Song Numbers

Bearing Fruit (Lesson 1) Jn. 15:1-8

Jn. 15:1-8 [1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [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] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

[4] Abide in me, and I in you [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. [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. [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.

[7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. [8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

1. Jesus is the “true vine” 2. God the Father is the “husbandman” – the owner 3. Christians are “branches” 4. Christians must abide in Christ in order to bear fruit

5. The Vine supplies the branch with the ability to bear fruit – but the branch (Christian) must do his part in bearing fruit

I. Christians must bear fruit

Jn. 15:8 [8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Jn. 15:2 [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.

Jn. 15:6 [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.

II. To bear fruit, Christians must abide in Christ

Jn. 15:4-5 [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.

[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. Abide in Christ = “Be thou faithful unto death”

Phil. 4:13 [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

2 Cor. .3:5 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God (ASV)

How can we abide in Christ? First – by baptized into Christ Gal. 3:27 [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Then we abide in His love through keeping His commandments Jn. 15:9-10 [9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. [10] 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.

Jn. 14:15 [15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Jn. 14:21 [21] 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.

Jn. 14:23 [23] 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 – A Christian – we must bear fruit To bear fruit we abide be in Christ To abide in Christ we must keep His commandments WHAT KIND OF FRUIT WILL CHRISTIANS BEAR?

III. Bearing fruit is manifested in many ways

1. Sharing with those in need Rom. 15:25-28 [25] But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. [26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

[27] It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are [27] 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. [28] When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

2. Developing Christ-like Character Gal. 5:16 [16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

The Fruit of the Spirit – Gal. 5:22-23 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Love It is seeking someone else’s well-being above everything else, and sacrifices self for them.

Joy It is an inner gladness of the soul. Because we have fellowship with God Because of our hope of heaven

Peace This is an inner tranquility of mind because one is in a right relationship with God

Longsuffering Self-restraint which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish --- it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy and is one of the great attributes of God

Gentleness This is moral goodness, kindness, and integrity. Longsuffering is passive; Gentleness is active in nature

Goodness That moral quality which is beneficial in its effect --- it helps or benefits those who receive it

Acts 9:36, 39 [36] Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did

[39] Then Peter arose and went with them [39] Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

Faith (Faithfulness, ASV) One who is dependable, reliable and trustworthy As used here it is more trustworthiness; refers to one who can be relied on.

Meekness It is strength that has been brought under the control of God. It is the person who is under the control and restraint of God --- it is shown by submission to God and gentleness to man

Temperance This is self-control and literally means to hold oneself in. This is the ability to keep one’s appetites, desires, tongue, temper, and thoughts under control