-
Orchard Experts Wound Fruit Trees To Bear More ...
Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 2, 2009 (message contributor)
Orchard Experts Wound Fruit Trees To Bear More Fruit
In verse 8 Jesus teaches us that the proof of discipleship is spiritual fruitfulness (Mt. 7:20). “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
The branch produces what the life coursing through its limbs empowers, which is the “fruit of the vine.” But it is not a mechanical production of fruit. The disciple connects into a relationship of love with both Jesus (v.9) and the Father (v. 10), out of which a transformed life, a fruit-bearing life, will flow. And God will be glorified by believer, by the fruit of believers, who are abiding in Christ and in His words.
The fruit the Father is looking for is spiritual. The Lord Jesus is looking for more than the "leaves" of mere words professed by His followers. He wants them to mature in Him and bear spiritual fruit. Thus the Father, like a good farmer, will do what is necessary to make us fruitful.
ORCHARD EXPERTS say that occasionally a fruit tree will give all its energy to growing wood and leaves but little or no energy to bearing fruit. To correct this condition, the farmer takes an ax and makes a deep wound in its trunk close to the ground. That severe procedure almost always produces a change. The next year the tree gives an excellent yield. It could be called "the fruit of suffering."
Oftentimes God uses a trial as an axe, or suffering as a pruning knife, so that we may stop channeling all our energies into the pursuit of temporal things. Sorrow, tribulation, ill health, and disappointment have a way of stimulating spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Our attention is then redirected toward eternal things, and we produce the fruits of righteousness that glorify His name. - H.G.B. Spiritual fruitfulness often comes through the pruning knife of affliction.
From a sermon by Dennis Davidson, How to Dwell in Jesus’ Love, 11/2/2009
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
One Of Golf's Immortal Moments Came When A ... PRO
Contributed by Guy Glass on Apr 21, 2003
One of golf’s immortal moments came when a Scotchman demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses Grant. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt all over the President’s beard and surrounding vicinity, while the ball placidly waited ...read more
-
More Men Fail Through Lack Of Purpose Than Lack ...
Contributed by Guy Glass on Apr 21, 2003
“More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of ...read more
-
John Ortberg In His Book- If You Want To Walk On ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 11, 2004
John Ortberg in his book- If You Want To Walk On Water You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat notes this about fear: The single command in Scripture that occurs more often then any other-God’s most frequently repeated instruction-is formulated in two words: Fear Not. Do not be afraid. Be strong and ...read more
-
His Last Convert PRO
Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 21, 2003
HIS LAST CONVERT There where a lot of notable wealthy people on the Titanic in 1912. But the most notable passenger on the Titanic was someone that most of the world has never heard of before. He was a man by the name of John Harper. He was a plan ordinary Pastor from the city of Glasgow, ...read more
-
Hope Is A Funny Thing. It Comes So Easy To Some ... PRO
Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 21, 2003
Hope is a funny thing. It comes so easy to some people--maybe too easy. Milton Berle told a story about those kinds of people, about how hope can triumph over good sense. Four widows were playing cards in the retirement home they lived in. A good-looking older fellow walks in, bags under each ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Alive - But Not Productive
Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Jan 29, 2019
This sermon examines why Jesus cursed the fig tree, and what that means for followers of Christ.
-
Answered Intercession Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 21, 2010
It is not easy to read God’s providence, but faith grasps that even behind what is indiscernible ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love Him’ (Rom 8:28). Though the rulers of the world were not watching out for God’s people, the Lord was.
-
Losing Our Arms Subtitle: Losing Our Strength
Contributed by Joe Rowland on Jul 13, 2009
What we need to realize in the church today is if we lose our arms then we will lose our strength. Christians are losing their arms because they are not using them the way they should.
-
A Right Use Of Our Talents
Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 28, 2014
Our stewardship of what God has entrusted to us.
-
Waiting Room: Thriving In It Series
Contributed by Chad Garrison on Jun 21, 2010
Part Five from a series of messages titled “The Waiting Room”: discovering what God reveals to us in these moments of waiting.