Good Fruit

 When I hear the scripture…

Matthew 7:17

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit

…I think of the idea that we are meant to have “good fruit” and the good fruit is the kindness and love that we are to show people. It means having a good attitude and being nice to people. Think about it. If we were to be like Christ, we would think that the character of Christ would be paramount. I know that there is a lot of truth to that. However, recently I was challenged in that thought.

I was listening to a podcast. One of the hosts talked about plants and, more specifically, the fruit that comes from that plant. He said that plants produce fruit for the sole purpose of reproduction. The plant knows that, while on this earth, it is meant to grow into a plant that is mature. It is to produce fruit that contains a seed that would bear the makeup of itself and reproduce its own likeness. This was such a big thought to me. 

What I heard in that podcast was that good fruit would, to a certain degree, need to look right and taste sweet. BUT the true importance of the fruit is that it would contain a viable seed. A seed that would be able to be planted and produce another plant with the ability of producing its own plant that can bear more fruit and so on.

When I hear about the great commission…

Matthew 28:19

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

…this is good fruit! To go and reproduce yourself with what God, through Christ, has done in you! People might say, “but what about the fruits of the spirit? Aren’t they meant to reside in you?”

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Yes, these fruits are meant to be in you. Not for the purpose of you having a good life. These are the tools to produce fruit that will duplicate itself. So many times, we think about these fruits for self-preservation, when God meant them to be used as the vessel of the seed - to make more believers in Christ. We are to be duplicating ourselves, bringing eternal life to the lost, for the glory of the kingdom of God!

When we think about “good fruit”, let us remember it’s not just what we put out there, it’s about making more followers. 

Matthew 7:17

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit

This might mean that a good tree is not just one that looks right, it is one that can produce fruit that can reproduce. So go… have good fruit… share your faith… make more followers.

 

Rene Solis Director of Koinonia School of Ministry

Carry Your Cross

 If you’ve ever done something that you didn’t like, you could very well be like Jesus. For the follower of God, opportunities to do things out of the norm are plentiful every day. I believe that God is always trying to get our attention, but we fail to listen. I remember when I was in high school, I would get these weird thoughts in my head. Thoughts like “go pray for that person”, or “ask that person how their day was”. I didn’t want to interact with strangers, so I wrote those thoughts off as weird ideas that had no place in my busy schedule. After all, those naps weren’t going to take themselves!

As I matured in my faith, I realized that God had been subtly shouting at me and I was choosing not to listen. I asked God for boldness, wisdom, and discernment as I talked to complete strangers, bought the food for the people behind me in the drive-up line, and prayed over neighborhoods that I didn’t have a connection to. These things, although good, were not always on my to-do list. Still to this day, I have to tell myself that following God takes work, that every task or job isn’t popular, full of glamor, or even seen. But the kingdom of God is made up of people who serve and follow Jesus, so I listen and obey. I pick up my cross and follow Jesus.

Jesus says to his disciples “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, ESV). If we look a few verses back, we see what prompted Jesus to say this. We read in verses 21 – 23 that Jesus was showing his disciples what would eventually happen to him, telling them about his persecution, death, and resurrection. Peter - one of the disciples, rebukes Jesus when he hears this, even saying that such things will never happen to him.  Jesus responds by saying “Get behind me, Satan!” (v. 23). Jesus was not happy with Peter. 

When Jesus rebukes Peter for suggesting that there was another path for him – that these events did not have to happen this way - this reminds me of when Jesus was battling Satan in the wilderness. Jesus resists, and at the end of this exchange, angels come and minister to Jesus. Jesus knew what his purpose was, and he knew that the fate of the world hinged on him being perfect, the unblemished lamb that would serve as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. If, at any point, he had given in to Satan’s suggestions and offers, humanity would still be lost. But Jesus fought hard and resisted Satan. When Peter suggests to Jesus that he doesn’t have to suffer his fate, Jesus rebukes Peter. 

We read in Luke 22 that Jesus is praying at the Mount of Olives and it is a genuine prayer. Jesus, the Son of God, prays, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (v.42, ESV)

A modern approach to this prayer would be, “God, I don’t want to do this. But, if you want me to, I will.”

I, for one, am so glad that Jesus shows us his humanity in this prayer. I can absolutely relate to this prayer; I think I pray this every day! It is here that we can see what Jesus means regarding Matthew 16:24. To pick up your cross means for you to do something that you may not want to do, but you know that God wants you to do it. Jesus didn’t want to die a horrible death, but He knew this is what the Father wanted, so he went through with it. You can read Hebrews 12:2 for Jesus’ motivation. 

Maybe you don’t want to make amends with your friend or neighbor, but you know God is calling you to. Maybe you don’t want to learn about other cultures or the people around you so you can continue to live your best bubbled life, but God is calling you to reach out to others. Maybe you want to continue to complain to others around you, even though God is calling you to higher things. 

Whatever your cross may be, know that Jesus gives you the strength to carry it, and this choice must be done every day. This isn’t just to make you uncomfortable or to ruin your day. God molds us through the uncomfortable and strengthens us during our moments of weakness. Know that God’s plan is for you to become more like Jesus, and this is a lifelong process. Just as Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, we too will be honored for our obedience. 

Mauricio Paredes

Junior High Pastor 

Getting More From The Bible

As I read through the Old Testament of the Bible, I find myself in the book of Exodus. When I read, I am eager to gather what I can from stories like this one:

1. What does this teach me about God? The Bible is actually how we learn God’s will and recognize His voice when He speaks to us. This is a primary way of developing a closer, two-way relationship with God. It is His Word, after all.

2. How does this point me to Jesus? My spirit is saved by faith in Christ; my soul is saved based on the life I live after. What kind of life am I living?

3. What does this teach me about myself? 

4. How do I apply this to my everyday life? 

Back to Exodus . . . Most know the story of Moses from movies such as The Ten Commandments and the animated Prince of Egypt. Moses is the guy God chose to lead the Israelites out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt. The Israelites were God’s chosen people – the lineage of our future Messiah, Jesus Christ.

After witnessing miracle upon miracle used by God to free them, these 600,000+ people find themselves in the desert being led by Moses to a land, promised by God and ‘flowing with milk and honey’. One would think that they would be extremely joyful to be out of the bondage of heavy labor and tyranny. They probably were, initially. Then the reality of their current circumstances settled in.

It must have been hard: their entire community in the desert, moving as nomads toward an unknown future. Despite the fact that they were following the actual physical presence of God, in a pillar of fire and cloud, they began grumbling. They complained about food, water and former comforts. Their discomforts became magnified in their minds. They longed for permanent homes with predictable meals and routines. They actually wished to be back in Egypt! How could this happen – to wish for slavery over freedom in a beautiful land, promised by God?

This may have been similar to how we fondly recall times gone by. We remember the good and tend to forget the difficult. We look back on our childhood and adolescence and recall it fondly, much like a Happy Days or Full House episode. We forget about the struggles we faced at home or just how difficult middle- and high school actually were.

The Israelites complained, demanded, rebelled and ran wild. God became angry and called them a ‘stiff-necked people’ and Moses defended his people before God. God punished them by delaying their assured future by 40 years of wandering the desert. They obviously had much to learn before He could turn them loose in the promised land.

What did I learn from this wilderness story? 

• The way to our promised land (heaven) is not always easy but God is always with us. 

• God is faithful even when we are not. 

• God is merciful, forgiving and fair but, even when forgiven, there are still consequences for our actions.

• God will always provide and make a way where there seems to be no way.

• Our greatest struggles have the potential to grow our faith, patience, endurance, and reliance upon the only One who can do all things.

As I read the Bible, I find it easy to point the finger. Why did Adam and Eve eat the forbidden apple (Genesis)? Why did the Israelites complain so after they had been saved (Exodus)? Why did King David kill the husband of a woman he wanted (2 Samuel)? Would I have acted any differently? Do I behave any differently?

There is much more that could be learned from this particular story. What I learned may be different than what you learn. That’s the beauty and mystery of how God’s Holy Spirit works in us. The point is to read the Bible, reflect upon it, and apply it. Dig deeper. It will grow you up in amazing ways!

There are reasons God wrote what He wrote in the Bible for all of humanity to have until the end of time. Our job – no, our privilege – is to figure out what those reasons are. This book is beautiful, informational, adventurous and, more importantly, reflective of our God. Be encouraged to find a translation of God’s Word that is easy for you to read and understand so that you may benefit from its wisdom and encouragement.

Sylvia Gaston 

Family Ministry Pastor

Unpack Your Bags!

My senior year of high school, I made sure my grades were high, my club list was long, and my volunteer hours were plentiful. I was singularly focused on moving out of the area to a fancy college. I was so entirely motivated, that when we moved into a new house, I intentionally left most of my belongings in boxes, assuming it would make my impending transition easier. I literally lived out of boxes and a suitcase for weeks. When college plans fell through, and I decided to attend a local school, I realized I needed to unpack my bags. It was time for me to make the place I was already living my own.     

In a culture full of FOMO (fear of missing out) and always looking for the next best thing, commitment is not necessarily a requirement for most arrangements or relationships. We struggle to get people to register for free events because without the incentive of money, most people simply want to keep their options open until the day arrives. Then, they can assess all of the elements: mood, energy level, and what else may have randomly presented itself to compete with the original plans. While I, too, fall into this category of lax commitment levels for most events, I feel there might be a seeping of this symptom in areas of life that do need commitment. There may be areas in your life when other options are not an option. 

Here are three areas in life that you may need to unpack your bags. When you live unpacked, this means you allow people to have exposure to your baggage. When you live unpacked, it means you plan to return even if you take a small trip away. When you live unpacked, it means you belong. 

 

Area 1- Your relationship with Jesus. When it comes to Jesus, He is everything! I do not always understand. I do not always love His will. I do not live without doubts. But I do live with this bag unpacked. This is not a feeling; this is a decision made and paid for daily. I have gone in and out of seasons of struggle, doubt, frustration and disillusionment. But I know, no matter how I may be pressed that day, I belong to and with Jesus. 

 

Area 2- Your marriage. One of the best bits of advice I received during our pre-marital counseling was to not allow divorce to be an option. Within this relationship, outside of certain extreme circumstances, my bags remain unpacked. I don’t belong anywhere else. This means working out the issues is the only option on the table, no matter how long it may take. 

 

Area 3- Your church. This is probably the most controversial of the three. I am not saying you can never change churches! There are many reasons to leave a church. But the act of staying involved and engaged when things are uncomfortable or challenging is incredibly fruitful. If we live unpacked, ready to leave at the first sign of challenge, we miss the fruit of forgiveness, perseverance, and consistency. We are called to a church body because it will bring up issues that will bring up opportunities for God to mend, heal, reveal Himself, and teach us how to love better. 

 

In this world, there will be troubles, but take heart! Christ has overcome the world! (John 16:33) With this in mind, I can rest. With the ending known, I do not have to fear missing out on a better faith, a better marriage, or a better church.

 

Candace Cortez

Executive Pastor

Lean In

A couple of weeks ago, God gave me an impression of a winding course on the ice. I knew right
away that it was a bobsled course. As I was on my way to church that Sunday morning, I heard
the words, “Lean in.” As I heard the words, my mind jumped back to the course and I saw a sharp corner approaching quickly. Now, I don’t consider myself a bobsled expert but I’ve seen the Cool Runnings movie enough to know that bobsled teams are notorious for their skill to move together as one unit. How well the team works together typically determines the outcome of the competition.

At the same time, I remembered the best marriage advice I ever received, “When married couples get into a fight, there is a tendency to want to pull away from each other. Discipline your mind and remember that you are on the same team. Don’t run away, but lean in.” Both of these impressions worked together that Sunday morning as God’s Holy Spirit spoke to me. The life course we have planned rarely ends up being the one we actually run. A decision someone else made for us, a wrongful act done against us, or a sudden loss in the family can make for new, unexpected grooves in the course - some like to call “life’s curveball”.

I’d be willing to bet that more than half of our lives are made up of things that just happen without our permission. If you are a control freak like me, you’re probably biting your fingernails right about now.

Unexpected grooves throw off our timing, slow us down, and have the capacity to take us out of the race. It’s during these times, we must “lean in” together as we go around the sharp corner. What do your conversations sound like? Are they divisive? Are you frustrated that no one is leaning in the direction you want to lean? Do you feel yourself pulling away from the team you’re committed to (church, family, friends, etc.) or are you doing your best to bring the team together?

I’m convinced that we cannot stop everything that happens TO us but we can control the things that happen IN us. Circumstances don’t define us but how we respond to them does. Don’t lose hope. We aren’t out of the race as long as we have breath in our lungs. Continue to fight for your team, continue to gather your team, and continue to bring strength to your team.

Blessings,
Pastor Chad
Chad Fagundes is Men’s and Outreach Pastor