Through the Rooted series, I challenged the church to put down roots in their faith and live a life consistent with the Gospel they believed in. Here's the whole series in a nutshell. We tend to the soil of our souls so that our lives are fertile ground for the Gospel. With faith in Christ for salvation, we add goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, Godliness, affection, and love to be effective and productive in the faith. As we grow in our faith, we trust God's pruning process and remain in Him. Today, we looked at the harvest God wants to produce in us and through us with a challenging look at Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7 and 9.
THE HARVEST IN US
In Matthew 7, we discover a simple, seemingly obvious truth: fruit is a clear sign of what a tree is. Jesus’ words in verses 15-18 remind us of this truth. “By their fruit, you will recognize them…” He warns us to watch out for false prophets who disguise themselves but produce no good fruit. The principle is simple: a good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit. It’s a picture of our lives. The fruit we produce reveals our roots—our heart’s connection to God.
Every tree has fruit, but not all fruit is real. If you’ve ever seen fake fruit, like the plastic bowls popular in the 70s, you know it’s not made to be consumed. It’s there to look good but has no value. Actions can be like that—appearing good on the surface but lacking substance. This is why Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23 is so sobering: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.” Even those who perform miracles in His name can be turned away if they lack a genuine relationship with Him.
Imagine hearing this message from Jesus on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee. What hope do we have if even the most outwardly impressive "believers" could fall short? The answer is clear: salvation and fruitfulness begin with a relationship with Jesus. Good fruit doesn’t come from striving externally but from being rooted in Him.
Matthew 12:33 reinforces this: “Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good.” Jesus teaches that the heart is the source of what overflows in our lives. Paul echoes this relational truth in Philippians 1:9-11, praying that our love would abound in knowledge and discernment, resulting in the “fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”
So, what does the fruit of a transformed heart look like?
Why does this matter? Because spiritual fruit is for our good and God’s glory. Paul’s confidence in the Gospel’s power compelled him to pray for believers to grow in these areas. Our fruit will one day be judged, and the day of Christ will come for us all. A heart rooted in Christ produces a harvest that glorifies God and impacts others.
THE HARVEST THROUGH US
Jesus shifts our focus outward in Matthew 9:35-38, as He sees the crowds, harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He declares compassionately, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Jesus calls His followers to join Him in the harvest field. This isn’t a job for a select few but for every believer.
The harvest surrounds us and begs the question: "Who does your faith benefit?" If we are followers of Jesus, our faith should benefit others. This call is urgent and personal.
Here are some ways to participate in the harvest:
Living out your faith can be a joyful experience when it’s grounded in a relationship with Christ. Imagine standing before Him and hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is the goal of our harvest: to glorify God and impact others.
THE HARVEST IN US
In Matthew 7, we discover a simple, seemingly obvious truth: fruit is a clear sign of what a tree is. Jesus’ words in verses 15-18 remind us of this truth. “By their fruit, you will recognize them…” He warns us to watch out for false prophets who disguise themselves but produce no good fruit. The principle is simple: a good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit. It’s a picture of our lives. The fruit we produce reveals our roots—our heart’s connection to God.
Every tree has fruit, but not all fruit is real. If you’ve ever seen fake fruit, like the plastic bowls popular in the 70s, you know it’s not made to be consumed. It’s there to look good but has no value. Actions can be like that—appearing good on the surface but lacking substance. This is why Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23 is so sobering: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.” Even those who perform miracles in His name can be turned away if they lack a genuine relationship with Him.
Imagine hearing this message from Jesus on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee. What hope do we have if even the most outwardly impressive "believers" could fall short? The answer is clear: salvation and fruitfulness begin with a relationship with Jesus. Good fruit doesn’t come from striving externally but from being rooted in Him.
Matthew 12:33 reinforces this: “Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good.” Jesus teaches that the heart is the source of what overflows in our lives. Paul echoes this relational truth in Philippians 1:9-11, praying that our love would abound in knowledge and discernment, resulting in the “fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”
So, what does the fruit of a transformed heart look like?
- A Heart Full of Love: God’s ultimate goal for us is love—not mere tolerance but love grounded in truth and grace.
- A Deeper Knowledge and Discernment: A maturing relationship with Christ sharpens our ability to discern what is best and right.
- Fruit of Righteousness: Living pure and blameless lives raises the bar for how we reflect Christ.
Why does this matter? Because spiritual fruit is for our good and God’s glory. Paul’s confidence in the Gospel’s power compelled him to pray for believers to grow in these areas. Our fruit will one day be judged, and the day of Christ will come for us all. A heart rooted in Christ produces a harvest that glorifies God and impacts others.
THE HARVEST THROUGH US
Jesus shifts our focus outward in Matthew 9:35-38, as He sees the crowds, harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He declares compassionately, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Jesus calls His followers to join Him in the harvest field. This isn’t a job for a select few but for every believer.
The harvest surrounds us and begs the question: "Who does your faith benefit?" If we are followers of Jesus, our faith should benefit others. This call is urgent and personal.
Here are some ways to participate in the harvest:
- Lead kids in faith: Whether you serve in children’s ministry or guide your own kids, invest in the next generation. It’s not babysitting—it’s kingdom work.
- Welcome others: Make church the friendliest place people experience. Show grace and embody hospitality.
- Share your faith: With friends, family, and coworkers, let the Gospel be evident in your words and actions.
- Give generously: Support the advancement of the Gospel through your resources.
- Pray for the lost: Actively intercede for those who need Jesus.
Living out your faith can be a joyful experience when it’s grounded in a relationship with Christ. Imagine standing before Him and hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is the goal of our harvest: to glorify God and impact others.
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