I want to talk to you about something deeply important—secrets. Not just any secrets, but the secrets of the abundant life. One of the very first secrets to truly living is bearing fruit.

Now, imagine if I could offer you a life filled with joy, a joy deeper than anything this world can give. Imagine a life full of blessedness, happiness in its fullest measure… a life marked by peace that surpasses all understanding, and an assurance of entering the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. Would that interest you? Of course, it would.

Jesus Himself said it plainly in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” And He didn’t just offer that life through His death—He gave it through His teachings. John 15:11 reminds us, “I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full.”

There’s a secret to abundance, and it begins in John 15, where Jesus paints this picture: He is the Vine, and we—His disciples—are the branches. And as branches, we’re called to bear fruit. That’s the starting point. That’s the first secret of abundant living.

Now, let’s talk about the kinds of fruit I’m talking about.

1. Winning Souls to Christ

One way I bear fruit is by leading others to Jesus—just like Paul said in Romans 1:13. He wanted to visit Rome so he could have “some fruit among you also.” That fruit? It’s about making disciples. That’s what I’m called to do. And it’s not complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as inviting someone to church. But I’ll be honest—it takes persistence. I shared last week how one woman invited her neighbor 39 times before they ever came. But when they finally came, they became a disciple. That’s fruit.

2. Sharing with Those in Need

Another kind of fruit is sharing with those who are struggling. Paul talks about this in Romans 15. The churches in Macedonia and Achaia contributed to the needs of the saints in Jerusalem. That offering was a fruit of their faith. And I believe I’m called to do the same—to support those in need, to support missionaries, to give where I can. Even Jesus gave, as 2 Corinthians 8:9 tells us—though He was rich, He became poor for my sake so that I might become rich.

So if the Vine—Jesus Himself—was generous, shouldn’t His branches reflect the same spirit?

3. Developing Christ-like Character

Then there’s the fruit of character—the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22–23 lists them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These aren’t just qualities I admire—they’re qualities I must develop.

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:5–8 that if I’m diligent in adding these to my life, I won’t be barren or unfruitful in my knowledge of Jesus. I must keep growing. And Colossians 3 reminds me—I’ve put off the old man and put on the new. I’m being renewed daily into the image of Christ.

4. Praising God and Giving Thanks

Another fruit I bear is praise. Hebrews 13:15 calls it the fruit of my lips—continually offering praise and thanksgiving to God. I do this in worship. I do it when I sing, when I speak about Jesus, when I share the gospel. Even Jesus Himself gave thanks—John 11:41, He lifted His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You.” So if He—the Vine—praised His Father, shouldn’t I, as His branch, do the same?

But here’s what I really want you to see today. There are benefits to bearing fruit.

Fruit brings joy.

There’s a special kind of joy that comes when I lead someone to Christ. 3 John 3–4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” Paul felt that joy too—he called the Thessalonians his glory and joy (1 Thess. 2:19–20). I can tell you—there’s nothing like the joy of watching someone you helped bring to Jesus grow in faith.

Fruit brings happiness.

There’s happiness in giving. Acts 20:35 tells me, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And that word blessed means oh, how very happy. When I give, I find a happiness the world can’t offer.

Fruit brings assurance.

When I develop a Christ-like character, I gain confidence in my salvation. Romans 8:1 says there’s no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. And 2 Peter 1:10–11 promises that if I do these things, I’ll never stumble—and I’ll receive an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom.

Fruit brings peace.

Finally, Philippians 4:6–7 reminds me—if I pray with thanksgiving, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ. That’s real peace. That’s the kind of peace that steadies me, even when life shakes me.

So what’s the secret of living an abundant life? It’s bearing fruit. And this life Jesus offers—full of joy, happiness, assurance, and peace—is available only to those who are connected to the true Vine and are bearing fruit.

But you may ask, “Is there really a secret to bearing fruit?” Yes. And next week, I want to open up that part of John 15 and show you exactly how to do that.

But today, I want to leave you with this: Have you become a branch of the true Vine? Have you made the decision to become a disciple of Jesus Christ? Because that’s where it all begins. The invitation is open. The call is clear.