Jun. 09, 2024

Faithful Followers Produce

Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT) ⁹ So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰ Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. 

“FRUIT” is the visible work from the invisible work of the Holy Spirit working in a Christian’s life.

Real Fruit & Spiritual Fruit

1. It’s IDENTIFIABLE

Mathew 7:16 (NLT) ¹⁶ You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. 

2. It’s VISIBLE

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) ²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control.

3. It’s BENEFICIAL

John 15:5 (NLT) ⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

4. It’s REPRODUCIBLE 

Matthew 3:10 (NLT) ¹⁰ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Wrong Reasons to Serve:

- Out of GUILT 

- To be SAVED 

- To be RECOGNIZED

Right Reasons to Serve:

1. It Brings Glory to GOD.

John 15:8 (NLT) ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

2. It Draws You Closer to GOD.

3. You Were Created to Do So

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.