SUMMARY: Useless
OVERVIEW: God compares unfaithful Israel to a useless vine.
BIG IDEA: Jesus wants his followers to bear fruit.
KEY VERSE: Ezekiel 15:8 (God to Ezekiel)
And I will make the land desolate because my people have been unfaithful to me. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
You were born to bear fruit. You have my image upon you and my Spirit within you. You glorify me when your life produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you make disciples and equip others to follow me and serve me, you live the life I created you to live. Continue to grow in these ways. Become a master teacher and equipper. Model faithful living to young disciples and encourage older ones.
When you bear fruit, you shine. When you don’t, there’s a problem. Don’t ignore the problem or wait for things to get better on their own. That is pointless and useless. Just as you take a failing vehicle to the mechanic, or a sick body to the doctor, return to me. Let me search your heart and instruct you on how to live. Don’t run from me. Be part of my church, even when you are down or feel ineffective. Let me breathe life into you and nurture you so you can get back in the fruit-bearing business.
NEXT STEP
Evaluate the fruit in your life. If you are bearing an abundance, continue to seek and trust God. If you are not, ask a friend or reliable Jesus follower to help you take the next steps that will lead to a season of fruit-bearing.
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