Becoming Disciples Sample

Bear Fruit

Relationship is part of our journey with Jesus. It’s part of our lives as Christians, not just with Christ, but with other brothers and sisters in Christ. The new testament never ever speaks of a solitary Christian. The great John Donne told us “No man is an island.” Almost every aspect of Christianity is somehow connected to community. Community is at the core of Christianity and of seeking to become disciples. It is only when we support each other in our ministry and lives as Christians that we’re really able to be effective disciples. We need each other to be a community; to become a community of disciples. 

When Jesus said, “I am the vine you are the branches,” He is telling us to stay connected to Him and to each other. We are the body of Christ. We cannot downplay the importance of this connection. 

In 1992, I was in Florida when the great hurricane Andrew passed. I don’t know how many of you remember hurricane Andrew, but it was a big storm. I was a seminary student at the time and remember the impact this storm had on our community. It was supposed to go through the Atlantic and pass the Caribbean, so we definitely did not expect it, but were prepared for it. The next day, after the storm, I opened the front door of the house and could see all the damage. It looked like a war-zone. Cars were destroyed from concrete tiles that had flown off roofs. Trees were either down or uprooted and just a few days after the storm, as you drove around the neighborhood, you could almost immediately see what branches were not going to make it. The branches that disconnected from the trunk or had severed from the main trunk, were beginning to get dry and wither. The color of the leaves began to change, and you could tell that the branches were going to have to be cut. 

Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  He wants you to bear much fruit and desires for you to remain connected. When we disconnect from the vine something dies. Something isn’t’ right. Jesus makes it clear that not only does He abide in us, not only are we connected to Him, but apart from Him we can do nothing.