Introduction

Well, beloved brothers and sisters, here we are again, gathered in the fellowship of faith, bound by the Spirit, and ready to open our hearts to the Word of God. We are not just a collection of individuals, but a community, a family, united by the love of Christ. We are pilgrims on a path, not tourists on a trip. We don't seek to merely see the sights, but to savor the Savior, to be changed by His love, to be transformed by His grace.

Our focus today is the fifteenth chapter of John's Gospel, verses 9 through 17. These verses speak of the love of Christ, a love so deep, so wide, so high, that it surpasses knowledge. It is a love that calls us to bear fruit, to bask in His love, and to pray in His name.

Bearing Fruit in His Name

When we think about our relationship with Jesus, we often focus on what He has done for us. And indeed, He has done so much. He has loved us with an everlasting love. He has given His life for us. He has chosen us and called us His friends. But our relationship with Jesus is not just about what He has done for us. It's also about what He calls us to do.

In the passage we just read, Jesus calls us to bear fruit. Now, this is not a call to physical labor. We're not being asked to plant trees or harvest crops. No, this is a spiritual call. It's a call to produce spiritual fruit.

What does it mean to bear spiritual fruit? Well, in the Bible, fruit often symbolizes the outcomes of our faith. It's the visible, tangible evidence of our relationship with God. It's the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Holy Spirit produces in us. It's the good works we do in Jesus' name. It's the people we lead to Christ. It's the lives we touch with His love.

But bearing fruit is also about doing good things in Jesus' name. You see, there are many people in the world who do good things. There are many people who are kind, generous, and compassionate. But not all of these people are bearing fruit in Jesus' name. To bear fruit in Jesus' name, we need to be connected to Him. We need to abide in His love. We need to follow His commands. We need to let His Word dwell in us richly.

When we are connected to Jesus, when we abide in His love, we will bear much fruit. And this fruit will not be temporary or fleeting. It will be lasting fruit. It will be fruit that brings glory to God and joy to our hearts.

But bearing fruit in Jesus' name requires sacrifice and effort. We are to step out of our comfort zones. It requires us to love others as Jesus has loved us. Loving others as Jesus has loved us is not easy. It's not easy to love those who have hurt us. It's not easy to love those who are different from us. Jesus doesn't call us to do what's easy. He calls us to do what's right. He calls us to love as He has loved.

Basking in His Love

As we bask in His love, we find ourselves enveloped in a warmth that is both comforting and empowering ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO