30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 14 25-33 The cost of discipleship 15 Fruit bearing
📖 Luke 14:25-33
06Jan2020 - *Fruit bearing* - _Luke 14:25-33_ - Bible reading: _Psalm 92:12-15_
We need a constant reminder that we cannot be Christ’ disciples by our own strength. We will fail miserably if we try to do so. Discipleship is a walk in the Holy Spirit.
We understood the first requirement to be a disciple of Christ, when Jesus said that we have to hate our loved ones. We then looked at the second requirement, which is to hate our life. The third requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to deny the self. The fourth is to take up our cross daily. The fifth is to follow Him. The sixth requirement is to abide in Him or in His word.
The seventh requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to bear much fruit.
_John 15:8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples._
We have said, several times, in earlier messages that a tree does not consume its own fruit but the tree bears fruit for the joy and enrichment of others. So, fruit bearing is to be a blessing to others.
_Isaiah 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."_
God has planted us and called us to be trees of righteousness in order that we will be those, who will console those who mourn, give them beauty for ashes, oil of joy and a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness. This is fruit bearing.
_Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (13) Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, (15) To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him._ There is no time and age limit for fruit bearing.
_Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven._ The Father is glorified in and through us, as we bear fruit.
_II Corinthians 9:10-15 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,_ God longs to multiply the investment that we make into the lives of people.
_(11) while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God._ God enriches us with everything so that we will be liberal, which causes thanksgiving to God.
_(12) For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,_ Our liberality causes the needs of the saints to be met.
_(13) while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, (14) and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you._ We see here the reciprocity of fruit bearing.
_(15) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!_
*Thought to ponder*
```If only, we the church, would bear fruit to the extent God has intended us to … imagine the result!```