People judge one another by their looks, but Jesus looks at their fruits. The fruits He seeks are not the kind of fruits we pick from trees and vines but those which people show through their actions. The Lord made it very clear that the proof of a person’s faith is not in what he knows or the religious activities he engages in but in the way he applies his knowledge of the Word of God to his daily activities.
TRUE CHRISTIANS MUST BEAR FRUIT
Bearing Fruit Requires Training
Day 1
One wintry night on February 12, 2009, Flight 3407, a twin-engine turboprop belonging to Colgan Air was descending from 6000 feet to 4000 feet on approach to Bufallo Niagara International Airport. On board were 49 people passengers and crew. In the cockpit were Captain Marvin Renslow and First Officer Rebecca Shaw.
Before landing, the pilots noticed that ice formed on the wings. Then in less than 7 minutes to touchdown, the plane experienced an aerodynamic stall. It then repeatedly rolled left, and then right and then plunged from the sky, landing on a house about five miles short of the airport killing all 49 people on board including one on the ground.
The NTSB investigation report revealed a pilot error caused the crash. Colgan Air acknowledged that captain Renslow's training was not sufficient for the type of plane he was flying that night.
The need for training cannot be more emphasized, especially in areas that pertain to the preservation of life. In the same manner, all Christians need training for the salvation of man’s soul, and in the larger realm of spiritual fruit-bearing.
Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:18-20 that we are to teach all disciples everything that He has taught us. Proclaiming the gospel must always be followed by training in discipleship. Our task is not finished if we do not train the new Christians in having fruitful lives as disciples of the Lord. Training is meant to save lives, but without it thousands and countless of lives are in danger of an eternal death.
Before landing, the pilots noticed that ice formed on the wings. Then in less than 7 minutes to touchdown, the plane experienced an aerodynamic stall. It then repeatedly rolled left, and then right and then plunged from the sky, landing on a house about five miles short of the airport killing all 49 people on board including one on the ground.
The NTSB investigation report revealed a pilot error caused the crash. Colgan Air acknowledged that captain Renslow's training was not sufficient for the type of plane he was flying that night.
The need for training cannot be more emphasized, especially in areas that pertain to the preservation of life. In the same manner, all Christians need training for the salvation of man’s soul, and in the larger realm of spiritual fruit-bearing.
Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:18-20 that we are to teach all disciples everything that He has taught us. Proclaiming the gospel must always be followed by training in discipleship. Our task is not finished if we do not train the new Christians in having fruitful lives as disciples of the Lord. Training is meant to save lives, but without it thousands and countless of lives are in danger of an eternal death.
Fruits Prove You’re A Christian
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain 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. 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:1-8 ,NIV).
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain 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. 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:1-8 ,NIV).
The Proof of Your Faith
Day 2
The unmistakable proof of maturity is the presence of fruits. Not just once or twice, but bearing fruits in an increasing regularity. Paul’s undeniable fruit of faith are the churches planted all across the Roman Empire, and Timothy whom he called his “true son” in the faith (1 Tim. 1:2).
This is a hard question but one that must be asked: if you would evaluate yourself today, can you point to a person who has believed on the Lord because of your faith? Is there anyone who is faithfully discipling others because of what they have learned from you as a faithful discipler?
Can you point to a single soul who accepted Christ as Lord because of your testimony?
Statistics found out that in churches today 90 per cent of the work is performed by 10 per cent of the members. Christians have come to the conclusion that it is alright to be a Christian and not bear fruit. A secular study projected by the year 2050 that Christianity will be so obscure that it will have absolutely no effect on the moral and ethical condition of our country (Tom Rainer, Effective Evangelistic Churches).
If you have not seen fruits in your life, then you’ve come to the right place in AACC. Our vision is to be a church that train and encourage members in soul-winning and fruitful Christian living. We want you to bear fruits in your character, your conduct, and converts to faith.
Day 2
The unmistakable proof of maturity is the presence of fruits. Not just once or twice, but bearing fruits in an increasing regularity. Paul’s undeniable fruit of faith are the churches planted all across the Roman Empire, and Timothy whom he called his “true son” in the faith (1 Tim. 1:2).
This is a hard question but one that must be asked: if you would evaluate yourself today, can you point to a person who has believed on the Lord because of your faith? Is there anyone who is faithfully discipling others because of what they have learned from you as a faithful discipler?
Can you point to a single soul who accepted Christ as Lord because of your testimony?
Statistics found out that in churches today 90 per cent of the work is performed by 10 per cent of the members. Christians have come to the conclusion that it is alright to be a Christian and not bear fruit. A secular study projected by the year 2050 that Christianity will be so obscure that it will have absolutely no effect on the moral and ethical condition of our country (Tom Rainer, Effective Evangelistic Churches).
If you have not seen fruits in your life, then you’ve come to the right place in AACC. Our vision is to be a church that train and encourage members in soul-winning and fruitful Christian living. We want you to bear fruits in your character, your conduct, and converts to faith.
Who Is Your Discipler?
Day 3
Oswald Chambers once said, “When you meet a man or woman who puts Jesus Christ first, knit that one to your soul” (So I Send You/Workmen of God; Discovery House, 1993, p. 35). Finding a mentor in discipleship is a crucial matter for serious Christians. I still remember my discipler how he faithfully met with me and our group of four young Christians in an old, wooden and unimpressive corner of a church building for our weekly sessions. To tell you honestly, more than that uncomfortable place, I didn’t like him having us to memorize Scripture verses then. But as I look back, I can see how these verses and lessons had shaped and molded my life for the good where I can now say with full certainty that: I am at peace with God.
When the Lord started his public ministry in Galilee, he called disciples he could train. He first called on Peter and his brother Andrew saying “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:18ff.), and He also called ten more and then the seventy-two others whom He trained and sent out two by two (see Luke 10).
True and serious Christians need to go under a discipler how to become a soul-winner for Christ. You can’t self-teach yourself in discipleship because it is essentially an apprenticeship training where you follow and observe a discipler do the ministry. It was only when the disciples have seen and heard how Jesus did ministry were they able to do the same with boldness. If you would study the Scriptures, God always have someone whom he called to train the church. Ephesians 4:11-12 states, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (italics mine). These are called Spiritual leadership gifts that God gave to certain members of the church for two reasons, one is for the “equipping” or training of others, and second for the “edifying” or the building up of the church.
So if you ask, “How can I be an effective soul-winner and bear fruit just as Christ called me to do?” The answer is in training in discipleship.
Are you involved in some kind of discipleship or biblical training yet?
Day 3
Oswald Chambers once said, “When you meet a man or woman who puts Jesus Christ first, knit that one to your soul” (So I Send You/Workmen of God; Discovery House, 1993, p. 35). Finding a mentor in discipleship is a crucial matter for serious Christians. I still remember my discipler how he faithfully met with me and our group of four young Christians in an old, wooden and unimpressive corner of a church building for our weekly sessions. To tell you honestly, more than that uncomfortable place, I didn’t like him having us to memorize Scripture verses then. But as I look back, I can see how these verses and lessons had shaped and molded my life for the good where I can now say with full certainty that: I am at peace with God.
When the Lord started his public ministry in Galilee, he called disciples he could train. He first called on Peter and his brother Andrew saying “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:18ff.), and He also called ten more and then the seventy-two others whom He trained and sent out two by two (see Luke 10).
True and serious Christians need to go under a discipler how to become a soul-winner for Christ. You can’t self-teach yourself in discipleship because it is essentially an apprenticeship training where you follow and observe a discipler do the ministry. It was only when the disciples have seen and heard how Jesus did ministry were they able to do the same with boldness. If you would study the Scriptures, God always have someone whom he called to train the church. Ephesians 4:11-12 states, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (italics mine). These are called Spiritual leadership gifts that God gave to certain members of the church for two reasons, one is for the “equipping” or training of others, and second for the “edifying” or the building up of the church.
So if you ask, “How can I be an effective soul-winner and bear fruit just as Christ called me to do?” The answer is in training in discipleship.
Are you involved in some kind of discipleship or biblical training yet?
Where To Get Your Discipleship Training
Day 4
If you would look at the overall design of our church, our ministries are all geared towards evangelism and discipleship training. Let me tell you of at least 3 ministries we have:
1. Sunday School –Sunday School is the key place where their members can establish meaningful relationships and connections. Someone has said that once a person finds a meaningful connection in Church, he usually stays in it. If Worship Services is the front door to our church, one way to close the back door to stop people from leaving is through Sunday School where individuals can make meaningful connections. For members, the Sunday School is a fertile ground where you can grow in faith and become a fruitful discipler. Secondly, Sunday School is the place where strong biblical teachings are taking place. I developed in my knowledge of the Bible as a young person in Sunday Schools. It was in Sunday School where I learned as a young person the great characters of the Bible and the lessons in faith. It is where as an adult I have learned of spiritual leadership and fruit-bearing in my involvement as an active member and later as Sunday School teacher.
Now, if you really want be more fruitful in your knowledge of God’s Word, let me give you a secret: “It is always the teachers who get to learn the awesome Truth first.” I remember as a kid whenever we have a can of beans for breakfast, how I always wanted to be first to open the can. You see in the Philippines, we have this favorite canned beans called “Libby’s Pork and Beans.” True to its label, it’s full of beans but only has one tiny bitty piece of pork that’s about half a size of my pinky. Sometimes you get lucky with another piece. I love the taste of that pork. And so I’ve always wanted to be the one to open the can and have the pork for myself first. My point is, as teachers, you get to be the first one to get the meat of God’s word. So if you’re not involved in our Sunday School, I would greatly encourage you to do get enrolled and be active in it, either as a contributing member, organizer, and more importantly as a teacher.
2. Discipleship class – We have Discipleship classes every Thursday night. In this class you will know of the secret of fruit-bearing (John 15:5). My students do not only know it in the head, but they actually were given guidance in doing it on a daily basis. Because discipleship is not a Sunday thing only. Jesus said in Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me” (emphasis mine). This week we’re learning about how to witness for Christ. My goal in Discipleship class is to help them respond to their individual calling in Christ to abide with Christ in personal discipleship and then to eventually become a discipler themselves. You cannot bear fruit in discipleship without abiding in Christ. If you want to become serious in your fruit-bearing, you will need to go through this Discipleship class.
3. Small Groups such as in Women’s Fellowship and Men’s Fellowship – Another very effective ministry for evangelism and fruit-bearing is in the small groups such as these. I know of a few that have become an active part of this worshipping community because of the small group fellowship. And through these fellowships, you get to address specific gender-sensitive issues that you wouldn’t want to discuss anywhere else. Participating in these ministries helps you get connected with others who want to learn how the Bible responds to our daily issues.
So, as you can see friends. These are great avenues for training in the practice of soul-winning and fruit-bearing. I hope you would take advantage of these opportunities so you can fulfill your calling as a disciple of Christ.
Day 4
If you would look at the overall design of our church, our ministries are all geared towards evangelism and discipleship training. Let me tell you of at least 3 ministries we have:
1. Sunday School –Sunday School is the key place where their members can establish meaningful relationships and connections. Someone has said that once a person finds a meaningful connection in Church, he usually stays in it. If Worship Services is the front door to our church, one way to close the back door to stop people from leaving is through Sunday School where individuals can make meaningful connections. For members, the Sunday School is a fertile ground where you can grow in faith and become a fruitful discipler. Secondly, Sunday School is the place where strong biblical teachings are taking place. I developed in my knowledge of the Bible as a young person in Sunday Schools. It was in Sunday School where I learned as a young person the great characters of the Bible and the lessons in faith. It is where as an adult I have learned of spiritual leadership and fruit-bearing in my involvement as an active member and later as Sunday School teacher.
Now, if you really want be more fruitful in your knowledge of God’s Word, let me give you a secret: “It is always the teachers who get to learn the awesome Truth first.” I remember as a kid whenever we have a can of beans for breakfast, how I always wanted to be first to open the can. You see in the Philippines, we have this favorite canned beans called “Libby’s Pork and Beans.” True to its label, it’s full of beans but only has one tiny bitty piece of pork that’s about half a size of my pinky. Sometimes you get lucky with another piece. I love the taste of that pork. And so I’ve always wanted to be the one to open the can and have the pork for myself first. My point is, as teachers, you get to be the first one to get the meat of God’s word. So if you’re not involved in our Sunday School, I would greatly encourage you to do get enrolled and be active in it, either as a contributing member, organizer, and more importantly as a teacher.
2. Discipleship class – We have Discipleship classes every Thursday night. In this class you will know of the secret of fruit-bearing (John 15:5). My students do not only know it in the head, but they actually were given guidance in doing it on a daily basis. Because discipleship is not a Sunday thing only. Jesus said in Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me” (emphasis mine). This week we’re learning about how to witness for Christ. My goal in Discipleship class is to help them respond to their individual calling in Christ to abide with Christ in personal discipleship and then to eventually become a discipler themselves. You cannot bear fruit in discipleship without abiding in Christ. If you want to become serious in your fruit-bearing, you will need to go through this Discipleship class.
3. Small Groups such as in Women’s Fellowship and Men’s Fellowship – Another very effective ministry for evangelism and fruit-bearing is in the small groups such as these. I know of a few that have become an active part of this worshipping community because of the small group fellowship. And through these fellowships, you get to address specific gender-sensitive issues that you wouldn’t want to discuss anywhere else. Participating in these ministries helps you get connected with others who want to learn how the Bible responds to our daily issues.
So, as you can see friends. These are great avenues for training in the practice of soul-winning and fruit-bearing. I hope you would take advantage of these opportunities so you can fulfill your calling as a disciple of Christ.
What happens if I don’t bear fruit?
Day 5
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers;
such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned (John 15:6, NIV).
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers;
such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned (John 15:6, NIV).
A branch can only bear fruit when it receives the nutrients from the vine. In the same way, Christians bear fruit when they receive the power of the Spirit through our fellowship with Christ.
What happens if you see no fruit in your life?
There’s only one reason for this condition which the Lord explains to us: We’re not abiding in Him. That is, we do not have fellowship with Christ. We’re may look like we’re Christians, we worship with the Christians, we attend the Christian activities, but we’re not really Christians in the true sense of the word. It’s a deceptive condition which James addressed when he said “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Those who don’t abide in Christ the Bible says will suffer the consequences of being cut off from the presence of the Lord and “cast into the lake of fire.”
Before you ask, “Well pastor doesn’t it say that once saved always saved.” How then can God cut me off and burn me? If you are not being fruitful, you might be entertaining this idea that is why you need to understand the next explanations.
First, yes there is a burning in hell of the souls of individuals who did not live according to the will of God. You can read about their end in the “Lake of fire” in Revelation 20:11-15. But understand that this is reserved for those whose names are not found in the book of life, those who did not abide in Christ, those who are Christians only in what they say and not what they do. In other words, these are not real Christians.
When the Lord mentioned of this punishment in John 15:6, he had just cut off his disciple Judas from His presence for betraying Him for a few silver coins (see John 13:18-30). It was a chilling and embarrassing moment being cut off from the presence of the Lord and sent away. What we need to realize is that there are those who are coming in and out of the Lord’s presence in church, yes even like Judas who played an important role in the group and was designated as the treasurer. Yet their end is in hell. So don’t deceive yourselves. If you are not abiding in Christ you are deceiving yourself and are in danger of being cut off and of hell.
How can you know if you are abiding in Christ? Through your fruits! It’s the only way you can check if are with Christ. I would therefore encourage you to personally assess your life right now and look for fruits of faith in your life. Are you giving time to worship the Lord each Sunday? Are you fellowshipping with your brothers and sisters in the faith regularly? Are you increasing in your service and ministry, giving as God blesses you with more each time? Are you giving your strength and abilities, your voice, your expertise in the service of the Lord?
Second, there is second picture of burning in the Bible. This one is addressed to the genuine Christians. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Paul wrote, “But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
Pictures of those who lost their homes in the fires that ravaged forests in California and elsewhere were gloomy. Their faces and gait shows the weight and magnitude of their lose. They rummage through the ashes as they hold with their little hands the few remaining things they have, mementos of their prized belongings which the best of their money have bought.
That will be the picture in heaven of those Christians who gave more attention to the things of this world on the day of reckoning.
Friends, I want you to arrive in heaven one day happy and assured that you have invested the best of your time, talent and treasure for the best unburnable materials you can get in heaven.
0 Response to "Do You Bear or Are You Bare?"
Posting Komentar