirit's direction this week, whether through prayer, Scripture, or the counsel of other believers. ([56:00])
5. Think about a recent situation where you felt conflicted or unsure about what to do. How might the Spirit have been guiding you through that circumstance? How can you be more open to recognizing such guidance in the future? ([58:11])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of living a life that attracts others to the goodness of God. How can you be a more authentic and genuine witness to those around you? ([41:32])
7. Reflect on the idea that life is like a produce aisle. What kind of "fruit" do you want others to see in your life? How can you take steps to ensure that your life is producing the kind of fruit that glorifies God and benefits others? ([37:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Authentic Vitality in Christ
The quest for authenticity and vitality in life is a journey towards embracing the genuine satisfaction found in living according to God's design. Just as one is drawn to the freshness of fruit in a produce aisle, there is an innate desire for a life that is real and fulfilling. This authentic life is not only beneficial for oneself but also serves as a testament to those around, drawing them to the goodness that emanates from a life lived in harmony with God's intentions. It is a life that is vibrant and attractive, much like fresh fruit, and stands out in a world often filled with artificial substitutes. The pursuit of this life is a daily choice to seek out and embody the qualities that reflect the Creator's design for humanity. [41:32]
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." - John 15:8 ESV
Reflection: What aspects of your life can you identify as artificial or unfulfilling, and how can you begin to replace them with choices that lead to authentic vitality in Christ?
Day 2: Glorifying God Through Fruitfulness
Bearing fruit is an integral aspect of the Christian life, not merely for personal fulfillment but as a means to glorify God. When one lives out the fruitful life that Jesus spoke of, it is a reflection of God's purpose being fulfilled in them. This life, intended from the beginning, is one that showcases God's glory and demonstrates true discipleship. It is a life that goes beyond mere existence to one that actively participates in the divine narrative, producing outcomes that resonate with the Creator's intent for His creation. The call to bear fruit is a call to engage in a life that is deeply connected to the vine, Jesus Christ, and to produce results that are not only beneficial to oneself but also to the broader community. [43:14]
"As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." - Matthew 13:23 ESV
Reflection: How does your life currently reflect God's glory, and what steps can you take to enhance your fruitfulness in areas that may be lacking?
Day 3: Relational Freedom Through the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is characterized by relational qualities such as love, joy, peace, and patience, which are designed to enhance interactions with others. Living by the Spirit brings freedom from the bondage of the law and allows one to live in a way that is pleasing to God, free from the constraints of legalism. These fruits are not burdensome but are the natural outflow of a life aligned with the Spirit's leading. They bring about a sense of liberation, as there is no law against such things. The freedom found in the Spirit is one that transcends human regulations and taps into the divine source of love and grace, enabling one to live a life that is both fulfilling and honoring to God. [48:00]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your relationships today, and how can this practice lead to greater freedom in your life?
Day 4: Crucifying the Flesh for Fruitful Living
To bear the fruit of the Spirit, one must make the daily choice to deny self-centered desires and live in step with the Spirit's guidance. This involves crucifying the flesh, which means saying no to a self-directed life and embracing God's will. It is a conscious decision to reject the patterns of this world and to pursue a life that is pleasing to God. This choice is not a one-time event but a continual process of aligning one's will with the divine will, resulting in a life that is both pleasing to God and deeply fulfilling. The act of crucifying the flesh is not about self-deprivation but about freedom from the enslavement of sinful patterns, leading to a life that truly bears the hallmarks of the Spirit's work. [52:29]
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." - Galatians 5:24 ESV
Reflection: What self-centered desires do you need to crucify today, and how can you actively pursue the Spirit's guidance in those areas?
Day 5: Discerning the Spirit's Guidance
The Spirit's guidance is accessible through various means, including circumstances, the community of believers, Scripture, and prayer. By being attentive to these channels, one can discern the Spirit's direction for their life and make decisions that align with God's will. This leads to a life that is abundant in the fruit of the Spirit. It is essential to remain open and responsive to the Spirit's leading, recognizing that it may come in unexpected ways and through various avenues. The journey of discernment is one of active engagement with the means of grace provided by God, ensuring that one's life is continually being shaped and directed by the Spirit's transformative power. [57:11]
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13 ESV
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can open yourself up to the Spirit's guidance today, and how can you be more attentive to His voice in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "Understand life is a produce aisle. And people are walking down the produce aisle, including all of us, and saying, I want something real. I want something genuine. You and I can experience that. We can live a life that's characterized by the freedom that Paul was talking about." [01:04:39]
2. "Your destiny is to live that kind of fresh life. And if you're not experiencing that, maybe you just need to ask yourself, like, is one of those two ingredients missing? Am I unwilling to say no to the self-directed life, to put that aside? Am I not willing to actually listen to and accept the guidance of the Spirit?" [01:05:45]
3. "Life is a produce aisle, and we all spend time walking down the produce aisle, kind of looking around for something that looks better. Maybe you're one of those people like, I got issues in my life. If we were to use the analogy of produce, we say, you know what? I got this bugs or this blight or something like it's just not working right, and I'm looking for a better option." [37:21]
4. "Jesus uses this very analogy when he talks about our lives as fruit-bearing plants, if you will. And it comes up again and again in Jesus' teaching and in his followers. So let me give you some examples, right? In Matthew chapter 7, verse 16 and following, here's what Jesus says. He says, you know what? Pay attention to the people around you, the people that you're, like, you're listening to them and they're trying to tell you about life." [39:19]
5. "Your destiny, as a human being, like you were created and designed for a fresh life. A life that is flourishing, that is overflowing with fruitfulness. not one that's plastic. Not one that's just shiny and looks good on the outside. But one that is life-giving." [41:32]
6. "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear fruit. Like, what does that mean? I think the best way for us to understand it is to say, this is what happens when your life and my life begin to bear this kind of fruit that Jesus is talking about, is the Father, the God who created and designed you, steps back and He says, that's what I had in mind." [43:14]
7. "The fresh life needs two ingredients, all right? And it's important for us to remember, because I've had these conversations over the years with people like, oh, I could never be that kind of person. I could, like, that's just not who I am. No, it doesn't happen automatically. It happens when we bring together the right ingredients." [51:14]
8. "The crucifixion of the flesh. What is that? Well, it's easy. It's easy to think about flesh as kind of this, the physicality. But that's kind of a misunderstanding because of the way our Bibles are often translated. We can think about, oh, it's like gluttony or, you know, sleeping with the wrong people or whatever happens to people. But that's not really what Paul has in mind here." [53:33]
9. "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Earlier in this same passage, he had talked about walking by the Spirit. So that you don't gratify the desires of the flesh. In other words, it's a binary option. Like, we're choosing one or the other. We're either saying, I'm going to crucify the flesh and walk by the Spirit, or I'm going to walk by the flesh and not really pay attention to the Spirit's guidance and power." [56:00]
10. "Sometimes God does speak through prayer. If your experience with prayer is nothing more than you talking and hoping God is listening, I can assure you He is. And He is often waiting for us to stop talking and listen. That's part of prayer, is a conversation. And in those moments, right, if we'll stop making our noise, we can often hear God speaking." [01:01:49]
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