Why no fruit? (announcements for Jan 23)
Hi everyone,
At the last couple of prayer meetings, we have been talking about fruitfulness. This week, we looked at a few reasons given in the Bible for why we do not bear good fruit.
1. Materialism
In the parable of the soils, the “thorny ground” is the heart of someone “who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).
If you are not bearing much fruit, it may be because you have allowed practical issues of family, work, and money to drown out God's word.
2. Selfishness
Jesus gave this principle of fruitfulness shortly before his death: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thousands of years later, we can see that Jesus bore a lot of fruit by dying in selfless and sacrificial love.
The same principle is true for us. Jesus went on to say: "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:24)
If you are not bearing much fruit, it may be because you are selfishly trying to hang on to your life, instead of generously offering it in service to God and other people.
3. Showing off
In the Corinthian church, people were showing off their spiritual gifts by praying in foreign languages. Paul said this circus was fruitless: "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful." (1 Corinthians 14:14)
Showing off is fruitless, but serving others is fruitful. Paul said: "I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:19)
If you are not bearing much fruit, perhaps it is because you have this the wrong way around.
The stakes are high
If you are not bearing any fruit at all, you need to hear this warning from Jesus: "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away" (John 15:2). His meaning is clear: No fruit now, no heaven later.
You may be "in Christ" by profession, by membership, by sacraments, but unless something changes, you will be "taken out" and punished. So "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Then you will be "in Christ" by true and living faith, and joined to him in a new way that will never be undone. Your sins will be forgiven, your heart changed, your life fruitful. Trust him.
If you are bearing some fruit, but not very much, your concern is different. You do not earn a place in the vine by paying rent in "fruit per month." Your place in the vine is a free gift that keeps on giving: "Every branch that does bear fruit he cleans (my translation), that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:2). Ask Jesus to keep cleaning you, by his word and Spirit, by his ministers and his people, by his providence in your life, by his love unveiled in your heart, and by your own sincere efforts to serve him. Trust him.
Sincerely,
Pastor Goligher
The Lord’s Day
Sunday school is at 9:45am.
The morning service is at 11:00am.
- Galatians 5:2-6, "Cut Off"
- Psalm 4B
- Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended #248
- Come Thou Fount #457
The evening service is at 5:00pm.
- Acts 2:1-13, "How to Speak in Tongues"
- Come, Thou Almighty King #101
- O Love of God, How Strong and True #81
Through the Week
Instead of our weekly prayer meeting, we will hold our annual congregational meeting on Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00pm.
Ladies' Bible Study meets Thursday at 7pm, on Zoom. The study is based on Nancy Guthrie, The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis. This week's study is Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 16-24). Complete the Personal Bible Study (pages 177-182).
Looking ahead
Teens Lunch: Teens, you are invited to the Golighers' home for lunch on Sunday afternoon, January 30.
Snow rally: Teens are invited to the Snow Rally on February 25-26. This is a presbytery youth event, hosted in Sonora. Please let Pastor Goligher know if you would like to go.