Acts 17: 22 – 31; Psalm 148: 7 – 14; I Peter 3: 8 – 18; John 15: 1 – 8
A sermon by The Rev. Gene Tucker
Given at Trinity Church, Mt. Vernon, IL; Sunday, April 27th, 2008
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.”
Those words sum up our role as Christian believers … we are to be fruitful parts of God’s kingdom.
In the past weeks, we’ve been hearing our Lord’s teachings about His relationship to the Father, and our relationship to Him. Let’s recall what we’ve heard:
A sermon by The Rev. Gene Tucker
Given at Trinity Church, Mt. Vernon, IL; Sunday, April 27th, 2008
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.”
Those words sum up our role as Christian believers … we are to be fruitful parts of God’s kingdom.
In the past weeks, we’ve been hearing our Lord’s teachings about His relationship to the Father, and our relationship to Him. Let’s recall what we’ve heard:
- I am the Good Shepherd: Heard two weeks ago (John 10: 1 – 18), Jesus likens himself to a shepherd, who makes possible the creation of the flock, and who lays down His life in order to save the lives of the sheep within the flock. Moreover, Jesus says that He is the “door” to the sheepfold, the only way by which the sheep enter and leave the fold.
- I am the way, the truth and the life: Last week’s text (John 14: 1 – 14) reiterates Jesus’ teaching from chapter 10, making it clear that the only way to relate to the Father is through Him.
Now today, we hear the last of the great “I AM” statements that reverberate through John’s Gospel account: “I am the true vine.”[1]
Continuing the thread that we’ve heard in the past two Sundays, Jesus makes it clear that it is only through Him that we are connected to the Father, for the Father is the “vinedresser”,[2] that is, the one who has made possible the existence of the vine, as well as the branches.
All three readings we’ve heard in recent weeks all have one thing in common: Jesus is the connection to the Father.
But today’s reading expands the implications of Jesus’ relationship to the Father, and now we, the believers of the first century, and modern-day believers, are now folded into the wider purposes of God….we are called to be in relationship to God the Father through Jesus Christ, in order that we may bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Let’s take a closer look at today’s reading….
On closer examination, we see that those who are part of the vine, have two choices:
Be a part of the vine – and – be pruned so as to bear more fruit
-or-
Be cut off and thrown away
-or-
Be cut off and thrown away
Remaining (the Greek verb which is usually translated as “abide” also means “to remain”) a branch on the vine, but without producing fruit, is not an option! We can’t simply be, drawing nutrients and water from the vine, without doing our part for the overall good of the other branches and the vine itself, as well as for those who will enjoy the benefits of the fruit that the vine, the vinedresser, and we (the branches) all produce.
Apparently, Jesus’ message seems to be: God sent Jesus to us so that we might see the Father most clearly and know the Father most fully. The Father’s sending Jesus to us, and Jesus’ own works (signs)[3] are all calculated to enable us to: trust in Him, to know Him, and to do the works that He himself did.[4]
In other words, to “bear much fruit”.
What might that “fruit” be?
John 15: 9 – 10 provides the answer that is directly connected to Jesus’ teaching, heard today. These verses read, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you’ abide in my love. 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.”
For a practical answer to our question, let’s look at the early Church’s experience to see the things that they did. A good example of what those early believers did is to be found in Acts 2: 42 – 47, where we read:
Let’s take the key phases of Acts 2: 42 - 47 and unpack them a little, applying them to our own situation here at Trinity today:
(Notice as we go the enormous variety of ways that the fruits of the Kingdom were manifest…..There was something that everyone – regardless of their physical capacities, their financial situation, or their talents – could do for the advancement of the Kingdom and the betterment of each of its members.)
Devotion to the “apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking bread and the prayers”: If it seems as though we’ve heard that phrase, “to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”, it is probably quite familiar to us, for it forms one of the first questions that is asked during Holy Baptism, as part of the Baptismal Covenant (Book of Common Prayer, 1979, page 304). To continue in these things is to: be faithful in the received teaching of the Church, as the Church has received that teaching down through the ages, and as it is revealed in Holy Scripture (which is itself the repository of the apostolic teaching). In addition, it requires us to be regular in our attendance at worship, where we break the bread in Holy Communion and where we gather for corporate prayer. Then, following worship, we gather together in the Parish Hall for fellowship during Coffee Hour. Our parish also offers other occasions for fellowship, including our Informal Discussion Group on Wednesday mornings (we don’t just study at these weekly sessions, but we also share our joys, sorrows and burdens with one another), and at our monthly Trinity-on-the-Move outings to area restaurants, where fellowship forms a significant part of our time together there. Love of God is manifest here, as is love of others.
“Fear came upon every soul, and many signs and wonders were done through the apostles”: To have a healthy fear of the Lord is to be aware of God’s presence among us. Such an awareness harkens back to the vine/branches imagery that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel text, for such a healthy (yes, even fearful) awareness means that we cannot simply “remain” in God’s presence without an awareness of the greater purposes that God has in mind for us, enabling us to overcome the temptation to simply “be” in God’s presence and in a relationship with God (but without producing any discernable fruit). Moreover, we are today’s “apostles” (small “a”), who are sent out to do the “signs and wonders” which form the “fruit” for today’s world. So, we are inheritors of the same power and authority that those first Apostles had. And, it is awesome, this power of God, which enables us to bear much fruit for the kingdom. Here is the discernable proof – the fruit – of the love of God, which enabled healings to take place, for the lame to walk, and the spiritually assailed to be delivered.
“All who believed were together”: Notice the unity in the body of Christ that existed in those early times. Such unity comes as a direct result of the awareness that we are folded into God’s greater purposes. Such an awareness allows us to set aside our own personal preferences, allowing God’s purposes to reign in our hearts and minds and actions. Such a unity as that here at Trinity allows us to set aside any differences that might divide us, for the sake of the witness to God’s power that such unity demonstrates.[5] God’s greatness and God’s purposes are far more wonderful and far more powerful than any personal agenda we might embrace! Here is love of each other in action, as each person lays aside his/her personal wishes and preferences for the greater good of the body of Christ.
They had “all things in common, and they sold their possession and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need”: We no longer “hold all things in common” as the early Church did. Essentially, in those early days, the Church was more like a commune than anything else, apparently. But, though that practice has disappeared, doesn’t continuing concern for every member of the Church continue? As we live this part of the Church’s life out, we care for those who are in need through the Hope in Christ homeless shelter. We offer assistance to the Angels on Assignment ministry which is located on Main Street. And wouldn’t we offer any of our resources to anyone in need within our own parish, as the situation presents itself? That’s happened time and again. “As any have need” still applies today. Here is another situation where concern for the physical needs of each person occupied a high place in their values and in their living.
“Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people”: Notice the daily regularity which governed the early Church’s worship life and its fellowship life. Notice the gladness and joy which is present. Notice the praise of God and the reputation with outsiders that was theirs. (Were these early Christians good Episcopalians? .... After all, all these things: worship, fellowship, the praise of God, gladness, generosity, and a good reputation, they have all been historically important to Anglicanism.) Gladness and joy ought to be hallmarks of our Christian life. Joy (which is different than “happiness”) can be one of the earliest signs of God’s presence within us and among us. Joy can be one of the first things that people notice about Christians, one of the distinctive marks of being a believer. Living out the love of the Lord and the love of each other leads to joy!
So the question comes to us: “what sort of fruit am I producing for the Kingdom?”
___________
[1] John 15: 1
[2] Verse 2
[3] Remember that Bible scholars often nickname Chapters 2 – 11 of John’s Gospel as the “Book of Signs”, because of the miraculous works that Jesus did, all of which testify to His authority, and all of which point back to the Father, who sent Him.
[4] In John 14: 12, where we hear Jesus say, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.”
[5] Unity in the body of Christ will be the topic of our Gospel reading for next Sunday, John 17: 1 – 11.
Apparently, Jesus’ message seems to be: God sent Jesus to us so that we might see the Father most clearly and know the Father most fully. The Father’s sending Jesus to us, and Jesus’ own works (signs)[3] are all calculated to enable us to: trust in Him, to know Him, and to do the works that He himself did.[4]
In other words, to “bear much fruit”.
What might that “fruit” be?
John 15: 9 – 10 provides the answer that is directly connected to Jesus’ teaching, heard today. These verses read, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you’ abide in my love. 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.”
For a practical answer to our question, let’s look at the early Church’s experience to see the things that they did. A good example of what those early believers did is to be found in Acts 2: 42 – 47, where we read:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.”Notice the ways that love of God and love of each other were “lived out” among those early believers.
Let’s take the key phases of Acts 2: 42 - 47 and unpack them a little, applying them to our own situation here at Trinity today:
(Notice as we go the enormous variety of ways that the fruits of the Kingdom were manifest…..There was something that everyone – regardless of their physical capacities, their financial situation, or their talents – could do for the advancement of the Kingdom and the betterment of each of its members.)
Devotion to the “apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking bread and the prayers”: If it seems as though we’ve heard that phrase, “to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”, it is probably quite familiar to us, for it forms one of the first questions that is asked during Holy Baptism, as part of the Baptismal Covenant (Book of Common Prayer, 1979, page 304). To continue in these things is to: be faithful in the received teaching of the Church, as the Church has received that teaching down through the ages, and as it is revealed in Holy Scripture (which is itself the repository of the apostolic teaching). In addition, it requires us to be regular in our attendance at worship, where we break the bread in Holy Communion and where we gather for corporate prayer. Then, following worship, we gather together in the Parish Hall for fellowship during Coffee Hour. Our parish also offers other occasions for fellowship, including our Informal Discussion Group on Wednesday mornings (we don’t just study at these weekly sessions, but we also share our joys, sorrows and burdens with one another), and at our monthly Trinity-on-the-Move outings to area restaurants, where fellowship forms a significant part of our time together there. Love of God is manifest here, as is love of others.
“Fear came upon every soul, and many signs and wonders were done through the apostles”: To have a healthy fear of the Lord is to be aware of God’s presence among us. Such an awareness harkens back to the vine/branches imagery that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel text, for such a healthy (yes, even fearful) awareness means that we cannot simply “remain” in God’s presence without an awareness of the greater purposes that God has in mind for us, enabling us to overcome the temptation to simply “be” in God’s presence and in a relationship with God (but without producing any discernable fruit). Moreover, we are today’s “apostles” (small “a”), who are sent out to do the “signs and wonders” which form the “fruit” for today’s world. So, we are inheritors of the same power and authority that those first Apostles had. And, it is awesome, this power of God, which enables us to bear much fruit for the kingdom. Here is the discernable proof – the fruit – of the love of God, which enabled healings to take place, for the lame to walk, and the spiritually assailed to be delivered.
“All who believed were together”: Notice the unity in the body of Christ that existed in those early times. Such unity comes as a direct result of the awareness that we are folded into God’s greater purposes. Such an awareness allows us to set aside our own personal preferences, allowing God’s purposes to reign in our hearts and minds and actions. Such a unity as that here at Trinity allows us to set aside any differences that might divide us, for the sake of the witness to God’s power that such unity demonstrates.[5] God’s greatness and God’s purposes are far more wonderful and far more powerful than any personal agenda we might embrace! Here is love of each other in action, as each person lays aside his/her personal wishes and preferences for the greater good of the body of Christ.
They had “all things in common, and they sold their possession and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need”: We no longer “hold all things in common” as the early Church did. Essentially, in those early days, the Church was more like a commune than anything else, apparently. But, though that practice has disappeared, doesn’t continuing concern for every member of the Church continue? As we live this part of the Church’s life out, we care for those who are in need through the Hope in Christ homeless shelter. We offer assistance to the Angels on Assignment ministry which is located on Main Street. And wouldn’t we offer any of our resources to anyone in need within our own parish, as the situation presents itself? That’s happened time and again. “As any have need” still applies today. Here is another situation where concern for the physical needs of each person occupied a high place in their values and in their living.
“Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people”: Notice the daily regularity which governed the early Church’s worship life and its fellowship life. Notice the gladness and joy which is present. Notice the praise of God and the reputation with outsiders that was theirs. (Were these early Christians good Episcopalians? .... After all, all these things: worship, fellowship, the praise of God, gladness, generosity, and a good reputation, they have all been historically important to Anglicanism.) Gladness and joy ought to be hallmarks of our Christian life. Joy (which is different than “happiness”) can be one of the earliest signs of God’s presence within us and among us. Joy can be one of the first things that people notice about Christians, one of the distinctive marks of being a believer. Living out the love of the Lord and the love of each other leads to joy!
So the question comes to us: “what sort of fruit am I producing for the Kingdom?”
___________
[1] John 15: 1
[2] Verse 2
[3] Remember that Bible scholars often nickname Chapters 2 – 11 of John’s Gospel as the “Book of Signs”, because of the miraculous works that Jesus did, all of which testify to His authority, and all of which point back to the Father, who sent Him.
[4] In John 14: 12, where we hear Jesus say, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.”
[5] Unity in the body of Christ will be the topic of our Gospel reading for next Sunday, John 17: 1 – 11.
