Encouragement: The Essential Church

It looks like the world is finally beginning to move forward from the Covid-19 pandemic.  Churches are beginning to reopen.  Taoyuan City has released churches to reopen.  Taoyuan City was the only city in Taiwan that shut churches down.  In the US, The Door Church in Tucson has reopened, and my home church, the Door Church in Colton is reopening this week. 

I got very sick at the end of last year, I was in the hospital when the first Covid-19 patient in Taiwan came into that same hospital.  I had been out of church for a month at that point.  Then I spent sometime recuperating and missed church for another few months.  Then they stopped services in Taoyuan, and the church began to broadcast on Instagram.  The broadcast has been a blessing, hearing Pastor Reed (Pingzhen, Taiwan) preach the Gospel has been helpful. I haven’t been able to attend church with my church family since December.  I miss them all.

I’m telling you that because, in missing church I have experienced a bit of spiritual warfare.  Doctor’s keep giving me bad news.  I feel like I’m trapped in quarantine, even though people are not experiencing that here in Taiwan, I feel like I’ve been personally quarantined.  Every week seems like a battle. 

It really points out to me what a blessing it is to be in church with my friends and family.  I’ll tell you why.  During this time, I felt like I was stuck in the world.  I had a difficult time praying; it was hard to focus on worship over the internet.  Hebrews 10:25 admonishes us not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together”.  We sometimes read that as a command, but what is the reason not to forsake assembling?  Look:

Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)
^10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The reason to attend church is to be able to exhort or encourage each other.  Another way to say that is to say we need to gather to help each other.  It’s a huge encouragement for me to see other people engaged in worshiping God.  It is a great exhortation to see people remain faithful to be in the House of God, week after week after week.  Church is an essential activity!

We are constantly bombarded by the things of the world.  There are the spiritual assaults as well.  We face them alone, when we are unable to gather.  I don’t know about you but I’m not Jackie Chan, I can’t beat up fifteen or sixteen attackers by myself.  I need the strength of my comrades.

It’s bad enough to go through a week of missing church…But this quarantine and prohibition against attending church has been difficult for just about everyone I’ve with whom I’ve talked about this. 

Today, I want to post on being in the House of God!

Psalms 122:1-4 (NKJV)
^122:1 A song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." ² Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! ³ Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, ⁴ Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord.

Why We Need Church

This psalm needs a little background.  Psalms 120, 121, and 122 are written by the same person.  In Psalm 120 the writer is under attack.  Someone is lying about him.  He’s being slandered!  There’s an attempt to destroy him through character assassination:

Psalms 120:1-2 (NKJV)
^120:1 A song of Ascents. In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me. ² Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.

He has an enemy that wants to destroy him.  He’s a picture of you and I – We have an enemy that wants to destroy us.  He’s also a liar.  In fact, Jesus calls him “the father of lies”.  This is his method of destruction, lies and deceit.

The writer of this psalm is looking for comfort and justice.

Psalms 120:3-5 (NKJV)
^120:3 What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You false tongue? ⁴ Sharp arrows of the warrior, With coals of the broom tree! ⁵ Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

He’s asking of this attacker, “What is God going to do to you?  What judgment awaits you for this injustice?  Sharp arrows?  Burning coals?”

That word woe, means “a condition of great suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionaries).  He’s suffering because he is living in the world, not the city of Jerusalem.  He’s not living near the temple – The House of God!  He needs comfort but he’s far away from the House of God.  That’s me during my recuperation and the shutdown.  Sometimes, I feel far from God, because of all the assaults that have been working against me. 

Do you ever feel like Sunday or Wednesday services don’t come fast enough?  Do you ever feel like you can’t wait to be in church?  I do!  Woe, is me that I dwell in a state of lockdown. 

Psalm 121 is a recognition of whom God is in our lives. 

Psalms 121:2-7 (NKJV)
^121:2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. ³ He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. ⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. ⁷ The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

He’s telling us about God’s care for us.  He’s telling us what we can expect from the God who created us and loves us.  He also clearly recognizes his need to be near God at this time.  Psalm 120 is a description of what he’s going through.  Psalm 121 is a recognition that the solution to his suffering is God.  Psalm 122 is the writer bringing his sorrows and troubles before God in the temple.

So, now let’s look at Psalm 122 – The writer of the psalm has arrived in Jerusalem.  It’s a feast day – A celebration.  He’s been waiting to enter into the church.  He’s been waiting to be comforted.  He’s looking for encouragement and as the shofar is blown, and the temple is opened, he says this:

“I was glad when the said unto me, “Let us go into the House of the Lord.”

Finally, he hears the call to enter into the presence of God.  Finally, he can go into that place of comfort.  Finally, he can find the peace that comes from being in God’s presence.  This is the place where the peace of God dwells.

The lockdown makes it difficult to find God’s presence, but the real problem is that even Sundays can seem so far apart.  If you’re only going to church once a week, you’re like that man that’s dwelling away from the presence of God.  There are assaults on your life and salvation.  The devil isn’t going to leave you alone.  He’s always working to wear you down.  He’s always trying to separate you from Jesus.  He wants you feeling the heat of his attacks.

He uses people – He uses the world to work on you.  You’re bombarded by temptation.  You’re overloaded by the world.  You’re constantly attacked for your faith.  Sometimes, it’s subtle – Maybe no one is attacking you personally.  No one is telling you that you’re wrong or bad, but society is working against you.

Look at Taiwanese society.  How many Christian holidays do you think we have in Taiwan? Not a single one – There are no Christian holidays in Taiwan.  Is Christmas promoted as a celebration of Jesus’ birthday in Taiwan?  No, it’s Santa Claus’ day.

Then there is this:  In October, for three consecutive weeks, the Taoist temple nearest our church, had parades that passed by our church, with fireworks, loud music and firecrackers, during our evening service.  This wasn’t a coincidence; this was an assault from hell.  Our battle isn’t against people, though.

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
^6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This scripture tells us that those battles are taking place in the heavenly realm.  Those spiritual hosts of wickedness are not opposed to using the world and its appetites and customs to try to separate you from Jesus.  It’s all designed to wear you down; to make you fatalistic about the things of God. It’s designed to make you feel like you don’t need to be at church: “You’re just going to hear a sermon; nothing is going to come of it!” 

I want you to know something, there is comfort in the presence and promises of God.  If you take responsibility to take the Word of God to heart, you will find comfort.  You will be encouraged.  You will be glad to enter the House of the Lord.

The Power of Attendance

It’s because of the assaults on us that it’s important for us to be at church regularly.  It’s not a rule that you be at every service; God isn’t going to send you to Hell for missing church, but it makes it a lot more difficult to resist the devil.  It makes it a lot more difficult to avoid temptation.  It’s just plain harder to avoid sin and sin WILL take you to Hell.  This is a spiritual battle that we’re engaged in.  The devil is using weapons against you every day, and if you’re going to be engaged in a battle it’s best to take all the weapons you can.  This is a battle for an eternal victory – You can’t afford to lose!  You must win!

Interestingly, the temple was a place where weapons were stored.

2 Kings 11:10 (NKJV)
^11:10 And the priest gave the captains of hundreds the spears and shields which had belonged to King David, that were in the temple of the Lord.

This is the place where you can find weapons with which to fight the enemy.  The writer of Psalm 120 was looking for comfort and peace.  He needed to be encouraged!  He was glad to enter the temple!  We don’t have a temple – We have a sanctuary.  A place of safety – That’s what sanctuary means – and we are exhorted to come into that place.

Hebrews 10:22-25 (NKJV)
^10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

We can approach God with the full assurance of our faith, that He will provide comfort and peace.

²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Here is another aspect of our coming together in the sanctuary.  It’s an encouragement and blessing for others to see you in church.  You living for Jesus can inspire others to live for Jesus! (To stir up love and good works.) Coming to church not only equips you for battles, but it encourages others in the battles that they may be facing.

We’re all in this together.  We need each other – We can’t fight alone and win.  If we’re fighting on the same team, we need to be like-minded!

Romans 15:5-6 (NKJV)
^15:5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The first verse tells us that God is the God of patience and comfort – and that He can cause us to be like Him – patient and comforting toward each other.  This is why we’re encouraged to pray for each other – to come to the altar and pray together.  It brings us closer to each other, so that we can glorify God in one voice.  We can be of one accord. 

Camaraderie isn’t an important tool in the military.  Fighting as comrades in arms for the same goals to defeat a common enemy.  This can be applied to our spiritual battles as well.

When We Are of One Accord

God moves in us when we are of one accord.  Look at what happens when we’re together:

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
^2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit (the Comforter) came upon them as they prayed together of one mind.

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV)
^2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

As the people were gathering together and in fellowship the church grew!  People got saved!

Acts 5:12 (NKJV)
^5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.

God worked miracles through the “hands of the apostles” as they were of one accord.  God can move through us as we pray and gather together.

In John chapter 20, when did Jesus show up?  This is after the crucifixion.  Jesus came to them as they were gathered together.  In Acts chapter 12. When was Peter miraculously released from prison? When they were all together praying for him.

This is why being able to attend church is an essential activity.  This is why it’s a joy and a blessing to come to church, because God can move in us and through us.  We can be used to spark a move of God!  We can be used to bring comfort to each other!  We can be encouraged, and find comfort and resolve when we’re together in the House of God!  That’s Why I was glad when they said unto me –

Come into the House of the Lord!

The Blessing of Unity

We live in Taiwan, so recently my wife and I stayed up late to watch the inauguration of the forty-fifth president of the United States of America.  The United States is the most divided it has been since the Civil War.  It has been growing more polarized for the last eight years. 

President Trump has vowed to “Make America Great Again,” but in order to do that he will have to unify America again.  President Lincoln, who stepped into the White House during that first time of great division, quoted the Bible, “A house divided against itself cannot stand…”  He went on to say:

“I do not expect the house to fall – but I do expect it will cease to be divided.  It will become all one thing or all the other” – Abraham Lincoln

I believe that that the greatness of a nation is rooted in the unity of its people.  I believe that this is also true of the local church.  We make the greatest impact, when we are of one accord.  That’s what I want to post about today:

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
^2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Do You Want Something to Happen?

I usually use this scripture to preach about the Holy Spirit, but I want to look at it in a different light this week.  In fact, I want to focus on one phrase, “with one accord in one place…”  It isn’t just that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, but my purpose is to show you that movement in the church comes from unity of thought and unity of action.  Things happen when we’re together:  Not just in one place but in a spiritual and mental sense, as well.

The disciples about one hundred twenty of them are together in one place.  They’ve gathered; they’re there together.  Everyone is in their place.  Well, at least no one who is completely in agreement with what they’re doing is missing.  It may not be every disciple that was made at that time, but it was those that were of one accord.

These are the ones who’ve caught “the vision” of the early church; the vision of the apostles; the vision of Christ.  They believe in the same thing, but in addition to that, there is camaraderie between them.  They’re not fragmented – They don’t have personal agendas, separate from each other.  They aren’t in cliques – They are of one accord spiritually, mentally, and physically.  They’re united.

It’s when they’re like this that there’s movement in the church.  This is when things begin to take off in the early church.  They’re not all doing different things; they’re together, working toward the same goal, and caring about each other.  It’s when they are in this condition that the Holy Spirit drops into that congregation and revival breaks out.  They’re empowered as a body, not as individuals.

Do you want to see something happen in your church?  Be of one accord.  When we are in one accord that’s when things happen.

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV)
^2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Look at what “one accord” means:

“Breaking bread from house to house” – They spend time together outside of the temple – As a group.  It’s not fragmented: “I’m going with this one person, only!”  “I don’t want to do what the others are doing, so I’m going off by myself.”  Some of them were willing to put aside what they wanted in order to stay with the group. 

“Ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” – They were happy just to be together – They had fun together.  It wasn’t complicated.

“What’s your relationship with that person?”

“It’s complicated…” 

They weren’t looking at each other with mixed emotions. 

“I like this person today, yesterday, not so much.”

“I don’t like what they said, so I’m mad at them.”

It was simple; they accepted each other’s offenses. 

You know, there’s going to be offenses.  People can be irritating.  People will say things you don’t want to hear, but which may be good for you to hear.  People may say something to the pastor so that he can help you but you see it as getting you into trouble.  That’s inwardly-focused thinking:  It’s all about me.  Instead of outwardly focused thinking: It’s all about others.  Some of you are guilty of that – That isn’t holiness. 

The problem with not being of one accord is that the Holy Spirit cannot drop into an unholy place.  When they were of one accord, the Holy Spirit fell.  When they were together, enjoying each other, caring for each other, that’s when the early church exploded into revival.

We need the Holy Spirit.  Look at what Pastor Harold Warner has said when writing on Twitter of the Holy Spirit:

God’s enabling gift to us today: the “indwelling, convicting, sight-giving, desire-producing, strength-affording presence of the Spirit” – Pastor Harold Warner

That’s the gift of the Holy Spirit, look at what we receive:  That Spirit is the Spirit that produces fruit:  Presence of God, conviction, vision, desire and strength.  That’s the power that makes something happen.  It doesn’t come from us alone, it comes from being of one accord, so the Spirit can fall.  Our power is in our unity.

Getting Back to Relationship

I want to look at relationships for a moment, because relationships within the church indicate unity.  Relationships demonstrate a kind of holiness.  Look at this scripture:

Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
^5:23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

This scripture shows us how important relationships are to God.  That word brother is talking about, “your brother from another mother,”  not necessarily your blood brother, but your brother and sister in Christ.

You’ve come before God with an offering, a gift for God and you think of some issue between you and someone in the church.  There’s anger, there’s some division; you are not of one accord.  There’s distance growing between you, then:

Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Don’t give that offering until you have come back together with that person that you have an issue with, then come and give the offering.  Do you know what that says?  It says that if you’re not right with your brothers and sisters in Christ, then you’re not right with God.

In Romans 12, Paul shows us what the relationship should be like:

Romans 12:10 (NKJV)
^12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

“Be affectionate with one another”; care for each other.  Let each other know how much you care about each other.

Jesus said, “They will know you are my disciples by your love one for another.”  Can people see that in your relationships, or do they see squabbling, backbiting and distance?  Do they see God’s love in your relationships, or do they see the same thing they see outside of the church?

“Giving preference to one another” – Have each other’s back.  Stand together.  Hang out with each other.  Wouldn’t you rather be around the people of God?  Is it better to be around people who are opposed to what God is trying to do in your life?  Your sinner friends don’t care whether you remained saved or not.  It’s the brothers and sisters that care about that.

Our relationships are important because they show the world what Jesus can do to change people.  People are naturally self-centered; naturally concerned for their own welfare. 

“I’ve got to get what’s mine, first.”

You don’t have to drive in Taiwan too long to see that.  Nobody can wait for anyone else – I’m first.  If you don’t believe me try crossing the street in front of a taxi.  It’s human nature to think that whatever “important” thing you’re doing, it’s more important than everyone else’s.

Sinners are blown away by people who put others first.  Jesus put all of mankind’s needs before His own.  The Bible says, “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”  He put our need for salvation before His own life, can’t we just put other people’s needs first, sometimes.  Here’s a truth of life for you, “It’s not always all about you.”

The Blessing of a United Front

Being together, being of one accord, being united is a blessing.  God can use a church that’s united in their vision.  I want to go back to my illustration for a moment.

During the civil war, when the nation was divided there was only turmoil and destruction.  America was being destroyed, millions died, families were torn apart.  Men fought against their own brothers in that war.

Land and livelihoods were stolen and destroyed.  America had lost its greatness.  After the war, after a time of unification, huge things were accomplished:  Huge engineering feats like the Transcontinental Railroad.  There was increased westward expansion – The taming of the west.  There was growth, and economic prosperity.  America came to be viewed as the land of opportunity.  Millions of people emigrated from their homelands because of the promise America held.  That’s the blessing of unity.

If our church is unified, if we’re of one accord, the Bible promises that we will see that same blessing:

Acts 2:47 (NKJV)
^2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Do you want to see things happen in your church:  Miracles, financial breakthrough, revival?  That’s the blessing of unity.  The Holy Spirit can fall in a place where the people are of one accord.  When we’re together that’s when things can happen:

John 20:19 (NKJV)
^20:19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They’re together, in the same place, for the same reason and Jesus, the risen Jesus, the glorified Jesus walks in and says, “Peace be with you.”

That word peace is interesting in this case.  The Greek word translated as peace comes from a root that means “to join,” as in put together.  Peace comes from being together.  It can also be translated as prosperity – not financial but by being joined together we prosper in the things of God.  I believe that means revival, miracles, financial breakthrough, and growth:  The blessing of unity.  Do you want to see things happen in your church?  Be of one accord.

Guarding the Fruit

Editor's Note:  The theme for our church this year is that this is "2015 is the Year of Fruitfulness."  We have a desire to see the church built in Taoyuan City and spreading to the rest of Taiwan.  This sermon was preached on a way to impart the vision to bear fruit, that will be lasting and remain until Christ's return.  I fruit is borne then it is important that we guard the fruit so that it cannot be stolen or slip away.

I used to work with a woman that had a saying when you asked in she was busy.  She would say, “I’m busier than a one-eyed fox watching two hen-houses.”  She had a lot of other colorful phrases but I wouldn't use most of them.  What she was saying is that it was difficult to do a good job at any one thing because there were so many other things to do. 

We all have busy lives, don’t we?  We’re all busier than one-eyed foxes, but there are some things we need to focus on.  Jesus has given us a task.  He has placed a burden on us, and that is that we’re to reach our generation.

John 15:15-16 (NKJV)^15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

It is appointed to us that we should bear fruit and that our fruit should remain.  In order for fruit our fruit to remain we need to protect it.  Today, I want to write about protecting the fruit that we have been.

1 Kings 20:38-40 (NKJV)^20:38 Then the prophet departed and waited for the king by the road, and disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes. ³⁹ Now as the king passed by, he cried out to the king and said, "Your servant went out into the midst of the battle; and there, a man came over and brought a man to me, and said, 'Guard this man; if by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.' ⁴⁰ While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone." Then the king of Israel said to him, "So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it."

Guard this Man

The context of this is that the King of Syria threatened Israel, and God delivered them over into israel’s hands.  God wanted the King of Syria dead, but Ahab the king of Israel let him go.  He saw an opportunity to make some money, so basically he refused to do what God wanted.  He was disobedient and this prophet let him know what God said.

I think there’s a lesson for us in this warning.  We are called, (The Bible says appointed) to bear fruit and that the fruit we bear should remain.  If that’s the case then we are called to guard the fruit.  To guard the man we are given to guard; to not let the fruit “slip away.”

Let’s look for a moment at the excuse that’s given for the loss of the prisoner, “While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.”  The guard got too busy “here and there” to pay attention to what he was given to do.  Here and there seems to imply that he was busy with many things.  He was jut going about daily life and the man slips away – he’s just gone.  The result is that the guard has to pay with his life for losing the prisoner.

There is a task that is appointed to us:  To bear fruit and that our fruit should remain.  So we have the same task as the guard; to keep the fruit that was given to us.  That fruit should not be allowed to slip away, and that’s the challenge isn't it?  How do we keep people serving God?  How do we inspire people to remain in the will of God?  We are often distracted by our busyness. 

The guard in the text tells the king I was busy here and there, “I had things to do; things that needed my concentration; things that were no doubt important, but that’s why he was lost.  It wasn't me it was all that I had to do that allowed him to slip away.”

That’s what he’s saying, “I had things to do so I couldn't pay enough attention to the man and he escaped while I was busy with all those things.  It’s not my fault…it was my busyness.”  The king called it a decision.

That’s interesting isn't it?  The man decided that the things he was busy with were more important than guarding the man.  You’d think that with his life on the line, making sure the prisoner didn't escape would be his highest priority…but the prisoner was ignored and he got away.  Has that ever happened to you?

Have you ever focused on some trivial task that you ere doing and lost track of the time?  Have you ever been so intent on doing one task that you forgot to do something that was more important?  We've all done that.

The reality of it is that you've made a choice.  You have given priority to the lesser thing.  We often allow the things we’re busy with get in the way of the larger thing, which is obedience to God.  Look at this moment in the lives of Martha and Mary.  They’re friends of Jesus:

Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)^10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." ⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Martha is busy, she’s trying to serve all of these people who've come to her home.  Her sister Mary has chosen to sit and listen at Jesus’ feet..  Martha was distracted with too much serving.  She was too busy to hear from Jesus.  She was too busy for the word of God.  She was preoccupied with the lesser task.

We are often like this.  I’m too busy for Bible Study.  I have too many other things to do that I can’t go on outreach.  I’m too busy here and there.  I don’t have time to help anyone who is struggling with staying saved.  God should keep them.  Well, He’s given us that job – To guard the fruit.

I think that sometimes we get distracted with all of our church tasks and lose sight of the talks of keeping the fruit.   We’re too busy for new relationships.  One of the concerns in our church is, whether or not people have relationships with people in the church, outside of the church.  Do they spend time with others in the church?  Do they talk to each other?  Do they pray for each other?  Do they have any concern for others in the church and their salvation, or are they too busy here and there?

Am I saying you should put your life on hold to only church things?  Of course not, we all have to work and raise kids, and do what we have to do.  But I believe there’s a balance to do the will of God.  For years, I balanced a full-time job; my family and my church activities, so I know it can all be balanced.

Some people say they’re just too busy, but they have time for a lot of other things.  When it comes to new people coming into the church, you don’t have to invite them to come and live with you, but how about a friendly lunch after church, or a phone call once in a while.  Make them feel cared about.  Make a friend.  Find out what you have in common and invite them to do that, that’s how you made the friends you have now.

The best friends that I have in life started out just like that; someone reached out to me when I first came to church.  Helping people to lock into church is vital for their spiritual well-being.  It’s the way we guard the fruit – not letting it slip away.

It’s Part of Being of One Accord

Look with me again at John 15:16:

John 15:16 (NKJV)^15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

That appointment to bear fruit is attached to a promise: That whatever you ask in my name, He may give you.  Another translation says it like this, “In order that whatever you might ask the father in my name, he may give you.” (Weust Expanded New Testament).  When you say “in order” it means that one thing follows the other.  It’s like saying “If you will bear fruit and that fruit remains, then whatever you may ask of the Father he will give it to you.” 

The context of this statement is telling the disciples, “I no longer call you servants but friends, if you do what I command.”  A friend understands what the master is doing.  With a servant, that’s not necessarily true:  he servant does things because the master ordered them to do it. A friend, on the other hand, does what he does because he’s in agreement.  Your friends don’t do what you tell them to do, just because you told them to, they do what they agree with.  So this context tells us that the disciples are in agreement with Jesus.  When they follow His orders they are of one accord.  They have the same purpose.  They have the same priorities.

What if we’re not in agreement?  What if we’re not of one accord?  Will the people we reach be fruit that remains?  I think if we’re not of one accord then there will be hesitation to make them feel welcome.  People will resist reaching out to others.  People will resist following up on new believers.  Follow-up is essential to having fruit that remains.  They come to church and they expect the pastor to be friendly.  It’s part of his job description – be friendly.  It’s the congregation’s response they’re looking for.  They wan to know what the people in the congregation are like.  Fruit that remains indicates that we are in one accord.

John 17:11 (NKJV)^17:11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

That they may be one – in thought and purpose

As we are one – in thought and purpose:

That they will remain united in thought and action as the ones that came before them were united, so that they will all be of one accord.

Now look at this prayer of Jesus:

John 17:20-21 (NKJV)^17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Jesus is praying that we as believers will be of one accord so that the world will know that this real:  That this is ordained of God.  I we are all of a different mindset then there’s no real difference between us and the world.

This is often my prayer.  I sometimes wonder why there are things that are visible in people’s lives in our congregation that I wouldn't want in my life.  Why do I feel so strongly about certain spiritual principles and people in the congregation don’t.  If we’re not of one accord it results in confusion for the newcomers, and in confusion that fruit cannot remain.

How to Bear Fruit and Have it Remain

I believe that there are several things that we as a congregation can do to see out church grow.  How many people realize that church growth is more dependent on the congregation than the pastor?  People don’t come to church because the pastor is great.  They come because of the congregation.  They come because of relationships they have or want to have with people in the church. We need to focus on the people we've been given.  We need to include them in our lives, and show them they’re accepted.  There’s a need for us all to come to be of one accord, because we’re not all going in the same direction.  We don’t all participate in the strategy of the church to reach souls.  There is a need for people in the congregation to share in the vision of the church to reach the lost.  People should begin to rise up and take on for themselves a personal vision to reach other people that works together with the church’s vision.

We can’t be afraid to reach out to people who may not be the “type” of people we’re comfortable with.  Those that seem to be the least lovable are often those who most need to be loved.

We can’t be afraid to witness or to share our testimony with people.  We don’t always know what they struggle with in life and your struggle may be the same type of thing they with which they struggle.  The thing that most touched me and brought me to the will of God was a drama about Mexican gangsters, when I had never had any experience at all with them.  The drama touched on an area of struggle in my life, with which other people, regardless of culture or ethnicity, may struggle.

Finally, it is important that we do not neglect those that do come.  Reach out to them.  Make friends with them.  Help them to feel like they are a part of something.  Show them that we care about them, so that they will desire to remain.  This is how we guard the fruit and don’t allow it to slip away.