FROM THE VAULT
A series revisiting previous posts
“16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should GO and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…”
— John 15:16 ESV
This is the third part of this series, you can read from part 1 here:
PART 1 ‘Fruitful, Frustrated or Failure?’
By now you have probably noticed I am focussing on ‘fruitfulness’ as being missional fruit. Is that what Jesus means here? This post briefly explains why I think so and then unpacks what the ‘Go’ of bearing fruit looks like…some of the practicalities of what we can do to be fruitful.
Why focus on mission? Firstly, why do I focus on fruitfulness as being ‘missional fruit’? I’ll be brief but you can dig deeper! I agree with those who believe that when Jesus says ‘bear fruit that ABIDES...’ He is echoing John 4:35 where he mentions ‘reaping…gathering fruit to eternal life’. Fruit that abides | Reaping…Fruit for eternal life.
“ 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.”
— John 4:35 ESV
Obviously bring fruitful can refer to growing in Christ-like Character and the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ – but it also means reaping, harvesting, being missionally fruitful. And for the reasons given, I think Jesus is here emphasising evangelism.
Practicalities of bearing fruit
Before we dive in – I know there is much involved in this than I am covering! Going to nations, planting churches and many other approaches are part of, and essential to bearing fruit. I am focussing on everyday life, where you are now. What can we do to be fruitful, if God has set it up – what is our role? God has laid everything out (appointed) for us to be fruitful, and then we are told to GO…be intentional where God has laid you out! So how?!! Ask these questions;
WHO has god connected you with? Pay attention to the relationships that have ‘emerged’ or could be developed.
Colleagues? Neighbours? Other parents at school? That man you sit next to on the bus/train every day? Hairdresser?
HOW can you maximise those opportunities to develop that relationship?
Eat in the canteen with colleagues rather than sleep!
Go to the same hairdresser?
Play on the front lawn with your children to engage with neighbours?
Christmas drinks with the close neighbours?
Same bus seat? Build in time at school pick up to engage?
Same gym routine?
In my previous church we did a sermon series called INVITED (watch the sermons HERE), where we outlined 8Ss of fruitful mission. They are on a scale of increasing ‘intensity/difficulty’ but give us a great starting point and how we can take the next step. As you will notice it is about SOWING and reaping. The 8Ss are;
SMILE – Invite people to share the peace of God
SERVE – Invite people to encounter the servant-heart of God and his love
SOCIAL – Invite people to share the community and love of God
STEPPING STONE – Invite people to a ‘stepping stone’ event run by the church that connects them to others and reduces the ‘unknown’ of ‘church people’. Examples are ‘Wine & Wisdom’ nights/Easter Fun Day/Christmas events/BBQs
SICK – Invite people to be PRAYED for their needs – most are very happy for you to pray for them!
STORY – Invite people to hear YOUR story…why are you a Christian? Why do you go to church? How do you cope with….
SUNDAYS – Invite people to church
STORY – Invite people to hear HIS story…share the gospel!
How can you ‘GO’ and be INTENTIONAL where, and with whom God has connected you?
Having said the above…we all know that unless our HEARTS ARE CHANGED, we would rather;
Sleep on the train
Watch TV when we get home
Stick to ourselves in the Gym
Rush on to the next thing after the school drop off
Not that those are bad…but practicalities are only helpful if our hearts are engaged and changed! Our final blog post in the series deals with the HOW of heart change. How do we keep our hearts engaging in mission, loving others, being soft, wanting to serve God in this way?
Questions for this post;
What changes could you make to your daily routine that will maximise where God has put you?
Who are the people of peace you could take the next step with?
Which of the 8Ss could you start doing?