How is the gospel "bearing fruit" in your life and community today? A Seed That Keeps Sprouting • Colossians 1:6 rejoices that, "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing". • From the moment we “heard it and truly understood God’s grace”, the same life-giving power started its work in us. Personal Fruit: Evidence in My Day-to-Day Life • Deepened love for Christ—desire for Scripture, prayer, obedience. • Transformation of character: – Galatians 5:22 lists “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”. – Old habits fade; new Christ-like responses appear. • Courage to speak the good news naturally at work, school, or online. • Generous use of time and resources—hospitality, giving, volunteer service. • Perseverance through trials; confidence that God “will complete the good work” (Philippians 1:6). Community Fruit: Evidence Among Us • Conversions—friends and family trusting Christ. • Ongoing discipleship: small-group studies multiplying; older believers mentoring younger. • Tangible mercy ministries: meals for the sick, help for the unemployed, support for crisis pregnancies. • Unity across backgrounds—walls of division replaced by genuine fellowship (Ephesians 2:14). • Missional generosity: planting churches, funding missionaries, partnering with global ministries. • Acts 2:47 reminds that the Lord “added to their number daily”; the same pattern emerges today. Nurturing the Soil for Even More Fruit • Abide in Christ—John 15:5 says, “Whoever abides in Me… bears much fruit”. • Keep the gospel central in teaching, worship, and counseling. • Pray persistently for open doors and receptive hearts (Colossians 4:3). • Practice confession and forgiveness quickly, clearing out weeds of bitterness. • Celebrate every evidence of grace; testimonies inspire fresh faith. Scripture Snapshots That Echo Colossians 1:6 • Matthew 13:23—good soil “produces a crop, a hundred, sixty, or thirtyfold”. • Romans 1:16—the gospel “is the power of God for salvation”. • 1 Thessalonians 1:8—the message “rang out” from believers, sounding forth everywhere. Moving Forward with Confidence The same gospel that bore fruit in Colossae keeps blossoming today—deep inside individual hearts and across entire communities. As we stay rooted in Christ and His Word, the harvest continues, bringing glory to God and blessing to all who taste its sweetness. |
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