Last Sunday evening, the pastor of the church we are attending began a new series of sermons on fruit-bearing in the life of a believer. I can’t tell you how excited I am about it! After finishing up my Disciplines of a Godly Woman blog-o-rama, I started a Bible study with Lifesong (Kim) called The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges. Now all my reading is going to be reinforced with some excellent preaching! I’d thought I’d use the ol’ blog here to keep some notes. I’ll share my sermon notes and the thoughts that spring from them.

Cameron (that’s the pastor’s name) shared that much of what he will be sharing in this series comes from ideas from other godly men, some dead and some still living. He specifically mentioned a new book by Jerry Bridges, The Fruitful Life. I haven’t read this one; it’s the first I’ve heard of it, so I’m looking forward to reading it through Cameron. I really appreciate Cameron’s humble attitude. Rather than take credit for everything he preaches, he usually shares the source and where one can find out more.

Think about this statement: “The farmer plants seed for a harvest. He begins with the end in mind.” Why plant seed if you don’t expect some plants? Not just plants! A HARVEST! God is an expert farmer, is He not? He saves us for a purpose. Everything He does has a wonderful purpose behind it. When He saves a person, He has a glorious purpose behind it. Like the farmer, He saves with the end in mind. What is that end? A harvest of fruit for His glory!!

1. Every Christian has been saved to be fruitful.

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And
this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so
that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

It is God’s ordained purpose that every Christian be fruitful, therefore,

2. Every Christian will be fruitful! This truth gives me great relief. I can really worry myself wondering if I am in fact a part of the elect and if I’m bearing any fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3: 7-12). Then, I must remind myself that it is something that God produces. I’ve read in other books, (I can’t remember which) that many times believers may not notice that they are actually bearing fruit, they may not see the changes that God is working in their hearts, they may not realize the good God is producing in their lives. I’m not saying that I think the fruit of the Spirit is imperceptible to oneself, but the process of change may be. I can think back over my life and realize, “Wow, I’m not the same. When did that happen?” And yet, God still has so much left to change in this girl’s heart. What must I do?

3. I have a responsibility to bear fruit. What did Paul do? What did he teach others to do?

Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers (Sisters!), I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 4:7 “Train yourself for godliness.

Philippians 2:12-13 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Colossians 1:28-29 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

What did Jesus teach about fruit-bearing?

John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine 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.”

I learn from these verses that Christ is fueling the labor. I must add diligence and exert myself as He supplies the needed energy. God is working, therefore, I work!

I can also see that, though one may profess to belong to Jesus, if one does not bear fruit, is not exhibiting characteristics of godliness, then that one may not really belong to Jesus. Jesus teaches that good trees bear good fruit. Here’s an example: If a farmer planted what he believed to be an apple seed, then he will expect to see some apples come harvest time. If it sprouts oranges, then he’ll know those seeds weren’t apple seeds and that’s not an apple tree. Likewise, the fruits of darkness do not come from God’s good trees. His trees produce good fruit with characteristics that resemble Himself.

God is looking for good fruit on his branches and He intends to produce some. Not just some…A HARVEST of good fruit for His glory.

Lord Jesus, please pour out your grace on me today to bear good fruit for your glory. I know that the fruit of your Spirit is produced as a whole, but I can think of certain characteristics I really need your help with…self-control, patience, just to name two. I stand in great need of some resurrection-type power and energy, too!! Give me joy in completing my tasks today–most of which go completely unnoticed. Remind me that Your eyes are on this sparrow, and that whatever I do can be done for your pleasure and glory. Lord, you are great and greatly to be praised!