6:43-49: Posture of Your Heart

Sermon Notes

Scripture: Luke 6:43–49

Topic: Spiritual Fruit, The Heart, and Building on the Rock

I. Announcements & Opening

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering:

Story of Lottie Moon: A wealthy woman from Georgia who gave everything to serve as a missionary in China. She started the Woman's Missionary Union and died serving.

Church Goal: $1,500.

Church Events:

Christmas card exchange box is available.

Widow's Christmas Dinner: Saturday, Dec 6th.

Christmas Party: Saturday, Dec 20th (White Elephant & Cookie exchange).

New Year's Eve Progressive Dinner: Dec 31st at noon.

II. Introduction: The Captain of the Ship

Illustration: The pastor shared an anecdote about being on a cruise ship.

The captain steers the ship around storms so passengers don't feel the rough weather.

Spiritual Application: If we let God be the "Captain" of our lives, He can navigate us around life's storms. We must be thankful for Jesus piloting our ship.

III. The Tree and Its Fruit (Luke 6:43-44)

Growth is Natural, Nurture is Intentional: Trees will grow regardless of location, but to produce good fruit, they need nurturing (fertilizing, watering, trimming).

The Fig Tree Analysis:

Figs were culturally relevant to Jesus’ audience (e.g., Adam and Eve, agriculture).

Ripeness: Unlike oranges (which can ripen or be treated after picking), a fig stops ripening the moment it is picked. It must be picked at the perfect time (soft like an avocado).

Harvesting: You must be gentle. You don't pull a fig; you bend it back toward the branch to avoid damaging the tree, which can produce fruit for 100 years.

Local Context (Florida):

Comparison to local citrus (oranges and grapefruit).

Reference to the "Bramble" or "Briar" bush: It grows wild, has flowers, but produces fruit that isn't worth the pain of the thorns.

Application: Some Christians are like brambles (porcupines)—they may produce a little, but they are painful to be around and "jab" others.

IV. The Heart: The Root of the Fruit (Luke 6:45)

Input Determine Output:

"No good tree bears bad fruit."

We are recognized by our fruit. Just as you don't pick figs from thornbushes, you don't get good words from an evil heart.

The Myth of "Basically Good":

The pastor refuted the cultural idea that "everyone is deep down a good person."

Biblical reality: We have sin/evil in us; goodness only comes through the grace of Jesus Christ.

The Connection to Speech:

The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

If you put evil in, you get evil out. If you put Jesus in, you get blessings out.

Self-Reflection: What would your family or colleagues say about your speech? Is it profanity and worthlessness, or godliness?

V. The Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

The List: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The Package Deal: You cannot pick and choose (e.g., having joy but no self-control). It is "Fruit" (singular/collective) of the Spirit. We should possess all of them, even if we are still mastering them.

Interdependence: We need others (like insects pollinating trees) and, most importantly, we need the root system of Christ to grow.

VI. The Foundation: Wise vs. Foolish Builders (Luke 6:46-49)

The Question: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?"

The Parable:

Wise Builder: Digs deep, lays a foundation on rock. When the flood/torrent comes, the house is unshaken.

Foolish Builder: Builds on the ground without a foundation. When the storm strikes, the collapse is total.

Spiritual ROI (Return on Investment):

What are you depositing into your spiritual life?

You must put effort into your relationship with God to get "good fruit" out of it.

VII. Conclusion

Just as Christmas music brings joy and changes the atmosphere, our lives should constantly reflect the joy and fruit of the Spirit.

Call to Action: Check your foundation and what you are storing up in your heart.