“Bearing Fruit”

Eastside Presbyterian Church Elder Steve Schoen preached a message from John 15:1-11 on Sunday, June 18, 2017. If you would like to read my summary of Steve’s sermon, “Bearing Fruit,” please read on. . . .

“Bearing Fruit”
Steve Schoen, Elder
Eastside Presbyterian Church
Greenville, South Carolina
Sunday, June 18, 2017

Text: John 15:1-11

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  [English Standard Version (ESV)]

Quote of the Week:

“I don’t think we will stand before God and He will say, ‘You were way too gracious and merciful. You should have condemned people more.” (Gibney)

Summary of Bob Stouffer

This is a wonderful church. I love this church. I am grateful to be a part of this church.

Jesus was the master of communication. He could say volumes in just a few words. I got lost in this text. This text communicates beautifully and simply.

Imagine the setting. It was hours before Jesus’ death. He was speaking about Himself as the one who is the “I AM” delivering God. Israel was the vine that God had planted. Unfortunately, Israel did not fulfill its role as vine over the years, so Jesus spoke of Himself as the true vine. And he asked you and me to be a part of the vine, an awesome privilege.

Christ is calling us to be the people of God. We disciples can accomplish His work by abiding in Him. What does that mean?

Abiding is a two-way exchange. He abides in us. And we abide in Him. We cannot try to be the vine in attempting to generate fruit by ourselves.

JESUS ABIDES IN US.

What happens when Jesus abides in us?

He gives us His presence and His power. He died. He rose again. He appeared to them. Then, He removed His tangible presence. How can He abide in us, if He is “gone”? He gives us His presence as though He is sitting or standing right next to us now.

He also promised His power. In the Old Testament, God dwelled with His people in the manifestations of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Mountains trembled in His presence. Smoke billowed up. This is Jesus saying, “I AM.” He is that person. He is that God. This is the power that comes to preside in you and in me. This power allows us to accomplish the mission of the Gospel.

A violent wind — a hurricane — tongues of flame which did not consume — God’s presence — came upon the people on Pentecost. Today, the Holy Spirit abides in us as well! His power is available to us!

He also abides in us by giving His character through the fruit of the Spirit. These are the attributes of God. He expresses His person in us, because He is there. We have difficulty seeing these attributes through our sin and the wrath of God. But He gives us His character to be expressed in us. His image is in you.

When He abides in us, He also gives us His truth, His revealed word for our minds and hearts. Do you struggle with this word, abiding? He wants to make a home in us to affect and to change us. He changes us individually and corporately. He speaks through His people. He gives us His comfort in the midst of our failures and sorrows. Pressure in our lives reveals the need for more transformation in our lives. We must repent and change. It’s a wonderful thing, even though it’s difficult in the changing. He is changing me. He is changing you, because he abides in us.

He gives us forgiveness, so we don’t have to carry the burden of our sin. He has removed our hearts of stone and given us hearts of flesh. He gives us all of these things and more.

WE ABIDE IN CHRIST.

When we abide in Christ — remember, it’s a two-way street — we preach the Gospel to ourselves, accepting His love and forgiveness. We say to ourselves, daily, “I want You, Lord, to show up in me today, revealing Your nature in me.”

We abide in Christ in prayer. We stay in Christ’s presence.

We abide in Christ when we fellowship with each other. It’s beautiful. We can help each other abide in Christ. It’s not about me. It’s about us together. It’s about Him and staying close to Him.

We abide in Christ when we take Communion. We meet with him with the elements, remembering His love. He loved us so much that he died for us. We abide in Him.

We abide in Christ when we confess our sins and receive His forgiveness.

What happens when we don’t abide in Christ? He gives us warning. We don’t bear fruit when we don’t abide in Christ. That’s a struggle. We harbor sins we are not willing to confess. We insist on being the vine. We don’t spend time with Him. We’re too “busy.” We should pray that we will be with Him more, spending more time with Him, so he can change us and release His power in and through us.

What fruit comes from abiding in Christ? The fruit of the Spirit. These fruit can be expressed to others as the church. We bear fruit here, loving each other. I have seen that fruit of love in this church. It’s great.

I’ve also see people sharing the Gospel with others, the fruit of righteousness — not works — but this sharing takes a lot of work. In the presence of this God who made the mountain tremble — a God who came upon His disciples with tongues of flame — we will experience fruit which will not perish. The fruit remains.

Fruit comes to us when we are failing and suffering. We don’t understand why, but He brings fruit in powerful ways. People who faithfully struggle through challenges of life. God bears fruit in each of us. I would like to see a church which helps each other abide in Christ and helps each other bear fruit. Such would be an amazing church. Abide in His Word. Abide in His love. And receive His joy.