March 20 – John 15:1-17

March 20 – John 15:1-17

Lesson: He Produces Spiritual Fruit’s; Part 3

Dear Lord, bless our time with you today.  Meet us where we are at, guide our minds, and hold our hearts as we search for Your truth.

First, do your own quiet time with God and 4R journaling.  When you are complete, come back here for the lesson.

Request Gods’ help

Read John 15:1-17

Record a verse that stands out to you

Respond to God

We have arrived at Part 3.   I could have left it at two lessons, but I really felt the need to just wrap up the past couple of days in its own lesson.

We have refreshed ourselves with the fruits of the Spirit and briefly looked at the life of Jesus who so perfectly lived out these fruits. How serious are these fruits?  So serious that even Jesus produced them!  Look at verses 2 and 5.  He says to bear fruit, bear more fruit,  and bear much fruit!  Bearing these spiritual fruits is not an option.  We can’t cherry pick which ones we grow… we are to grow all of them!

Now, it’s time to take a look at our own selves.  In a blog written by David Jeremiah, he shared this example.  “If you were arrested on charges of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you in a court of law?”  And that’s exactly it. Our fruits must be so good that they are evident.  So good that it can only point to God.  So good that it brings God glory.  If you are new in your faith, have no fear!  The fruits will grow!!! Keep to the race, keep to the path, steady your heart and lean into God.  Your fruits will grow!  If you are a ‘seasoned’ Christ follower and your fruits are still small… it’s time to really look into that and ask God to spotlight the areas that need growth.

All of this is… supernatural.  And thus we cannot do it on our own, we must have the Spirit within us. Only the supernatural can do the supernatural.

Take a look at these verses:

Matthew 12:33, 36-37, “Either make the tree good and it’s fruit good, or make the tree bad and it’s fruit bad, for the tree is known but its fruit … I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Oh this one hits me personally so hard!  I have a quick sharp tongue that has taken me years and years of going before God asking Him to take it away, to finally start to hold it.  And all along it really was my heart.  Not the whole heart, but just enough to poison my tongue. I have caused so much hurt because of my words.  Just that one tiny little thing shrivels up any fruit I may be growing.

I think this is a good time to just push pause and go to God in confession. I know myself, I need this moment. So, in this extra time, go before the God of your heart.  Ask Him to show you where you need pruning and confess that to Him, so that the fruits of your Spirit are bountiful and amazing.  That He may cover you in grace and make you white as snow.  And know, of course, that you are not alone.

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for You are the pruner.  We ask that You prune us now, that we may grow in You and praise You even more!

What’s next?

As the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share what He has laid on your heart.

Then join us again tomorrow to learn about the ministry of intercession.