INTRODUCTION

1. The Doctrine of Fruit-bearing

a) It originated from the Lord Jesus

b) He sought to teach His disciples to learn how to be discerning

2. Basic thoughts about Fruit-bearing

a) Fruit is a tell-tale sign

“You will know them by their fruits” Matthew 7:16a

b) A good tree

“Every good tree bears good fruit” Matthew 7:17a

c) A bad tree

“But a bad tree bears bad fruit” Matthew 7:17b

d) Important repetition

“Therefore, by their fruits

You will know them” Matthew 7:20

 

DEEPER LESSONS ABOUT FRUIT-BEARING

John 15

1. Essential imagery about the Vineyard

a) The Vine

The Lord Jesus Christ John 15:1a, 5

b) The Vine Dresser

God the Father John 15:1b

c) The Branches John 15:5

All believers

2. When a Branch does not bear fruit

a) God, the Vine Dresser takes away John 15:2a

b) A branch can wither John 15:6a

c) It is thrown away and burned John 15:6b

3. How a Branch may bear fruit

a) It must abide in the Vine John 15:4a

b) It cannot bear fruit on its own John 15:4b

4. How a Branch may bear more fruit

a) The work of pruning John 15:2b

b) By abiding in the Vine John 15:5

5. Bearing much fruit

a) Profound abiding

i) Abiding in the Lord

“He who abides in Me”

ii) The Lord abiding in the believer

“And I in him, bears much fruit” John 15:5

b) Aspects of Abiding

i) “Abide in Me” John 15:4a

ii) “My words abide in you” John 15:7

iii) “Abide in My love” John 15:10a

 

THE FRUIT OF LOVE

Galatians 5:22-23

1. Defining this Love

a) No greater love

“Greater love has no one than this,

than to lay down one’s life for his friends” John 15:13

b) Outpoured love

“The love of God has been poured out in our hearts

By the Holy Spirit who was given to us” Romans 5:5

2. The Process of Fruit-bearing

a) The Beginning

“Having begun in the Spirit,

Are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

i) The work of regeneration Titus 3:5

ii) Born again John 3:3

b) The Supply of the Spirit

i) God supplies the Spirit

“He who supplies the Spirit” Galatians 3:5a

ii) This is a special work

“May give to you the Spirit of wisdom

And revelation” Ephesians 1:17

c) Faith

“That we might receive the promise of the Spirit

Through faith” Galatians 3:14b

d) Walking in the Spirit

“Walk in the Spirit” Galatians 5:16

e) Led by the Spirit

“If you are led by the Spirit

You are not under the law” Galatians 5:18

3. The Fruit of the Spirit

a) The fruit of Love

b) God’s kind of love

i) Deep

ii) Pure

iii) Strong

 

CONCLUSION

1. The Challenge to be a Fruit-bearing Believer

2. The Commitment to seek to bear the Fruit of the Spirit

3. The Commencement of this glorious work of the Spirit of God