Go And Bear Fruit!

"I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU SO THAT YOU WOULD GO AND BEAR FRUIT."

At the time Jesus spoke it, He knew His time is running out, but He still had much that he wanted to share with His disciples before he leave. In this few hours of life He remains in this world, He taught every important thing with His disciples in the upper room.

First, Jesus had told that He was the "life" {John 14:6}. Second, He said that the Holy Spirit, the "allon parakleton" is coming with the same strength to be in them {John 14:16-18}. And after that, He said "I am the true vine."

I. CHOSEN TO GO---IT CALLS FOR THE SPECIFIC CHANGES

A. A leaper after healing, Jesus said, "Go and show thyself to the priest and offer gift..." (Matt. 8:4)

--It calls for a complete change in physical and social lifestyles

B. In the parable of a Good Samaritan, after the story of Jesus, He said, "Go and do the same." (Luke 10:37b)

--It calls for a complete change of inner lifestyles.

--"...and my words remain in you (v.7)

Most church members are Churchians and not Christians.

Going must be the natural lifestyles of every individual who responded to Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord.

II. APPOINTED TO BEAR FRUIT---IT CALLS FOR THE EXPECTED RESULTS

--Appointment refers to Christian obligations or duties

--We are obligated to bear fruit

--The secret of bearing fruit is recorded in verse 7, ABIDING (manatili, magpatuloy)

--In order to bear fruit, Christians should abide. Abiding is mentioned 6 times in this text.

ABIDING MEANS:

1. To remain in Christ (Gk. To remain under)

-Even if perilous problems and trials may come (v.7a)

-Greek: Peno-meno = to remain under, to stand under, to endure

-For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness or in health--till death...

-"In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33b)

-Take courage--(walang atrasan, wag kang bibitiw)

-I read an epigram written in Singapore bus, "Success will never be obtained by those who give up."

-To become fruitful, we must remain in Christ.

2. To keep His words (v.7b)

-That is why pastors and Christian workers persistently teaching us to memorize and live out according to His word. "Thy Word is a lamp into my feet and a light into my path."

-His Word should be the "food sustainance" of our life. It makes us strong.

-Jesus is the source of our lives, He is the one giving us fruits.

-The branches can’t produce fruits by itself, it’s the vine’s

Illustration: Grapevine in London

In London, there is a grapevine which is about 1,000 years old. This grapevine has one root which is atleast two feet thick, and some of the branches are 200 feet long. Despite its age the vine produces several tons of grape each year. Although some of the branches are 200 feet long, they still bear sweet and delicious fruit because they are connected to the vine. Life flows from that single root and throughout the vine bringing nourishment and stregth to each of the branches. (SermonCentral.com)

-Some Christians who says they are true believers but lives apart from Christ could not expect any life changes.

-To become fruitful, we must keep His words - To keep means to live accordingly.

3. To depend in Christ

-To depend means we are not alone, we can not live alone, and we can not bear fruit alone.

-One characteristics of the vine is that one can not tell where one branch ends and another begins. Such is the INTERCONNECTIVITY of the vine from the branches.

Meaning, you let God works in your life.

-No branches can bear fruit by itself, it solely depends on the vine.

-"Without me, you can do nothing" (v.5)

-"I can do all things through Christ" (Phil. 4:13)

-To become fruitful, we must depend in Christ.

By the way, Abiding is a process. Growth does not take place instantly. The verb abide is in the present tense: It suggest a continuous slow process. It requires continuous feeding, watering, and abiding in the vine.

Illustration: China Berry

There is a tree in China called China Berry. This is a unique tree because in a span of one year it grows instantly and its branches can produce instant large leaves. But the only problem of this tree is that its span of life is very short. It can only reach for more than 3 years. (SermonCentral.com)

-Some Christians are something like China Berry. In the first year of their relationship to Christ they are active but their enthusiasm are easily gone.

Now think about the fruit.

Some of you may be wondering exactly what is this fruit we are supposed to produce. Some have thought that fruit Jesus is talking is OBEDIENCE. This fits with the context, those who love Christ will obey His commandments.