"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit but, a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore ye shall know them by their fruits."

In these Scriptures, Jesus is talking about false teachers and false preachers . in this example, Jesus said that people, like trees, can be judged by their fruit. It doesn't take you being around people very long that you can kind of identify, what kind of people they are.


Salvation is instantanious but, the Christ life is progressive. The older we grow, the more spiritual we should grow as well. Young people do silly things. Young Christians do silly things but, as we grow, we mature and we are to produce fruit after we have reached maturity, just like a tree.

Apple trees do not produce apples over night!!!!!
Peach trees do not produce peaches over night!!!!!
Christians do not mature over night, either. it takes time and we each grow at different speed and levels of understanding.

Look what Apostle Paul wrote in Eph. 5:22. He mentions the fruit of the Spirit.
1. love
2. joy
3. peace
4. patience
5. kindness
6. goodness
7. faithfulness
8. gentleness
9. self control

Point: Any one who professes to be a Christian and yet, they are,
1. greedy
2. bitter
3. tight
4. harsh to others
Something is terribly wrong somewhere. It's like the old song said. "The old gray mule, he must be sick, I jabbed him in the rump with a stick, He humped his back but, he didn't kick. there's something cockeyed somewhere".

In James Chapt 3:12. it talks about the fig tree. It says it can't bring forth olive berries, neither a vine, figs. He also says that a fountain can not bring forth fresh water and salt water.

People are like trees. They are judged by their fruit and since churches are made up of people, the churches are judged by their fruit as well. Here is what churches are not to be.
1. They are not to be social clubs
2. They are not to be a sanctuary for Saints
3. They are not to be hoarders of large sums of money.

They are to be the following:
1. Spiritual lighthouses to the communities around them.
2, They are to be hospitals for sinners.
3. They are to have one goal and one goal only and that is the salvation of souls. Many churches are so wrapped up in committees, boards, and programs and the forget about the PEOPLE.

Churches today are too full of carts and committees.
Carts are made of boards and big wheels.
A camel is a horse put together by a committee.
If a church is out there, trying to win the lost to Christ, it will grow numerically, financially and Spiritually. God will bless us when we are a blessing to Him and to others. He cares about lost man so much so, that He sent His only son to die, for every sinner in the world that was, is and is yet to come.

So, What does all this lead up to? I am glad you asked.

The fruits of the church are as follows: (hence the title of the message)

I. Worship: ( first Fruit)

A. We hold services to Honor and worship God, our Heavenly Father.
1. We sing hymns
2, We sing specials or play instruments
3. We give Testimonies of how God has blessed us.
4, We lift up others in prayer that their needs might be met.
5. We praise God for His Goodness, Mercy, love, and Grace

We go to a ballgame, set in the sun at 100 degrees for 1-1/2 hours yet, we won't go to church, where it is air conditioned and listen to a message for 40 minutes.

We stand up and yell, wave our hands, hoop and holler and high five others when a man scores yet, we won't say "Amen" to a good point in a sermon from God's man.

We know ever player on every team and where he was traded to. We know his batting average and his RBI average but, we can't quote John 3:16.

Something is terribly wrong with our priorities in life. When it comes time for you to die, call one of these great sports players to come see you, to visit you, to have prayer with you. See if they show up and stand by your side when you take your last breath. A Pastor will and if he won't, he should not be a Pastor.

II. Evangelism ( Second Fruit)

What is that you ask!!!!

1. A battle for souls.
2. Christians against Satan
3. All mankind is lost until they are saved
Jesus said "Go ye unto all the world and preach the gospel. You say, "I ain't a preacher. Oh yes you are. You preach a message to someone 7 days a week. Someone once said "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one, any day. You see, What you say, where you go, how you act and react is being watched and listened to by someone every day.

Some people see God as an old white haired man, who is feeble and doesn't really care about this world or mankind any more, Some see Him as a God who has a big club. just waiting for you to mess up so he can whack you with it. These are terrible misconceptions of God.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He does not tire and He does not sleep

III: Edification: ( third fruit)

Pastors are to teach and educate people about the Scriptures. They are to teach people about God's plan, His Purpose His provision and, His promises and, do it in a way that they can understand it.

What good is a sermon if it is so DEEP that no one can comprehend what it is about or how to apply it to everyday life?

IV. Service: ( fourth fruit)

A Church is to help people.
Listen, any church that sets on money and does not help the needy, the widows and the members of the church is a DEAD church.
1. Help pay rent
2. Help buy groceries
3, show compassion on people
4. Being a help to someone does not always mean money. Mow a yard, fix a door, lay a carpet, hang some blinds, trim the trees, clean the gutters, do someone's laundry, paint a house or shed, fix their vehicle, clean their house. whatever is needed.

V Fellowship ( fifth fruit)

Have church dinners, cookouts. Get to know each other. trade recipes, share worries and trials together, pray for one another with one another. These things help a church know each other and grow together.

So, is your church a "Fruity church"? I hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May this message bless those for whom is was intended.

Oldbiker