This passage reveals the upward view of discipleship.  A fruitless discipleship of Christ is not the way Christ laid out for His followers.  If there is no real fruit in our lives, we cannot claim to be true disciples.

The fruit that the Lord spoke of results in a changed life and is primarily manifested in one of these two ways:

Fruit in Character—in the inward life.  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23)

The fruit of the Spirit’s working in our lives is expressed through these nine qualities.  A tree is known by its fruit, as Jesus tells his disciples.  The disciple is recognized by his likeness to Christ in inward character.  It was to this end that Paul toiled.  “I seek the fruit that increases to your credit” (Philippians 4:17).

Fruit in Service—in outward ministry.  “Open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for harvest.  Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop of eternal life, so that sower and reaper may be glad together” (John 4:35–36).  Fruit is seen when souls are won for Christ and through discipleship lead on to spiritual maturity and a life changed.

The fruit-bearing that is an authentic mark of discipleship is not automatic but conditional.  Jesus made this clear when He said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (john 12:24).  He thus links fruit-bearing with the cross.  And did He not exemplify this principle in His own death?  A single kernel of wheat fell into the ground at Calvary and died, but on the Day of Pentecost it produced three thousand kernels, and fruitage has resulted ever since.

The operative words in the statement in John 12 are “unless” and “if.”  The glorious possibility of “much fruit” lies in our own hands.  “It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master” (Matthew 10:25).  As we apply the cross to our lives and die to our self-dominated life, the Spirit can make our lives fruitful and our lives are changed as a result of our personal relationship with the Lord.

Father work in our hearts to change what holds us back.  Renew a steadfast spirit, ripe with fruits of the Spirit and outwardly to reap a bounty of fruit for Your glory

Spiritual Discipleship — J.O.S

“O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community.  Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

Do you sense Moses’ concern for the Israelites?  He clearly states his concern for leading toward the cause of Christ and also leading inward by creating an atmosphere that fosters community?

We can look at few more examples…  As William Wilberforce led the movement to end slavery he gathered a close team of men and women who relentlessly fought for this cause.  Called the Clapham circle, they started from members who were captivated by the compelling cause of the abolition of slavery.  They undoubtingly face huge challenged as they sought to change society view point of the morality of slavery.

The Clapham Circle embodied the Acts 2:42 lifestyle, meeting together for prayer, sharing meals together, living in community. Wilberforce and Henry Thorton began the Clapham Circle with intentionality. According to Wilberforce biographer, Kevin Belmonte, “Years later [Wilberforce] would insist that this network of support had been indispensable in enabling him to serve effectively in politics. Others might dismiss such a seemingly trivial notion, but Wilberforce knew that his friendships were one of the most important parts of his life.” — Charles Colson

A third example comes from one of the greatest movement leaders of all time, Martin Luther King (MLK).  King speaks, “This hour in history needs a dedicated circle (community) of transformed nonconformists(the cause). The saving of our world from pending doom will come not from the actions of a conforming majority but from the creative maladjustment of a transformed minority.”

Don’t miss it.  A committed community is what provides the perseverance necessary for the cause to reach its full potential.  Father help us to build relationship among our peers and extend the reach Christ to bring glory and honor to your name.

1^st Thessalonians 2:8 says, Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

• How are we able to impart our lives to others if we are hiding significant parts from them?

Often in evangelism, we ask others to take a chance and trust what we are telling them but what we are offering maybe the appearance of Christianity.  “Come follow me as I follow Christ” should communicate that I too am learning how to walk, not that I have arrived (which is prideful).  I used to think that if other really knew the truth then they would never listen to me. Sometimes I still default to this thinking but when I share the truth of where I am at and not fabricate the appearance of having it all together,  I usually find myself identifying and connecting at a greater level with others.

It helps me to realize that it takes God a lifetime to change my heart.  In a moment, I gave my life to Christ, but every day I am presented with opportunities to allow God to save me from my sinful nature.

God give me a new heart.  Renew my spirit and transform my mind so that I  can live for more of you and less of myself.  Help me to genuinely put on love.  A love that brings about perfect unity and authenticity.

1. Evangelically, if we can connect people to the passions God created in them, then we have an entry point into the Gospel.
2. Relationally, if we can connect the passions of people to the bigger story of the world’s brokenness, we can help   people “change the world”.

Have you ever asked yourself or others if it is possible to help change the world?

Ask yourself, what are you passionate about?  How has God uniquely gifted you to change the world?  Many of you are heading for military service.  Is the military your passion?  It may or may not be.  Our profession doesn’t have to have the sole ownership of our passion.  But the greater question is how you can serve the Lord in what you are passionate about.  It will take passion to change the world!

We are all very familiar with Eph 2:8–9:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast”.

But also with it should be read verse 10:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

This should tell us that our salvation is not just for our security, but it is what will allow us to fulfill the purposes God created us for .

Now consider 2 Cor 5:10:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

God not only calls us to fulfill the good works He prepares for us, but He also equips and  prepares us to do it.  God has uniquely created each of us with different passion and He has prepared different works for us to accomplish.  We each have a unique assignment from the Lord. Passion is an emotion that can be repressed through doubt or fear; or it can be embraced and used mightily to accomplish the tasks that He has assigned us.

Passion is an indispensable quality for any leader.  Authentic passion captivates and inspires those around us.  By leading spiritually, truly leading, our passion for following Christ should motivate others to catch fire.

Father help us understand how you created us for a purpose to help change the world. Help us to access the passion that you have put inside our hearts.  Allow us to live unhindered from the thorns of this world and to live freely, passionately for Christ.  Amen.

What They Know(about us) + What They See(about us) + What They Feel (about us)=(are they) Inspired

I think how we inspire others is a good measuring line for effectiveness concerning Spiritual Leadership.  Breaking down this equation makes us think from others’ vantage point and should cause us to ask questions of ourselves.

• Do people know that we care or just know our agenda?
• Have we sought to understand others where they are at?
• Are we trustworthy enough to confide in and be vulnerable with?
• Do we live out what we talk about?

Our ability to influence, motivate and inspire others helps us lead.  No other man ever did this as well as Jesus when He poured His passion out and inspired 12 men and ultimately the world.

As we build relationships and live out our passion for the Lord, we can cause a ripple effect that motivates and inspires others to live boldly for Him.