Live a Fruitful Life (Luke 8:15)

Sermon on 9 April 2024 by Pastor Gaius Lee

Introduction

Are our lives fruitful?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - Galatians 5:22-23a

Galatians 5:22-23a tells us of one single fruit, not nine separate ones. If you lack one, you have the entire fruit. These are the characteristics of being fruitful. We want to have all these in our lives. John 15:5 and 15:16 also mention a single fruit. We need Jesus in our lives in order to bear fruit. Without Jesus, we cannot do anything.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. - John 15:16

There will be difficulties in our lives. But every time we go through them, we bear more fruit.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. - John 15:2

Message

In the parable of the sower, the seed is the word of God. When the sower sows, seeds fall to the ground. The ground represents out heart, our response.

The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. - Luke 8:12

The ones along the path represent stubbornness. They neither hear nor do anything.

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. - Luke 8:13

The ones on rocks represent superficiality. They hear something but do nothing.

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. - Luke 8:14

The ones on the thorns represent secular people. They have heard and may also do much, but may prioritise other things over God. If our fruit does not mature, we are no better than those without fruit.

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. - Luke 8:15

The seeds on good soil represent those who are spiritual. These people listen and do wholeheartedly.

How do we live a fruitful life?

Our hearts must be honest and good. We must hear the Word wholeheartedly. Receive the Word, remember it and hold fast to it, wholeheartedly. When we pray, sometimes we have to wait for a long time. Luke 8:15 tells us to bear fruit with patience. Do not give up hope. Jesus said in Psalm 23 that He would be with us. Being on a righteous path draws us closer to Jesus.

Closing

We want to be in good soil, ready to receive the Word and hold fast to it. Let us remember to bear fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. - John 15:8