Made to be a fruitful vine

John 15:8   By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

We were made to BEAR much fruit … not just consume it…

The Magic basket

1 Cor 4:14-16  yet you do not have many fathers

• Instructors: [Boy Tutors] hired help to take the weight of responsibility off fathers for raising their children. Instructors cannot raise a family, only fathers can.

An “instructor” want to know that you learned what he taught you. A father wants to see that you can live it out, and go teach it to others — only better than he could!

1 Cor 13:11   When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

• The Toddlers Creed

2 Cor 12:14-15  I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you… And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls;

A child’s first thought is, “how can you benefit me?” A father’s first thought is, How can I benefit you?” We have been remade into the image of Christ when our first thought is for others, and our last thought for ourselves.

Love with an arrow or a hook? – Bob Mumford

Matthew 5:43-48

A child gets offended when his expectations of others are not met (entitlement). A father sees an area of lack as an opportunity to minister grace.

2 Tim 2:10  Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

A child expects others to sacrifice for him, and seldom even remembers to say, “thank you.” A father is happy to sacrifice everything to see his children prosper.

Gal 4:19  My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

A child is competitive, jealous, and self-promoting. A father has a deep, earnest desire to see another come to full maturity in Christ.

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