There is nothing better than fresh fruit.  Whether it is a cluster of grapes, or a basket of apples plucked from the tree, it is a wonderful thing to sink your teeth into ripe and juicy fruit.  That is so good.

Over the next few weeks there will be many people working outside, in their yard, planting a garden.  Some of you grow tomatoes or squash or green peppers, maybe watermelon or cantaloupe.  I know there is a lot of energy goes into keeping a garden.  You till the soil, and plant the seeds, and keep it watered all summer long.  There are weeds to be pulled, and maybe you put up a little fence to keep the animals away.  Finally, after weeks go by, you go out to the garden and gather the produce.  That’s the best part, enjoying the fruit.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of people planting gardens this year.  I’ve never had much of a green thumb, but maybe we’ll give it a try.  This would be the kind of fruit that I would want to see: not empty branches, or withered plants, or brown and rotten fruit.  If I went out and walked the rows of the garden, I would look for abundant and flavorful fruit.

In a similar way, God is working in our lives so that we will produce good fruit that brings him glory.  We are growing in Christ in such a way that his character is being formed in us.  Hopefully, we are becoming more loving, more gracious, more patient, more kind.  His holiness takes root in our hearts so that we desire to honor him in all we do.  And we have an impact on the people around us, leading others towards our Savior, Jesus Christ.  This spiritual fruit is the work of God in us.  It is not something we can produce on our own, through our own energy or determination.  It comes from cultivating our relationship with the Lord.  He is the source of our spiritual life, and as we draw closer to him, allowing him to transform our heart, the fruit of the Spirit grows within us.  To produce godly fruit we must remain connected with the source of our spiritual life, Jesus.

This is what Christ tells his disciples in John 15.  These were among the final words he spoke to them, before he was led away to be crucified, and he used this time to prepare them for their future ministry.  In a short time he would be sending them out into the world to proclaim the good news of his death, burial and resurrection.  But in order to accomplish this and bear much fruit they would need to rely on him for strength.  Even though his physical presence would no longer be with them, he would continue to equip and empower them in the days ahead.

It is possible they were walking by the vineyards that stretched along the path toward the Garden of Gethsemane.  That image provided a perfect illustration.  He told them in verse 5, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”   To impact the world, they would need to abide in him.  Just as the branches rely on their connection with the vine for vital nutrients to produce clusters of grapes, the disciples would need to rely on Jesus as their source of power and strength to produce spiritual fruit.  This fruit would include proclaiming the gospel to thousands of people, facing all kinds of opposition with courage, demonstrating godliness in the way they conduct, and inspiring believers to live out their faith.  No one would have expected this group of common, ordinary men to have the kind of impact on their world that they made.  It wasn’t because of their own abilities.  It was the result of Christ working through them.

The same is true for us.  God is calling us to impact our world and to live for his glory.  He is transforming us from the inside out, and wants to use us to touch the lives of others with the good news of Jesus.  We cannot do that on our own.  Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches.  In order to bear much fruit we must abide in him.

Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

I’m sure the disciples had no idea the kind of fruit God was going to produce through their lives in the years ahead.  The would become men of courage, filled with conviction, devoted to Christ, and thousands would come to believe as a result of their testimony.  I’m sure that you and I have no idea how the Lord wants to work in our lives today.  His people are to be overflowing with spiritual fruit, but this is only possible if we abide in Christ allowing him to accomplish his purpose in us.

We are challenged this morning to inspect our lives.  Think about the kind of fruit you are producing.

Examine your character.  Are you growing more like Christ, displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?  If those qualities are missing from the branches, ask the Lord to prune away all that might be hindering you from bearing good fruit.

Consider the kind of influence you have on those around you.  Are you sharing Christ’s love?  Are you sharing your faith?  Are you pointing people to God?  Pray for the Lord to give you the kind of witness that draws others towards him.

Make your relationship with Christ a priority.  If you are weary and worn out and feel like you are not accomplishing much of lasting value, maybe you are depending on your own strength, trying to do the right things but in the wrong way.  Remember, that in our own fleshly strength we cannot produce fruit that pleases God.  We must allow him to be our source of strength.  Spend time with him in prayer, listening to his Word.  Invite him to be a part of everything you do.  If you abide in him, you will bear much fruit, and bring glory to your Savior.