Bearing Fruit That Lasts

Hymns

#614 – Sound the Battle Cry #608 – Faith Is the Victory #340 – Jesus Saves

Scripture Invitation

As we open our hearts to receive God's Word today, I invite you to turn with me to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, where Jesus teaches us a profound lesson about discerning true spiritual fruit.

Bible Passage

Matthew 7:15–20 KJV 1900

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Introduction

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us a powerful principle for evaluating the authenticity and impact of spiritual leaders: "By their fruit you will know them."

When we read this text we often focus on the outward appearance of the fruit - is it good and nourishing?

But today, I want us to consider a deeper dimension that is often overlooked - does the fruit have seeds?

Seeds that can reproduce, multiply, and carry on a legacy of faith to the next generation.

In Jesus' time, false prophets were a real threat to the spiritual well-being of God's people.

They would come in disguise, presenting themselves as righteous and speaking persuasive words.

But Jesus warned that their true nature would be revealed by the fruit of their lives and teachings.

This principle applies not only to discerning false prophets, but to evaluating the lasting impact of any spiritual leader or ministry.

It's not enough to just produce good works in the moment.

True spiritual fruit must have the seeds of reproduction and continuity.

Introductory Question: Have you ever bitten into a fruit, expecting to find seeds, only to discover it was a seedless variety?

Convenient, yes.

But fruitful for the future?

Not so much.

Could this be a picture of how we sometimes approach life and ministry?

Our Fruit Must Contain Seeds!

In examining this text we have always been taught that we must make certain that our fruit is good!

But let’s not forget: good fruit has seeds!

Let me say that again: “Good fruit has seeds!”

It’s not just about looking holy or sounding righteous.

We can fool people for a moment with some pretty, seedless fruit

easy to eat, easy to swallow, no fuss at all.

But, if there ain’t no seed, there ain’t no future!

In our everyday life, we like seedless fruit for convenience.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it demands nothing more from us.

But in the Kingdom, we are called to produce fruit that reproduces—fruit that outlives us, fruit that sets up the next generation for success.

Don’t be guilty, and don’t be found guilty—of presenting a seedless ministry that tastes good for a moment but doesn’t carry on the torch for tomorrow.

We’re called to mentor, to guide, to disciple.

My brothers and sisters, ”True leaders don't invest in buildings. They invest in people. Why? Because success without a successor is failure. So your legacy should not be in buildings, programs, or projects; your legacy must be in people."

The Vital Seed of Mentorship

But I want you to know today my brother’s & sisters, Jesus calls us to an even higher standard - to bear fruit that lasts (John 15:16).

And the key to lasting fruit is the seeds of mentorship.

Throughout Scripture and history, we see this principle at work:

Moses mentored Joshua to lead the next generation into the Promised Land.

Elijah passed on his mantle to Elisha.

Paul invested deeply in Timothy and Titus as his spiritual sons and successors.

There is an African proverb that says, "The young bamboo can only grow tall if the old bamboo allows the light to reach it."

As leaders, we must be intentional about creating space and opportunities for the next generation to grow.

I want to ask every leader here: Are you sowing that seed?

Are you pouring into others so they can carry on after you’re gone?

As we have now entered into the month of February, we have set aside this time to celebrate Black History.

We celebrate those who refused to let the fruitful seed die with them.

They trained, they taught, they sacrificed, and they mentored.

So like those who have come before us, we must let the seeds of your calling drop into the ground of someone else’s life—so a brand-new harvest can burst forth!

Overcoming the Fear of Obsolescence

Now, here’s a stumbling block some leaders face: the fear of becoming obsolete.

Look at King Saul—he was threatened by David’s anointing, but God wants us to be encouragers, raising up the Davids of tomorrow.

Don’t you let that spirit of Saul take over your heart!

Because as we pass the baton, as we nurture fresh growth, we become like those mighty oaks of righteousness that the word of God speaks of—rooted, tall, and always giving shade to the next generation.

When you invest in someone else’s future, you are never obsolete in God’s eyes!

Instead, you are fulfilling God’s design for generational blessing!

A wise preacher once said “If you're not willing to prepare the generation that's coming behind you to step over you, you're not a leader. You're a manipulator... Great leaders raise up greater leaders."

Closing & Appeal (Whoop)

As I close, remember this - our God is a generational God.

He thinks in terms of legacy, of blessing to the thousandth generation (Exodus 20:6).

He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - each generation building on the faith of the one before.

So let us not settle for temporary or "seedless" fruit.

Let each of us labor to produce a harvest that will outlast us.

Let us pour into the next generation with the seeds of wisdom, faith, and courage.

For when we invest in God's people, we tap into the very heartbeat of heaven.

We align ourselves with His eternal purposes.

We become conduits of His blessing to generations yet unborn.

Yes, the work of mentorship is costly.

It requires time, vulnerability, and sacrifice.

So in this season, may we be a people who:

Seek fruit that reproduces, not just satisfies

Plant seeds of potential in the lives around us

Water those seeds with prayer, wisdom, and encouragement

Celebrate as they burst forth into new life and leadership

And entrust the future to the One who alone gives the growth

For in the end, this is the fruit that will remain.

This is the inheritance that will endure.

This is the legacy that will echo into eternity.

& By God's grace, may we be found faithful in the field, sowing and reaping for generations to come.

Prayer

Church - NY Southern Asian Church Pastor - Samuel Masih Teacher - Pushpa Hetnarine COLPORTEUR - Mario Hernandez Office Staff - Yeury Ferreira