Ephesians 5:9   For the fruit of the Light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

I. The Fruit of the Light

{the dynamic of seeing reality} is:

A. Glory of God {making Him look good in the eyes of others}

Jn 15:8 In this is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Php 1:9 pray...love may abound...by means of knowledge and all discernment; 10...manifest...excellent; may be sincere and without offence...11 result of being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

B. Goodness {godlike actions which benefit others}

Works Eph 2:10 we his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God...ordained that we should walk in them.

2Co 9:8 God able to make all grace abound toward you...always having all sufficiency in all, may abound to every good work:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.

Ga 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to them who are of the household of faith.

Eph 4:28...but rather let him labour, working...which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.

Edification Ro 15:14 brethren, you are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication...but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

Glory 2Th 1:11 we pray...worthy of this calling, bring to completion every desire for goodness...12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatever good thing any man does, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Ro 2:7 by patient continuance in good doing seek for glory...eternal life 10 glory, honour, peace, to every man that works good

C. Righteousness {being rightly related to God and man}

Must be pursued 1Ti 6:11...flee from these things; and chase after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Wrought by faith Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises...

Discipline Heb 12:11 no chastening...joyous...afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness...who are exercised by it

Requires the Word 2Ti 3:16 All scripture...profitable for: doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness

Heb 5:13 For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Requires sanctification 1Pe 2:24 bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness

Ro 6:22 being made free from sin, and having become servants to God, ye have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life. 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit to death.

D. Truth {accurate perception of God & man which engenders life}

Belief Eph 1:13...trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after ye believed...

Speaking in Love for Growth Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, Christ

Living Eph 4:21...heard...been taught...as the truth is in Jesus: 22...put off...former manner of life...corrupt by deceitful lusts; 23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind 24..put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Standing Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

II. The Process which Produces Fruit is:

A. Abiding Jn 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you the branches: he that abide in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without/apart from me ye can do nothing.

Meditating Ps 1:2 delight...meditate...3 shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season...

B. Weeding out impure desires Lu 8:14 thorns...heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, who in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Pruning Jn 15:2 bears not fruit he takes away: bears fruit, he prunes it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Lu 13:7  Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

Col 1:10 walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Where does the process of fruitbearing most frequently break down?

2. What could you conclude about someone experiencing little fruit? crop failure? bumper crop?

3. Which of the three is the hardest? Easiest?

4. How can we help each other be more fruitful?

5. What pleases God most?