Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 23, 2023: SOAP #5133: John 15-18 (God speaking to me again as in Dec 2015)
SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes . so that it will be even more fruitful.
OBSERVATION: Fruit must be important because Jesus spoke of it the last time he was with the disciples before going to the cross. The fruit on a tree is an outward expression of the inner nature of that tree. Oranges come from a tree that has the nature of an orange tree, etc. And so it is with people in whom God dwells by his Spirit. There are outward expressions of that inner nature. Galatians 5 gives a list of fruit that can be seen: love, joy, peace, etc. Others who come to believe in Jesus through one’s testimony are also fruit.
APPLICATION: A Christian who has no fruit is like a fruit tree that bears no fruit. It is unnatural. The branch that bears no fruit is to be cut off. — When I do not feed the spiritual man, the flesh becomes stronger and begins to express its fruit. I take on the attitudes and expressions of the world. — But when I focus on building up my spiritual part by doing things that help me grow in my relationship to God, the fruit of the Spirit can be seen in my life more and more.
PRAYER: Lord, by your Holy Spirit make me be more like you. May my life bring you glory by having much fruit. Amen
Note: I received a Christmas letter today from Owen Carr. This past year there was a gathering to celebrate his 100th birthday! It is easy to understand why God has let Bro. Carr continue past normal age…HE IS STILL FRUITFUL! He is still not too old to read His Bible and pray every day! He is not too old to seek God for a fresh word to give to other believers! He has not become trapped in the aches and pains of old age so that he overlooks heaven’s point of view. What a great example for those of us growing older! 😊
Pastor Leon
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