PRODUCING AND

BEARING FRUITTHAT BRINGS LIFE

Luke 8:4-15John 15:1-8

Galatians 5:22-26

Memory Verse22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

BONUS

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

To be a disciple – as A Believer or Christian – we must bear fruitTo bear fruit we abide live in ChristTo abide in Christ we must keep His commandmentsWhat does the fruit look like?

Luke 8:4-15

4 And when a very great throng was gathering together and people from town to town kept coming to Jesus, He said in a parable:

5 A sower went out to sow seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the traveled path and was trodden underfoot, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 And some seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered away because it had no moisture. 7 And other seed fell in the midst of the thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it off. 8 And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times. As He said these things, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and understand by hearing! 9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”

10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that

‘Seeing they may not see,

And hearing they may not understand’

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

John 15:1-8

1. I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.2. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He cuts away and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.3. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you.4. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.5. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit. However, apart from Me you can do nothing. (cut off from vital union with Me)

6. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a broken off branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. 7. If you live in Me and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.8. When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.

1. Jesus is the “True Vine”2. God the Father is the “VineDresser” – the owner3. Believers are “branches”4. Believers must abide in Christ in order to bear fruit5. The Vine supplies the branch with the ability to bear fruit – but the branch (Believers) must do his part in bearing fruit

Weeding out the weeds

The word eradicate comes from two Latin words—radix, meaning "root," and ex, meaning "out." Eradicate means "root out" or "tear out by the roots."

If you want to bear good fruit and much fruit, by God's grace and power, you must keep eradicating one sin after another—roots and all. And if the same type of sin pops up again, attack it again! Eradicate

Believers walking closely with God will

bear fruit

John 15:8 & John 15:2

15:8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified.

15:2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He cuts away and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a broken-off branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:6

How do we Produce and Bear fruit?

John 15:4-5

4. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. (Live in Me, and I will live in you.) Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.5. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit. However, apart from Me (cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing.

Phil. 4:13 & 2 Corinthians 3:5

Philippians 4:13

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anythign through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency).

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and abillity and sufficiency are from God.

How can we abide in Christ?

Be baptized In Christ Keep His Commandments Bear Much Fruit

How can we abide in Christ?

Gal. 3:27

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ (into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah) have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ.

Then we abide in His love through keeping His commandments

John 15:9-109 I have loved you (just) as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love (continue in His love with Me).10 If you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instruction), you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love.

John 14:15

15 If you (really) love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

John 14:21 & John 14:23

21 The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who (really) loves Me; and whoever (really loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I (too) will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. (I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.)

23 Jesus answered, If a person (really) loves Me, he will keep My word (obey My teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.

What does your fruit look like?

How is fruit manifested?

Character Being Christ-like

Galatians 5:1616 But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the (Holy) Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit); then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

The Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians. 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the (Holy) Spirit (the work which His presence within accomplishes) is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 21 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law (that can bring a charge).

Love It is seeking someone else’s well-being above everything else, and sacrifices self for them.

1 Corinthians 13:4-74 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of evil done to it (It pays no attention to a suffered wrong).

6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, it hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything (without weakening).

Joy

It is an inner gladness of the soul. Because we have fellowship with God Because of our hope of heaven

Peace

This is an inner tranquility of mind because one is in a right relationship with God

Patience/Longsuffering

An even temper, forbearance The bearing of provocation, annoyance,

misfortune, or pain, without complaint or the like.

Quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence

Self-restraint which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish --- it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy and is one of the great attributes of God

Apple Trees 2-5 years

Apricot Trees 2-5 years

Banana Plants 2-3 years

Cherry Trees (sour) 3-5 years

Cherry Trees (sweet) 4-7 years

Citrus Trees 1-2 years

Fig Trees 1-2 years

Mulberry Trees 2-3 years

Nectarine Trees 2-4 years

Olive Trees 2-3 years

Pawpaw Trees 5-7 years

Peach Trees 2-4 years

Pear Trees 4-6 years

Persimmon Trees 3-4 years

Plum Trees 3-6 years

Almond Trees 2-4 years

Black Walnut Trees (Stark® Kwik-Krop®) 2-5 years

Black Walnut Trees (Grafted) 4-5 years

Black Walnut Trees (seedling) 4-7 years

English Walnut Trees (Grafted) 4-5 years

English Walnut Trees (seedling) 4-7 years

Filbert-Hazelnut Trees (Barcelona)

7-10 years

Filbert-Hazelnut Trees (Casina) 6-8 years

Pecan Trees (Grafted) 4-8 years

Pecan Trees (seedling) 10-20 years

In a culture that is largely inundated with instant gratification, the natural process of fruit growing may seem to take an eternity. It’s not uncommon for people to list time as one of their top reasons for not growing food: time that has less to do with planting and more to do with waiting.

Kindness

Kind, considerate , or helpful act, favor A behavior marked by ethical

characteristics, a pleasant disposition, concern for others.

A Virtue Kindness is pure love expressed

Goodness

Moral excellence, virtue Benevolence That moral quality which is

beneficial in its effect --- it helps or benefits those who receive it

Faithfulness(Faith)

One who is dependable, reliable and trustworthy, believed

As used here it is more trustworthiness; refers to one who can be relied on.

Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal constant

Gentleness/Meekness

This is moral goodness, kindness, amiable, and integrity.

Not severe, rough, or violent; always mild Longsuffering is passive; Gentleness is

active in nature It is strength that has been brought under the

control of God. It is the person who is under the control and

restraint of God --- it is shown by submission to God and gentleness to man

Acts 9:36, 39

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

Self-Control

Self discipline, willpower This is self-control and literally means

to hold oneself in. This is the ability to keep one’s

appetites, desires, tongue, temper, and thoughts under control

Bitter root will cause bitter fruit 1 Corinthians 15:58 Isaiah 41:10 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 7:22-27

1 John 2:15-16

15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

16. For all that is in the world –the lust of the flesh (craving for sensual gratification) and the lust of the eyes (greedy longings of the mind) and the pride of life (assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things)—these do not come from the Father but are from the world.

Galatians 5:24-25

24. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

25. If we live by the (Holy) Spirit, let us alos walk by the Spirit. (if by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.)

What do we need to do to bear this kind of fruit?

Psalm 37:5-6 5 Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of yoru load on Him); trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.6 And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as (the shining sun of) the noon day.

James 4:7-10 Ephesians 6:10-18 Proverbs 12:6 Revelations 12:11