How can we ensure we bear fruit for God's kingdom in our lives? Matthew 21:43 – The King’s Expectation “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” • Jesus speaks plainly: kingdom privilege is tied to kingdom productivity. • Fruitlessness forfeits blessings; fruitfulness inherits them. The Fruit Jesus Looks For • Christ-like Character – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) • Obedient Conduct – “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord… bearing fruit in every good work.” (Colossians 1:10) • Gospel Influence – “I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain.” (John 15:16) • Overflowing Praise – “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name.” (Hebrews 13:15) • Generous Giving – “I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” (Philippians 4:17) Roots That Nourish Fruit • Union with Christ – “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5) • Unhindered Word – “The seed on good soil… produces a crop—a hundredfold.” (Luke 8:15) • Spirit Empowerment – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Prayerful Dependence – “Whatever you ask in My name, the Father will give you.” (John 15:16) • God’s Pruning – “Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2) Daily Practices That Keep Us Fruitful • Start the day in Scripture: feed the root before facing the fruit-draining world. • Speak the gospel naturally: let conversations reveal Christ’s hope. • Serve where needed: fruit grows through hands-on obedience, not theory. • Confess sin quickly: unrepented sin clogs the sap of the Spirit. • Fellowship with fruitful believers: healthy orchards grow together. • Thank God aloud: gratitude fertilizes joy and keeps the heart soft. • Rest weekly: Sabbath rhythms prevent withered branches. When Fruit Fades – God’s Loving Discipline • He exposes barren areas (Revelation 2:5). • He prunes through trials (Hebrews 12:11). • He renews through repentance (1 John 1:9). • He restores productivity (Joel 2:25). Encouragement to Press On • “Blessed is the man… He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.” (Psalm 1:1-3) • The Master loves to find ripe fruit on the branches He redeemed; stay rooted, stay nourished, and the harvest will come. |
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