GO AND BRING
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, September 12, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
GO AND BRING
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: John 15:11-16
Text: John 15:16
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Introduction: Calvinists misuse today’s text to try to prove that God saves sinners against their will. Nothing could be further from the truth. God chooses to salvation those who believe the truth, specifically, His gospel.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
However, it is a fact that Christ chose His disciples to be fruitful. The simplicity of fruit-bearing is seen in two words in our text verse, “Go” and “bring.” These words describe one of the main duties of the Christian life.
I. WE SHOULD GO INTO THE WORLD
2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Notice “the world” in verse 19.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
A. In person
B. By prayer
C. By proxy – supporting missions to foreign fields
II. WE SHOULD GO AS A WITNESS
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
A. We go to witness about a plan (of salvation)
B. We go to witness about a Person
C. We go to witness about a pardon
III. WE SHOULD GO WITH WEEPING
Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
A. Because of the importance of salvation
B. Because of the intensity of suffering in hell
C. Because of the insecurity of physical life
IV. WE SHOULD GO INTO THE WATER
Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
A. We should go with a boat – a local church
B. We should go with a brother – a soul-winning partner
C. We should go with bait – the gospel of Christ
BUT … NOT ONLY ARE WE TO GO … BUT
WE ARE ALSO TO BRING SOME THINGS:
V. WE SHOULD BRING FRUIT
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Numbers 13:20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
A. We should bring fruit for the glory of God
B. We should bring fruit for the good of others
C. We should bring forth fruit with grateful hearts
VI. WE SHOULD BRING OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
John 1:41-42a He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42a And he brought him to Jesus.
A. A changed walk will help bring them
B. A compassionate witness will help bring them
C. A clear warning will help bring them
* The rich man in hell wanted someone to WARN his five brothers
VII. WE SHOULD BRING FISH
John 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
A. Fish should be snared (hooked)
B. Fish should be seen
C. Fish should be shared with others
If you are not BRINGING, it could be that you’re not really GOING like you should. God wants us to do both. Are you GOING? If so, are you BRINGING?