Post Title. An Illustration and a Formula 08/11/2011
Earlier this summer I traveled to North Carolina where I grew up. One of the joys of the trip is coming through the mountain pass out of Virginia and viewing the miles and miles of the NC agricultural region known as the Piedmont (the foothills). A generation ago this area of the south was known for its production of tobacco. Then as this region and its cigarette industry were besieged by government lawyers, the fields switched to soybeans or corn or some farmlands lay fallow. But about 20 years ago something changed. The local community college working with a few entrepreneurs began to plant grapevines in the red clay soil on some of these farms. The success of these early experiments paved the way for the North Carolina Vineyards Association. Today this group is nationally recognized as producers of quality grapes. Sadly, most of the fruit of these vineyards is producing wine which they are bottling locally. Once again, large trucks make there way to these former tobacco fields; but today they carry away cartons of wines that are served in restaurants and sold in grocery stores throughout the nation. The fields that once produced the “cancer plant” now yield fruit that is turned into intoxicating beverages. The use of the fruit saddens me, but this success story does illustrate for us what fruit production can do for a community. Throughout the Piedmont, communities are benefiting from increased employment, revenue, and tourism. That little community college that sponsored the first soil tests now offers an associate degree in Wine Production through NC State University. The fruit of the vine has totally transformed the agricultural opportunities for North Carolinians. Why have I spent this much space in our Women’s Ministries blog talking about the success of the Wineries in North Carolina? I will get to the point. Growing grapes has proven to be beneficial; not only has it produced the fruit of the vine, but it has become profitable for the grower, and has provided benefits to others as well. How does our fruit production compare to those very profitable vineyards in NC? Are we producing fruit that benefits God’s economy or provides for the needs of others? John chapter 15 is a beautiful illustration of the relationship between the Christian and his Savior. John 15:5 sums up that relationship, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Simply put, if we are not abiding in the vine, we are unproductive, unprofitable and unfruitful. What is the formula for bearing spiritual fruit? What is the catalyst that insures production? Jesus addresses both these issues in verses 7-8; “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. " The formula is: Abiding + Absorbing + Asking → Glory to God → Much Fruit (in Christ) (His Word) (the Father) Notice the results; "...so you will be My disciples". (John 15: 8b) Isn't that what children of God naturally become? Jesus gives us this wonderful formula in verse 7 and follows with verse 8 which gives us the proven results. God receives the Glory and His Branches bear much fruit . We have all the instructions we need to be His Disciples. John 15:16-17 offers further commentary; “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another." As we begin another season of ministry together, let’s evaluate and hold ourselves accountable. I pray each ministry will be fruitful and that our fruit will remain (abide). May our church and our community know that we are disciples of Christ and that we have love for one another! |  Ministry Director
Barbara Anderson has served ArchivesJanuary 2012 |
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