The Importance of Fruit

John 15:14-17

Verse 15  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

    Abiding is important and part of that importance is the fruit that we are to be bearing for the Father, the Gardener of the Kingdom Vineyard.

    What kind of fruit is this that we are supposed to be producing?  And why is it so important?  The answers to these questions help us remember that the vineyard isn’t so much about the branches as it is about the Gardener.  Just as the type and quality of the wine grape is what brings recognition to a vineyard and wine brand, the type and quality of the fruit of our lives brings recognition to the Master of our vineyard.

    The quality of the vineyard reflects on the vinedresser and those who work in the vineyard.  If the harvest is not a good size harvest or if the quality of the product is poor the amount of the end product – whether that be wine, jelly or juice – will be poor.  And the level of quality comes back to what the workers did and didn’t do that affected the harvest.  Weather has some effect on the product, but even that can be managed to an extent by the workers.  A frosty night maybe held off by portable heaters.  Trees that cause too much shade on the vines can be removed and plants can be watered during a drought.  So while the elements may affect the fruit, to a certain point the workers still have a responsibility to manage the best outcome of the fruit.

    God, as the Gardener of the Kingdom Vineyard, has an expectation for His harvest.  He isn’t leaving it to chance.  He is vigilant in making sure that the bad branches are removed, and that the elements are just right for the best possible harvest.  He is the one whose name is connected with the product and therefore He is the one that will get the glory for the fruit that His branches bear.

    The truth is that the fruit of our lives is the product of God’s kingdom that the world can see and experience.  When we are living a fruitless life or are bearing poor quality fruit we are not just reflecting badly about ourselves, but are acting as a bad advertisement for God.

Making It Personal

    What kind of fruit are you bearing?  Would someone want to know God because they have experienced the fruit of your life?  What pruning needs to happen in your life to improve the quality of the fruit of your life?

Making It Personal Kids

    Did you know that how you act tells people what you think of Jesus?  What are some things that Jesus teaches us about how to live?  Are those things that you obey Jesus about?

Closing Prayer

    Father, thank You for tending to our lives the way You do.  Please grow Your fruit in our lives so that we can bring You great glory.  In Jesus’ name, amen.