audio here.
“Gospel FRUIT” Col 1:5b-6
Preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship on 8/30/26.
Intro: Who are we as a church? What are we doing? Where are we going?
-Today, we are going to take our bearings from the Bible, and in particular the book of Colossians
-Our focus: GOSPEL BEARING FRUIT—Col 1:5b-6
-We’ll let this imagery shape how we answer these questions:
-Who are we? What are we doing? Where are we going?
What is the GOSPEL? Good news from God about God.
What is that good news? In love, he sent His Son to save us from our sins and make us right with Him again!
Rom 1:16-17 “Power of God for salvation—righteousness of God revealed”= can be right w/God again!
THIS GOSPEL has reached the Colossians, and it has reached us.
GOSPEL BEARING FRUIT? Agricultural imagery to describe the way the gospel brings about new life through conversion and sanctification.
GOSPEL BEARS FRUITàNEW SPIRITUAL LIFE AND GROWTH IN CHRIST.
àThis has happened at Colossae and has and is happening in CCF.
3 ASPECTS OF FRUIT BEARING: Past, present and future.
1. The gospel has borne fruit (past); 2 The gospel is bearing fruit (present); 3 The gospel will bear fruit (future).
Who Are We? What are we doing? Where are we going?
1 The Gospel has borne fruit (PAST): Who are We?
Paul is confident that the gospel has come the Colossians, and that has borne fruit among them.
-How does Paul know the gospel has reached the Colossians?
-Colossians are have FAITH in Jesus, HOPE in heaven, and LOVE for each other (1:3-5)
SOME GOSPEL FRUIT IN COLOSSAE:
1 FORGIVENESS OF SIN (1:13-14)
-The Colossians do not need to earn their way to heaven, but it is through the gospel
-Meetup conversation yesterday (everyone forgiven?; need for justiceàcross we have justice and mercy!)
2 RECONCILIATION WITH GOD (1:21-22)
-A right relationship with God—God is now forever our Father and Friend
-Fruit—a relationship with God!
-This is eternal lifeàJohn 17:3
3 SPIRITUAL LIFE (2:14-15)
–Colossians have been raised to new spiritual life in Christ!
*NON-CHRISTIAN: CCF can’t give you these things, but Jesus can! It is a free gift as you come to him in faith.
-Behold what Christ offers his people and come to him in faith!
**QUESTION: Have we experienced this gospel fruit in our lives and church?
CONSIDER THE PAST GOSPEL FRUIT CCF: The gospel has borne fruit!
-10 YEARS: Enjoying forgiveness of sin; a relationship with God, and spiritual life.
-Conversions and Baptisms—children and adults who have believed!
WHO ARE WE? A people who have experienced the power of the gospel to save us from our sins.
NEW IDENTITY GRACIOUSLY GIVEN US IN CHRIST
–SELF: Smart? Stupid? In Shape? Successful? Fat? Failure? Boring? Interesting?
-Better identity: forgiven, right w/God, spiritually alive, ‘holy and beloved’ (3:12)
–CHURCH: When you think about CCF, see ourselves first in light of the gospel which has borne fruit.
-Our primary identity is not Baptist, or Reformed, or small church, but a people who have experienced the power of the gospel!
- The Gospel is Bearing Fruit (PRESENT): What are we doing?
The gospel results not only in becoming right with God but lives that are transformed.
-Paul rejoices at how the gospel is currently bearing fruit in the lives of the Colossians.
-His desire is that they would mature and the gospel would bear even more fruit!
-PAUL’S AIM (1:28-29)
-PROCLAIM CHRIST: Share the good news of Christ with others
-Evangelism—sharing the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
-PRESENT EVERYONE MATURE IN CHRIST: See Christ grow up in maturity
-DISCIPLESHIP: Coming along other believers to help them grow up in the faith.
-PAUL’S METHOD OF DISCIPLESHIP AS SEEN IN HIS LETTER
–Prays for the Colossians (1:9-12)
–Encourages them—rejoice to see your good order and faith in Jesus (2:5)
–Warns them—watch out for these spiritual dangers (2:8-23)
–Instructs them how to live out their new identity in Christ (3:1-4:1)
–Reminds them to pray and be intentional in reaching out to the lost (4:2-6)
-Don’t overthink discipleship, just get busy praying, encouraging, teaching, and reminding!
PRACTICAL: As you disciple others, do this: pray, encourage, warn, instruct, remind!
WHAT ARE WE DOING? àMAKING PAUL’S AIM OUR AIM
PROCLAIMING CHRIST AND HELPING OTHERS GROW UP IN THE FAITH.
1. Proclaiming Christ!
-Proclaim Christ in our gatherings: Sunday morning, CG, Fellowship
-Sing songs that exalt Christ, preach sermons, give teachings
-Spurgeon—“No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have
something worth preaching.”
-Embrace posture of missionaries—we want to see others become Christians
-Your neighbors, coworkers, friends, other parents, classmates
PRACTICAL STEP: Hospitality once a month, or once this Fall.
-Take the initiative to show love, and pray for opportunities to proclaim Christ
-Come to the Last Fling and tell someone about Jesus with us!
2. Discipleship!
-Seeking to see everyone become mature in Christ.
-Actively be in a discipleship relationship of some kind (1 on 1, group of 2-3)
-Use Paul’s methodology: Prayer, Encouragement, Warning, Instructing, Reminding!
PRACTICAL STEPS:
1. Parents: you are the main disciplers of your kids. Be intentional
2. Pray: who is God calling you to disciple or be in discipleship group with?
3. Be open with your time: meeting weekly, or every other week
4. Be teachable—we’ll try to give resources and encouragement in this.
3 The Gospel will bear fruit (FUTURE)—Where are we going?
Paul wanted the Colossians to be confident of their future: Col 3:4
-Because of what happened through the gospel, the Colossians can be confident of their future: return w/Christ! CCF: This is our future too—life with Christ!
-Regardless of how our particular congregation turns lasts for years, merges, close, move away
-Regardless of future uncertainties with our jobs, geopolitical, health: we’re with Christ no and forevermore!
-In the meantime, we seek to be faithful in proclaiming and treasuring Christ together.
-We pray for the gospel to bear more fruit in our lives and in Naperville for the glory of God!
END: The Gospel has borne fruit, is bearing fruit, and will bear fruit in God’s people until the return of Christ.
