In John chapter 15 Jesus said that He was the true vine and we as Christians were the branches and our responsibility is to bear fruit. Jesus explained that a branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it is connected to the vine and then He goes on to say that neither can we bear fruit unless we are connected to Him.
In the same way that a tree limb withers away and no longer bears fruit when it is cut from the trunk of the tree, likewise without being connected to Jesus we cannot live.
I’m sure that everyone reading this has seen an apple tree. An apple that is ready to eat, hangs from the branch, ready to be harvested. But let me ask you this. Have you ever seen an apple growing off the trunk of a tree? No, of course not! That’s because it’s the job of the branch to bear fruit.
As Christians, we know that the fruit of the Spirit is goodness, righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9). An even more detailed description of the fruit of the Spirit is given in Galatians 5:22 where it says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” The fruit of the Spirit is the byproduct of being a Christian that is connected to the vine.
The source of all goodness, righteousness and truth is Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Love, light, and life flow from the vine through us and into the fruit. In the fruit are seeds. The seeds continue to grow and multiply in the lives of others.
When a Christian stays connected to Jesus and walks in goodness, the fruit produced can change the world.
Jesus made a very interesting statement in John 15:8 that is often overlooked. He said that the way the Father is glorified is by the abundance of fruit that grows from the branches. Walk in the fruit of the Spirit and glorify God.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing”
(John 15:5).
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of eight books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.