PRODUCING FRUIT OF THE KINGDOM

READINGS:   Isaiah 5:1 – 7; Philippians 3:3 – 11; Matthew 21:33 – 46.

SERMON OUTLINE:

I. INTRODUCTION

Most, if not all, farmers cultivate various crops with the expectation of reaping a good harvest. I am yet to see a farmer who cultivates without expecting a good harvest. Any crop that is cultivated produces particular fruit as a harvest for all the hard work of the farmer. If the farmer planted maize, he will expect to harvest maize and he will put in all the mechanism that will ensure that he gets good fruit from his farm.

And rightly so the Vineyard owner and the landowner in our first and third Bible readings expected good fruit and fruit from his vineyard and tenants respectively.

Our theme for today’s Service is “Producing fruit of the Kingdom”. We will consider answering the following questions from the passages that we have read and take some lessons for our own lives;

· * What is fruit of the Kingdom?

· * Why do we have to bear or produce fruit of the Kingdom? and

· * How do we bear or produce fruit of the Kingdom?

II. LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGES

A.    What is fruit of the Kingdom?

In our first Bible reading in Isaiah 5:1 – 7, Isaiah talks about God as the owner of a vineyard which is the house of Israel. God planted this vineyard to produce good grapes which is righteousness and justice. Instead the vineyard of God (i.e. the house of Israel) produced bad grapes which is bloodshed and cries of distress.

Jesus in our third Bible reading talks about the land owner and his vineyard but in this instance about tenants of the vineyard. God who is the owner of the vineyard in this context expects fruits from the vineyard.

The fruit of the kingdom is righteousness and justice. In Galatians 5:22 – 23, we are told the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the fruit of the kingdom and God expects every child of the kingdom to bear this fruit. The question is are we part of the kingdom and if so what fruit are we bearing or producing, good fruit or bad fruit? 

B.    Why do we have to bear or produce fruit of the Kingdom?

1. Because of the investment that the owner (God) have put into the vineyard. In Isaiah 5:2 we are told the God located the vineyard on a fertile hill and “He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well.” Jesus in Matthew 21:33 tells us that the landowner who planted a vineyard before renting it out “put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower.” God has invested heavily in the kingdom by giving His Son to us. He paid a heavy price to redeem us who belong to the kingdom. And so we have to bear or produce fruit of the kingdom.

2. Destruction awaits those who do not produce or bear the fruit of the kingdom. In Isaiah 5:5 – 6, God talks of removing his protection from the house of Israel in these terms “Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” and in Matthew 21:41, 43 we are told “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” [43] “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

C.    How do we produce fruit of the Kingdom?

Paul in our second Bible reading tells us that his “righteousness is by faith in Jesus Christ.” We can only attain this righteousness by putting our faith in Jesus Christ and knowing Him through sharing in His suffering, becoming like Him. It is this commitment and attachment to the Lord Jesus Christ that produces the fruit of the kingdom. Truly those who worship God by the Spirit of God glory not in their flesh but in Christ Jesus. Human effort can only produce bad fruit. In John 15:1 – 8, we are told we can only produce fruit only when we are attached to the true vine who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. CONCLUSION

In Mat 7:20, Jesus said “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” We belong to the kingdom of God, then we must produce good fruit. Good fruit is the natural produce of the godly. Have you examined your fruit lately? Is it good fruit or bad fruit? Is it sweet or sour?

God expects the people of His kingdom to produce good fruit of righteousness and justice. This comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and an attachment to Him as the vine and we the branches. (John 15:1 – 8).

I challenge you this week to go and produce the fruit that God expects from you. Let those around you yearn to know and see that you belong to the Kingdom by bearing or producing fruit of righteousness, holiness and justice in all your actions.

This will be difficult if you don’t belong to the Lord Jesus Christ by having His righteousness which comes by faith in Him. He calls you today to allow Him into your heart and give Him control of your life as your Lord and Saviour. Will you do that?

Let us pray.

If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as we have bowed our heads, ask Him to come in and make you a new person. Hand over our life to Him today.

Father we thank You for Your word. Bless us and strengthen us to go out there and produce the fruit of your kingdom as people who belong to You. We pray in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!!!