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Fruits & Twigs
Pastor Jason Neely
In John 15 Jesus describes God’s Love in the allegory of the Vine and the Branches.
Jesus issues a simple command in this allegory: Love each other.
However, when we understand the entire context, we can see that while God’s Love is Unconditional and Free and Undeserved, it is still a Tough Love, a Just Love.
The word “Unconditional” Love is not found in Scripture, but many of the principles and attributes of that characteristic are found in Scripture.
However, there are also the attributes of Reciprocity, which are often ignored.
Vines & Branches
Jesus Christ is The Vine.
Jesus is the Source. We are connected to Him.
Jesus creates Fruit through us.
Oftentimes we think because we are fruitful that we should get the credit, but in reality, it is Christ in us who should receive the credit for the Fruit.
The Branches are the Believers (NOT the Church)
Some truths about branches:
- Branches are required to produce.
- Branches that do not produce are removed.
- Branches that do not produce are not attached to Christ.
- Branches are sustained through Obedience (v.10).
- Branches that do produce are pruned in order to produce more.
So What’s the main difference between pruned branches and disconnected branches? Eternity.
Connected Branches have their prayers answered.
Two requirements for answered prayer: (v.7)
- Remain in Christ; which means ‘fruitfulness’
- Know God’s Word. When you know the Word, and as you increase in the knowledge of the Word, you then understand more clearly what to ask for. The Word of God shapes our requests appropriately.
So what's the Fruit
Fruit is an evidence of Salvation.
Fruit of the Spirit – Gal. 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
There are some people who talk a big game about the Gifts of the Spirit, but they have no Fruit of the Spirit. I’ll take a person with the Fruit of the Spirit all day long as compared to a person with only the Gifts of the Spirit.
Fruit looks differently for everyone.
- Fruit for some is an inward development of spiritual growth.
- Fruit for some can be the overcoming of weakness in one’s life.
- Fruit for others is acts of service in the Church. (ministering to others in the Church, teaching, administering, volunteering, etc.)
- Fruit for yet others is leading others to Christ.
- Fruit Development is Constant! But the Harvest is usually seasonal. All fruit builds the Kingdom!
The Command
- Jesus’ Command is to love each other. Once again we see Scripture teaching us that those inside the Church is the priority over those outside the Church.
- Commands are to be taken seriously
And Jesus issues this command twice.
The Greek word for that means ‘pay attention’.
- Jesus' example of Love: lay down your life for your friends (not just family). These friends are those who are in the Church.
- You are a Friend of God if you do what He Commands. (v.14)
So, the question is, are you a Friend of God? Are you living according to God’s Word?
What is the Fruit of God in our life? Are we a fruity bunch? Or are we just a bunch of nuts and flakes?
God asks for Fruit, not trail mix. Many of you are going through a pruning process right now; a testing, a trimming.
It is not a pleasant experience. We oftentimes feel we are giving enough to God, and then God says ‘you need to give more’, or ‘there’s more fruit to be had in your life’.
Friend, you’re in the hands of the Master Gardner; He’s not going to destroy you or your fruit, but the process of gaining additional fruit may be painful for a season.
Do you really trust the Gardner with your Spiritual Fruit? With your life?
If God has been wanting to prune you in some way, and you’ve been resisting Him, now is the time to surrender to His care. God knows what He’s doing, but do you trust Him to do it?
