The divine mandate to man begins with a call to fruitfulness, laying the foundation for dominion over the earth. It is essential to understand that true fruitfulness is initiated and sustained by our relationship with God.

 

John 15:5-8 - “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

 

4 Profiles of a Disciple

1. Self-denial Mark 8:34 - The gap between the call and the response.

2. Brotherly Love John 13:35

3. Prolific Fruitfulness John 15:8

4. Abide John 8:31-32

 

Matthew 5:16 - “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

 

Three Stages of Engagement for Fruit-bearing

 

1. Come unto Me (Matthew 11:28)

 

The invitation to “Come” highlights a posture of humility and surrender before the Creator.

 

Attitude Requirement

Humility: This attitude opposes pride and recognises our dependence on God's grace.

- Romans 12:3: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

- James 4:6: “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”

- Proverbs 18:12: “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”

 

Gentle and Quiet Spirit:

- 1 Peter 3:3-4: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel. Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

- Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

 

2. Follow Me (Matthew 4:19)

 

The command to “Follow Me” implies a life of obedience and a willing alignment to God's will.

 

Attitude Requirement

Obedience: This is more than mere compliance; it is a heartfelt commitment to God's authority.

- Hebrews 5:8: “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

- 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

 

Contrition and Brokenness:

- Isaiah 57:15: “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’”

- Isaiah 66:2: “These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”

- 1 Peter 5:5: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.’”

 

3. Abide in Me (John 15:4)

 

The call to “Abide” denotes a life of dependence and continual communion with Christ.

 

Attitude Requirement

Dependence: True fruitfulness flows from a relationship with God and reliance on His strength and sustenance.

Submission: Abiding involves yielding our own rights, desires, and ambitions to align fully with the will of God.

 

Let us pray🔥❤️🙏🏾