The Fruit Principle Series

Marks of Discipleship #3:

The Fruit Principle

Text: John 15:7-8

Thesis: To note that a true disciple of Christ bears fruit.

Introduction:

(1) John gives 3 marks of discipleship.

(2) The 3rd is the “fruit principle.”

Discussion:

I. What is the fruit that we are to bear?

A. Most people immediately think of saving the lost.

1. This is a form of bearing fruit.

a. Phil. 4:17 – I seek the fruit that increases to your credit

b. Rom. 1:13 – I might obtain some fruit among you

c. Phil. 1:22 – fruitful labor for me

2. However, a new convert is a new branch on the vine.

B. Therefore, the fruit that we are to bear would be the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

1) Love 2) Joy 3) Peace 4) Patience 5) Kindness

6) Goodness 7)Faithfulness 8) Gentleness 9) Self-control

II. How do we bear fruit?

A. “Abide in me” – 8 times in 1st 7 verses

1. Warren W. Wiersbe defines “abide” as “to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit” (355).

a. The word for “abide” is “meno,” which was especially used by John “to denote an inward, enduring personal communion” (Bauer 504).

b. It is also translated as “tarry” (e.g., Matt. 26.28), “remain” (e.g., Luke 10.7), “dwellest” (e.g., John 1.38-39), “endureth” (e.g., John 6.27), and “might stand” (Rom. 9.11).

2. Another way of saying this is recorded in 1 John 1.7.

B. How do we do this?

1. We allow Christ through His words to dwell in us and lead us (John 15.5, 7).

2. We must walk in His footsteps (1 Pet. 2.21), which have been revealed in the New Testament.

Conclusion:

Are you bearing fruit? If not, are you abiding in Jesus?