MARKS OF A DISCIPLE: BEARING FRUIT

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 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. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. 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. 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. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

Bearing much fruit is the mark of a disciple of Jesus . God expects us to bear much fruit in our lives. Fruit bearing is natural to any healthy fruit tree, that bears fruit in their season. If they don't, it is a sign of 'disease' and they are cut down to make room for trees that will. God, the Father, intends for us to be like healthy fruit trees - bursting with fruit. If you expect to be a disciple of Jesus, then you must be producing fruit. The fact is that God called you to it, and He's set you up for it. He instilled in your spiritual make-up the ability to bear good and lasting fruit. There are several ways that the disciple of Jesus bears fruit. These include;

1. Bearing fruit in character development. As the character of Christ begins to form in him, he will begin to demonstrate fruit from his growth. He will demonstrate consistency in love, joy, peace, faithfulness, diligence, faith, patience, self-control and virtue. Gal 5:22,23; 2 Peter 1:5-8)
2. Winning souls into the kingdom of God. A disciple is to share the good news of the kingdom at ALL time (John 4:35,36)

Points for Discussion

1. To ensure that you bear much fruit, the Father prunes you. In your view what does this pruning involve
2. A tree/branch that bears no fruit, the disciple must remain in Christ. How can you remain in Christ?

Memory Verse: 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.