Dear Christian friends:

"Be fruitful," God said to Adam and Eve after He had created them. (Genesis 1:28) God meant that they should have children. The Bible also calls children "the fruit of the womb." (Psalm 127:3)

Here in our text Jesus tells His disciples that He has "appointed them to go and bear much fruit." Here Jesus does not mean that they are to have children. Jesus here in our text means another fruit. He means the fruit of a disciple; the fruit of a Christian. It is very important for us to understand about this. So today I want to preach to you about


What is the fruit of a Christian? Fruit of a Christian means what?

Fruit of a Christian means the good works of a Christian. St. Paul speaks about "the fruit of the Spirit". (Galatians 5:22) Christians who have new birth and new life by the Holy Spirit produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Paul lists these fruits: "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The fruit of a Christian also means his stewardship of time, talent and treasure. St. Paul thanked the Christians at Philippi because they often sent money to him to support his ministry. (Philippians 4:15-16) Then he told them he wanted them to do that because he wanted to see their "fruit." (Philippians 4:17) He did not really need their monetary support as he supported himself through tent making. But he wanted them to do it for their own sake, so they could produce fruit.

God also wants to see our fruits. Jesus says in this chapter that His Father in heaven receives much glory when they produce much fruit. (verse 8) We Christians are like an orchard of apple trees. God is like the farmer. The farmer is very happy when he drives his pickup truck through his orchard and sees the beautiful red apples on the trees. The farmer worked very hard to plant the trees and taking care of the trees for several years: irrigating then, spraying them to protect against insects, pruning them. The crop of apples hanging on the trees cost the farmer very much work, sweat, worry and money. He is very happy and proud now to see the beautiful fruit. The fruit on the trees is his glory.

Same God is happy and pleased and receives much glory and honor when we Christians believe in Him and love Him and do many good works. That is our beautiful fruit. God spent much on us so that we could bear fruit for Him. He gave His only beloved Son to die for us, so that we could have forgiveness of sins. He sent His Holy Spirit to call us to repentance and give us new life in Jesus Christ, so that we can believe in Him and love Him and produce many beautiful fruits.

In our text Jesus says to us, "You did not choose me; I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear much fruit." We Christians now love Jesus and believe in Him. He has chosen us and given us new life. Now we live for Him, or rather He lives in us so that we stop sinning and do many good works; produce much beautiful fruit for God's honor and glory.

These fruits will never perish like earthly things perish. Jesus says, "I appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures." Apples and oranges quickly spoil; maybe last two or three months and then rot. But our fruits of faith and love will never perish. They “endured" Now, during this life on earth and then forever in heaven. These fruits of the Holy Spirit will bring glory to us and to God forever and ever, world without end!

You have heard people say, "You can't take it with you." They mean you can't take the money and things you have earned and saved with you when you die. And that is true. You know that. Jesus warned His disciples, "Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life." (John 6:27) Don't work for fruit that perishes; instead work for fruit that endures!

The good works that you do you can take with you when you die. You will receive glory and honor for them forever as will God. The Bible says that those who die with faith in Jesus are blessed because they now rest from all their toils and trials and their good deeds follow them into heaven." (Revelations 14:13)

Are you producing fruit for God. What kind of fruit do you have? Do you have the fruit that perishes or the fruit that endures? Are you producing little fruit or much fruit?

If you want to produce much fruit for God, you must stay joined with Jesus through His Word and the Sacraments. You know that a tree branch cannot bear fruit if it is broken off from the tree. The branch must stay joined with the tree so it can receive food from the roots and trunk of the tree. Then it can bear much fruit. Jesus says, "I am the vine (trunk), you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without Me." (John 15:5)

So remain joined with Jesus through His Word and Sacraments and then you will produce many beautiful fruits which will endure forever.

Amen.