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The Apostle Paul opens Colossians by thanking God for the Colossians' faith in Christ, their love for fellow believers, and the living hope reserved for them in heaven. The episode explores how the gospel is received by faith, produces self‑giving love, and anchors believers' hope in Christ's return. Using examples from Scripture and the ministry of Epaphras, the lesson emphasizes that true Christian life combines sound doctrine with practical love and confident hope, calling listeners to live out their faith daily. (Remastered)
Bearing Fruit
Bearing Fruit
Before you respond to any situation in your life, any phone call, any text message, any disruptive thought, negative people, self limiting beliefs, unexpected circumstances or challenges, etc… ask yourself one question: Is It Bearing Fruit? In other words, will my involvement, time, reaction, response, etc., serve the purpose God has for my life, and will it keep me in alignment with my vision and goals?I encourage you to read: Galatians 5:22-23 to learn more about the fruit of the Spirit. By Zenja Glass, mentor and author of “necessary.”Audiobook available exclusively at https://www.UnlockingGreatness.comMuch love,Z.Unlocking Greatness Podcast with Zenja GlassVisit https://www.UnlockingGreatness.com
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Self-Control in the Spirit // Titus 2:1-15 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
November 15th, 2025: St Albert the Great - Champion of Truth; Proper Use of Power & Authority; Saints Alive; Bearing Fruit; St Albert the Great - Doctor & Scientist
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Gentleness is Strength // Matthew 11:28-12:8 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
This week's message reminds us that real fruit doesn't come from chasing dreams but from growing deeper in Christ. Your dream is not fruit; your maturity in Him is. Visitors don't mature—abiders do. There are real consequences to not abiding, but those who remain in Him bring joy to His heart. This post was inspired by a prophetic prayer shared by one of our prayer team members this week, calling us back to stay connected to the Vine and let our lives bear lasting fruit.
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Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Faithfulness Through the Fire // Daniel 6:3-10, 16-23 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
Romans 7 confronts us with a reality we often try to avoid: the inner battle between who we want to be in Christ and the sin that still entangles us. This passage reveals that even after coming to faith, we face an ongoing struggle with sin—not because we're broken or unsaved, but because the enemy works harder than ever to pull us off course. Paul himself confesses this tension: 'I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.' The central message here is profoundly liberating: death brings freedom from captivity. Through Christ's sacrifice, we've been released from the law that once held us bound. The marriage illustration isn't about divorce but about covenant—we are the bride who broke our vows through sin, and only through Jesus' death can we be freed and united with Him. What makes this particularly relevant to our lives today is the exploration of how God's good gifts—money, sexuality, alcohol, food—can become twisted by sin into chains that bind us. These 'big four' areas of struggle remind us that sin takes common graces and perverts them into bondage. The litmus test of genuine conversion isn't perfection but fruit-bearing: when we're truly connected to Christ, something changes within us. The question we must ask ourselves is deeply personal: What is holding us captive today? What sin keeps us from bearing the fruit God intends for our lives? This passage calls us to honest introspection, genuine repentance, and the courage to walk in the freedom Christ purchased for us.### Sermon Notes**Introduction:**- Pastor Will welcomes the congregation and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to gather and study Scripture.- The focus is on Romans chapter 7, a continuation of the sermon series on Romans, specifically looking at the controversial and often misinterpreted first six verses.**Main Themes:**1. **Universal Sinfulness:** - Paul addresses the reality of sin present in all human lives. - Sin is a common struggle that should be openly discussed despite cultural tendencies to avoid the topic. - Recognizing our depravity is the first step towards understanding the need for redemption through Christ.2. **The Inner Battle:** - Even after accepting Christ, believers struggle with sin. - This internal conflict between the desire to follow Christ and the tendency to sin is a common experience. - Paul's admission of his own struggles in Romans 7:17 reinforces this truth.3. **Freedom Through Christ:** - Paul's illustration of marriage laws demonstrates that death (Christ's sacrifice) frees us from the law's bondage. - Believers are no longer bound by the law of sin due to Christ's atonement, highlighting the transformative power of His death and resurrection.4. **From Captivity to Freedom:** - Sin can enslave us, but death in Christ brings freedom. - Paul uses marriage as an analogy to explain this freedom, cautioning that the text is not a prescription for divorce but an illustration of spiritual freedom.5. **Bearing Fruit:** - True conversion is evidenced by a change in lifestyle and the bearing of spiritual fruit. - Followers of Christ are expected to exhibit visible transformations in their lives. - The presence of fruit is a litmus test for genuine faith.**Practical Applications:**1. **Self-Examination:** - Reflect on personal sins that may be hidden or denied. - Consider areas in life where self-control is lacking and seek accountability.2. **Understanding Freedom:** - Embrace the freedom from sin's bondage by continually turning to Christ and confessing shortcomings. - Recognize the liberty found in Christ, not as a license to sin, but as empowerment to live righteously.3. **Bearing Fruit:** - Actively seek ways to bear fruit in life, such as serving others, practicing generosity, and growing in spiritual disciplines. - Engage in community and accountability groups to foster growth and encourage one another.**Discussion Questions:**1. **Understanding Sin:** - How does acknowledging our own sinfulness enhance our dependence on Christ?2. **Inner Struggles:** - In what ways have you experienced the inner struggle between following Christ and falling back into sin?3. **Freed by His Sacrifice:** - How can we live out the freedom Christ has provided in practical, everyday situations?4. **Response to Freedom:** - What steps can you take to ensure that the freedom purchased by Christ's sacrifice is not taken for granted in your life?5. **Real Evidence:** - What are some specific ways you or someone you know has evidenced their transformation in Christ through the bearing of spiritual fruit?
The Psalm talks about a way - a path - to lead a happy or blessed life. Let's start by talking a little bit about a path - the movement toward living a blessed life. We'll sum it up like this: living life with the divine is a constant oscillation between emptying yourself and allowing yourself to be filled again. Emptying yourself - when you hear the definitions of the word "sinner" and the word "mockers," do they bring to mind any particular examples in current times? Maybe some people in powerful positions? Empty yourself of yourself. Empty yourself of everyone else's will for your life - including your own - in favor of the will of the divine. Allowing yourself to be filled. Here we reach a discussion about the "law" of God - the torah. Scripture. When you hear "quiet time," it probably brings an image of a specific practice for you, or maybe something you thought you were supposed to be doing a certain way. Yeah, that's probably not what the Psalmist meant. Scripture wasn't meant to be read alone at 5 a.m. with a cup of coffee. It was meant to be read (and in the ancient world it was only read) in community. This is one of the ways we allow ourselves to be filled. So in our effort to connect to the divine, we have two main resources that we pull from all the time. First there's the book of scripture, which we all think of immediately. But then there's also another resource, one that I won't spoil here, but you can think about it with us as you listen. The late great Rich Mullins has a great song about it. We're going to read those lyrics together and think about them in that context. Empty. Filled. To be emptied again - trees are full of grace bearing fruit for the benefit of others. Trees don't exist for themselves - they only exist to bless (give life) to creation. That's who we become. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6 http://bible.com/events/49512947
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Goodness in the Dark // Amos 5:10-17 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
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Conversations from the heart and soul of Humanity Church with Scott Lucas. For more information, visit www.humanitychurch.com LINKS: CONNECT CARD: https://humanitychurch.com/card JOIN A GROUP: https://humanitychurch.churchcenter.com/groups/humanity-groups GIVE: https://humanitychurch.churchcenter.com/giving Christian discipleship, spiritual growth, freedom from addiction, body and spirit connection, overcoming temptation, Christian living, spiritual transformation, breaking bad habits, temple of the Holy Spirit, Christian discipline, agency, integrity, mindfulness, spiritual freedom, body stewardship, Christian self-control.
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Jessica Alley The post Let Kindness Lead // Luke 19:1-10 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
In this episode of Root Issues, we have a special guest, Pastor Chris, and we dive deep into John chapter 15, one of the most powerful passages from Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples. Recorded just before His crucifixion, this chapter gives us Jesus' famous metaphor of the vine and branches—a vivid illustration of what it means to remain connected to Christ and bear lasting spiritual fruit.We'll explore the profound relationship between Jesus (the true vine), the Father (the vinedresser), and believers (the branches), unpacking what it truly means to "abide" in Christ. From there, we examine Jesus' radical commandment to love one another and His declaration that "greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Patience in the Waiting // Luke 8:4-15 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
Reformed Brotherhood | Sound Doctrine, Systematic Theology, and Brotherly Love
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Peace That Holds // Philippians 4:6-7 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
What kind of fruit is your life producing? In this powerful sermon, we explore what it truly means to live a life that bears good fruit—fruit that lasts, glorifies God, and blesses others. Anchor Verses: John 15:5 – "I am the vine; you are the branches..." John 15:16 – "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit..." Key Points from the Message: 1. The Fruit of the Spirit – Nourishing Goodness Galatians 5:22–23 Cultivate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more—the evidence of a Spirit-filled life. 2. The Fruit of Good Works – Building a Good Harvest Colossians 1:10 | Matthew 5:16 Let your actions shine and bring glory to God as you serve others with purpose. 3. The Fruit of Speaking Up for Jesus – Bold Witnessing 1 Peter 3:15 Learn to share your faith boldly and respectfully, always ready to give a reason for your hope. 4. The Fruit of New Believers – Reproducing Goodness Matthew 28:19–20 Jesus calls us to go and make disciples—helping others experience the transforming power of the Gospel. Jesus chose you to bear fruit—fruit that will remain. Let this message encourage and equip you to abide in Christ, walk in the Spirit, and live a fruitful life that makes an eternal impact.
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Joy in the Wilderness // Nehemiah 8:9-12 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
What is Jesus looking for when He examines your life? In Mark 11:11-26, we see Jesus confront a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit, a powerful illustration of how God views our spiritual fruitfulness. Just like physical fruit satisfies and nourishes people, spiritual fruit glorifies and satisfies God (John 15:8).In this sermon, “What Is Jesus Looking for in You?” missionary Steve Kern explores what the Bible says about bearing spiritual fruit. Using the parable of the fig tree, he challenges us to live a life of genuine faith, bearing lasting spiritual fruit that glorifies God. Connect with us on Social Media ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/Web: https://livingproof.co/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/
Before Jesus, we were bound to the law, and the sin in our lives produced fruit of shame and death. After Jesus, we were immersed in Him, died and rose with Him. We are now dead to the law, belonging to Him and living by the Holy Spirit. We celebrate, unashamed, knowing that we are bearing good fruit for God's glory
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Love Above All // 1 John 4:7-12 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
09-21-25Daniel Golder takes on the third point of Orchards Church mission statement: what does it look like to Bear Fruit?
Part of the Bearing Fruit series. Sermon by Pastor Nathan Alley The post Fruit of the Spirit // Galatians 5:16-26 first appeared on Applewood Community Church.
#10MinuteswithJesus ** Put yourself in the presence of God. Try talking to Him. ** 10 minutes are 10 minutes. Even if you can get distracted, reach the end. ** Be constant. The Holy Spirit acts "on low heat" and requires perseverance. 10-Minute audio to help you pray. Daily sparks to ignite prayer: a passage from the gospel, an idea, an anecdote and a priest who speaks with you and the Lord, inviting you to share your intimacy with God. Find your moment, consider you are in His presence and click play.
Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga break down how Joey Cantillo's strong second half has proven the Mike Clevinger trade to be one of the most successful in Guardians history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Be Filled, Bearing Fruit, and Being Empowered
Be Filled, Bearing Fruit, and Being Empowered
The Bible doesn't merely describe ancient agricultural rituals—it reveals God's precise timeline for redemption through the Feast of Firstfruits. While many Christians focus solely on personal salvation, Scripture demands both individual and national fruit-bearing, challenging us to recognize that God judges not only the grapes of our personal character but also the figs of our national witness in a divine harvest that cannot be postponed.
Let's get honest—Christianity isn't about checking boxes, memorizing verses, or looking good on Sundays. It's about fruit. Not just any fruit, but the kind that proves you're following Jesus. We're not called to simply believe in Him. We're called to become like Him—and that transformation shows up in our everyday lives.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” — John 15:8Jesus didn't say people would know we're His disciples by how well we preach, how many devotionals we write, or even how passionately we pray. He said we'd be known by our fruit. That's love when it's hard, patience when you're stretched, and joy when life doesn't make sense.Fruit is what the world sees when it watches your life. It's what your spouse experiences, what your kids pick up on, and what your coworkers notice when you're under pressure. You might be the only Bible someone ever reads—and your fruit is the ink.The question is—what are you producing?A true disciple bears fruit not because they're striving harder, but because they're abiding deeper. Fruit doesn't come from religious hustle. It comes from connection. Remain in Christ, and fruit will follow. Cut yourself off from Him, and you'll dry up fast.This isn't about perfection—it's about progression. You're not going to see a harvest overnight. But stay rooted in Jesus, and over time, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—will begin to shape every part of your life.Question of the Day:What kind of fruit is showing up in your life today—and what does it reveal about your walk with Jesus?Mini Call to Action:Pick one area of fruit you want to grow in this week—and ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate it.Let's Get To Work!You weren't saved to sit still. You were saved to bear fruit that lasts. Keep abiding, keep growing—and let your life speak loud.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe
Thanks for listening!Visit us online at www.salvationnow.caFollow us on Instagram, TikTok & Twitter @tjmalcangiSubscribe to our YouTube channel “TJ Malcangi”God bless you!
Summary: The Sabbath is God's invitation to pause, worship, and rest in His presence so that our lives may be renewed, strengthened, and aligned with His purposes.Series: The Playlist of LifeTitle: Part 12: Sabbath With GodDate: 8/27/25, 7pm, Wednesday Bible StudySpeaker: Pastor Tom Van KempenOutline:00:00 - Welcome and Online Community02:15 - What Sabbath Really Means06:40 - The Rhythm of Rest: Seven, Stop, and Sit11:05 - Sabbath as Celebration: Thanksgiving, Praise, and Declaration18:10 - The Power of Worship and God's Faithfulness25:20 - Contemplation: God's Works and Deep Thoughts32:45 - The Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked38:00 - Recreation: Renewed Anointing and Strength43:10 - Flourishing and Bearing Fruit in Every Season47:20 - Conclusion: Let Sabbath Shape Your Week
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer and powered by Early Childhood Christian Network, educators are guided on how to create impactful early childhood experiences for both children and their parents. Special guest Nichole Sims, a seasoned children's minister and current children's pastor, lends her insights on equipping educators to flourish. The discussion underscores the significance of meaningful community within early childhood centers. Drawing inspiration from Colossians 2, the conversation delves into the importance of building deep, flourishing roots through worship, scriptural engagement, and community support. Through the analogy of trees and a reflection on the Psalms and Acts 2, the episode illustrates how interconnectedness and unity among educators can lead to a thriving educational environment. The episode closes with practical applications and a heartfelt prayer for early childhood educators as they prepare for a fruitful school year. 00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood 00:43 Meet Nichole Sims: A Passionate Leader 01:46 The Importance of Flourishing and Community 03:02 Biblical Insights and Practical Applications 25:58 Building a Community Beyond Work 26:57 Bearing Fruit in Every Season 32:12 The Power of Vulnerability and Connection 39:11 Strengthening Faith and Flourishing Together
All throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we see a clear pattern of people in Scripture turning to prayer and fasting in times of uncertainty, brokenness, and need. And in those examples, we find that prayer and fasting are not just religious obligations but natural responses to desperation. And we find that moments of crisis can lead to spiritual renewal when approached with humility and dependence on God. And we find that whether you and I are facing the unknown road ahead or the ruins of life, the invitation is to pray and fast, recognizing that our deepest hunger can only be satisfied by God. SPEAKERS: Jay Kim (Saratoga), video (South Hills) Bible Passage(s): Ezra 8:21,23, Nehemiah 1:3-4
The Preaching Ministry of Justin Lawson from Cornerstone Free Will Baptist Church
John 15:1–8
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As we read about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Fr. Mike breaks down Jesus' interactions with his disciples and the Sadducees and his reaction to the widow's offering. We learn that a life rooted in Jesus is a life that bears good fruit. Today we read Mark 11-12 and Psalm 67. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.