Before new beginnings can take place, something must first come to an end. In the opening message of the “Fruitful Through the Cross” series, titled “The Seed Must Die,” Senior Pastor Travis Tullis emphasizes that personal surrender to God must occur privately before any public celebration of resurrection. This message helps prepare our hearts during Lent. Key scriptures include John 12:24, Luke 9:23, and Hebrews 12:2.

In John 12:24, Jesus teaches that a seed must fall to the ground and die before it can produce abundant fruit. In the same way, genuine spiritual growth begins with personal surrender to God through self-denial. For this growth to take root, things such as pride, the desire for control, fear, offence, and the pursuit of personal comfort must die so that the life God intends can grow and flourish within us.

Anything that we refuse to change will cause us to become isolated and not fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. However, when we understand our identity in belonging in God’s Kingdom, we are called to live fruitfully by aligning our lives with His will and commands.

Thank you, Senior Pastor Tullis, for leading us forward and higher together and for reminding us that we are called to be fruitful image bearers and fulfill God’s original design. Through the cross, by denying ourselves and learning to surrender to His will, we become people who bare lasting fruit.