Bear Much Fruit

 Hello, this is Multiply a podcast to encourage Village Church planters and leaders. I am Brad Snowden, and I would like to read John 15:4-5 which says “Remain in me and I will remain in you just as no branch can bear fruit by itself neither can you unless you remain in me. V5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. The one who remains in me, and I am him bears much fruit for otherwise apart from me you can do nothing”.

 I recognize two important thoughts within the scripture here in John 15, which shows us Christ’s heart. It has to do with our relationship with him and the results of that close relationship, which is bearing fruit. Jesus was nearing the end of his earthly life he had taught His disciples and shown them His heart. In this passage, He illustrates it simply by connecting the two elements that bring life and the ability to bear fruit.   It is simply being connected with Jesus and allowing Him to work through us.

 I have found in my own life that I can tell when in my life things have changed, it seems as if there was a moment when I did not see much happening, I did not feel as useful or productive as I would want. It was as if the water suddenly was turned off and life became dry. It did not take but a moment to come to my understanding that I was not pursuing God‘s word in his presence as I once did. I noticed my joy was not there as much as it should be in serving Him. I did not have the peace that I needed and that led to other issues that would not add to my life and testimony of who Jesus is in my life. I was not as kind as others needed me to be. The fruit of my relationship or the lack of it was seen by others.

 Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. Apart from a close relationship with Jesus Christ, we will not bear anything that will be good. We bear fruit only because of Him and we have joy and peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the fruits that will be seen by others it will be then that we can share how Jesus has changed our lives.

My father-in-law has shared with me the importance of being a fruit inspector. Inspecting my own heart to see if the fruit of my relationship is what it needs to be or what God wants it to be. We must be intentional in looking into our spiritual lives to focus on bearing fruit for others to see Jesus. This can only come through our close relationship, allowing the Holy Spirit to feed us and empower us to be more like Christ.

 Our bearing fruit will plant seeds of eternal harvest. It is a gift that keeps on giving, and those who receive will be able to prepare fruit of their own as they grow in their relationship with Christ Jesus, we must be encouraged by God’s word we can bear much fruit, but only in Christ Jesus can do this as we walk closely with him. This has been a word of encouragement for village church planters. Who will you share this with today Lord bless you.