Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Matthew 7:16 – Circles of Commitment
Matthew 7:16a – “You shall know them by their fruits.”
Matthew 7:16-20 – “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? [17] “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. [19] “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
John 15:1-6 – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. [2] “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. [3] “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. [4] “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. [5] “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. [6] “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
In nature, mature trees produce fruit. That is God’s plan. This is helpful to know. Immature and sickly trees are barren. This too is good to know and is also according to God’s order. Because of God’s design, we can see how a tree is doing. More importantly, it is God’s order spiritually so we can see how we are doing!
- How is our maturity?
- How have we grown?
- Are we producing good fruit?
- Are we producing rotten fruit?
- Are we producing any fruit?
In answering these questions, we must have our eyes wide open to see the truth both individually and congregationally. We might be surprised by the good God has done in our lives. Go ahead, look. What do you see? “The obscure we see eventually, the completely obvious takes longer” (Edward R. Morrow). Our maturity should be “completely obvious” to us. If it is not, then we should ask a trusted brother or sister. We might like what we hear. We might not and need to know. Let’s all look at our fruit.
To clarify the “completely obvious,” we will enlist the help of a book on church health and growth which lists five areas of commitment and involvement. Imagine a group of circles surrounding each other – like a bullseye – with each inward level representing a deeper commitment to this local congregation.
Where do we find ourselves?
Community – Are we unbelievers who do not attend? Obviously this is none of us. However we have a responsibility to Reach OUT to the community and bring them into our blessed “circle of fellowship.” The Community is lost.
Crowd – Are we unbelievers or believers who do attend? Most every week we have visitors among us. This is a wonderful opportunity for both them and us. The Crowd is potential fellow members.
Congregation – Are we believers who attend but are not (very) involved? There’s hope if this describes you! Start using your gifts from God for God. You are special. Everyone has at least one gift (1 Peter 4:10). The Congregation is “pew sitters” if that is all you want to be. However, if you are interested in more, the Congregation is filled with untapped, ready to explode potential.
Committed – Are we believers currently involved in serving? When volunteers are needed, we are there. When someone asks us to help, we lend a hand. We realize we are in this together, and together we commit to each and everyone within the congregation. The Committed are followers.
Core – Are we believers very involved in leading? The difference between the Committed and the Core is that the Core leads through initiative. The Core consists of the teachers, the deacons, the shepherds, anyone and everyone who is involved in getting others involved. The Core are leaders.
When looking at the first group – The Community – the rest of us need to Reach OUT to teach them. Maybe they are not attending anywhere. Maybe they are part of denominational churches. And maybe they are fallen away Christians or grown children of Christians who never met the Lord.
In looking at the second group – the Crowd – these people have made an important first step by visiting. They might be Christians moving into the area looking for a new “church home.” They might be curious spectators. They might be friends we have personally invited. We need to make the next important step. What can we do as encouragers for these people?
The third group – the Congregation – are those who are “members” who are currently only attending. What can we do to move these people to a deeper level? Many are probably waiting to be approached. A concerned member suggests that we all call, write, visit, or e-mail at least two missing members, one visitor, and write two “cheer-leader” cards a week. The hope is that people want to do more, and are looking for ways to move from the crowd and the congregation to the committed and core circles of fellowship.
Questions:
- Where are we in these levels of commitment?
- Where should we be based upon God’s gifts to us?
- Where do we want to be based upon God’s grace to us?
- What are we going to do about it?
Matthew 7:20 – “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
John 15:5-6 – “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. [6] “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
Comments