Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive
our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
The Sermon for This Week is: Fruit-Bearing Discipleship - John 15:8 - Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall
ye be my disciples.
INTRODUCTION
1. What does the Lord desire of His disciples...?
a. Surely He desires their heart (faith) - Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. - John 8:24 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
b. But He also desires their hands (works) - Luke 6:46 - And why call
ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
2. Works are an important part of our discipleship...
a. We are created in Christ for this very purpose - Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
b. By them we glorify God - Matthews 5:16 - Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - John 15:8 - Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
[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...]
I. BEARING FRUIT IS NECESSARY TO BEING A DISCIPLE
A. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
1. Glorifying God by bearing fruit is a mark of discipleship - John 15:8 - Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
2. Disciples have been “appointed” to bear fruit - John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father
in my name, he may give it you.
B. OTHERWISE WE ARE CUT OFF...
1. From Christ, the true vine, and His Father as the vine dresser - John 15:1 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2. As branches that no longer bear fruit - John 15:2 - Every branch
in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Whose end is to burned - John 15:6 - If a man abide not in me, he
is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. - cf. Hebrews 6:7-8 - For the earth which drinketh
in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from
God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is
nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
[The end of unfruitful disciples is dreadful to contemplate. Like the Hebrew writer (Hebrews 6:9 - But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation,
though we thus speak.), I wish to be more confident of better things regarding our discipleship. We can be, by remembering
that...]
II. BEARING FRUIT IS CONTINGENT ON ABIDING IN CHRIST
A. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
1. We must abide in Him, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself - John 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except
ye abide in me.
2. Abiding in him, we bear much fruit; without Him we can do nothing - John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
3. As confessed by Paul in - Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me. - 2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our
sufficiency is of God;
B. HOW WE CAN ABIDE IN CHRIST...
1. First, by putting Him on in baptism - Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ.
2. Then, by abiding in His love through keeping His commandments - John 15:9-10 - As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep
my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. -
cf. John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments. - John 14:21-23
- He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth
me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot,
Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with
him.
[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...?]
III. BEARING FRUIT IS MANIFESTED IN VARIOUS WAYS
A. WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST...
1. As expressed by Paul in his desire to go to Rome - Romans 1:13 - Now I would not have you
ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among
you also, even as among other Gentiles.
2. Disciples creating more disciples is a natural indication of bearing fruit - cf. Matthews 28:19-20
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
B. SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED...
1. As explained by Paul in describing the contribution to poor saints - Romans 15:25-28 - But
now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution
for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have
been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I
have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
2. Which was evidence of God’s grace at work in the givers - cf. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 - Moreover,
brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction
the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. - 2 Corinthians 9:12-14
- For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings
unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of
Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
C. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...
1. Indicating that one is walking in the Spirit - Galatians 5:16 - This
I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. - Galatians 5:22-23 - But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there
is no law.
2. Evidence that is diligent in growing the true knowledge of Jesus - 2 Peter 1:5-8 - And beside
this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these
things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
D. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS...
1. The fruit of our lips in praise and prayer are spiritual sacrifices - Hebrews 13:15 - By
him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our
lips giving thanks to his name.
2. Which we are to offer continually - Hebrews 13:15 – (See Above)
[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 (John 10:10 - The
thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly.)...]
IV. BEARING FRUIT LEADS TO THE FULFILLED LIFE
A. WINNING SOULS PRODUCES JOY...
1. As Paul found to be case with the Thessalonians - 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 - For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.
2. As John realized with his “children” - 3 John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than
to hear that my children walk in truth.
-- One reason many Christians do not live a life of joy is that they never bear fruit in leading
others to Christ!
B. SHARING WITH OTHERS PRODUCES HAPPINESS...
1. Those who give are “blessed” - Acts 20:35 - I have shewed you all things, how
that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2. 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!
C. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER PRODUCES ASSURANCE...
1. Growing in the true knowledge of Christ ensures an “abundant entrance” into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord - 2 Peter 1:8-11 - For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from
his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ.
2. Developing a Christ-like love gives assurance of one’s discipleship and salvation - John 13:34-35
- A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye
also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. - 1 John 3:14 - We
know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his
brother abideth in death. - 1 John 3:18-19 - My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
-- Many Christians have no assurance; and no wonder, if their character remains unchanged as evidenced
by little love for the brethren!
D. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS PRODUCES PEACE...
1. Prayer is the antidote for anxiety - Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
2. For in response to prayer God will guard our hearts through His peace - Philippians 4:7 - And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
-- Failing to bear much fruit in regards to prayer, Christians will be filled with anxious lives,
not abundant living!
CONCLUSION
1. Why is “Fruit-Bearing Discipleship” so important...?
a. It is necessary to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ
b. It is necessary to be a fulfilled disciple of Jesus Christ
2. If you desire to be both a faithful and fulfilled disciple of Jesus...
a. Abide in Him by keeping His commands
b. Produce fruit that glorifies His Father
“Herein
is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)
If you are not yet a disciple of Jesus, then let His own words lead you to become one - John 15:8 -
Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me
in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. - Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go
ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Prayer:
Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned - Lord I truly thank
You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and
accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the
Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen
This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement:
That it never be used for profit.
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24
