Rooted in Christ: The Path to Fruitfulness
Summary
Today’s focus is on the essential connection between being rooted in Christ and living a fruitful life, with a particular emphasis on the often-unpopular topic of obedience. The journey begins with understanding that fruitfulness in the kingdom is not just about personal spiritual growth, but about Christ working through us to impact others. Fruit, in this context, is not only the promise of eternal life after death, but the experience of an eternal quality of life that starts the moment we make Jesus our King. This life is marked by the presence of Christ in us, producing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—which then overflows to those around us.
Obedience is the linchpin of this process. It is not enough to simply hear God’s Word or know the teachings of Jesus; true transformation and fruitfulness come when we put those words into practice. Jesus Himself modeled this, saying He only spoke what He heard from the Father and did what He saw the Father doing. James echoes this, urging us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because anger and unchecked words can block us from hearing God and living righteously.
A vivid metaphor is used: spiritual “earwax”—the moral filth and distractions of the world—can clog our ability to hear God’s voice. Clearing this out is essential for receiving a fresh word from God and joining in His movement. Listening must lead to action; otherwise, we deceive ourselves. Obedience, though challenging and sometimes counter to our desires, is the pathway to blessing and the fruitful life we long for.
Three practical applications are highlighted: First, control your tongue, recognizing the power of words to bring life or death. Second, serve those who cannot repay you, especially the voiceless and marginalized, as this is a direct expression of loving God. Third, be discerning about who and what you allow to influence your life, filtering all things through the lens of Jesus’ words and ways. When our lives reflect Jesus more than the world, we begin to see true kingdom fruit—evidence that it is Christ living in us and through us.
Key Takeaways
- Fruitfulness in the Christian life is not just about personal spiritual gain, but about Christ working through us to bring life to others. The eternal quality of life begins when we are in Christ, but matures as Christ lives in us, producing the fruit of the Spirit that impacts our families, communities, and beyond. [36:04]
- Obedience is the bridge between hearing God’s Word and experiencing the life He promises. It is not enough to know or even agree with Jesus’ teachings; transformation comes when we put them into practice, even when it challenges our preferences or comfort. [38:10]
- Spiritual “earwax”—the moral and cultural noise that fills our lives—can block us from hearing God’s voice. Regularly clearing out these distractions through humility and repentance is essential for receiving a fresh word from God and joining in His movement. [42:35]
- The power of our words cannot be underestimated. As image-bearers of God, our speech can either bring life or inflict harm. Being intentional to speak life, especially to those closest to us, is a vital way we participate in God’s kingdom work. [50:52]
- The influences we allow into our lives shape our thinking and actions. Filtering every perspective, philosophy, and teaching through the words and ways of Jesus ensures that our lives are rooted in truth, not swayed by the shifting ideas of the world. [56:32]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[32:16] - Introduction and Greeting
[34:46] - Upcoming Series: Selfless and Philippians
[36:04] - What is Kingdom Fruit?
[38:10] - The Necessity of Obedience
[39:26] - James: Faith in Action
[40:33] - Listening Like Jesus
[42:35] - Clearing Spiritual Earwax
[43:35] - Movements of God Begin with Listening
[46:25] - The Challenge of Obedience
[47:44] - Obedience Begets Blessing
[49:04] - Three Applications of Obedience
[49:45] - The Power of Words
[53:36] - Serving the Voiceless
[55:27] - Filtering Influences
[57:29] - Living Like Jesus, Bearing Fruit
[58:41] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Rooted in Christ & Living a Fruitful Life
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### Bible Reading
- James 1:19-27
- Galatians 2:20
- John 5:19 & John 12:49-50 (Jesus only does and says what He sees and hears from the Father)
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James 1:19-21, what are the three instructions James gives about listening, speaking, and anger? How does he connect these to living a righteous life? [40:33]
2. In the sermon, what metaphor does James use to describe the things that block us from hearing God’s voice? What does this metaphor mean? [42:35]
3. What does Galatians 2:20 say about the relationship between the believer and Christ? How does this relate to the idea of “fruit” in the Christian life? [36:04]
4. What are the three practical applications of obedience that the pastor highlights from James 1:26-27? [49:04]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry”? How might these instructions help us hear God more clearly? [40:33]
2. The sermon talks about “spiritual earwax” as moral filth and distractions. What are some examples of this “earwax” in our lives today, and why is it so important to clear it out? [42:35]
3. The pastor says that obedience is the bridge between hearing God’s Word and experiencing the life He promises. Why is simply knowing or agreeing with Jesus’ teachings not enough for transformation? [38:10]
4. How does serving those who cannot repay us, especially the voiceless and marginalized, reflect the heart of God? Why is this a direct expression of loving God? [53:36]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to control our tongues because our words have the power to bring life or death. Think of a recent conversation where your words either built someone up or tore them down. What could you do differently next time? [50:52]
2. The pastor describes “spiritual earwax” as anything that clogs our ability to hear God—moral filth, distractions, or cultural noise. What is one specific distraction or “earwax” in your life that you need to clear out? How will you do it this week? [42:35]
3. Jesus modeled only saying and doing what He heard and saw from the Father. What is one area of your life where you need to listen more closely to God before acting or speaking? [40:33]
4. Serving those who cannot repay us is highlighted as a way to love God. Who is someone in your life or community who might be overlooked or voiceless? What is one practical way you can serve them this month? [53:36]
5. The sermon urges us to filter all influences through the words and ways of Jesus. What is one influence (media, relationship, philosophy) that you need to evaluate or filter more carefully? How will you do this? [55:27]
6. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of Christ living in us. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you want to grow in. What is a specific action you can take this week to cultivate it? [36:04]
7. Obedience is described as the pathway to blessing and fruitfulness, even when it’s hard or uncomfortable. Is there a specific area where you sense God calling you to obey, but you’ve been resisting? What step can you take this week to move forward in obedience? [47:44]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open ears to hear God, courage to obey, and hearts that overflow with the fruit of the Spirit into the lives of others.
Devotional
Day 1: Obedience Leads to Fruitful Living
A life rooted in Christ is marked by obedience, which is the key to experiencing the kingdom fruit we long for—not just hearing God’s Word, but putting it into practice in our daily lives. Obedience is not always easy or popular, but it is essential for a life that bears lasting fruit and reflects the character of Jesus. When we choose to do what God says, even when it’s difficult or counter to our desires, we open ourselves to the blessings and transformation that come from living in alignment with His will. [38:10]
James 1:22-25 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Reflection: What is one area where you know God is calling you to obey, but you’ve been hesitating? What step can you take today to put His Word into practice in that area?
Day 2: Listening for God’s Voice
Hearing God begins with clearing away the “spiritual earwax” of worldly distractions and sin so that we can truly listen for His voice; movements of God always start with a posture of humble listening and readiness to respond. When we intentionally make space to hear from God—through prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection—we position ourselves to receive fresh direction and experience His transforming work in our lives, families, and communities. [42:35]
James 1:19-21 (ESV)
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Reflection: What “spiritual earwax” might be clogging your ability to hear God today? How can you intentionally make space to listen for His voice?
Day 3: The Power of Words
Our words have the power to bring life or death, to build up or tear down; as people made in God’s image, we are called to use our tongues to speak life, encouragement, and blessing, reflecting the creative and life-giving nature of God Himself. The way we speak to others—especially those closest to us—can either foster the fruit of the Spirit or hinder it, so we must ask God to help us control our tongues and use our words to bring His kingdom into every relationship. [50:52]
James 1:26 (ESV)
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words could have brought more life. How can you intentionally use your words to encourage someone today?
Day 4: Serving the Least and the Voiceless
True kingdom fruit is seen in how we serve and love those who cannot repay us—the voiceless, the overlooked, and the least of these—because in serving them, we are serving Jesus Himself. Loving our neighbor means reaching beyond our comfort zones and social circles to include those in need, reflecting God’s heart for justice, compassion, and selfless love. [53:36]
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community who may feel overlooked or voiceless? What is one practical way you can serve or include them this week?
Day 5: Filtering Influences Through Christ
We are constantly influenced by voices and philosophies around us, but wisdom means filtering everything we hear and read through the lens of Jesus’ words and ways, trusting God’s perspective above our own limited understanding. When we prioritize Christ’s teaching over human thinking, we begin to see true fruit in our lives and avoid being shaped by the world’s values. [55:27]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Reflection: What is one influence—media, advice, or philosophy—you need to filter more carefully through the teachings of Jesus? How can you make Christ’s perspective your priority today?
Quotes
God spoke the world into existence. His words bring life. He said, let there be birds in the air. Let there be fish teeming in the sea. Let there be animals on dry land. Let there be wild animals and livestock animals and all of that. And finally, he got to humanity and he says, let us make man in our own image. And so he stops and instead of just speaking, he literally makes us out of the dust of the ground. But he didn't stop there. He breathed life into us. Right? He spoke life into us is what that means. Just like the Word of God is God breathed. Right? He spoke life into us. Jesus is called the living Word. [00:49:57] (59 seconds)
Because we are made in God's image, our words have power too. They have power of life and power of death. Faith, how many times has somebody given you an attaboy and you felt good about it? How many times has your dad or your mom or your boss or someone else said something to you? And it robbed the joy right from your heart. Words have power. Of life and death. James says it all starts with your tongue. [00:50:57] (48 seconds)
Loving the least of these in Jesus' words is loving God. Remember what He said? Whatever you do for the least of these, you did it to who? Jesus. He said, whatever you've done to the least of these, you did to me. So whether we've treated them kindly or with love and honor and respect or we've treated them otherwise, that's how we're treating God. [00:54:17] (30 seconds)
When God says love God and love your neighbor as yourself, He's saying, listen, one of the best ways to love God is to love your neighbor. And we got from Jesus the definition of neighbor isn't the person who lives in close proximity to you, but the person who's in need. That's how Jesus defines neighbor. [00:54:48] (21 seconds)
Without obedience, we will never experience the kingdom fruit that we long for in our lives. We might see fruit here and there, but we're not going to see the fruit that we long for unless we can buy into this idea of obedience. [00:38:29] (20 seconds)
God's movements begin with listening. When we do a study of all the movements of God in the last two thousands of years that have happened in the church they would say well they all begin with prayer. They do all begin with prayer. But guess what's happening in those prayer movements? It's not just we're saying God do this God do that it's no no no it's God we're listening we're watching and they are joining God in his movement and this is what this is what he's talking about we have to get rid of the worldly earwax that is clogging up our hearing if we're going to hear God and we're going to experience any kind of movement in our lives which is really what we're talking about when we're talking about fruit. [00:43:16] (51 seconds)
Paul says that we have to take those thoughts captive and make them, what's that word? Obedient to Christ. Right? Because those words basically are saying, I know better than God. [00:47:27] (16 seconds)
So we've got to listen to God's Word. Do what it says. Control our tongue. Serve the least. Filter your influences. Because obedience leads the fruit. Putting Jesus' words and ways into practice leads to the fruit we long for in our life. [00:58:14] (25 seconds)
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