Faith That Bears Fruit

“When you have faith, you are saying to God, I want to be the instrument that you do the miracle through.” — Pastor Mary Johnson

Pastor Mary Johnson continued The Tree Church’s “Following Jesus” series by teaching from Matthew 21:18–22, where Jesus cursed the barren fig tree. The story begins simply, Jesus was hungry and approached a tree that looked full of life but bore no fruit. When He found nothing on it, He declared that no fruit would ever grow there again, and the tree withered instantly.

At first glance, it seems like a harsh reaction. But as Pastor Mary explained, this moment was symbolic. The fig tree represented people who appeared righteous on the outside but lacked obedience and spiritual fruit. It was a warning about living a life that looks alive yet bears no evidence of God’s work within.

Throughout Scripture, “fruit” represents outward actions that reflect inward transformation. In Galatians 5:22–23, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pastor Mary reminded the congregation that these aren’t just character traits to admire but behaviors to live out in every environment; home, work, family, church, and community.

She challenged listeners to ask, What fruit does Jesus expect to find in my life? True faith, she said, isn’t measured by church attendance or religious words but by how we treat people, how we respond when wronged, and how we handle what God entrusts to us. Real fruit is visible, it shows up in the way we speak, forgive, serve, and love.

Pastor Mary illustrated this truth through relatable examples. Just as children might say they’re sorry yet continue the same behavior, believers can claim faith without living it out. She quoted James 2:17, “So faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Faith is the starting point, but obedience is the evidence. She warned against treating the fruit of the Spirit like items in a grocery bag, choosing kindness at church but leaving patience behind when frustrated, or practicing self-control in finances but ignoring it in conversations. God calls His followers to bear all His fruit, not selectively display a few qualities when convenient.

The withering of the fig tree carries a sobering message. When our lives lack fruit, we miss the opportunity for transformation and impact. Pastor Mary reminded the congregation that God, as a loving Father, sometimes stands in opposition to us when we refuse to grow. Not out of anger, but out of love. He desires hearts that reflect His character.

A fruitless life limits our witness to others and keeps us from the fullness God intends. Just as the fig tree could no longer serve its purpose, we too can lose spiritual vitality if we stop producing what God designed us to bear.

When the disciples marveled at how quickly the fig tree withered, Jesus connected faith and fruitfulness. He said that if they had faith without doubt, even mountains could move. Pastor Mary explained that faith isn’t just believing that God can act, it’s believing that His ways are best and aligning our hearts with His.

She shared that each believer struggles with different fruit; patience, love, or self-control, but through faith, God’s power works in us to produce what we cannot on our own. Faith allows God to do the miracle through us.

To produce lasting fruit, Pastor Mary emphasized the need to abide in Christ. Quoting John 15:4–5, she reminded listeners that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. Just as a branch must stay connected to the vine to bear fruit, believers must stay connected to God through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience.

She told of a couple in her Connect Group who realized they couldn’t follow Jesus without first learning His teachings. They began reading the commands of Jesus together, filling their minds with His truth so they could live it out. Knowledge alone doesn’t produce fruit, it’s knowledge applied that leads to transformation.

As the message closed, Pastor Mary called everyone to examine their lives honestly. Is there evidence of spiritual fruit? Are there areas where change is needed? She encouraged believers to pray for the Holy Spirit’s strength to live a life worth imitating.

Some in the room might need to take their first step of faith, to submit their lives to Jesus and begin that relationship. Others might need to invite God to do a new work in a specific area of struggle. Either way, God is ready to meet each person where they are, offering grace and the power to grow.

Faith that bears fruit isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. When we abide in Christ, He transforms our hearts, renews our actions, and uses our lives to point others toward Him.