Peace in Fruit Bearing

Today we will continue to talk about peace.

There are a lot of things working against us – wars, politics, illness, uncertainties

Ten Peace Killers:

Fear, Anger, Aggression, Attachments, Pain, Unanswered Prayer, Self-Centeredness, Life Online, Obsession with Failure, Fear of Missing Out

(Deep Peace, Todd Hunter)

Living in peace will not be easy. It will not come naturally. We need to cultivate peace in our lives. What are you doing to cultivate peace? I’ll give you a few suggestions as I wrap up.

Let’s review our definition. I’ve revised it some with revisions in parentheses.

Peace - The supernatural capacity to maintain focus and identity despite troubles or blessings and, in doing so, experiencing a calmness of heart and mind pursuing a worthwhile purpose with the confident assurance of a favorable destination.

We’ve been in John 14-16, the Upper Room Discourse using these two passages as a springboard for our discussions:

John 14:27 (NIV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 16:33 (NIV)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Two truths: Jesus is giving out peace and he has told them “these things” so they can have peace. Our job has been finding “these things” and today we will continue that search in John 15.

Note a change in venue. They have left the upper room perhaps headed to the garden of Gethsemane. It is quite possible that they pass by the temple and this is what they may have seen.

This image of the vine is common in the Old Testament. It’s used as an image of Israel, that they are God’s vine producing his fruit in this world. Often times it used in a condemning way, as in they are not producing fruit. Jesus is going to play off this OT motif as he continues his conversation with the apostles.

John 15:1–8 (NIV) — 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

We are fruit bearers. We are bearing the fruit of the Spirit. We are bringing God’s goodness into this world. Our lives in Him mean something. Instead of being peace killers we are peace makers. We bring things like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These are the things true life is made of. These are the qualities that God intended for us back in the garden. This is eternal life, the abundant life. This is being human in the way God intended.

What’s this have to do with peace?

Peace is found in BEARING FRUIT

There is peace in knowing that you are doing great things. As a coach there is peace seeing an athlete get it and succeed. As a teacher, there is peace knowing that a student has finally mastered a concept. As an entrepreneur, there is peace seeing people enjoy your product. As a parent, there is peace is seeing a child launch successfully into adulthood. As a counselor, there is peace is seeing a relationship restored. As a healthcare professional, there is peace is seeing someone’s health restored. As a gardener there is peace in bringing in the harvest. As a disciple of Christ, there is peace in seeing someone accept Christ or seeing someone growing in their discipleship.

Jesus is saying to his apostles, you will bear fruit. Your dedication will be rewarded. Sometimes it may not seem like it, but there will be fruit.

Isaiah 55:10–13 (NIV) — 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

We have to train ourselves to see the fruit. Sometimes it may just be small sprigs. Other times it may be overflow of fruit. But train yourself to see the fruit of your faithfulness.

I say what I say next only to the glory of God, but I say it because I see fruit all over this place

Kids learning about God week in and week out!

We see baptisms regularly.

We have 38 couples on a retreat this weekend.

We see people being fed through the Barnabas Center.

We see small groups of believers studying the Bible.

We see people delivering meals to the sick, the sad.

We see people visiting the sick, praying for those in need, caring for the hurting.

In a few weeks we will begin our prayer and fasting and you will see how your generosity is going around the world producing fruit!

God is working through this church and he is working through you. We are bringing the goodness of God into this world and preparing people to spend an eternity with him!

That brings me peace. We are working with God!

BEARING FRUIT BRINGS PEACE ONLY IN BEING CONNECTED TO THE VINE

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 (NIV)

But it is critical to be aware that this fruit is not of our own efforts. It comes only as a person who is connected to the vine. We can do nothing without this connection. This connection must be maintained or we will wither and be thrown into the fire. That’s an ongoing desire of the church’s leadership – keeping us connected to the vine. But each of you must stay connected.

Begin the day with dedication. Commit everything you do and all the people you meet to God.

Throughout the day invite the presenceof God to keep you connected to the vine.

At night practice examen. The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us.

Relish the moments that went well and all of the gifts I have today.

Request the Spirit to lead me through my review of the day.

Review the day.

Repent of any mistakes or failures.

Resolve, in concrete ways, to live tomorrow well.

Without this connection we may be able to keep up the appearance of fruit bearing but it won’t bring us peace. It will be an obligation that will eventually be impossible to keep up and you will fail.

There is a second reality to draw from this passage: prepare to be pruned.

BEARING FRUIT BRINGS PEACE ONLY IN submitting ourselves to the gardener's pruning.

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:2 (NIV)

There are some things in your life that are keeping you from being the fruit-bearer you and God want you to be.

God wants you to be fruitful. He wants you to find peace in a transformed life. He wants you to find peace in bringing his presence into the lives of others.

Stay connected to the vine. Endure pruning with confidence. Bear fruit. Find peace.