Text: John 15:1-8, Colossians 1:10
The glory of a tree is in its branches and when you see the branch of a tree flourish, it gives honour, beauty and glory to the tree. Jesus describes the relationship that exists between Him and His disciples using the analogy of a vine and its branches. John 15:5
In this passage Jesus said, the proof that you are His disciples is when you bear fruit.
WHAT KIND OF FRUIT ARE WE EXPECTED TO BEAR
- Colossians 1:10 : That you may live a life worthy of the LORD and may please Him in every way bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of GOD. Matthew 3:7-10, Matthew 7:15-21
- Ephesians 2:10: For we are GOD’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which GOD prepared in advance for us to do. God wants us to bear fruit of Christian character in Galatians 5:22-23. These are the qualities of Christians attitude which we are called to bear to show a life worthy of the LORD , fully pleasing to GOD.
- Fruit of Souls: Soul-winning is mandatory for every believer. Proverbs 11:30 , Mark 16:15-16, Romans 10:13-15
Some of its benefits are;
(a) Makes you a star. Daniel 12:3
(b) Makes you wise. Proverbs 11:30
(c) Gives you joy knowing that heaven rejoices over a new convert.
(d) Makes your feet beautiful. Isaiah 52:7
(e.) Makes you tread upon serpents and scorpions. Mark 16:18
(f) Soul-winning guarantees supernatural provision. Romans 10:15 - Fruit in our Christian Conduct: Colossians 1:10 We are to live a life worthy and pleasing in our (a) Dressing conduct and (b) Speech
SECRETS OF BEARING FRUIT
We must abide in Him. According to John 15:4-5, abiding in Him is the secret to bearing fruit. As we abide in Christ , we receive God’s help. We are fed, lifted and pruned so we can produce the fruit of Christian character, Christian Conduct and win souls.
TO ABIDE MEANS
- Daily Fellowship with the Word: There are three aspects to this. Daily fellowship with the Word, daily fellowship by personal prayers and daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit.If you abide in His word, you will fill your mind with the word of GOD. Then you will begin to have the mind of Christ and with the mind of Christ, you will think like Christ and act like Christ. See Ephesians 2:5
- Abiding through Prayers: If you abide, ask whatever you will , it will be given. No one can bear unless they abide. (John 15:7)
- Abiding in Him via Fellowship with One Another: In John 15:12 Jesus says, “This is my command, that you love one another as I have loved you.” In John 15:16 he concludes, ” I appointed you to go and bear fruit , fruit that will remain. We bear fruit best when we are part of a loving community of fellow Christians who are studying together, praying and loving one another together and encouraging each other together. (Hebrews 10:25) (Psalm 133:1-3) (I John 1:7). There are people who argue that church is in the heart. They can stay in their houses because God is there but the Word of the LORD is YEA and AMEN.
From the desk of Pastor Favour Daniels.
