How Can We Produce Fruit?

Both church services this morning were wonderful. I had to take a step back and analyze my life. I asked myself: Can others look at me and know for sure that I am a Christian? I mean, I don't cuss. I'm nice to others. I read my Bible. But there is so much more than that. I can't say that I always treat my parents like I should, and although I'm nice to my friends, I don't share the gospel with them every chance I get. There are times when my actions don't match up with my beliefs either. Ultimately, this is something I need to fix. So where do I start? Well, first let's look at what we are called to do.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He called the apostles to be witnesses. Let's take a look at Acts 1:8 (NIV),

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

I don't think Jesus intended this command to stop with the apostles. We are all disciples of Jesus Christ once we accept Him into our hearts. We need to be telling others of His name to the "ends of the earth." A.K.A - The ends of our schools. The ends of our lunch rooms. At the movies with our friends. In our halls when others are gossiping about others. I'm pretty sure that if other kids knew how cool Jesus really is, they would want to know Him too. But they just don't know! So tell them!

In our community groups we have been discussing the differences between good and evil in "The Domino Effect" series. Ever since I can remember, I knew the difference between the two. Mostly because my parents would say "Don't say this. Don't touch that. Don't go here. Stay away from there." And there was always a punishment if I disobeyed. But I have a question: Why do we think that with God, we can get away with so many things? If He is our Father God, He loves us unconditionally, but He still expects us to do the right thing if we are living for Him. And while our parents see many things that we do, He sees everything. This should not be a scary thought, but instead it should be a comforting one because He watches over us through every obstacle we face. He is our Father who protects.

Today, we looked at Mark 11:12-14. (Take a peak if you didn't get the chance.) After arriving in Jerusalem on a colt, the next day Jesus left Bethany and became hungry. He saw a fig tree in the distance, but when He went to eat from it, He found the tree had nothing but leaves. In verse 14 He says, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" Why is this important to us? Because we are the tree. At this very moment, ask yourself: "Am I bearing fruit?"

Ms. Jean had us open up to James 3:11-12. "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

What kind of fruit our we producing? Let our lives be an example to our friends, family and perfect strangers. My goal is that others can look at my life and know for sure that I carry the cross every day. Students, go to ends of the earth.

The challenge today is to share the message of John 8:31-32. To be truly disciples of Christ, you must know the truth and that it will make you free!