FRUITS AND FOUNDATIONS
Opening Prayer
Lord, give me the strength to be an obedient “doer” of Your Word.
Read Luke 6:43–49
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
New International Version (NIV)
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Reflect
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (Jas. 1:22).A lecture aims to inform—but a good sermon seeks to form thoughts, reform attitudes, and transform lives. When John preached repentance, his audience was moved to ask, “What should we do then?” (Luke 3:10). The pattern is repeated at Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:37). Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Plain by challenging his listeners to consider the reality and quality of their relationship with him.
The parables about fruits (43–45) and foundations (46–49) contrast what is external and visible with what is internal and hidden. A tree may look good, a house may seem sound, but externalities can be faked. Lip service without life service is really no service (46). An authentic confession of our lips must be evidenced by obedience in our lives. Professing Jesus as “Lord” only has validity and value if we submit to his lordship. “Figs” and “grapes” (44) are “good fruit” (43) because they are edible and wholesome; in contrast, “thorn bushes” and “briers” are inedible and unwholesome. While it cannot earn us salvation, “fruit” serves as a barometer of our faith. What kind of “fruit” or “results” are evident in your life?
Apply
“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…”
(John 15:5b). How will you stay closely connected to Jesus so that you may bear good fruit for him?
Closing prayer
Thank You, Lord, that Your strength sustains me. May others see fruit of Your presence in my life.
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