A Fruit-Filled Life in Christ

8/14/2019 A Fruit-Filled Life in Christ

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A Fruit-filled Life in ChristA Fruit-filled Life in Christ


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A Christian Life IsA Christian Life IsA Fruit-filled LifeA Fruit-filled Life


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a Fruit-filled Lifea Fruit-filled Life

I want to tell you a preacher story, but it

isnt my story.

Its a story about a man named David

Chadwell.

David Chadwell and his wife, Joyce, tried

to plant a garden in Africa.

The soil there was so very rich that they

decided to bring seeds from home back to

Africa.


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So they planted their beans and peas,

tomatoes, and other good seeds and

waited for the rich, nutrient-filled soil to

yield a great harvest.

And lo and behold, huge plants sprung

forth from the ground.

Large plants, larger than they typicallygrew back home in America.

And so they waited for the fruit.


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And they waited.

And they waited.

There wasnt any fruit.

There werent even any blooms.

For whatever reasons, the environment in

Africa was wonderful for growing theirseeds into large, green, healthy plants, but

there was no fruit.

Rather disappointing, wouldnt you say?


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What comes to mind when you hear that?What comes to mind when you hear that?But the fruit of the Spirit isBut the fruit of the Spirit is lovelove,,joyjoy,,peacepeace,,

patiencepatience,, kindnesskindness,, goodnessgoodness,,

faithfulnessfaithfulness,, gentlenessgentleness andandself-controlself-control..Against such things there is no law.Against such things there is no law.

(Galatians 5:22-23)(Galatians 5:22-23)

Our lives are filled with more fruit than theOur lives are filled with more fruit than thefruit of the Spirit.fruit of the Spirit.

So what does that mean?So what does that mean?


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More Fruit?More Fruit?

Now wait a minute here...Now wait a minute here... If we are toIf we are to live and walk by the Spiritlive and walk by the Spirit

(Galatians 5:16 & 25), and if we are(Galatians 5:16 & 25), and if we are led byled by

the Spiritthe Spirit(Galatians 5:18 and Romans(Galatians 5:18 and Romans8:14), how can our lives be characterized by8:14), how can our lives be characterized by

fruitfruit otherotherthan thethan the fruit of the Spiritfruit of the Spirit??

What other fruit fills the life of a Christian?What other fruit fills the life of a Christian?Since the fruit of the Spirit is fruit producedSince the fruit of the Spirit is fruit produced bybythethe

Holy Spirit, the other fruit is, of course, the fruitHoly Spirit, the other fruit is, of course, the fruit

wewe produce in our own lives.produce in our own lives.


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I am the vine, you are the branches:I am the vine, you are the branches:

He that abides in Me, and I in him, theHe that abides in Me, and I in him, the

same bears much fruit: for apart fromsame bears much fruit: for apart from

Me you can do nothing.Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)(John 15:5)

What does the above passage mean toWhat does the above passage mean to

you?you?

Do the following passages have anyDo the following passages have any

bearing on what Jesus said in John 15:5?bearing on what Jesus said in John 15:5?


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And whatsoever you do, in word or inAnd whatsoever you do, in word or in

deed, do all in the name of the Lorddeed, do all in the name of the Lord

Jesus, giving thanks to God the FatherJesus, giving thanks to God the Father

through Him.through Him. (Colossians 3:17)(Colossians 3:17)

Not every one that says unto Me,Not every one that says unto Me,

Lord, Lord, shall enter into theLord, Lord, shall enter into the

kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeskingdom of Heaven; but he that doesthe will of My Father Who is inthe will of My Father Who is in

Heaven.Heaven. (Matthew 7:21)(Matthew 7:21)


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Remember, Jesus said,Remember, Jesus said, I am the vine,I am the vine,you are the branches: He that abides inyou are the branches: He that abides in

Me, and I in him, the same bears muchMe, and I in him, the same bears much

fruit: for apart from Me you can dofruit: for apart from Me you can donothing.nothing. (John 15:5)(John 15:5)

He also said,He also said, He that is not with Me isHe that is not with Me is

against Me, and he that gathers notagainst Me, and he that gathers notwith Me scatters.with Me scatters. (Matthew 12:30)(Matthew 12:30)

He seems to feel quite strongly about this,He seems to feel quite strongly about this,

doesnt He?doesnt He?


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The Fruit of the SpiritThe Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-25Galatians 5:16-25But if you are led by the Spirit, you areBut if you are led by the Spirit, you are

not under law.not under law. (verse 18)(verse 18)

not under lawnot under law? What does? What does thatthatmean?mean?those who live like this will notthose who live like this will not

inherit the kingdom of God.inherit the kingdom of God. (verse 21)(verse 21)

Does that bother you?Does that bother you? Ever been guilty of jealousy? How aboutEver been guilty of jealousy? How about

envy? Should you worry about inheriting theenvy? Should you worry about inheriting the

kingdom of God?kingdom of God?


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The Fruit of the SpiritThe Fruit of the Spirit

The acts of the sinful nature areThe acts of the sinful nature are

but the fruit of the Spirit isbut the fruit of the Spirit is

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Nine items. What about knowledge? Perseverance?Nine items. What about knowledge? Perseverance?

Godliness?Godliness?

Notice what Paul says after his list:Notice what Paul says after his list: Since we liveSince we live

by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(verse 25)(verse 25) Also notice what Peter says after his list:Also notice what Peter says after his list: If anyoneIf anyone

does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind,does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind,

and has forgotten that he has been cleansed fromand has forgotten that he has been cleansed from

his past sins.his past sins.


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FruitFruitBut the fruit of the SpiritBut the fruit of the Spirit

isis lovelove, joy, peace,, joy, peace,patience, kindness,patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness,goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-gentleness and self-

control. Against suchcontrol. Against such

things there is no law.things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23Galatians 5:22-23

add to your faithadd to your faith

goodness; and togoodness; and to

goodness, knowledge;goodness, knowledge;

and to knowledge, self-and to knowledge, self-

control; and to self-control; and to self-

control, perseverance;control, perseverance;

and to perseverance,and to perseverance,godliness; and togodliness; and to

godliness, brotherlygodliness, brotherly

kindness; and to brotherlykindness; and to brotherly

kindness,kindness, lovelove..2 Peter 1:5-72 Peter 1:5-7

What do you make of the fact that Paul begins his

list with love and Peterends his list with it?


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Fruit of the ChristianFruit of the Christian

What did Jesus say about us producingWhat did Jesus say about us producing

fruit?fruit? by their fruit you will recognize them.by their fruit you will recognize them. MatthewMatthew

7:207:20 If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bearIf a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear

much fruit.much fruit. John 15:5John 15:5

This is to My Father's glory, that you bear muchThis is to My Father's glory, that you bear much

fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.John 15:8John 15:8

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad treeNo good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree

bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by itsbear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its

own fruit.own fruit. Luke 6:43-44Luke 6:43-44


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I Am the Vine.I Am the Vine.

1.1. I am the true vine, and My Father isI am the true vine, and My Father is

the husbandman.the husbandman.

2.2. Every branch in Me that bears notEvery branch in Me that bears not

fruit, He takes it away: and everyfruit, He takes it away: and every

branch that bears fruit, He cleanses it,branch that bears fruit, He cleanses it,

that it may bear more fruit.that it may bear more fruit.

3.3. Already you are clean because ofAlready you are clean because of

the word which I have spoken untothe word which I have spoken unto

you.you.


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4. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the4. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the

branch cannot bear fruit of itself,branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abides in the vine; so neitherexcept it abides in the vine; so neither

can you, except you abide in Me.can you, except you abide in Me.

5. I am the vine, you are the branches:5. I am the vine, you are the branches:

He that abides in Me, and I in him, theHe that abides in Me, and I in him, the

same bears much fruit: for apart fromsame bears much fruit: for apart fromMe you can do nothing.Me you can do nothing.


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6. If a man abides not in Me, he is cast6. If a man abides not in Me, he is castforth as a branch, and is withered; andforth as a branch, and is withered; and

they gather them, and cast them intothey gather them, and cast them into

the fire, and they are burned.the fire, and they are burned.7. If you abide in Me, and My words7. If you abide in Me, and My words

abide in you, ask whatsoever you will,abide in you, ask whatsoever you will,

and it shall be done unto you.and it shall be done unto you.8. Herein is My Father glorified, that8. Herein is My Father glorified, that

you bear much fruit; and so shall youyou bear much fruit; and so shall you

be My disciples.be My disciples.


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9. Even as the Father has loved Me, I9. Even as the Father has loved Me, I

also have loved you: abide in My love.also have loved you: abide in My love.

10. If you keep My commandments,10. If you keep My commandments,

you shall abide in My love; even as Iyou shall abide in My love; even as I

have kept My Father's commandments,have kept My Father's commandments,

and abide in His love.and abide in His love.

11. These things have I spoken unto11. These things have I spoken unto

you, that My joy may be in you, andyou, that My joy may be in you, and

that your joy may be made full.that your joy may be made full.


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12. This is My commandment, that you12. This is My commandment, that you

love one another, even as I have lovedlove one another, even as I have loved

you.you.

13. Greater love has no man than this,13. Greater love has no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for histhat a man lay down his life for his

friends.friends.

14. You are My friends, if you do the14. You are My friends, if you do the

things which I command you.things which I command you.


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15. No longer do I call you servants;15. No longer do I call you servants;

for the servant knows not what his lordfor the servant knows not what his lord

does: but I have called you friends; fordoes: but I have called you friends; for

all things that I heard from My Father, Iall things that I heard from My Father, I

have made known unto you.have made known unto you.

16. You did not choose Me, but I chose16. You did not choose Me, but I chose

you, and appointed you, that youyou, and appointed you, that you

should go and bear fruit, and that yourshould go and bear fruit, and that yourfruit should abide: that whatsoever youfruit should abide: that whatsoever you

shall ask of the Father in My name, Heshall ask of the Father in My name, He

may give it to you.may give it to you.


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17. These things I command you, that17. These things I command you, that

you may love one another.you may love one another. (John 15:1-(John 15:1-

17)17)

Jesus makes it quite plain in this passageJesus makes it quite plain in this passage

thatthat HeHe is in control. People may gois in control. People may go

around andaround and thinkthinkthey are doing His will,they are doing His will,

but if they arebut if they are notnotdoing as He says, thedoing as He says, theFather will remove them and cast themFather will remove them and cast them

into the fire.into the fire.


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We need to get past verse 2 before weWe need to get past verse 2 before we

can move on.can move on. He cuts off every branch in Me that bearsHe cuts off every branch in Me that bears

no fruit.no fruit.

cuts off = airo (Greek)cuts off = airo (Greek)

while every branch that does bear fruitwhile every branch that does bear fruit

He prunes so that it will be even moreHe prunes so that it will be even morefruitful.fruitful.


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I am the vineI am the vine

We need to get past verse 2 before weWe need to get past verse 2 before we

can move on.can move on.

The rest of the passage is clear we onlyThe rest of the passage is clear we only

bear fruitbear fruit ififwe remain in Jesus. If wewe remain in Jesus. If we

dont remain in Jesus, were thrown intodont remain in Jesus, were thrown into

the fire.the fire.

So, how does Jesus make the transitionSo, how does Jesus make the transition

from a vine, branches, and fruit to thefrom a vine, branches, and fruit to the

topic of love?topic of love?


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Is verse 9 a different topic, or aIs verse 9 a different topic, or a

continuation?continuation?

Even as the Father has loved Me, IEven as the Father has loved Me, I

also have loved you: abide in My love.also have loved you: abide in My love.

It would seem to be a continuation of theIt would seem to be a continuation of the

same topic, which is loving God and lovingsame topic, which is loving God and loving

each other as God would have us to do.each other as God would have us to do.

On these two commandments theOn these two commandments the

whole law hangs, and the prophets.whole law hangs, and the prophets.

(Matthew 22:40)(Matthew 22:40)


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Jesus spoke a parable regarding bearingJesus spoke a parable regarding bearing

fruit:fruit:

6. And He spoke this parable;6. And He spoke this parable; AA

certain man had a fig tree planted in hiscertain man had a fig tree planted in his

vineyard; and he came seeking fruitvineyard; and he came seeking fruitthereon, and found none.thereon, and found none.

7. And he said unto the vinedresser,7. And he said unto the vinedresser,

Behold, these three years I cameBehold, these three years I cameseeking fruit on this fig tree, and foundseeking fruit on this fig tree, and found

none: cut it down; why does it alsonone: cut it down; why does it also

cumber the ground?cumber the ground?


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8. And he answering saith unto him,8. And he answering saith unto him,

Lord, let it alone this year also, till ILord, let it alone this year also, till I

shall dig about it, and dung it:shall dig about it, and dung it:

9. and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well;9. and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well;

but if not, you shalt cut it down.but if not, you shalt cut it down. (Luke(Luke

13:6-9)13:6-9)

God is looking for fruit. He has a reason

for expecting fruit from His people. God

wants His people to bear fruit because He

desires a harvest.


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Bearing Fruithas to do with God's

purpose forus.

If we are caught up and involved in Gods

mission then we will bear Fruit.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in

step with the Spirit; we are immersed in an

environment and connected to a source of

life that will do more than grow big green

leafy plants it will bring forth fruit.


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When we read of the fruit of the SpiritWhen we read of the fruit of the Spirit

earlier from Galatians 5:22-23,earlier from Galatians 5:22-23, notice that

there is one fruit.

Fruit of the Spirit is not a way of talking

about a list of good characteristics so as to

make them sound holy or churchy.

Of the Spiritmeans that these qualities

are the result of the spirit active in our life

together.


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The Fruit of the Spirit is not a collectors

set.

They are not our individual possessions.

They are virtues and: 1) the disposition to act in a certain way that

are rooted in life together; and

2) they are rooted in common soil which are

the common values and faith of the Christiancommunity. ...


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We are concerned not merely with the

fruit that individuals bear, but the fruit

that springs forth from the church

from this congregation. Now that involves all of us as individuals, but

it is more than just us as individuals.

Too often we tend to think of every Christian

as a little tree in Gods orchard. Growing in the Spirit is not a matter only for

private individuals, but for the congregation as

well.


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The language in Galatians 5 is plural

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep

in step with the Spirit. Let us not

become conceited, provoking and

envying each other."

If the Spirit animates and courses

through the church, then the church

should be bearing, producing, andgiving forth the fruit of the Spirit.


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Before we get concerned about the fruit

we first need to go back to the vine.

Our spirituality and our Christian walk is

not based on the fruit we bear, but on the

Vine that gives that fruit life.

It is about the Spirit coming into our life

together and into our congregation and

filling us so full with the love of Christ that

we act toward one another and toward the

world in ways that give glory to the God.


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Christians whose lives remain in Christ

will bear fruit charged with the richness of

the Holy Spirit.

I have heard it said that we are not judges

but we are fruit inspectors.

I am not sure we are worthy to be either.


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If we recognize the fruit of the Spirit it is

only because the love, joy, peace

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

are as easy for us to recognize as areapples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.

The fruit inspector is God.

He comes to us and wants more than agreat big leafy plant.


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He seeks the fruit of the Spirit that

embodies before the world the sort of

changed lives that God desires for all

creation.

The story of the man who owned a

vineyard and a fig tree is not just a story of

judgment or fruit inspection it is also a

story of grace or good gardening.There is still time to see a bountiful

harvest.


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The soil of our American culture may not

be the best, but the true vine can grow in

the most hostile environments.

The true vine, the sign of Gods mercy and

love, was a horrible, scandalous crossraised up in a city garbage heap outside

the respectable borders of town.

If we remain in the true vine, nourished bythe life-giving Holy Spirit, then there is real

hope of bearing fruit.


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FruitFruitSo, lets wrap this upSo, lets wrap this up

The fruit of the Spirit is:The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-controlfaithfulness, gentleness and self-control

The fruit of a Christian is good works, enabledThe fruit of a Christian is good works, enabledby:by: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control,faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control,

perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness,perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness,

lovelove

We only produce fruit if we are in Christ,We only produce fruit if we are in Christ,

because it is His Spirit whobecause it is His Spirit who empowersempowers us tous to

d f itd f it

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A Fruit-Filled Life in Christ