“I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit.”

This morning we have made a promise to help Ryder grow up in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Growing up in the love and knowledge of Jesus is in some ways no different than growing up physically and emotionally. Growth is normal. If Ryder is the same size a year from now we would be very concerned. If Ryder’s sister’s behaved and did the things that Ryder is doing right now we would not tolerate it. It is expected that as a child grows, the child will mature. When grapes mature on the vine it means that they have ripened. When wine matures it means it has aged.

When children mature it means they are becoming grown up and responsible. They are giving up childish ways. When we mature spiritually our beliefs become more than words we express with our lips, but our beliefs motivate our thoughts, attitudes and actions. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.”

Speaking from personal experience I can tell you that there highs, lows and plateaus in the process of maturing. There were times when walking with Jesus was sweet. We were in sync. There were times when walking with Jesus was an up-hill battle. There were times, as we talked about in the revelation study, when our life is tethered to some many activities that we aren’t even thinking about maturity of faith. Maintaining and enhancing spiritual maturity requires attentiveness and continual dependence on God. Spiritual maturity is all about BEING.

I can’t think of a part definition for the word BE than to REMAIN. “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.”

Remaining in Jesus is the only way you and I will some day reach full maturity in Christ. That day will be the day you and I enter the kingdom of heaven. As long you and I reside here on earth, all we can do is keep on walking closer and closer to Jesus. Jesus said, “Be perfect.”(Matthew 5:48) Perfection is the goal you and I must be striving for. Know that you and I will always be approaching perfection, BUT we will never reach it in this life.

Does that mean we shouldn’t strive for perfection? Absolutely not! While we may not reach perfection in this life we can reach maturity. Maturity is what God wants for us. Paul states, “To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned.” WHY? “To prepare God’s people for the works of service, so the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become MATURE, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:7,12,13)

I read a story this week in a daily devotional about a thirteen year old girl named Rachael. I read this story the very morning that Tara Stout died. Most of us did not know Tara personally yet we were saddened to hear of her death. We have been praying for Tara for several years. Kathy has been giving us updates about her treatments and condition. Along with that Kathy has shared with us Tara’s faith that gave her, her passion for life and her fight to live.

Like Tara, Rachael received a diagnosis that she had cancer and had 8 weeks to live. Rachel asked her family and best friend to pray for her. She asked, “Would you pray that before I die, I can share Jesus with my entire high school.” The doctors gave Rachael eight weeks, but God gave her 3 years to fulfill her mission. In those three years she spoke and lived for Jesus on her high school campus. As she saw it her cancer gave her a unique voice to speak for Jesus. Before she died she wrote a letter to her school mates. It was read at her funeral.

Both Tara and Rachael revealed a great maturity of faith. The way we live today determines the legacy we leave behind. The legacy Tara and Rachael leave behind is one not of self-pity, or self-centeredness, or self-indulgence. They leave a legacy of triumphant faith. They leave a legacy of being the light of Christ that shone in the darkness. They leave a legacy of BEING, of remaining.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit.”

“As the Father has loved me,
so have I loved you.
Now remain in my love.
If you obey my commands,
you will remain in His love.”

Our Pray 21 focus has challenged us to BELIEVE, BECOME, BELONG AND BE. Just below this sermon is a heart prayer. This heart prayer is a Be Prayer. I had it placed below for the purpose of challenging you to pray it for the next 21 days.

I want you to pray it, not read it, not recite it, but pray this prayer everyday for the next 21 days and see if God does not work through you to mature you. As you pray stop and think about what you are asking God for. In the prayer’s first petition you are asking God for a heart that can hold the good things of life. Just exactly what are the good things in life? According to this prayer it isn’t life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It isn’t fame or fortune. No! It is a compassionate, kind, gentle and patient heart. You are asking God to BE these attributes of love with everyone in every situation, at home, at work, in the car, in the store, with your family, your classmates, and neighbor. Praying this prayer will enable you to BE, to remain in Jesus. Living this prayer will bring about the maturity of faith Jesus wants for you and me. The question you need to answer is: Do you want your faith to mature?

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in His love… This is my command: Love each other.
 

Amen

THE HEART PRAYER

God, please give me a heart that can hold all the good things in life:
A heart with compassion and kindness, with gentleness and patience,
and a heart that is open to spontaneity and joy.

Please form in me a heart that listens to all of your messages of love:
one that trusts, always looking for the goodness hidden in others;
one that will readily share the gifts you have given, and
one that can hope beyond difficulties.

Grant me a peaceful heart that will hold on to the real values in life
so that I can respond with assurance to what is important;
give me a heart that is grounded in love rather than fear;
one that is open to the needs of others and will reach out with sincerity.
Please God, give me a heart filled with your Spirit.

AMEN


Reverend Richard Hayes Weyer