Mark of aDISCIPLE

FIU

RF

S

NE

U

S

LT

FRUITFULNESS

The Expectations: Fruitfulness

The Evidences of Fruitfulness

The Eternal Value of Fruitfulness

OLD TESTAMENT(GEN 1:22)PHYSICAL

FRUITFULNESS

“God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."

NEW TESTAMENT(MAT 28:19-20)SPIRITUAL

FRUITFULNESS

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

John 15:16 (NIV)

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so

that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that

whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

Disciples are Expected to Bear Fruit

• (John 15:8 NIV) This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

We are Recognized by Our FruitMatthew 7:16-20

16 By their fruit you will recognize them. 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

The EVIDENCES

of Fruitfulnes

s

They will confess and forsake sin

• Mat 3:8 NIV Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:5-85 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

Fruit of Good Works

They will do good works

(Col 1:10 NIV) And we pray this in order 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,

DR. RUTH CALLANTA:

Founding president of the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) an organization that supports the micro-businesses of the entrepreneurial poor

2005 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

Her journey to eradicating poverty

It all started with a single question: “Why are there poor people in a country with so many resources?”

Fruit of Lips Giving Praise and Thanks to God

They will praise and thank God

(Heb 13:15 NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

They will show character qualities as fruit of the Holy Spirit

(Gal 5:22-23 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Fruit of Righteousness

They will pursue right living

(Phil 1:9-11 NIV) And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

Fruit of new converts through the preaching of the Gospel

They will preach the Gospel

(John 15:16 NIV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

The ETERNAL VALUE of Fruitfulness

The Joy of the Lord

• Mat 25:21 NIV

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!‘

God’s presence and power:

(Mat 28:20 NIV) …And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Genesis 49:22 (GW)

22“Joseph is a fruitful tree, a fruitful tree by a spring, with branches climbing over a wall.

Recognizing God’s abiding presence in your life has great benefits. It will help you live with an attitude of humility, peace, trust, hope and faith regardless of what you face daily. It will also motivate you to live clean and be all that God has called you to be.

The Crown of Rejoicing

1 Thessalonians 2:19-2019 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

This is a special reward for soul-winners.

CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE

HOW CAN WE BECOME FRUITFUL FOR GOD?

6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8 " 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' “

LUKE 13:6-9

(John 15:4 NIV) Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE SPEND WITH JESUS

–MEDITATING ON HIS WORD AND HIS MAJESTY, SEEKING HIS FACE -

ESTABLISHES OUR FRUITFULNESS IN THE KINGDOM.”

John 12:24

CHALLENGE

Desire To be

fruitful for

God.

HOW CAN WE BECOME FRUITFUL FOR GOD?

CHALLENGE

HOW CAN WE BECOME FRUITFUL FOR GOD?