Sermon Notes

Don't Waste God's Fruit

MESSAGE NOTES
Don’t Waste God’s Fruit – Pastor LaRon Thompson

Introduction

Jesus said in John 15:5:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

And Paul said in Galatians 5:22–23:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

And Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:10:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Did you know? In America, we waste over 119 billion pounds of food every year? That’s the same as 130 billion meals—while more than 44 million Americans, including 1 in 5 children, go to bed hungry.

PLACE FOR NOTES:

God Called You to Bear Fruit

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16, NIV)

Fruit bearing is evidence of a Divine Connection (John 15:5)…

PLACE FOR NOTES:

Wasted Fruit in the Kingdom

Picture of Fruit Tree…

Every time we hold back what God has given us, that fruit goes to waste—and someone goes hungry.

  • Neglected Fruit – Matthew 25:24–25 (ESV)
    He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’

  • Self-Righteous Fruit – John 15:8 (ESV)
    When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

  • Fake Fruit

PLACE FOR NOTES:

Fruit Produced is for the Body

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV):
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

PLACE FOR NOTES:

Taking It Home

We encourage you to take a few minutes today and this week to process this morning’s message. These questions are designed for discussion with your family, a friend, mentor, spouse, and small group. They are also useful for self-reflection.

  1. What stands out to you in these passages from the Bible? From the message?

  2. What is difficult for you to understand or accept in these passages from the Bible? From the message?

  3. What is God saying in these passages and through what we heard in the message about Himself? About people? About you?

  4. What examples are there to follow, commands to obey, or promises to stand on from these passages in the Bible, and from what we heard in the message?