Where's the Fruit?

John 15:12-17 NRSV - ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

I want to read verse 16 again because that’s what I want to really focus on today. And it says, “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.”

Years ago Wendy’s had commercial campaign with an elderly lady saying, “Where’s the beef”? That same elderly woman then did a commercial for Prego Pasta Plus Spaghetti Sauce saying, “I found it!” and was immediately fired by Wendy’s. Words matter.

Today I have a question for you and that question is the title of today’s message, “Where’s the Fruit?”

In today’s text, the Apostle John is relaying the words of Christ. In certain Bibles out there you will find these words printed in red signifying that it was Jesus speaking. Jesus was talking to his disciples, training and preparing them for what they were going to face after he was gone.

Everything he was telling them at this time was going to be words they would have to draw on in order to spread the Gospel. They didn’t know it yet, but Jesus did and he knows your future too. That’s why it’s so important for you to pray and study and meditate on the Word of God. He can’t bring back to your remembrance what you’ve never learned.

Jesus begins this particular portion of the lesson with a commandment. Not a suggestion, not just a good thing to do, not just something nice to do, the commandment he gave was to love one another as I have loved you.

Jesus said we are to love one another the way he loved us. It’s important to emphasize that we are to love the way he, Jesus, loved us because when you love the way Jesus loved, there’s a difference than in loving the way the world expresses love.

In the world, love tends to be an I’ll love you, if you love me situation many times.

I’ll do that for you, if you do this for me.

I’ll meet you, but I’m not going one step pass and I’m not giving one cent more than half.

The world’s love is a tit for tat.

But Jesus said, this is my commandment, love one another as I have loved you. How many know that love is a verb? In other words it’s an action word.

We tend to overuse the word love, applying it to material things like food and cars and clothes and events. But in the Greek they had different words for the type of love they wanted to express and in this case Jesus was saying my commandment is to agape’ one another.

Translation, love each other unconditionally,

with no strings attached

with no expectation of getting something in return

with no stipulations

with no requirements

We are not to set up barriers and blockades, rules and regulations, conditions and qualifications in order for someone to get our love. We shouldn’t try to make others earn our love.

It is to be given freely, the same way Jesus did. Jesus didn’t just give us the commandment, he didn’t just speak the words out of his mouth, he showed us what it looks like, he gave us the blueprint for what it means to show the agape’ kind of love.

He said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends and he did.” Now that’s love. That is the ultimate love.

When you can put another person’s wants, desires, needs above your own—that’s an agape’ kind of love.

When you can show compassion when someone else is hurting and not make it about you—that’s an agape’ kind of love.

When you can support someone else’s dream, even when it means putting yours on hold for a minute—that’s an agape’ kind of love.

When you can give your last and don’t need to broadcast it—that’ an agape’ kind of love.

Jesus was God incarnate, God in the flesh, he knew what was coming when it came to the cross. So for him to talk about laying down one’s life for one’s friends, he meant that literally. That’s what was coming for him. It was a choice he would have to make because guess what? Jesus also had free will. He had the option to say no. But he didn’t, even though we were his enemies at the time.

So when it comes to agape’ love

Could you, would you still love me if you knew I was going to be moody sometimes?

Could you, would you still love me if you knew I was not always going to agree with you?

Could you, would you still love me if you knew I was going to get upset sometimes?

Could you, would you still love me if you knew I was going to be impetuous sometimes?

Could you, would you still love me if you knew I wasn’t always going to do what you wanted?

Could you, would you still love me if you knew I wasn’t always going to be healthy and I would need you to take care of me?

Could you, would you still love me if it means putting me first?

Could you, would you still love me if...?

That’s what agape’ love requires. That’s what Jesus was commanding us to give to one another.

Jesus told the disciples, you are my friends if you do what I command. Love is about doing, it’s not about lip service.

My MO girl stands up and says “Show Me”, that’s the MO state motto in case you didn’t know. Show me you love me. You can say it all day long but can I see it in how you talk to me? Can I see it in how you treat me? Can I see the love you say you have for me?

Jesus is defining his relationship with the disciples, he’s letting them know, they are more than just his students, they are more than just his disciples, they are not his servants, they are his friends.

As friends they get more privileges than servants. Servants go where they’re told to go, when they’re told to go, for as long and their told to be there.

Pastor Ed and I are proud military veteran’s. He served 20 years, I served 30. So for thirty years I was a servant of the people of the United States, I went where those who had authority over me told me to go, when they told me to go and stayed for as long as they told me to stay.

I didn’t get a reason why, in most cases I didn’t options, what I got were Permanent Change of Station orders and as a result, I packed up and I moved.

That’s not who we are to Jesus, it’s not who the disciples were. Servants don’t know what the master is doing, but Jesus called the disciples friends and as such they get a special backstage pass to the plan.

But here’s the thing, will you move without the whole plan? Will you go when God says go, do what God said do, say what God said say? Can you exercise that kind of obedience?

Can you exercise that kind of faith? Do you trust that God only has what’s best for you in his plan? Even if it hurts, even if you don’t understand, even if you don’t like it, even if they don’t like you? Will you still serve him? Will you still say yes?

This Christian journey is not always easy, it’s not always fun, but if you truly believe God is who he says he is, if you really know that God can do what he says he can do, if you definitely believe that God is in control, you’ll go without hesitation, without question.

When we believe what Jeremiah wrote in the 29th chapter and 11th verse when he penned these words,  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” we can do just that.

If you can believe those words, if you can trust God, if you can exercise faith, then you can love your brother and sister the way Jesus did, no matter what they did, no matter what they said to you.

Sometimes we are fortunate enough to be told the where or the why before we go. Can God trust you like that? Jesus told the disciples everything the Father told him. Can you receive the whole plan, can you receive the message from God’s messenger and follow it the way it was given? Or are you going to challenge everything they say, thinking you have a better plan.

Now, please don’t misunderstand me, we don’t follow anyone blindly and that’s not what I’m saying to do. But we try the word by the Word. That is try the word that person is giving you by the Word of God and see what the Spirit says about it.

But here’s something else to consider. If you’re praying consistently, if you’re praying for your leader, if you believe your leader has been called by God, if you believe they are a disciple of God and therefore hears from God...what’s up?

This is why we must know God for ourselves, so we can’t be swayed with every wind of doctrine. Now faith, active faith, true faith, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

If you can see it why do need to you hope for it? There it is, reach out and grab it. But when you can’t see it, will you still walk toward it?

Now, here it is...Jesus says, “You did not choose me but I chose you.” So often we think we have made the first move

when it comes to salvation,

when it comes to using our gifts,

when it comes to tithing,

when it comes to serving,

when it comes to coming to church

but the reality is God made the first move before the world began. Let’s go to Jeremiah again when God told him, Jer 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

What did God sanctify and ordain you to do before you came forth out of your mother’s womb? Have you ever sat down and asked him? And if you did, did you wait for an answer, or did you just run on with no direction or guidance or leadership?

You have been commanded. To do what? Matt 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

You have been appointed. To do what? John 15:16b I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Are you building up treasures in heaven or are you seeking your accolades here and that’s your reward?

You have been anointed. In Ps 23:5 David said, “He anointed my head with oil.” Oil lubricates, it heals, it’s used to dedicate and consecrate. When we pray we sometimes anoint you with oil that has been blessed.

You have been predestined. Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

It’s not by happenstance that you are here. It’s not by chance you are hearing this message. You were chosen by God before the world began.

Now where is your fruit? We are not responsible for what others do, but here’s the thing

Are you actively seeking souls for the Kingdom?

Are you living a life that is pleasing to the Lord, when others can see you and when they can’t? Just remember God sees all and what you do in the dark will come to the light.

Are showing compassion to your brother or sister? What about your husband or wife? What about your children?

Are you praying for others? Interceding on their behalf? There are those who don’t know how to pray, don’t know what to pray and don’t know when to pray. Can you pray for them until they get an understanding that prayer is simply having a conversation with God. There’s no magic formula, there’s no set format, just tell him what’s on your heart and let the Holy Spirit take it from there. And make sure you take time to listen. There is a listening side to prayer.

Are you displaying kindness to those around you?

Or

Are you mean spirited?

Do you get angry and lash out easily?

Do you get upset when things don’t go the way you want them too?

Are you defensive and argumentative?

Do you think everything someone says is a put down about you?

Are you harboring feelings of guilt or shame about something you’re doing or have done and projecting that onto others?

What does all that have to do with bearing fruit that remains?

Everything, you may get people to come and visit, they may even join, but once they get to know you, once they begin to interact with you, once they see your walk, your talk; will it draw them closer or will it drive them away?

LCC we want lasting fruit. First we need to bring the sheep and when they come let’s show them Jesus through us. We may be the only Bible they read. What are they seeing on your pages?

Is it love or is it judgement?

Is it acceptance or rejection?

Is it caring or indifference?

Is it affection or is it lust?

Is it respect or is it resentment?

Is it gratitude or is it condemnation?

Y’all know we can do all that with a look. What are they seeing when they come in the door? Is it a smile and arms open for a warm embrace?

What are they feeling when they get to their seat? Welcomed with a smile and how you doing? Or a why are you sitting in my seat?

What are they thinking when they get back to their car? Is it I enjoyed the service, I can’t wait to come back next week or I won’t be doing that again.

We want fruit that remains. We want to create a welcoming environment that looks, feels, walks, talks, and is different from the world.

Church,

we have work to do.

We have a ministry to build,

we have people who are waiting for someone to introduce them to Jesus

The time is drawing short, so, what are you waiting for? Jesus said, I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last,”. Why? So that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 

You want your prayers answered? Do as Jesus has commanded.

Love the way he loves. Humble yourself before God, this walk is not about you, it’s about Jesus,

him crucified,

the beating he took so our sins would be forgiven when we asked,

the mocking he endured as he hung on that cross

the embarrassment of suffering a criminal’s death

and doing it all while we were still sinners, while we were still his enemy.

he didn’t have to do it, but he did. He loved us that much.

So the real question is not how much did he love us, Jesus already proved that. The real question is, how much do you love him? Jesus wasn’t from MO, but he could sure be a great spokesman because he said, if you love keep my commandments. If you love me, show me with your actions, show me with your life.

If you love me, love each other. This is not the only time were told this.

Proverbs 17:17 - “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

John 13:34 -35 “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Romans 13:8: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

Colossians 3:14: “And in all these things, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

1 Thessalonians 4:9: “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.”

1 John 4:7-12: “7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:19-20 - 20 Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

And the final Scripture in today’s text John 15:17 says, “This is my command: Love each other.”

That is pretty definitive.

He didn’t say it would be easy.

He didn’t say we’d always agree.

He didn’t say we’d always like each other.

He didn’t say we had to make each other happy.

He said, “This is my command: Love each other.” However you need to work that thing out, do that. I would suggest a whole lot of prayer. If you need help getting started join us on Thursdays at 8 a.m. or 8:30 p.m.

Ask God to show you you first, instead of praying for God to change them.

See them as one of God’s children and not your adversary.

Practice what you’re going to say when you see them.

Imagine how God loves them the way you love your children.

Think about how God loves you with all your faults and fallacies and failures, then forgive them the same way he forgave you.

Will it be easy? No.

Will it take work? Yes.

Will it be worth it? Definitely.

Because when you see God face to face, you won’t have to explain why you chose not to follow his command, by not loving your brother or sister.

We’re working on fruit that remains, souls that are truly gained for the Kingdom of God. Will you help?

Will you tell someone about the goodness of the Lord?

Will you bring them to church with you?

Will you love them when they get here?

Show me?

If you want to bring fruit that remains, it starts with you. Have you given your life to Jesus. Have you asked him to come into your heart and take control of your life?

It’s a simple prayer, Father, I believe that Jesus is your Son. I believe that he was born of a virgin, that he died for my sins and rose again. I believe that he returned to heaven where he now sits interceding for me. Jesus I thank you for being my Savior, I thank you for choosing me first. I give you my heart, take control of my life, in your name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time welcome to the family, contact us and let us know so we can pray with you and help you with the next step of your journey.

If you live in the Douglasville, GA area be a part of the fruit that remains and bring more fruit with you. Meet us here at 3500 Hwy 5, 30135 at 8:45 for Sunday school and 10:00 for Worship service. We’ve got a lot of work to do, the harvest is ripe and we need more laborers in the vineyard. So I ask again, Will you help with the harvest?