Untitled Sermon (2)

DEEPER STUDY #2

(1:3) The Fruit of the Believer: God commands us to bear fruit for the Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. He has chosen us for this very purpose: that we should go and bring forth fruit, spiritual fruit that remains even after we are gone (Jn. 15:16; Ro. 7:4). Jesus cursed the fig tree that did not bear fruit (Mt. 21:19), and He is equally displeased with us when we are unfruitful in His service (Jn. 15:2).

The New Testament mentions six fruits that we should bear for the Lord:

1. The fruit of telling others about Jesus Christ and sharing the gospel with them

“Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto [hindered],) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Ro. 1:13–16).

2. The fruit of holiness

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Ro. 6:22).

3. The fruit of giving

“When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain” (Ro. 15:28).

“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Ph. 4:17).

4. The fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ-like temperament and character

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Ga. 5:22–23).

5. The fruit of good works

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Co. 1:10).

6. The fruit of praise and thanksgiving

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (He. 13:15).

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Psalms: Chapters 1–41, vol. I, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2013), 26–27.