The Truth About Fruit Sermon by Scott Kircher, Matthew 7:16-20

Well, it is good to be back. I was in Florida last weekend and it was nice to be able to get some planning done as the leadership continues to think through our next steps as we seek to fulfill the commission of the church.

Just to update you on a couple of things

Pastor Search

We have gotten over 50 resume’s in so far as we continue our search for a Pastor of Discipleship and Teaching. Please be praying for the search team as they narrow that field of candidates down.

Expansion

The Leadership is also developing plans to expand our site in conjunction with IDOT’s expansion of RT. 30 and the work we need to do for the left turn lane that we will also need to pay for. So please be praying about that as well.

Anyway, while I was away, I not only got to do some planning but I was able to dine on some of the local cuisine. I love fish and was able to enjoy some fresh fish while I was down there.

I was also able to enjoy some Orange Juice there. Florida is a big orange producing state. They have a lot of orange trees.

Here is a picture of one.

Slide

Do you know how I know this is an orange tree? There are oranges on it.

If I showed you this picture

Slide

Would you be able to tell me what kind of tree it was?

Even if you were not a horticulturist, it is not that hard to identify a tree by the fruit that is on it.

Transition

Did you know the same should be true for the Christian?

The Christian should be easily identifiable by the fruit they produce.

This morning, we are going to be starting a new series talking about some of the things that the Holy Spirit of God produces and provides in our lives when we trust in Jesus as our Savior.

For this week and next we are going to be talking about the Fruit of the Spirit.

Slide

Now a couple weeks ago, we finished up a series called not a fan, and we talked about the differences between being a fan and a follower of Jesus.

Well there are many people who will claim to be a follower, but are really only fans.

By examining the spiritual fruit in our own lives, we can better determine if we are a fan or truly a follower of Christ.

That is why it is important for us to examine our lives and see if we are bearing spiritual fruit as an evidence of the Spirit of God working in our lives.

Turn with me to Matthew 7:16-20.

Slide

In this section of Scripture we are going to read, Jesus is at the end of the Sermon on the Mount and is warning the people about false prophets that will come into their midst. He says they come in sheep’s clothing, but really they are ferocious wolves. They will come saying things that sound good, but that is where it ends. Then He tells them how they can recognize those who are not speaking or believing the truth and are not really Christians.

Matthew 7:16-20

16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Pray

Would people recognize you as a Christian by just being able to examine your life for a while? Are you producing fruit that makes you recognizable as a Christian?

I think that as we begin talking about Spiritual fruit, there are some

Truths about Spiritual Fruit

Slide

that we need to understand to help us as we examine our own lives.

The first truth about Spiritual fruit that we need to understand is

Spiritual fruit WILL be produced in the lives of real Christians

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