Mark Sorensen I recently traveled back to Marshall, TX, to assist in a wedding of a former youth (now adult) in the first church I started youth ministry in. Walking the halls of FUMC, Marshall, brought back a ton of memories. Oh, the amount of pizza consumed in those five years of youth ministry. Of course, there were lock-ins, UMYF on Sunday nights, after school Bible studies, trips to six flags and other events. All fun. But it was the mission trips that made the greatest impact. One specific mission trip comes to mind. We traveled to Schertz, TX, northeast of San Antonio. That particular summer, there was massive flooding and homes that were completely destroyed. That led us to jump into vans, volunteer with the local Methodist church in the community and go to work. The house we cleaned out that summer was a total loss. The water line in the home was six inches away from the ceiling and we spent three days moving room by room hauling out water soaked furniture and mud ruined carpet. Goodness. But it was the refrigerator that imprinted most on my mind.
The kitchen was the last room that needed to be cleaned out and I remember that we were all so exhausted. The refrigerator that needed to be removed was the last item on the list of to-do’s and it was huge. As I went to haul this out of the house, the owner who only spoke spanish said something to the effect of, “cuidadoso” (which, I would later learn meant “careful”). I got five teenagers to help and we took this fridge out of the house. All seemed to be going well. That is, until we got into the yard. A majority of the weight was on me with the teens helping to guide the fridge, which, seemed like a good idea. That is, until I hit a hole in the yard and the freezer door flew open leading the contents to slosh out onto my back. Now. let’s revisit the word, “cuidadoso”. I believe my spanish brother in Christ was not saying, “Careful. That fridge is heavy”. I believe he was saying something more along the lines of, “Careful. I have several packages of meat and chicken that have gone from expired to “RANK” in that freezer and you do not want that stuff sloshing out onto your shirt”. Needless to say, “too late”. Remember those five teens helping me? Once the contents of “Liquid Stink” flowed onto my shirt, all five kids left me alone. That smell will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Ok. Time machine back to present. We looked at this passage in church on Sunday morning.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
John 15:1-9
This is an easy verse to read and pass over very quickly. But maybe a re-read on this one is necessary. Jesus is very carefully laying out a foundation that we need to take seriously. When we are plugged into His teachings, words and presence, our lives should bring forth fruit that give glory to His living in us. We should see fruit in our lives as a result of His living in us. As Jesus said, “if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit”. But what happens when we are not connected. GREAT question. Easy answer? We don’t bear fruit. In fact, we become anemic. And the contents of that refrigerator that has been unplugged from His teachings, words and presence? It stinketh.
But, there is always good news. Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love”. Wherever you find yourself this evening, take a moment to look at your life. Where do you see fruit? Where do you see growth because of the relationship you have with Christ? Grab a piece of paper and write it down. Celebrate that fruit. Give God glory for the fruit in your life and PRAY over the fruit you have seen. But, maybe, you don’t see fruit. Maybe there are things in your life that stink because you have been completely disconnected from the Vine. Hear this. Growth and new life can always come and is available to you right now. You are loved and Jesus could not have been more clear on His intentions for you in your life: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples“.
You are not alone on the journey, friends. Hear that. If I can help pray over anything in your life, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whatever the contents of your fridge? I won’t leave you holding it on your own. And more good news? Jesus won’t bail on you either. Promise you that.
