Fruit That Lasts: Living a Life of Genuine Devotion

INTRO: "The Instagram Fig Tree" (2–3 min)

Hey everyone!

My name is Socheat Chum and I have the privilege of serving as the Player’s chaplain for the MN Vikings and the online development Pastor as Hosanna Church. Well if you don’t know and because I don’t want to assume, this Sunday was Palm Sunday which marked the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian faith. On Sunday Churches and followers of Jesus across the globe took time to remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jeruselum.

Let’s start with something relatable. Ever seen a picture-perfect plate of food on Instagram—gorgeous lighting, colorful ingredients—only to find out it was cold, tasteless, or worse...fake?

That’s kind of what happens in Mark 11. Jesus is walking with His disciples, hungry, and He sees a fig tree. From a distance, it looks like it should have fruit. But as He gets closer—nothing. No figs. No life. Just leaves.

And Jesus does something surprising—He curses the tree. The next day, the disciples walk by and see it has completely withered. That’s not just about a tree. It’s a living parable. A warning. A message.

This is what we’re diving into today.

BIG IDEA: Genuine Devotion to God Produces Fruit

(Let this guide every section)

1. FAITH WITHOUT FRUIT FAILS

Mark 11:20–21 (4–5 min)

Let’s read the passage together:

“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!’”

This tree looked alive. Full of leaves. It gave off all the signs of being fruitful. But it wasn’t.

Jesus uses this moment to show something deeper—a warning to those who appear spiritually healthy but are actually empty. It’s a call-out to superficial faith. The kind that shows up on Sundays but not in your daily choices. The kind that knows Christian phrases but not Christ Himself.

Jesus isn’t against trees. He’s against fakery. He’s not looking for people who look Christian—He’s looking for people who live Christ.

So here’s a question for you:

Is your life leafy or fruitful? Does your faith just look good from a distance, or is it bearing real fruit?

2. ROOTED TO BEAR FRUIT

Genesis & 1 Kings tie-in (5 min)

Let’s zoom out for a second.

Throughout the Bible, fruitfulness is a theme tied to blessing and devotion.

In Genesis 1, God’s first command to humans is “Be fruitful and multiply.” Fruitfulness is God’s design.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah hits a spiritual low. He’s dry, discouraged, hiding in a cave. But even there, God meets him—not in the fire or earthquake, but in a gentle whisper. God revives what feels dead.

What’s the point?

Even in seasons where you feel spiritually dry, God can meet you. But you have to stay connected. You need roots.

A tree can’t produce fruit if it’s not rooted in good soil. You can’t produce spiritual fruit if you’re not rooted in Christ.

3. STAY CONNECTED TO THE VINE

John 15:5 (4–5 min)

Jesus said:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”

Here’s the good news: You don’t produce fruit by trying harder—you produce it by staying connected.

Fruit is the natural outcome of a connected life. What does that look like for us?

Daily time with God—not out of guilt, but out of relationship.

Prayer that’s honest, not performative.

Choosing forgiveness instead of bitterness.

Pursuing holiness instead of hype.

We’re called to a life that reflects Christ, not one that just references Him.

4. WHEN LIFE FEELS DRY... DIG DEEPER

(3–4 min)

Let’s be real—some of you might be feeling dry right now.

Maybe you’re dealing with stress, sin, doubt, apathy, or burnout. The temptation in those moments is to fake it. Put on spiritual leaves.

But Jesus isn’t afraid of your dryness. He just wants your honesty. That’s where fruit begins—not in pretending, but in pursuing.

When the roots go deep, the fruit comes in time. Trust the process.

5. THE FUTURE FRUIT STARTS WITH TODAY’S ROOTS

(4–5 min)

Let’s talk about the future.

Every one of us wants a life that matters—relationships that thrive, character that holds strong in trials, and faith that’s still standing five, ten, twenty years from now. But that kind of fruit doesn’t show up overnight.

The fruit you see in your future will always be tied to the roots you’re tending today.

Think of your habits, your time in the Word, your circle of friends, your honesty in prayer, your response to conviction—these are all root-level decisions. And while they may seem small or even hidden now, they determine the kind of fruit your life will bear later.

Galatians 6:7 says, “You reap what you sow.” That means today’s quiet obedience leads to tomorrow’s visible harvest.

So don’t wait for some perfect moment in the future to take God seriously. Start tending your roots now.

Here’s a question to wrestle with:

If you keep living the way you’re living today—what kind of fruit will grow in your future?

APPLICATION: CHECK YOUR FRUIT

(2–3 min)

So how do we respond?

Examine your heart: Are you producing spiritual fruit or just showing off leaves?

Reconnect with Jesus: Not with religious performance, but through genuine, daily devotion.

Invite the Spirit to work: Ask God to grow real fruit in you—love, joy, peace, patience, and the rest (Galatians 5).

CLOSING ENCOURAGEMENT (1–2 min)

God doesn’t expect perfection. He’s looking for connection. Jesus didn’t curse the tree because it wasn’t perfect—He cursed it because it wasn’t real.

So don’t settle for a leafy life. Go after the kind of faith that actually changes you. The kind that survives exams, relationships, stress, seasons of doubt. The kind that endures. The kind that bears fruit that lasts.

Let’s pray.

"God, we don’t want to just look good from a distance. We want real fruit in our lives. Help us stay connected to You. Expose the areas where we’re faking it, and draw us into real, transforming relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen."