"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"
Fruit-Bearing Discipleship (15:8)
INTRODUCTION
- What does the Lord desire of His disciples...?
- Surely He desires their heart (faith) - He 11:6; Jn 8:24
- But He also desires their hands (works) - Lk 6:46
- Works are an important part of our discipleship...
- We are created in Christ for this very purpose - Ep 2:10
- By them we glorify God - Mt 5:16; Jn 15:8
[Good works are an indication of "bearing fruit" as disciples of Christ.
As we focus our attention on the theme of "Fruit-Bearing Discipleship",
let me reiterate that...]
- BEARING FRUIT IS NECESSARY TO BEING A DISCIPLE
- AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
- Glorifying God by bearing fruit is a mark of discipleship - Jn
15:8
- Disciples have been "appointed" to bear fruit - Jn 15:16
- OTHERWISE WE ARE CUT OFF...
- From Christ, the true vine, and His Father as the vine dresser
- Jn 15:1
- As branches that no longer bear fruit - Jn 15:2
- Whose end is to burned - Jn 15:6; cf. He 6:7-8
[The end of unfruitful disciples is dreadful to contemplate. Like the
Hebrew writer (He 6:9), I wish to be more confident of better things
regarding our discipleship. We can be, by remembering that...]
- BEARING FRUIT IS CONTINGENT ON ABIDING IN CHRIST
- AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
- We must abide in Him, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself
- Jn 15:4
- Abiding in him, we bear much fruit; without Him we can do
nothing - Jn 15:5
- As confessed by Paul in Php 4:13; 2Co 3:5
- HOW WE CAN ABIDE IN CHRIST...
- First, by putting Him on in baptism - Ga 3:27
- Then, by abiding in His love through keeping His commandments
- Jn 15:9-10; cf. Jn 14:15,21-23
[To be a disciple, we must bear fruit. To bear fruit, we must abide in
Christ. To abide in Christ, we must keep His commandments. But what
kind of fruits will disciples bear...?]
- BEARING FRUIT IS MANIFESTED IN VARIOUS WAYS
- WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST...
- As expressed by Paul in his desire to go to Rome - Ro 1:13
- Disciples creating more disciples is a natural indication of
bearing fruit - cf. Mt 28:19-20
- SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED...
- As explained by Paul in describing the contribution to poor
saints - Ro 15:25-28
- Which was evidence of God's grace at work in the givers - cf.
2Co 8:1-2; 9:12-14
- DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...
- Indicating that one is walking in the Spirit - Ga 5:16,22-23
- Evidence that is diligent in growing the true knowledge of
Jesus - 2Pe 1:5-8
- PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS...
- The fruit of our lips in praise and prayer are spiritual
sacrifices - He 13:15
- Which we are to offer continually - He 13:15
[As we bear fruit in these different ways, we not only glorify God and
prove to be fruitful disciples, we also experience the "abundant" life
of which Jesus speaks (Jn 10:10)...]
- BEARING FRUIT LEADS TO THE FULFILLED LIFE
- WINNING SOULS PRODUCES JOY...
- As Paul found to be case with the Thessalonians - 1Th 2:19-20
- As John realized with his "children" - 3Jn 4
-- One reason many Christians do not live a life of joy is that
they never bear fruit in leading others to Christ!
- SHARING WITH OTHERS PRODUCES HAPPINESS...
- Those who give are "blessed" - Ac 20:35
- The word "blessed" can be translated "happy"
-- If Christians are so materialistic and selfish that they do not
share, they will never know the blessedness of giving!
- DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER PRODUCES ASSURANCE...
- Growing in the true knowledge of Christ ensures an "abundant
entrance" into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord - 2Pe 1:8-11
- Developing a Christ-like love gives assurance of one's
discipleship and salvation - Jn 13:34-35; 1Jn 3:14,18-19
-- Many Christians have no assurance; and no wonder, if their
character remains unchanged as evidenced by little love for the
brethren!
- PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS PRODUCES PEACE...
- Prayer is the antidote for anxiety - Php 4:6
- For in response to prayer God will guard our hearts through His
peace - Php 4:7
-- Failing to bear much fruit in regards to prayer, Christians
will be filled with anxious lives, not abundant living!
CONCLUSION
- Why is "Fruit-Bearing Discipleship" so important...?
- It is necessary to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ
- It is necessary to be a fulfilled disciple of Jesus Christ
- If you desire to be both a faithful and fulfilled disciple of
Jesus...
- Abide in Him by keeping His commands
- Produce fruit that glorifies His Father
"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you
will be My disciples." (Jn 15:8)
If you are not yet a disciple of Jesus, then let His own words lead you
to become one - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16