Galatians 5:22-25

Life on the Vine –Being Known by our Fruit

I LOVE fruit! Every kind- especially ‘Fruit of the Spirit’

How do we evaluate the Christian Church of our day?

-we have religious and other freedoms -we seem to be leaving our Christian valuesJesus plan to evaluate – fruit!Philip Kenneson “Life on the Vine –

Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian Community”

He says the church is seriously ill…If we are or not, we must ‘keep in step with

the spirit”We must display and practice ‘fruit of the

Spirit’.Jesus himself gave the fruit idea in John 15:1-

2

Life on the Vine Galatians 5:22-25

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Why must we bear fruit? -NOT to be saved! -NOT so God will love us more!Healing/reconciliation can be seen in us -

God’s workBible includes farming/gardening beginning

to end.Law had instructions for care and protection

of fruit

Life on the Vine Galatians 5:22-25

Many metaphorical uses of fruit:fruit for God (Rom. 7:4) and in sin fruit for death

(Rom. 7:5; cf. Jas. 1:15); fruit of the lips (i.e. speaking, Is. 57:19; Heb. 13:15); fruit unto holiness and life (Rom. 6:22); fruit of the wicked (Mt. 7:16) and of self-centeredness (Ho. 10:1; cf. Zc. 7:5-6);

fruit in season (i.e. true prosperity, Ps. 1:3; Je. 17:8); fruits of the gospel (Rom. 1:13; Col. 1:6); of righteousness (Phil. 1:11; Jas. 3:18); fruits which demonstrate repentance (Mt. 3:8; cf. Am. 6:12). The unfruitful works of darkness contrasted with the fruit of light (Eph. 5:9-11).

‘The tree of life with it’s twelve kinds of fruit’ (Rev. 22:2) may refer to covenant of works and to Lords Supper and the new covenant of grace and abundant life.

Life on the Vine Galatians 5:22-25

“tree planted by steams of water, which yields its fruit in season…” Psalm 1:3

Jesus spoke of Parable of the sower, wheat and weeds, mustard seed, vine branches…

Paul wrote of wild olive shoots grafted to tree, ‘we reap what we sow’, etc.

All this emphasizes both work and grace!Grace/effort, gift/work, must always be a

balance!God gives growth, but we must be

responsible in work.How can cultural values influence us? Can

they conflict with God’s values? We need to know!

What about ‘gifts of the spirit’?

Life on the Vine Galatians 5:22-25

The Holy Spirit himself is a gift, overemphasizing ‘spiritual gifts’ is not balanced Biblical view.

There is no dispute about ‘Fruit of the Spirit’.Even branches bearing fruit may be pruned!Hearing the word, studying doesn’t make us

fruitful.We should learn, ask God, and obey him with

action.We do not ‘possess’ fruit of the Spirit, it is

used by God for His purposes!Fruit of the Spirit is the power of God at work

in us…So his kingdom comes here where we are ‘as

it is in Heaven’!

Life on the Vine Galatians 5:22-25