Reverend Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church, Kenya Assemblies of God
We show bearing fruit by our actions, how we talk, and how we control our emotions.
Luke 13:6-9
He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"
It is important to understand that God is not talking about trees. He is talking about His people, or believers, as seen from the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 61:3
To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
We can see that God's people are called the planting of the Lord for His glory. This means every person needs to bear fruit by living a life that glorifies Him.
"Bearing fruit" means living a life that shows outward evidence of being in Christ. Believers produce Christ-like character of love, obedience, and leading others to faith. Our lives must demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, which is seen in our character and actions. We show bearing fruit by our actions, how we talk, and how we control our emotions.
Our lives must testify of God to the people around us. From the Scriptures we read, we see that God has planted us wherever we find ourselves—be it at home, school, job, business, or any space we find ourselves occupying. God has placed you there for His glory. You are the light and the salt of the world. You must live a fruitful life so that people around you will come to know God. Our lives must bear fruit for God's glory by living a life that honours and testifies of Him.
For three years, the man had been expecting fruit. But this tree had no fruit despite having everything. God is always looking at our lives for fruit. He expects us to bear fruit.
How is your life? Are you living for God or for yourself?
The man had invested very much in the tree expecting fruit. In the same way, God has invested in your life so much so that you can glorify Him. The life that you have, salvation, gifts, talents, resources, connections—everything that you have is an investment from God. But do you have any fruit to show, or are you busy pursuing your own big dreams?
What excuses do you have?
You can see here today, the children are serving God with whatever God has invested in them. You are happy enjoying the fruit of their services as they glorify God. You too should bear fruit; you have no excuse.
Failure to bear fruit has consequences. Perhaps you are the one who was added one more year—you are simply living in a grace period. You can be sure that if you do not bear fruit, you will be cut off.
John 15:1-2
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
Be challenged by this. Let your life preach Christ and get involved in serving God. I challenge you to act quickly and start bearing fruit before you are cut off.
Your Fruits Will Reveal Who You Are
Your thoughts, words, and deeds tell what kind of person you are. Your deeds speak for you.
Matthew 12:33
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit."
Good actions flow naturally from a good person, just as good fruit comes from a healthy tree.
Luke 6:43-45
"For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
For you to bear good fruit, you need to have Jesus in your life. If you are here and you are not born again, this is your time. Come and receive Jesus.
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