The G.R.A.C.E. Approach
(Nov. 6, 2022)
Part of The G.R.A.C.E. Approach

GRACE Approach.jpg

Fruit That Remains

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. —John 15:16

I. The goal of our outreach is making

of Christ.
A. We are not just “ .”
B. Not just “
C. But, bearing “fruit that (emphasis mine)”

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. —Matthew 28:19-20

II. There is a

to follow in making disciples.
A. First, we must “GO” (This is the “ ” of every Christian).
i. The Great Commission GOING!

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”—Mark 16:15
As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.—John 17:18
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… —Matthew 28:19
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow…—Matthew 13:3
Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.—Matthew 22:9

ii. This is a matter of

to God.
iii. “Going” is not just about…

iv. “Going” is a

of caring and compassion.
v. “Going” is rebuilding and developing with people you can bring to Christ.
vi. “Going” is always with the express desire of communicating the in your life and with your lips.

He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. —Psalm 126:6

vii. “Going” means you live your life as a

from God.

B. Second, there is “bearing fruit” (This involves the “

” that makes salvation personal.)
i. “Fruit bearing” cannot happen apart from “ .”
ii. “Fruit bearing” cannot happen apart from God’s divine .

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. —1 Corinthians 3:5-6
Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. —Acts 16:14

iii. “Fruit bearing” is about communicating the

to the lost.

  • The “

    ” to be sown is the “Word of God.”

    … having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever …—1 Peter 1:23
    Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.—Luke 8:11

  • The

    of the seed is you and me.

    He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. —Psalm 126:6
    How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? …So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. —Romans 10:14, 17
    Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each
    one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.—1 Corinthians 3:5-6

iv. “Fruit bearing” takes place primarily in four-stages.

v. “Fruit bearing” ultimately requires calling for a

about Christ.

  • Christianity is not about a religious experience, but about a with the living Savior.
  • a decision to place “Faith in Christ” can save the lost.

vi. “Fruit bearing” involves

the harvest God has given. (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6)

So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. —Luke 14:21, 23
Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” —Mark 1:17
For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” —John 4:37-38

C. Finally, there is “fruit that remains” (This is the “

” track for new believers.)
i. We should be seeking more than for Christ.
ii. We should be seeking to make of Christ.


  • A disciple is a learner and follower of Christ.
  • The discipleship process means, (Matthew 28:20) …teaching them to observe all things that I [CHRIST] have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
  • Making disciples involves , , and for the converts to Christ.
  • Decisions that do not lead to discipleship the very fabric of Christianity since they do not lead to passing on the faith to the next spiritual generation.
  • In bearing “fruit that remains” we the Father.

    By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit … —John 15:8