August 13, 2021: SOAP #4271:  Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John (NIV) 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John (NIV) 15:16  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

OBSERVATION: Gifts can be hung on a tree by anyone.  The gifts tell us nothing about the tree.  Fruit is so different!  The fruit is an expression of the life in the tree.  A dead tree bears no fruit.  The nature of the tree is expressed in the fruit.  The branch that bears fruit does so only as it is attached to the tree. 

APPLICATION:  My life bears fruit and glorifies God only as I am attached and have His life flowing through me. 

Fruit helps those around me to see that Jesus is living in me.  Kindness and love are at a deeper level than people expect.  When they see the fruit from the presence of Jesus, they are more open to my witness of Jesus. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, our fruit pleases you.  Through the fruit in our lives, you can see that the sacrifice of Jesus is still having a great affect in the world.  You can see that we are His disciples!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!