Where are you going?
I remember when I was a kid. My mom would ask me where was I going. When I got older I was still asked where I was going. What the strange thing is I was asked at least 3 times this week by minister friends when I told them about how God is working here in Potterville they asked right you guessed it (where I was going with the church.) I told them it was not where I was going but what God wanted for His church. I think there are three things God wants His church to do.
1. He wants His church to manifest fruit.
John 15:16-17 states we are to bear fruit
John 15:16-17 (NIV)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
He also shows us the importance of fruit bearing.
Luke 13:6-9 (NIV)
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
He told us that any that does not bear good fruit will be cut down.
Matthew 7:19 (NIV)
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
He even showed us the consequences of not bearing fruit.
Mark 11:12-21 (NIV)
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
See just looking good (having green leaves) does not get it for God you must bearing fruit.
Some times I come across ministers and or people who are looking for ways to justify the lack of visible fruit in there congregations. They sometimes become defensive when confronted with the idea that perhaps God wants them to move beyond safe, easy, and predicable patterns. They show little desire to look beyond themselves in order to make a difference in there neighborhoods, communities, or the world.
2. Fruit bearing is grounded in faithfulness and obedience.
We have over the years sent the wrong message to the world (church) Fruit bearing is revealed in attendance numbers. You know big and fast growing church's equal successful ministry. This attitude leads to false expectations and a overwhelming pressure of performance.
In the parable of the talents
Matthew 25:14-27 NIV
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23“ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest
Jesus said some have one some 2, some 5. The goal is not to try to out do others but to do what we can. We are not to compare ourselves to others instead God expects us to be faithful and intentional about making the most of what we have.
Numbers do not mean much to God but look at the church of Philadelphia in Rev. 3
The church of little strength
Rev 3:8-11 NIV
8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
They received no rebukes and are given more encouragement than the other of the seven churches.
3, Much of what we consider success in ministry may not actually be healthy or God honoring.
There are two passages that trouble me some. One is Moses striking a rock in anger and getting results. You know doing things under our own power. Not doing what God wants us to do or how He wants us to do it. Showing who should get the credit.
Numbers 20:7-12 NIV
7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
two is Sardis when tells them they have a reputation of being alive but are not.
Revelation 3:1-2 NIV
3 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.
sometimes a church can look alive, active (busy) and still not be doing Gods will, I believe God will reveal that some church growth is shallow and man made. But we must finish what God would have us do here in Potterville. What is that you ask? Being faithful and obedient.
So I guess the question is where are you going? Your way or Gods way. We must bear fruit for Gods blessing.
