What Fruit are you bearing? Colossians 1:1-12 · Join the Journey

My mom has a green thumb. I genuinely believe she could make anything grow anywhere. Even now, confined to a bed in a nursing home, she somehow manages to make her plants flourish. Me, on the other hand? I can follow all the instructions, do everything by the book, and still be lucky if the plant doesn’t die right out of the gate.

Now imagine this: someone tells you there’s a seed that, once planted and watered, will grow quickly into a plant with beautiful flowers. But more than that—it bear fruit on its leaves, delicious and vibrant. And within just a few weeks, your garden is completely transformed. Sounds incredible, right?

That’s the kind of excitement Paul has as he opens his letter to the Colossians. A new seed—the gospel—had been planted in the Colossians, and it was growing and bearing fruit just like it was across the world. And Paul writes with joy because he knows: where the gospel takes root, fruit will follow.

Series Introduction

Today, we’re kicking off a series in the book of Colossians called Above All Else. Over the next several weeks, we’re going to learn what it means to grow in Christ and bear fruit that lasts—because Jesus is above all else. So let’s turn to the opening verses.

If you have your bibles turn with me to the book of Colossians. It’s on the right side of your bibles, in the NT, comes right after Philippians and right before 1 Thessalonians.

Faithful in Christ

Colossians 1:1–2

Paul and Timothy write to the “holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.” These were young believers, transformed by the gospel shared with them by Epaphras. Paul had never met them, but he’d heard of their faith, and now he’s writing to help them grow to maturity in Christ.

Colossae, located in modern-day Turkey, was a smaller city on the decline. But it had once been a vibrant center of trade with a rich mix of cultures—Ph(F)-ry-gians, Greeks, and Jews. And even in this declining town, the gospel was growing.

Though Paul was in prison, he rejoiced at what he heard: the gospel had been planted, was taking root, and was bearing fruit.

Planted and Taking Root

Colossians 1:3–8

Have you ever seen someone’s life drastically change for the better? You notice it. You talk about it. And that’s what Paul does here—he gives thanks because the gospel has changed these people.

The fruit of division had been replaced with the fruit of the gospel—unity, love, and faith. People from diverse backgrounds were now united as the family of God.

Paul says their “faith in Christ and love for all God’s people” sprang from the hope they had in the gospel. This hope wasn’t just about eternal life someday; it was transforming them in the here and now.

So, what do people hear when they hear about Journey Church? Do they hear about our faith in Jesus, our love for God’s people, and our hope in the gospel? Or do they see fruit that suggests we’re still living for ourselves?

What Fruit Are We Bearing?

Paul reminds us that the gospel will bear fruit—because the gospel is not passive. It works in us. When we accept the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died and rose for us—when we repent, are baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit—fruit will follow.

The question is: What kind of fruit are we bearing? Because we will bear fruit—either the fruit of sin or the fruit of the gospel.

Paul will later address the fruit of sin in chapter 3: sexual immorality, greed, impurity, and more. Romans tells us the fruit of sin leads to death.

But the fruit of the gospel. It leads to life. The fruit of the gospel changes individuals, families, churches, and communities. The fruit of the gospel is change. And Paul wants to see these young followers of Jesus

Grow in Spiritual Wisdom

Colossians 1:9–12

Paul prays for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and spiritual wisdom—not human philosophy or empty tradition. The gospel’s wisdom is divine, not manmade. And it leads to a life that pleases God.

Here at Journey Church, we want to be people who live lives that please God. That means joyfully giving Him our best every day, trusting that Jesus is all we need, being transformed by who He is and what He has done.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:5:

"So that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."

And in 3:19:

"The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight."

If we want to grow, we must be filled with God’s wisdom—by reading His Word, studying it, and allowing the Spirit to apply it. When that happens, fruit will grow in every part of our lives.

Paul lists some of that fruit: good works, growing in knowledge, strength, endurance, patience, and joyful thanksgiving.

Joyful Endurance

You’ll know the gospel is bearing fruit in you when you’re able to endure hardship—and even do so with joy. That joy doesn’t come from your circumstances; it comes from your hope in Christ.

This was Paul’s mindset.

Philippians 1:12-13

Philippians 1:12–13

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Paul wrote this letter from prison, yet he was filled with joy. How? Because his hope wasn’t tied to comfort—it was tied to Christ.

Clay Scroggins writes about these verses and says, “Somehow, some way, Paul was able to lift his head in the midst of his dark situation and see the bigger picture of the opportunities in front of him. He was convinced God was up to something, despite his situation. His chains said that he was useless, facing a dead end. But he did not allow the chains to determine his vision. Instead, he saw his chains through a wider view. Instead of limiting his ministry, the chains now appeared useful, indicating he was blessed and advancing God's purposes.

The way you see is more important than the tragedy.

The way you see is stronger than any calamity.

The way you see is bigger than the details of the catastrophe.

You’ll know the gospel is bearing fruit in you when you’re able to endure hardship—and even do so with joy. When you can see your circumstances with a different outlook. Joy. This is what it looks like to live a life pleasing God.

The Gospel Transforms Everything

The gospel changes everything. It transforms our minds, our marriages, our work, our relationships—and yes, our church. It unites people who otherwise would be divided. And when we grow in faith and love, that fruit becomes a testimony to the world.

Jesus says that we will know a tree by it’s fruit. So let me ask you: What does your fruit say about the seed that’s taken root in you? What does our fruit as a church say about what’s planted in us? Is it the gospel—or something else?

The gospel isn’t part of your life—it becomes your life. It’s not something we move past; it’s something we grow deeper into.

The gospel isn’t just a message we believe to get into heaven. It’s not just the ABCs of following Jesus—it’s the A to Z. The gospel isn’t just a doorway we walk through; it’s the foundation we stand on every day. When we truly understand and embrace the gospel, it changes everything.

“The gospel is not just the means by which we are saved, but the lens through which we see all of life.” – Tim Keller

1. It Changes Our Identity

Before Christ, we were defined by our sin, our past, our pain, or our performance. But now, because of the gospel, we’re defined by Jesus. Your primary identity is no longer your job, your failure, your success, or even your family role—your identity is child of God, forgiven and free.

Imagine someone who’s been wrongly imprisoned for years. The day they’re released, their status is completely changed. They’re no longer a prisoner—they’re free. But it takes time for them to start thinking and living like a free person. The gospel sets us free, and then teaches us how to live free.

2. It Changes Our Values

The gospel reshapes what we care about. Before Jesus, we lived for ourselves—our comfort, our image, our success. But now, because of Christ, we value things that last: people over possessions, grace over grudges, obedience over popularity. The gospel changes our priorities from temporary to eternal.

3. It Changes Our Purpose

We’re not just wandering through life trying to make the best of it. The gospel gives us a mission. We are ambassadors of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20), called to make disciples, to love our neighbors, to live out a kingdom that’s not of this world. Our purpose isn’t to build our brand but to reflect His glory.

2 Corinthians 5:20

4. It Changes Our Relationships

Paul will tell the Colossians to put off anger, rage, malice, slander—and to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Why? Because the gospel creates a new kind of community—a family where grace is the culture, forgiveness is the norm, and love binds everything together.

The gospel doesn’t just invite us to a church service; it invites us into a new family. You don’t get to pick and choose family. But You learn to love and grow together, because of the One who brought you in.

The gospel doesn’t just change Sunday mornings—it changes everything. And if we’ve been changed by it, we’re called to pass it on.

Epaphras planted the seed of the gospel in Colossae. Who planted the gospel in your life? Who told you about Jesus? Who helped it take root?

And more importantly: Who are you planting seeds with today? Who in your family, your workplace, your school, or your neighborhood needs to hear the truth of the gospel?

There’s a story of a young Chinese believer named Lo. When he read Matthew 28:20, he saw, “Lo, I am with you always,” and joyfully exclaimed, “Look,—it says Lo! That’s me! I am with you always!”

Matthew 28:20

Friends, that promise is for you and me: Jesus says “I am with you always.” And because Jesus is with us, we go. We teach. We baptize. We make disciples. We plant gospel seeds and water them—and God gives the growth.

Conclusion & Invitation

The gospel will bear fruit—good works, spiritual strength, patient endurance, joyful thanksgiving—and the gospel with will dear fruity in others as we go and share that gospel with them.

Jesus did for us what we needed most and deserved least. He paid a debt He didn’t owe—because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

If you’re ready for the gospel to take root in you today—to start bearing fruit—then come. Put your trust in Jesus, repent of your sins, and meet Him in baptism. Let today be the day new life begins in you.

And if you already belong to Jesus—don’t keep to yourself. Pass it on. Go plant it in someone else’s life. Because where the gospel takes root—everything changes.