Bearing MUCH Fruit… Thoughts About John 15
The Lord laid it on my heart to preach this morning about our need to bear fruit for Him. The sad thing is that many Christians sit on the sidelines of life and show little fruit. They are all “talk” and no “do”. There are those who are in church every week and “profess” to be saved but have NO FRUIT at all. No fruit = no salvation. As a mission church it’s our goal to reach the community and see souls saved. After they are saved it’s our job to help them grow and mature to the point that they begin to bear “much fruit”. It really burdens a pastor’s heart to see/hear people “talk a good talk” and then never follow through with their commitments. One consolation is that it’s in every church you’ve ever been a part of (doesn’t make it right or scriptural but every church has people like that). When Cindy and I attended Church Planter training in Oklahoma in 2008 one of the team leaders made the statement that “50% of the people you start a mission with will not be there at the end of the first year.” and that is so sad but so true. Many “start out with a bang” but they fall by the wayside. We are so blessed at Life House to have a great group of committed believers who have a passion and zeal to reach our community and Texarkana with the gospel. It is sad though that some who started with us are no longer active and have allowed every excuse in the world to keep them from being faithful, serving or committed. God has put together a great group of people to be the “core group” of believers at Life House…..but I am praying for five couples or a total of 10 people to be brought to Life House in the coming year (established, dedicated, grounded people) to help us teach new believers and grow this great work. We are growing and seeing more and more every month but we need some good, solid, sold out believers who will come and help us in this new mission. We are praying and God is already working on some hearts and soon we will see those coming to join us and help. Pray for us as we seek to “bear much fruit” in the days and months ahead at Life House. Just some thoughts for you to ponder and pray about….
On a side note … Our 7th – 12th Grade Day Camp is coming up. Pray for the youth that will be present and pray that we can teach them and make a difference in their hearts and lives. Many good things are ahead and i’ll keep you posted. Praise God for all He is doing at Life House!! Pastor James
May 31st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
When are you doing your Day Camp? What are you doing? Is there anything our group could help with? What kids stuff do you have planned that we could assist you guys in?
May 31st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Hey – thanks for asking. The first day camp is the 7th – 12 grade day camp in June and Mission Texarkana is coming to help us with that one. Then we have a church youth group coming from Mississippi to help us with VBS (could always use more youth there to help I’m sure) in July but………..we have a children through 6th grade day camp in August that we need help with. Could your group come help us with that one? Let me know and if you need more info hit me up.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:21 am
I bet we could help in August, depending on what date you have planned.