The Spirit Focus of Fall
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· 6 views“The Spirit Focus of Fall” is a reflective sermon reminding believers that every season of life has divine purpose. Using the imagery of harvest and pruning, Bishop R.A. Nichols teaches that fall is a time to honestly evaluate our spiritual fruit, give thanks for God’s provision, and allow the Holy Spirit to prune what no longer brings life—preparing us for greater growth and victory in the seasons ahead.
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1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
Thank You
Before we begin, I want to pause and say thank you. During the first week of October, a thoughtful member of this church handed me a card with a gift for Pastoral Appreciation Month. With Holy Convocation and the busyness of the season, I only opened it this week. I want you to know how much it meant to me. Thank you for your kindness and love.
Introduction
America runs on an economically induced holiday calendar. I’m not against holidays—I love them all—but I am concerned that we seldom stop to ask, “Lord, what do You want in this season?”
That’s what we’re doing today.
The Harvest of What’s Been Sown in Prior Seasons
The Harvest of What’s Been Sown in Prior Seasons
When farmers or inspectors grade eggs, fruit, or crops, they use three basic measures: appearance, consistency, and usability.
At harvest time we get a chance to look at ourselves—not to destroy, but to chart course correction for the coming year.
This reflection must be done in rigorous honesty, but not condemnation—under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
At some point, we must admit we are responsible for our own lives.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Church is called to be victorious.
We all need a harvest time—if we don’t see the harvest, we won’t know what to change.
Christianity is a journey, not a destination. Though this verse speaks of sin, it gives us an opportunity for reflection and planning.
This is the perfect time to take honest stock of our lives and prayerfully consider the direction the Lord is leading us.
Just as the year has winter, spring, summer, and fall, our lives also move through seasons.
When a person refuses to let his or her season change, life becomes less productive than it could be.
If you’re in your fall season pretending it’s still summer, you’re not discerning your function.
I’m no longer in my 20s, 30s, or 40s—my life is far from over, but I’m in my fall years, and I want to act like a man in his early 50s who understands his season.
Transition: Just as we inspect our own spiritual fruit, we must take time to celebrate what God has done.
A Time of Thanksgiving for God’s Provision
A Time of Thanksgiving for God’s Provision
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
“Rejoice” means be glad—so be glad always.
Talk to God always.
In everything, give thanks.
It is the will of God for us to shine in every situation.
Transition: As we give thanks, we must remember—pruning is part of growth, not punishment.
It’s God’s endorsement that we have grown to the maximum in this season.
A Time of Pruning and Preparation
A Time of Pruning and Preparation
🍂 Natural Reasons for Pruning in the Fall
1. To Remove Dead or Dying Wood
Purpose: Dead branches no longer draw sap or bear fruit. If left attached, they attract insects, fungi, and disease that spread to healthy parts of the plant.
Result: Cutting away dead wood improves the plant’s overall health and directs nutrients to living branches.
🪓 Example: Orchard keepers always inspect after harvest to see which parts have died from heat, drought, or pest damage.
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2. To Shape the Plant for Next Year’s Growth
Purpose: After the growing season, pruning defines the tree or vine’s structure for the next year—determining where light and air will reach and where fruit will form.
Result: A properly shaped tree bears more and better fruit.
🌳 Example: A grapevine pruned in fall directs its energy into the strongest canes for next year instead of wasting resources on wild, tangled shoots.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3. To Prevent Disease and Pest Infestation
Purpose: Insects and mold often overwinter in dead or damaged branches. Pruning removes infected areas before cold weather traps the problem in place.
Result: The plant enters winter clean and healthy, reducing disease pressure next year.
🍇 Example: Vineyards burn or compost pruned wood so mold spores and insects don’t linger.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
4. To Improve Airflow and Sunlight Penetration
Purpose: Overgrown branches create dense canopies that block sunlight and trap moisture, causing mildew and poor fruit.
Result: A thinned-out canopy allows light and air to strengthen the whole plant.
🌞 Example: Fruit trees that are “opened up” produce sweeter, more even fruit.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
5. To Encourage Dormancy and Root Strength
Purpose: When the growing season ends, pruning signals the plant to stop producing leaves and fruit and instead store energy in its roots.
Result: During winter the plant rests and rebuilds, ready for vigorous spring growth.
🌱 Example: Rose bushes and vines pruned in fall produce thicker, stronger stems after winter’s rest.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
6. To Manage Fruit Production
Purpose: Left unpruned, plants produce too many buds, leading to smaller, lower-quality fruit.
Result: Fall pruning limits buds so the plant produces fewer but better fruit next year.
🍏 Example: Apple trees pruned yearly yield fewer but larger, juicier apples.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Conclusion
Now is the time to walk with the Holy Spirit through our lives.
Allow Him to speak to the adjustments we need for the coming year.
Then, thank God for everything He has done—even if the year was rough.
And finally, prepare, because the God who prunes us in this season
is already planning our victories in the next.
