Bear Fruit... Okay?

Reach out and connect - christianese

Glorify God. Worship Jesus. Love People

Mission Statement

Why?

How do we do those things?

Christian-ese statements don’t do much to make us into the image of Christ

What does bearing fruit really mean?

Does not mean work really hard

Works based righteousness is like filthy garments Isaiah 64:6

Isaiah 64:6 ESV

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Isaiah 29:13

Isaiah 29:13 ESV

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

So what does it mean?

Let’s look at the anatomy of fruit

Dr. Tony Evans

Fruit reflects the character of its tree. Apple comes from apple tree, orange from orange tree

Fruit is visable

no secret fruit.

Identity and health of tree

Fruit is for the benefit of others

How does Fruit grow?

Plant’s seed is fertilized and the fruit grows

Fed by nutrients from the plant

Awesome Nick… what does this have to do with anything?

Glad you asked

Salvation - HOly Spirit indwells - need to grow and mature

As we abide we are nurtured and the inward change is displayed in outward works

And this is how we glorify God our Father

Worship Jesus

ascribe worth

since he is worthy we abide

Love people is an outgrowth of the abiding

Fruit