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LIVING ABUNDANLY BY BEARING FRUIT

T B DENIS / 2022-01-01

LIVING ABUNDANTLY BY BEARING FRUIT

John 15:1-5

INTRODUCTION

1. Our passage found in John 15:1-5 speaks of Jesus as the VINE and we are the branches.

   1. Our Father is the VINEDRESSER (John 15:1)

   2. He takes away the branches that do not bear fruit but He prunes the branches that bear fruit so that they will bear more fruit. (John 15:2)

   3. It is important to note that only those who are cleansed become branches of the VINE. (John 15:3)

   4. As Christians, we can bear much fruit if we abide in the VINE. (John 15:5)

   5. It is interesting to note that only in Jesus can we have JOY by bearing fruit. (John 15:11)

2. Earlier, Jesus said that he has come so that we will live abundantly (John 10:10)

3. Combining the two biblical principles, ( John 15:11 and John 10:10) we can confidently say that WE CAN HAVE ABUNDANT LIFE BY BEARING FRUIT!

MAIN POINTS

I – WHAT ARE THE FRUITS THAT WE NEED TO BEAR?

1. WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST AND HELPING THEM GROW.

   1. Paul speaks of this kind of "fruit" in Col 1:5-6

   2. One of the characteristics of a branch bearing fruit is that it produces a fruit that is identical to itself.

   3. Therefore, one way a disciple bears fruit is by producing another disciple! This biblical principle reminds us of the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)

      • One cannot be a disciple who has not obeyed the Gospel,

      • therefore let us also win souls to Christ through the Gospel.

      • It is the power of God for the salvation of men. (Romans 1:16)

   4. HELPING BABES IN CHRIST TO GROW  (V20 ) is equally important.

      • helping the new babe in Christ to grow is as IMPORTANT as WINNING them – because when they mature, THEY WILL ALSO START WINNING SOULS!.

2. SHARING WITH THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED...

   1. Paul speaks of contributing to those who are in need. (Galatians 6:9-10)

   2. Example of the churches in The Philippines

      • Aware of the duty of Christians in helping others, a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION called MARCH for Christ (an acronym for Medical Action Relief Counseling & Healing for Christ was ORGANIZED.

      • IT IS an organization that helps Christians who suffer devastation due to calamities such as floods and landslides due to strong and prolonged storms.

      • They contact the churches of Christ in the area of calamity and

• evaluate the level of assistance NEEDED,

• and also take the opportunity to preach the Gospel WHILE helping those who are outside of the church.

• Christians get involved in the process because they volunteer to help as members of the medical team, others help in house repairs, food and supplies distribution, and other services as needed.

• Indeed, this example is bearing fruit in good works and helping those who are in need.

3. BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Gal 5:22-23)

   1. Notice that the "fruit" of the Spirit develops in us a: Christ-like character.

• Also notice that these fruits do not flow from our nature.

• As Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, these virtues from Jesus BEAR FRUIT IN US through the Spirit AS WE ARE THE “BRANCHES.”

• And we bear fruit as we abide in Jesus.

1. This teaching is also found in other scriptures:

   • Peter exhorts us to add these virtues to our faith. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

     - add to your faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.

   • Also with these virtues, we are being “renewed” to the image of our Creator. (Col 3:12) We need to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience

2. By bearing these fruits we develop a Christ-like character.

4. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS...

   1. The author of Hebrews describes such activities as a sort of "fruit" ( He 13:15)

• The fruit of praise from our lips comes through our prayers and thankfulness. 

• In every opportunity, we should seek occasions to speak humbly and lovingly of the wonderful blessings in Christ,

• of the love and mercy of God, His goodness, and of the “wonderful peace and joy” that He provides.

1. Our Lord Jesus exemplified his constant prayer for thankfulness. ( Luke 10:21

   • We should follow the example of Jesus by the fruit of our lips in prayer and thankfulness.

II – THE BLESSINGS OF BEARING FRUIT

1. THERE IS GREAT "JOY" FOR THOSE WHO WIN SOULS...

   1. John speaks of "no greater joy" (3John 3-4)

   2. Paul's converts at Thessalonica were his "pride and joy" ( 1Thsess 2:19-20)

2. THERE IS GREAT JOY FOR THOSE WHO SHARE THEIR POSSESSIONS...

   1. They learn by experience the truthfulness of Jesus' teachings

      as Paul mentioned in Acts 20:35.

      • "It is more blessed to give than to receive"

   2. A great example from the churches in Macedonia (2 Cor 8:1-5)

• they had great trial of affliction

• but their contribution to the needy resulted in the abundance of their joy

• their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

1. Paul also mentioned in Phil 4:17 that our giving will be credited for us in HEAVEN.

1. THERE IS "ASSURANCE" FOR THOSE WHO DEVELOP A CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...

   1. Those in whom "the fruit of the Spirit" is produced are free from any condemnation of the law -  Ga 5:23b; 

      • Meaning, there is n law against bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

        • You can exercise kindness 10 times a day! There is no law against it!

        • We can bear fruit of kindness 10 times a day. There is no law against it.

          When we bear the fruit of the SPIRIT, we are walking with the Spirit

          • When we walk with the Spirit we will not gratify the deeds of the flesh. (Gal 5:16)

        • We read the work of the flesh in Gal 5:19-20.

   2. The absolute necessity of walking in the Spirit is emphasized in Romans 8:1.

   3. Paul said there is now NO CONDEMNATION

      • for those who are in Christ

      • who do not walk according to the flesh

      • but walk according to the SPIRIT.

2. THERE IS "PEACE" FOR THOSE GIVEN TO PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING...

   1. For those with the "attitude of gratitude", there is the "peace of God" -  Php 4:6-7

   2. A peace that surpasses all understanding. The peace we enjoy when:

• We do not have anxiety because of our confidence that God provides our needs.

• and when we trust and commit everything into the hands of our Lord.

CONCLUSION

1. When we bear FRUIT as BRANCHES from the VINE, who is Jesus Christ, we will have:

   1. Joy

   2. Blessedness

   3. Assurance an

   4. Peace ..

2. Therefore, WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT "abundant life" is available to those who will "bear fruit" as "branches" of the "True Vine" who is Jesus Christ our Lord!

3. We greet you “A joyful New Year” with the hope that you are now excited to bear fruit for Jesus Christ our Lord this new year and all through the years!

s!