The Healthiest Fruit

Spoiler Alert:  It’s not pomegranate.

Four faithful (some with umbrellas, some without) weathered the storm to meet without coffee at Coffee Underground and dive into The Word.

The Thang: John 15:1-8

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. ³ You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

  Jesus continues from where he left off in John 14, where he declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.”  He goes even further in Chapter 15 with the symbol of the grapevine, stating those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  We discussed what the definition of “fruit” is in this passage.  It is so easy for us to take that term and fit it into what we desire here on Earth, but isn’t this fruit to be defined by God?  I suppose some fruit may not taste as sweet to us in the moment, but is quite necessary to build His kingdom.

Amelia pointed out that in Galatians 5:22, the “fruit” of the Spirit is defined as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Conversely, Jesus explains that anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away, in a pile to be burned.  Again, it is easy to focus on his promises, but in order to “remain in Him”, I for one need to focus just as much on the consequences of not doing so.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not be “pruned” as detailed in verse 2.

Something I’ve found with these discussion groups is that different perspectives help you leave the stagnant views you become bound by individually.  The Bible’s potential can begin to unlock for those searching for His truths, when discussed openly with other followers.  Great session today.

Announcements:

•  The Jackalope, Swamp Rabbit CSAUP, 5/16 at 0600, 7+ miles of group run with pain stations every mile.  Volunteers needed for support.  Sign up today if you haven’t already.
• Banjo will Q at an AO TBD on his 65th birthday on June 29th.  I know I’ve circled my calendar.
• Affordable Care Act (YHC) will Q for the first time at The Golden Strip May 7th.  There may or may not be a Baseball theme.
• Vanilla Ice has the Q next week.  The Thang will be John 15:9-17