- Bearing Good Fruit - Today's topic will be "Bearing good fruit". Based on what is in the Bible, can anyone tell me what it means to bear good fruit? Do the will of God. Be a good person. Show or live your faith with others. Throughout the Bible we see examples of Jesus using fruit or seeds in parables for teaching. Can anyone tell me why? * At the time this was something everyone could understand. Let's take a look at what the Bible says about bearing good fruit. Luke 13:6-9 6 Then he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7So he said to the gardener, "See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?" 8He replied, "Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down."' [STOP] This parable shows us how important it is to bear good fruit. What was going to happen to the fig tree? * It would be cut down if it did not bear good fruit. How does the fig tree relate to us? * We must bear good fruit doing God's will. Can anyone tell me why the fig tree was not cut down the first time? * It was given a second chance. It is important to realize that we are not perfect and there are times when we may not bear good fruit, but the Lord is always looking out for us and ready to forgive, giving us a second chance. We will be going into more detail through the next passage. John 15:1-17 1'I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. [STOP] Who is the true vine? * Jesus Who is the vine grower? * God 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. [STOP] We are all the branches of Jesus. God removes fellowship (friendship) from us when we do not bear good fruit, but gives grace by us bearing good fruit. 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. [STOP] How have we been cleansed by Jesus? * He died for our sins. (hint - Good Friday) VERY IMPORTANT VERSE - 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. [STOP] We must abide in Jesus as He abides in us. A branch (us) can not bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine. Who again is the vine? * Jesus To "abide" is defined as: To remain or continue to be sure or firm. Can anyone give me an example on how we abide in Jesus? * Faith 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [STOP] Remember what we read in Luke 13:6-9 about the fig tree that was going to be cut down not bearing good fruit? 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. [STOP] How do we know the Lord will provide for our needs? * Faith and abiding in His will. By abiding in Jesus we have faith and know that He will provide for us through His grace. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. [STOP] Who is Jesus talking about here having no greater love to loose a life for friends? * Himself 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. [STOP] How has Jesus made everything known to us? * The Bible 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. [STOP] Based on what was just read. What is the best example of bearing good fruit? * Love one another. What is the great example of love that Jesus did for us? * Died on the cross. Why did Jesus do that? * Forgive our sins. Cross Reference - John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [STOP] By abiding in the love of Jesus we can be forgiven. Summery: To bear good fruit, who must we abide in? * Jesus What was Jesus's greatest act of love? * Died for us. Why did Jesus do that? * Forgivness and because he loves us. Any questions? Work Cited: OBB Bible Browser http://www.oremus.org/bible/ The New Revised Standard Version