Luke 6:43-44

Date: March 7, 2010
Spring Week 1: Jesus Teaches About Good Fruit   (Luke 6:43-44)
Bible Study: Our Christ-like actions show we’re Christians

Luke 6:43-44

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit

⁴³ “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴ For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

Blackberries (bramble) with thorns can easily be mistaken for grapes (no thorns)

Likewise, certain flowers found on thistles could mistakenly lead someone to think that figs were growing on the plant. Such flowers and berries might look like good fruit, but looks are deceiving. In the same way, we must be careful to evaluate what we see in others and ourselves. Looks are deceiving. Only real spiritual fruit comes from authentic believers.

The tree is known by its fruits; may the word of Christ be so grafted in our hearts, that we may be fruitful in every good word and work.

·   Jesus pointed to an example in nature in order to teach a spiritual lesson.

·   Jesus is referring to the dangers of false prophets and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ by example.

·   A person that is not really a servant of God, no matter how good they seem to be, cannot possibly be producing fruit for Him. . . Conversely, someone who really is God’s servant will automatically produce fruit.

·   If we claim to be Christians, what fruit should we be producing ??

·   How are Christians generally viewed in your experiences ??

·   Imagine you’re a non-Christian viewing our church … how do you think they would characterize the fruit being produced ??

·   What if they were viewing you ??

·   How can we teach this to our kids ??

REFERENCE  NOTES:

Matthew 7:15-20

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Doing Good

Deuteronomy 6:18 DO what is right and GOOD in the sight of the Lord, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may go in and occupy the GOOD land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give you.

Goodness leads to Fruitfulness 

Deuteronomy 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.

  Bramble Bush

 

Bramble Berries

Grapes

Figs

See how the "Bad Fruit" of the Bramble Berries (thorny) look like "Good Fruit" (grapes and figs)

Be Real.