Tag: Harvest

September 26th 2025 – Harvest Service: Norman Gilbert

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Ruth

At this harvest time I was reminded of the book of Ruth which has harvest at its centre. I have recently preached a series of sermons on Ruth but tonight I want to look briefly at the whole book. In it we see both the providence of God and the story of redemption. We also see a story of romance. But not one of sentimentality, rather one of true godly love.

The book of Ruth is set in the context of the Judges (Ruth 1:1). This was a terrible time in Israel’s long history. It was a time of trouble and departure from God only reversed on occasion by the Spirit’s grace. We shall consider this book using three headings:

[1] A poor decision.

[2] God’s provision.

[3] God’s promises.

[1] A poor decision.

            Not all harvests are great. Times of famine and poor harvest were seen as the judgement of God. Of course, the outcome of a harvest is not in the hands of man. The rain and the sun are governed by the Lord. But man must do his part, of course. He must plough and till. He must root out weeds and stones. He must sow and water. But ultimately the fruit of harvest is all because of God’s grace. Now at this time in Israel there was “a famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). We are not told why there was this famine. In other Scriptures we are told. For example, in the time of Ahab Elijah was called upon by the Lord to announce a famine on the land (1Kings 17:1). This was undoubtedly on account of the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel at that time.

            Now Elimelech made a very poor decision (Ruth 1:1,2). He decided that on account of the famine in Israel he would take his family to Moab. We all have to make decisions in life, but Elimelech’s decision was a poor one. He was leaving the land of promise to go to a land of people who hated Israel, who were often enemies of God, and whose ways were not of the Lord – they were a pagan people. Perhaps Elimelech thought that the ‘grass was greener’ in Moab? Elimelech’s name means ‘God is King’ but he seems to have forgotten this. He ought to have known enough of God and His ways to cause him to stop and rethink this course of action.

            Remember that the Lord is always sovereign. He overrules in our mistakes. So Elimelech took his wife and his two sons to dwell in Moab. Consider the consequences of this action. Whom would his two sons marry? There were only pagan girls in Moab. They would no longer enjoy an Israelite God-given environment but one which did not follow God. And then in the course of time Elimelech died leaving his wife Naomi as a widow but still with her two sons Mahlon and Chilion. What was Naomi to do? Well, it appears that her two sons gained Moabite wives and they dwelt there for about ten years (Ruth 1:3,4). Maybe things will work out?

            But then we learn that both the sons die, and Naomi is left a widow with two Moabite daughters-in-law who were also widows (Ruth 1:5). Three widows in distress. There was no welfare state. What a turn around in fortunes! From an Ephramite family of four living in Bethlehem, we come to a woman with two Moabite daughters-in-law destitute in Moab. It was at this point in her life in Moab that Naomi hears that “the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread” (Ruth 1:6). So she takes her two daughters-in-law and sets off to return to Bethlehem where she was from. On the way she stops and warns both of her daughters-in-law that there would be no hope for them (Ruth 1:8-10). Could she provide more sons for them as husbands (Ruth 1:11-13)? The idea is preposterous. Now after some tears we find that Orpah decides to go back to Moab but Ruth is determined to continue on with Naomi (Ruth 1:14-17). We need to remember that Israelite culture was very different from Moabite ways. So Ruth’s determination is something rather special. She pleads with Naomi not to send her back, she states that she will go wherever Naomi went, and she will lodge wherever Naomi was to lodge. This is nothing other than a wholesale giving up of her Moabite life for a life with her Israelite mother-in-law. She continues saying that Naomi’s people will now be her people, and that Naomi’s God will also be hers. Where Naomi was to die and to be buried, there too would Ruth die and be buried (Ruth 1:16,17). Such a series of statements amounts to a true confession of faith in the God of Israel. Ruth here makes a big decision and it is the right one!

            As the two arrive in Bethlehem people recognise Naomi and there is some excitement but there is some sadness too. The people say: “Is this Naomi” (Ruth 1:19)? The rhetorical question has the thought of disbelief. She does not appear the same as when she went. The name ‘Naomi’ means ‘pleasant,’ but Naomi does not want to be known by that name anymore. She wants people to call her “Mara” because, she declaims “the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20). she then adds that she “went out full,” but that the Lord has now brought her home again but “empty” adding that the Lord had “testified” against her, and had “afflicted” her (Ruth 1:21). The truth is that she only went out full in the sense of earthly blessings, but now she has been reduced and made low and she is back in the land of promise where the Lord will bring blessing. It looks bleak form her perspective but she does not yet know what God will do! Naomi and Ruth are two destitute widows. They have returned empty. What should they do? There was no social security nor welfare state. Ah but there was God and there was God’s man.

[2] God’s provision.

            When thinks look the bleakest the Lord is always there. Jewish law provided for the poor in a wonderful way that other nations knew nothing about. There was this rule of ‘gleaning.’ Farmers and growers of crops were to harvest with an eye out for the poor. In this day and age every square inch of a field is harvested and all of the grain is hovered up by machines. But in these ancient days when the harvest was gathered by the hands of men it was always possible for parts to be missed, and for grain or fruit to be left behind. The law stated that they were not to “wholly reap the corners” of the field and they were not to “gather the gleanings” of the harvest (those bits that were missed) (Leviticus 19:9), for these left-overs were to be for the poor and for the stranger (Leviticus 19:10).

            The Christian message is truly glorious. We can see in this account the wonderful providence and provision of God. It so happened that Naomi and Ruth returned “at the beginning of barley harvest” (Ruth 1:22). The doctrine of God’s providence is a wonderful thing for believers to hold. Creation is not simply time and chance as modern people believe, for God is Creator and Sustainer. All things are under His control. The sun, rain, wind, and the harvest are all His. Our times are in His hand and He knows His business of leading and guiding best. The Lord provides everything we need (2Peter 1:3). he brings the things we need across our path. Nothing happens by chance. All is according to God’s good will (Romans 8:28). There is a reason for things turning out the way they do, for with God things don’t just happen. We often only see the hand of God guiding when we look back at the events of life.

            And so it just so happened that when Ruth asks to go and glean in the fields to provide for their needs, the very field she enters belongs to a man called ‘Boaz’ (Ruth 2:2,3). This man was a kinsman of Naomi. Was this chance? By no means! All things are in the hands of God. He promised to keep them and here they are gleaning in the field of a relative who is described for us as “a man of great wealth,” and “of the family of Elimelech” and so a near kinsman (Ruth 2:1). Now Boaz was a true man of God (Ruth 2:4). When Boaz sees Ruth it seems clear that he has an ‘eye’ for her (Ruth 2:5-9). He tells his men to give her respect and to aid her in her gleaning (Ruth 2:9,14,15).This whole account in Ruth 2 is one of great wonder and joy. A young woman who had no real hope and was so poor that she is reduced to gleaning for the left-overs is now being given honour and privileges. She even gets to have a meal with the regular workers and can drink the drinks provided for Boaz’s men (Ruth 2:9,14).

            Now verse 12 is key: “the Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Boaz acknowledges Ruth’s faith. Throughout this account in Ruth chapter 2 we see the hand of God’s providence. God is in control. She did not go anywhere else but stayed in the fields of this relative who was a true man of the Lord. We see also that a kinsman could act as a ‘redeemer’ buying back the land that was originally theirs provided in the land of Israel by lot. We can read about this right of redemption in Leviticus 25:25f. The land could not be sold permanently and when a person became poor they had the right and chance to redeem or buy back what they had lost. This was a great thing of grace and mercy, and it points forward to the Lord Jesus Christ who is our ‘Kinsman Redeemer.’

[3] God’s promises.

            At the end of the harvest there was still a job to be done. The seed must be separated from the husks or the chaff. This was known as ‘winnowing.’ The grain was hoisted up into the air by a winnowing fork and the wind allowed to blow through the hoisted material. The wind would catch the light husks and chaff and blow them away, whilst the heavier grain would fall back down to the ground. It was also a time of much rejoicing and merriment.

            At the end of the harvest when the winnowing was taking place, Naomi tells Ruth to do something rather strange and wonderful (Ruth 3:1-4). Ruth is told to go to the winnowing house where Boaz was busy and to present herself to him as a prospective wife! Ruth is told to make herself ready as only a woman knows how with her “best garment” on and all spruced up to boot (Ruth 3:3). She must not make herself known to Boaz, but find out where he was going to sleep (Ruth 3:3). Then, when he is asleep she was to go to his place and lie down at his feet having uncovered them (Ruth 3:4). Now Ruth is quick to obey (Ruth 3:5,6). After Boaz had had his fill of good food and drink he went to sleep by some grain and Ruth went to lie at his feet (Ruth 3:7). In the night Boaz awakes and sees a woman at his feet and on asking discovers that it is Ruth (Ruth 3:8,9). When asked Ruth declares her intentions saying: “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative” (Ruth 3:9). This was a proposal! She was asking to be Boaz’s bride. Boaz’s reply is truly wonderful and fully agrees to this plan (Ruth 3:10,11). However, there was another kinsman who was closer in relation than Boaz so he must first be consulted for he could redeem them first (Ruth 3:12). We discover something of Boaz’s appreciation of Ruth here. She is blessed of the Lord on account of her kindness to Boaz in not going after the younger men (Ruth 3:10). Boaz informs Ruth that everyone was aware that she was “a virtuous woman” (Ruth 3:11). We also see Boaz’s faith here (Ruth 3:13). Boaz is about to take things into his own hands and Ruth will be redeemed. It is just at this point we do not know whether this will be by Boaz or by the closer relative.

            And so Ruth lays at Boaz’s feet until the morning and before anyone gets up she returned to Naomi and told her all that Boaz had done for her. Boaz had given her some provisions too to ensure that she would not return “empty-handed” (Ruth 3:14-17). Here we observe the kindness and faith of this man of God. Boaz immediately sets about the task of redemption. Before he can redeem Ruth he must first meet up with the closer relative, and it just so happened that this man was walking by the gate as Boaz was there to bring his case!

Again, we have the wonderful providential provision of God. Boaz goes to the gate to start proceedings (for the gate was where the rulers and elders met to make decisions), and then “Behold, the close relative … came by” (Ruth 4:1). How marvellous is our God!

            Now Boaz tells this man that he could redeem the piece of land that once belonged to Elimelech (Ruth 4:3,4). He mentions also that if he does not want to redeem it then Boaz would. Presented this way the offer seems like a great deal, so the close relative says that he will indeed redeem the land (Ruth 4:4). And then Boaz adds something which gives the closer relative pause for thought. He states that when he redeems the land he must also take Ruth as wife to perpetuate Elimelech’s name in Israel. Hearing this the close relative changes his mind, and it appears that he is concerned that his inheritance will be affected by Ruth and Naomi’s presence. So, the close relative gives Boaz what he has hoped for – the chance to redeem the land and take Ruth for his wife. The deal is then legally ratified before witnesses (Ruth 4:6-10).

            In all of these events we are meant also to see Christ Jesus as our Kinsman Redeemer. At this point we are shown that through Ruth will come first Obed and from him Jesse who was the father of David. In David we see the promise of the Christ. All of this story occurs in Bethlehem, where Christ Jesus was eventually to be born. Matthew records this genealogy we have in Ruth 4:18-22 as an important link in the chain which gives us Christ born of the virgin Mary. Some twelve centuries will need to pass by before we reach the Lord Jesus, but in this short story we see much of the grace and glory of the gospel. Christ is the one who redeems us from our sins and lost estate. We have seen not only that God overrules in the affairs of people in a wonderful way, and that He is also showing us how it will be that he will save us from our sins. In Ruth and her story of redemption by Boaz we can see the great goodness of the Lord’s redemption of lost sinners. She was a Moabitess, and so despised by Israel. But she came to faith in God and was given a lot more than she ever bargained for!

            There is coming a greater harvest one day. May we be among those whom the great Kinsman Redeemer has chosen as His wife!

September 27th 2024: Harvest Service Martin Williams

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Psalm 24

This is a psalm of David. Most people believe the psalm was written when David brought the Ark to Jerusalem. This song begins and ends with a harvest theme. It is a psalm that points us to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are going to focus on 4 points:

  1. God owns this world.

The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers.

This world and everything in it is all owned by God. This is because He created it. We have a God who created all. We are not here to celebrate by accident; the seasons are a result of an almighty, all gracious God, the one true living God. These two verses teach that the world is created by God’s handiwork. All things were created by Him. The New Testament reminds us in John chapter 1, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” We also read in Colossians 1, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

It is wonderful to remember we live in a world created by God and sustained by God. What an almighty God we have, an all-wise God, to create such complexity. He must be a beautiful God. We live in a fallen, cursed world. But even then, we can see such beauty, especially as we look around the Pembrokeshire landscapes. He is worthy to be worshipped. It was for His pleasure all things were created (Revelation 4).

  • The Psalmist then asks, ‘Who may come before this God?’

    “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
        And who shall stand in his holy place?
    4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
        who does not lift up his soul to what is false
        and does not swear deceitfully.
    5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
        and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
    6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
        who seek the face of the God of Jacob.    ”

It is one of the most important questions any of us can ask. How may I draw near to this God and know Him?

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?

Why is that place called a holy place? Because God dwells there! God is a God of absolute, inflexible holiness. God is light, in Him is no darkness. Our God is an all-consuming fire. That describes His holiness. If a sinner stood before Him, His holiness would consume us. Who will stand in this holy place? We are told exactly who can come,

“He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.”

God will accept those with clean hands which show outward action, outward life – a life where there is no sinful action whatsoever. But we have stained hands. Outwardly, we have not lived a life in conformity to Lord God. We don’t have a wholehearted obedience. We don’t have clean hands by nature.

But it goes deeper – “He who has a pure heart.” Our God is a God who looks upon the heart (1 Samuel 16). Our hearts by nature are sinful, vile, evil. God requires truth, “He who has not lifted up his soul to an idol.” Lifting up your soul is to trust in God, but we have lifted up our souls to false gods and idols. What occupies your thoughts? What brings you the greatest joy? Is it family, work, your bank balance, your reputation? That is lifting up your heart to vanity. God requires you to worship Him and Him alone. We come to the conclusion, none of us could stand before this God in and of ourselves.

  • The Lord Jesus Christ is able to bring us to God.
    “He will receive blessing from the Lord
        and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”     (v.5).

‘He.’ There is only One who could do this. None of us could, but there is one – the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Son came into this world and said, “I delight to do the will of God.” Look at His life and see a life of sinless perfection. Here is a man with clean hands and a pure heart. He is one who completely and wholly kept the word of God. Even His enemies spoke of Him in this way.

The remarkable truth is when Jesus Christ honoured God’s law, He honoured it for you and me, in our place. In His life and death, He died as our representative. When He was in this world, as He rendered to the Father in wholehearted obedience, He was earning righteousness for all those who believe in Him.

We have broken the law, “The wages of sin is death.” The Lord Jesus Christ, upon Calvary’s cross, honoured to the law in another way. In His death He honours the law by bearing it’s just penalty for those who have broken it. He bore our curse, our debt, the judgement of God. On Calvary’s cross the Lord Jesus Christ endured the fire of God’s holiness. When Moses stood before the burning Bush he was not consumed. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ was our burning bush, raging in His holy soul. Yet, He was not consumed. In His Life and in His death, He honours the Lord God for you and me.

When we come and wholly trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive pardon for our sins. God cannot demand twice. The great transaction is done. We are then clothed in righteousness divine. God sees my sin has been pardoned. He sees me righteous as Jesus is, pure as Jesus is. The robe covers me completely. God sees me in Christ, righteous. In that way, I can approach God – something no Jew could do in the Old Testament, let alone the high priest once a year. But we can enter into the holiest through the Lord Jesus Christ – not once a year but every day. By myself, I cannot stand before God, but through Christ Jesus I can.

  • The triumph of all in Christ.

“Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory!” Selah

We see in these final verses the entrance of Christ into heaven. The cry goes out twice. This tells us the everlasting doors will open for Christ twice. The first time has already happened,

“Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!”

This took place at the Ascension. The one who has gained a victory, triumphed in the battle. A mighty battle was fought at Calvary and He gained the victory. Now the triumph begins. The King of glory returns. He comes to reign, to intercede for His people.

But then in verses 9 to 10 we read of the ‘Lord of hosts,’ the Lord with a vast army coming in His train. When will this happen? There is a day coming when our Lord shall descend, when He will come for His people. He will come to bring them home – a harvest reaped (1 Thessalonians 4).

There is a day coming when they will be a shout from heaven. The king of glory is coming with a vast host of people, so numerous no man can count them. They will come in triumph. He will be bringing His harvest home. Will you be among that throng? Will you be there? I pray that each and every one will be. But if you are not sure, if you haven’t got clean hands and a pure heart, if you haven’t truly trusted in Jesus Christ, what do you need to do? My friends, simply this – turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face. Turn from the life you are living and turn and trust in Him. Trust in Him alone.

Our Lord does not play hide and seek. He is freely available. If you want Christ, you can have Him, no matter how young or old you are. You can know the certainty you will be among the harvest on that great last day.

September 29th 2023: Harvest Service Geraint Morse

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To watch this service, click on the link to our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/PzCR9BVqZbQ?si=BFNfipkjHwGFGPuf

John 12:20-33

As I look back over my life, I’ve seen a great change in farming methods in Pembrokeshire. When I grew up there were small farms of 6 to 8 cows, two churns of milk and people made a living. Unbelievable! I’d hate to imagine how industrial it has all become. The size of equipment has changed. The entrances to fields have changed in size – today they are wide double gates to allow in all the machinery. Yet, there is consistency, there is still a miraculous way God has in providing seed for harvest. The wonder of it all has not changed – a seed falls into the ground and there it germinates and grows. From that dying seed, shoots come and in time there is a harvest. Do you like grapes? Some grapes have seed in them, some don’t. How on earth do you get seedless grapes? Some oranges have pips, some are without pips. How do they do this? The interesting thing is this – when God created all things, the fruit was created with seed in it. They would be planting for a new generation. The same mystery, the same wonder is at work – the seed falling into the ground and from that dying seed, harvest comes.

Jesus speaks about this. This was an interesting time in his ministry, when he was approaching the last week of his life, half of the chapters in John’s gospel are to do with the last week of Jesus life. The emphasis is on the last week, building up to the cross.

We have this incredible statement of seed falling into the ground and dying. The Greeks asked to see Jesus and meet with Him, to know more about Him. “Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (John 12:20-21). This was the request of the Greeks via Philip, who was himself from a Greek background, and Andrew. John doesn’t tell us if they met. Jesus then spoke about Him falling into the ground as a seed, to die. Maybe this was how the harvest would reach the Greek nation and all nations?

 John spoke after about ‘the hour.’ “Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:22-23). At this point in His ministry, Jesus says the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. It was for this purpose that He kept Himself free from sin, to offer Himself as a sacrifice on the cross. The route, the plan, would bring Him to glory and all who believe on him.

So, this background of a Greek request and His hour coming, has a double act application. Firstly, it has to do with Jesus’ own life. He would have to lay down His life, to go to the cross, to be willing to offer Himself as a sacrifice on our behalf. Because He did this, He was raised again. The harvest is being collected. Without this, there would be no harvest. He offered himself as a perfect sacrifice, that we might have peace with God, forgiveness of all sins. He speaks about His own death and harvest.

Secondly, He speaks about you and me and our willingness to die to self, no longer relying on our own good works – which will never manage it. We have to submit to the way God has purposed for us. We need to confess our sins and trust in the one He sent to be the propitiation of sin. We have to daily deny ourselves and follow Him. We need to set aside our own purposes and to seek to lift up His name. Are you seeking Him? Do you know Him as your Lord and saviour? God will honour you for your faithfulness and sacrifices, what you go through for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus was troubled. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” (John 12:27). He knew the path to glory was via the way of suffering, of sorrow, of enduring the cross, of the anguish of the cross that lay ahead of Him. He is the God man – fully God, fully man. These were real concerns for Him, what it would mean to be separated from His Father. They had been in perfect unity, but because He bore our sins on the cross, He was separated from His Father. He was punished in our place. This was the anguish. Did He turn away? Certainly not! “But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” (John 12:27b).

I don’t know what’s ahead for you, what hardships might come your way, but we have a Father in heaven who will keep us, who will sustain us, and who will bring us to glory, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28).

A voice came from heaven. This reminds us of the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” (John 12:30-31). There was a spiritual battle. Jesus was not just working with the antagonism of religious leaders He met, there was spiritual warfare going on. Yet he overcame the evil one, through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with spiritual forces at work. We need the spiritual armour that God provides. Through faith in Him, we too will be overcomers. These attacks from the evil one are often associated with times of blessing or post blessing. Sometimes, these attacks come before blessing. Struggles and opposition come and through overcoming them, blessings come. ‘Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.’

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32). Not every person will be saved. Those who believe, who trust and come the way of the cross, through repentance and faith, will be saved. Through the cross all are saved. “Lifted up from the earth.” What did He mean? The way to glory was through the cross, being lifted up to the cross. The Jews stoned people to death. They knew nothing of crucifixion. The Romans crucified. The crucified one was lifted up. Jesus said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Isaiah 53:1-13 is something that you would normally reserve for Good Friday. I see the image of a seed and harvest here,

“He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.”
(Isaiah 53:11).

He will be satisfied seeing the fruit because of the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross.

There is a harvest going on all around us, not just a harvest of the land, but a harvest of people. In other parts of the world that is great reaping. We continue to sow the seed, the seed of the gospel. I pray the Lord will bless you here at Penuel and other churches tonight. May you be encouraged to keep sowing with joy.

September 29th 2022: Adrian Brake

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Harvest Service

Texts: Acts 14:8-18; Haggai 1:1-11; Genesis 8:20-22.

            God wants us to know Him. He has made Himself known clearly and wonderfully in three important ways. First, He has made Himself known in Scripture. The Scriptures are the “word of God” in which He manifests Himself. Secondly, He has made Himself known through the coming of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) who declared to us the Father (John 1:18; 14:7-11). But then, thirdly, He has made Himself known through creation.

            There are three things we can learn at this harvest time by looking at what God has done in and through creation.

[1] Harvest time tells us something about God’s love.

[2] Harvest time tells us something about God’s mercy.

[3] Harvest time tells us something about God’s faithfulness.

These three things are put on display in creation by God. The Lord loves humanity. He cares deeply for mankind. He is loving, merciful, and faithful.

[1] Harvest time tells us something about God’s love.

            1 John 3:18 tells us that we must not love in word only but in action and in truth. God loves in action! God expresses His love in ways which we can experience. He gives us gifts. Most people like to give gifts. Such a thing shows that we are made in the image of God which although fallen and marred is not completely lost. In that we give gifts we know also that God gives such to a greater degree. When a person gives another a gift it is a way of saying “I love you,” or “I care.” God has given to humanity certain gifts and these declare His love.

[a] Food.

            One of these gifts is food. Where does food come from? Sadly, many youth think it comes from the supermarkets! But we know that it comes from the miracle of God’s creative works. We could speak of the soil, the sun, the rain, the warmth and so on, but all of these are provided by God. He made the systems that enable the seeds to grow in the soil. He provides the water and sunlight to enable photosynthesis to occur. It is God who brings our food to the table. In Acts 14 we hear Paul speaking of the Lord’s witness to those of Lystra:

“Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17).

The people of Lystra did not have the law, the tabernacle, the prophets, nor the sacrifices, but they did have creation, (Psalm 19:1). God loves the cheerful or generous giver, for He is a very generous giver Himself. All of creation witnesses to this. Did He not make an abundance of creatures in the seas and on the land?

            A recent supermarket leaflet lamented the fact that in the UK we waste 6.4 million tons of food every year. This amounts to 730 lbs per household every year. There is a vast abundance of food in this land! God is a generous giver! God has provided. The problem of lack in different areas is not due to God’s lack of provision, but mankind’s greed and sinfulness.

[b] A more precious gift.

            We need food to survive and God has given this in abundance. But we need something else more desperately. Our greatest need is the forgiveness of sins. If we cannot survive bodily without food, then note that we will not survive eternally without the forgiveness of sins.

            God created us to know Him but we are unthankful and rebellious. If we do not know Him then the wrath of God abides on us (John 3:36). But God is so generous and kind that He has provided His only Son for us. Through His coming, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension we are given the gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins. This Person is the greatest gift that God has given to us (John 3:16).

            God has given us food that we may thrive bodily. And He has also given us the Lord Jesus Christ that we might have eternal life. Jesus referred to Himself as the “bread of life” (Genesis 6:35,48). In this manner God has loved us. The coming and sacrifice of Christ demonstrates God’s love to unholy men and women (Romans 5:8).

            In Luke’s gospel we read of the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus (Luke 16:19f). The rich man had plenty to eat in this world but in death he was cast into the torment and flames. The poor beggar, Lazarus, ate the crumbs from the rich man’s table and was taken to paradise. There is a great gulf between these two places where souls are delivered after death. If all we have in this world is an abundance of earthly food then we will end up in the same place as this rich man. If, however, we have little of this world’s fare but are rich in the knowledge of God, we have heaven to look forward to.  

            The apostle John wrote:

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1John 4:10).

If we trust in the Lord and in His provision through Christ Jesus, then we are highly favoured and greatly blessed. But if not then we need to see His provision of Christ afresh.

[2] Harvest time tells us something about God’s mercy.

            In Haggai 1:1-11 we read of a failed harvest. They sowed the seed but reaped little in the end. Why? Well, we read that God “blew it away” (Haggai 1:9). He did this because they had forgotten God’s house. Because they had rejected the Lord in their neglect. The exiles were those who returned from captivity and were enabled through Nehemiah and by God’s power to rebuild the walls. Having done this, they set about building themselves their “panelled houses” but they did not attend to the house of the Lord. They did not set themselves to rebuild the temple. They had no thought of the glory of God. So, God chastised is people by withholding the harvest.

            In our land the Lord has been good and gracious. We have been greatly favoured. We have a great history of God’s goodness so that by-and-large we enjoy happiness and peace in our land with an abundance of food. However, in general we do not think of God. In our rebellion and neglect are we any less guilty than the Israelites of Haggai’s day? Does not our land deserve the same chastisement? In all of this we see that God is merciful.

Mercy is when God does not give us what we deserve.

Grace is when God gives us those things we do not deserve.

What of those who have not? What of those who do in fact starve? Well in a recent supermarket magazine we are told that 29,000 tons of oranges and 6,000 tons of spring onions, all valued at £84 million, are thrown away every year. We do indeed have sufficient but we are grossly negligent in sharing this abundance. It is due to our sin and greed that some starve, not because God does not provide. Psalm 145 tells us something of God’s great provision:


“9 The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. … 15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:9,15,16).

God gives generously to all.

“He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45).

In Acts 14:17 we discovered that even though the unbelievers had no thought of God. Nevertheless, He gave them rain and fruitful seasons, food and gladness. Now this fact that we have an abundance of food is due to the mercy of God. At any moment He could justly and righteously consign our souls to hell. This is what we deserve. But He does not send us there even though we do deserve it, but rather He continues to give and provide for us. This is the mercy of God, withholding what we justly deserve. God spares us and He spares us, and He spares us. How long have you been spared the judgment you deserve? God is truly patient and long suffering (2Peter 3:9). Think of the multitudes alive at this moment who have no thought of God and who are rebelling in wicked ways. These are held back from the judgement they deserve. This is only on account of God’s great mercy.

            But there is a time limit for God’s mercy (Genesis 6:3). As day succeeds day, God withholds His judgement from us. He strives and bears with us. Do not presume on this mercy. God could take you at any moment (Hebrews 9:27) but He has enabled you to see this day in which He has graciously provided for you both food to eat for your body and food for your eternal soul. Why would you not take and eat of the Lord?

[3] Harvest time tells us something about God’s faithfulness.

            In Genesis 8:21 we learn that God promised Noah He would not destroy the world again with the waters of the flood. He promised this even though “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” Man’s heart had not changed through the flood. He was wicked before the flood and man continues to be wicked after the flood (the Tower of Babel event in Genesis 11:1f declares this especially).  But God promised the entire world that seed sowing, the harvest, the seasons, and the order of day and night would continue unabated throughout the remainder of time (Genesis 8:22).

            God has kept this promise for the harvest has come. How many harvests have come throughout time? The Lord promises and He always does what He has said He will do. God is faithful. What of His many other promises in Scripture? Here are a selection:

[1] Whoever comes to the Lord Jesus He will never cast out (John 6:37). He will keep and preserve all who come to Jesus forever.

[2] Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

[3] My God shall supply all your need (Philippians 4:19).

[4] God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

[5] The Lord Jesus promised that He will come back for us (John 14:3; Acts 1:11).

We can build on such promises (and there are many more in Scripture) for God is faithful and what He has said He will most certainly do.

We are here to give thanks. We give thanks for:

The God of love – He is great, generous, and abundant in His love for He gives us food to eat and the bread of life for our souls.

The God of mercy – He has withheld that which we deserve in patience offering us the salvation and redemption which are found alone in Christ.

The God of faithfulness – He has promised so much for us, and He will keep this world going in its regular order until that day, and we can rely on all that He has said.

October 17th 2019 – Harvest: Alan Davison

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Alan Davison-Harvest Oct 19Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

Harvest is a time of year that means less to us as a society now than it used to. The easy access to food through supermarkets has removed us from the link with farmers. During the time the Bible was written most people depended heavily on farming. Jesus, in His ministry, used many illustrations that came from farming. There are 60 instances of the word ‘harvest’ listed in one concordance. Around half the references are concentrated in the gospels and spoken by the lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible speaks of harvest in four main ways; it can be:

  1. A physical harvest
  2. A moral harvest
  3. A spiritual harvest
  4. A final harvest

 

  1. God, as our Creator, knows what we need. Because of His love for us God blesses us with what we need to eat. Mark 4:26-29. We are to labour too. There are things the farmer needs to do – sow, wait and harvest. There are things also out of his control – the seeds growing, weather etc. The labour of men gathers the provision of God. The Bible is clear everything we do comes out of everything God provides.
  2. The Moral Harvest (Hosea 8:7)

Israel once again turned its back against God. The people abandoned the faith it once held. Psalm 73. People in positions of authority have gained illegally at others expense. Frustratingly, while evil may succeed here on earth, there will be a reckoning after death. Our actions will have consequences. We will be called to account before God’s judgement throne, then we will have a moral harvest.

  1. A Spiritual Harvest.

Jesus feeds spiritually. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” (John 4:34-35). We want to follow our Lord’s command, yet we’re doing so in a culture that has largely rejected God. There is pressure not to evangelise.

  1. A Final Harvest

The Parable of the Tares and Weeds. Jesus tells this parable because He wants to make it clear to people that there will be a harvest at the end of time. The age He refers to is now. It will be the death of all we know now, but also a renewal, new heavens and a new earth. Hebrews 2:14-15. As human beings we should fear death unless we come to Jesus. The author Terry Pratchett was an atheist and advocate of euthanasia. He died in 2015. In 2007 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He includes death as a major character in his writing, portrayed as a rather serious character, the grim reaper. He was quite naïve. Coupled with death he has a portrayal of the afterlife, where everyone goes to the same place, a place of nothingless, where all go, regardless of beliefs. It is a place where there will be no moral harvest. Pratchett was knighted, therefore he needed a family motto. It was ‘Don’t fear the reaper.’ It shows us what the atheist hopes for – nothing. Yet he benefitted from all God provided. He tried to avoid the moral harvest and rejected the spiritual harvest.

Jesus makes it clear there is a final harvest coming. It is vitally important to be a child of God. In this parable the field is the world. What are the implications for the entire world? Jesus sows seeds of righteousness – those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The devil comes along and sows tares – a weed called darnel. Darnel produces a poisonous fruit. If you eat enough darnel it will be fatal. As it grows it looks just like wheat until the fruit comes. At that point it becomes distinguishable. While a weed, darnel needs to be cultivated alongside crops for it to grow.

Matthew 5:45. God sustains His creation so that even those who don’t believe, continue to live. There are those in our world today who mock God. Jesus continues the parable with telling us the angels (reapers) are to gather the crop. This is Jesus’ focus. At the end of time there will be a separation – only into two groups: one group, children of the wicked one, the other, children of God. The group you are separated to depends solely on your view of Christ. Too many people are convinced there is a third group – agnostics. Look again at scripture. There are only two groups. If you are not God’s, by default you are Satan’s. The children of the wicked one will be cast into fire, into hell. It is Satan who owns them (verse 39-41). They practice lawlessness. This simply means that they rebel against God and His Word. They choose to go their own way, or so they think. Our culture tells us of heaven but not hell. Jesus often spoke of hell, in fact He spoke more of hell than heaven. He tells us there will be a wailing in hell – suffering, and gnashing of teeth – eternal regret. If you have accepted Christ, you are one of the children of God – to be chosen by God, nurtured, kept, and protected by Him. You are adopted into His family, thus having a share in God’s inheritance. You are called righteous. On that final day we will be God’s harvest at the end of the age. Will you be gathered into God’s eternal barn?

Harvest Service: September 28th 2018 Steffan Jones

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Steffan Jones Sept 18

Colossians 1:1-23

We take the vastness of the universe, food and all that it provided for us for granted. It is good to stop once a year and thank God for His sustaining provision of this Earth. There are all sorts of reasons to be thankful – for church and its blessings. But let us go deeper. The blessings of this earth will one day cease. We need to consider spiritual blessings.

In Colossians 1 Paul, in prison, gives thanks to God for the church in Colossae – that they love the saints (Christians) around them, they love the church. Give thanks to God for the people He has given you, the people here in Roch who still acknowledge Him as Lord and give light and hope to a dark world. Praise God there are a people here still clinging to the Word of God.

The church in Colossae loved one another. They didn’t just meet one another, they cared and supported one another in all the trials of life and rejoiced in all the blessings of life. They have all things in common. Paul gives thanks there is a church in Colossae and there is love for one another.

Give thanks for a book – the Word of Truth. Paul gives thanks the people have accepted the Word of Truth, the message of the Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. It is a book which we can all turn to, to find hope, love and forgiveness. The Word of God speaks to our souls and brings light. It makes us wise for salvation.

Paul gives thanks for a place. He gives thanks that the people realise there is a place beyond this world where God dwells – eternity, heaven. The Bible tells us of a place beyond here and now. Our world is a fallen world; there is drought, famine, poverty, death, disease, our bodies waste away, our time in this world will come to an end. We long for something greater. Paul gives thanks that the people know there is an eternity. There is judgement. They will see God face to face.

The people of Colossae have discovered a person. They have faith in Christ Jesus. Give thanks there is a Saviour. The Christians believe in the facts of Jesus’ life. It’s historically accurate, what Christians of the period believe. Jesus was born, grew up in Nazareth and was a teacher who drew crowds with remarkable things. They believe He was raised from the dead. But there is something deeper. They believe in Him and place their faith in Him, accepting spiritual and supernatural. Christ is the creator who was in the beginning, who created all, who created us. But it goes deeper. We acknowledge we need Jesus in our life. Without Him we are in a hopeless position. Christians know about Jesus Christ, they know the history, they know the creator. But there is even more; we know we are sinners who haven’t given Him the thanks that He deserves. We are sinking and need forgiveness. There is an eternal life – heaven and hell. And so we cry out ‘Help, I know who you are, you came into this world, Immanuel. Help, save me, rescue me.’

 Because we’ve asked Him to be our Saviour we know we’re going to heaven, we cherish His Word and worship Him together. Give thanks to Jesus Christ for forgiveness today and hope for tomorrow. We have so many things to give thanks for. Count your blessings. Give thanks for the church which proclaims Him, the Word of God, heaven and Christ Himself.

Contact The Elderly – 1st October 2017

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Yesterday we had a wonderful time at our Contact the Elderly UK Afternoon Tea ☕ We enjoyed delicious homemade savouries and scrumptious cakes 🍰 Ian Middlemist spoke on the importance of keeping in contact with the community we are placed in – just as Jesus was part of the community He lived in. At the end of the afternoon the senior citizens were all given Harvest gifts of fruit and vegetables 🍐🍊🌽🥒 

Children’s Club – 29th September 2017

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We had a lovely time celebrating Harvest 🍓🥕🍂🌻 The children explored, with awe and wonder, the beautifully decorated chapel before singing and praying to God 🤔🙏🎵This was followed by painting cards before apple and blackberry picking 🎨🍏 Looking forward to all the exciting plans we have in the next few weeks, including a family fun afternoon on Saturday 21st October, 2 p.m. at Victoria Hall and our Light Party on Tuesday 31st at 5.00 p.m. 🎉🎈⭐🕯️😃

Anniversary Service: August 6th 2017

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Dave Norbury - Aug 2017

David Norbury

Penuel Chapel will be holding a mission weekend in October followed by a Mission Week next Easter. The EMW has helped 50 churches in mission weeks and all 50 have churches have said they have been felt blessed. It’s a big thing to reach out and go beyond your comfort zone. That’s what we’ll be doing. Everyday should be like a mission. It is challenging.

volvo


The car manufacturer Volvo was the first to invent safety belts in cars. This invention could have made the company millions. However, they gave away the design and patent to everyone. The reason for this, the chairman explained, was that some things are too important to keep to yourself and somethings are too good not to give away. If it’s good enough for safety belts, it’s good enough for the gospel! You can be safe for eternity.

The woman of Samaria: John 4: 1-42

‘A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (John 4:7). When the Lord Jesus was speaking to the woman of Samaria, where were the disciples? Shopping! “For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.” (John 4:8). The Lord Jesus draws into conversation with the woman. Even more interesting, the disciples didn’t come back until after the conversation had taken place. When they returned they saw Jesus speaking to a woman – a woman of ill-repute and a Samaritan.

The disciples’ minds were focused on caring for Jesus, ‘Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” (John 4:31). Then He tells them He has other food, “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.” (John 4:34)

The disciples were not thinking about a Samaritan woman of ill-repute being converted. They couldn’t see the revival happening. Jesus says to them, ‘What are you thinking about? There’s something major happening and you just can’t see it.’ How often have we said, ‘Nothing can happen here.’ God is working in a remarkable way. Sometimes we make excuses – what can one person do? One person is the Samaritan woman and she leads the town! John 4-29 Come see a man

The gospel is the power of God’s salvation. We may say, ‘I’ll speak to someone tomorrow.’ Why not today? We can make excuses, go shopping. We may say, ‘It’s not my gift.’ But we are all gifted with the glorious gospel. 

‘Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.’ (John 4:35).

The Lord Jesus is very clear with the disciples. He understands where they are at. Our God knows what suffering is. He knows our concerns.

Jesus says four things to the disciples:

  • Do not say ‘Not now, in the future…’
    Something is happening today. Do not say Why? What we say is from our hearts. Jesus says, ‘Think differently, change your desire, there’s a harvest out there. Change the way you think.’
  • ‘Look can you see it?’
    You have to start looking in a different direction. The gospel is happening now.
  • ‘Lift your eyes.’
    Change what you see. The Samaritan woman came with all the people.
  • ‘The fields are white for harvest.’
    It’s happening now. The people are coming towards us. Look for God’s blessing.

‘Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.’ (John 4:36). There are wages. Wages are given and fruits are gathered for eternal life. Look at the blessings. In verses 37-38 we see there is a partnership between you, me and the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re not on our own, He is with us. There is a mutual partnership with God.

‘Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” After listening to Jesus they declare, ‘We know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.’ (John 4:42). What a statement! They didn’t see it before, but they do now. The whole town has been converted. A woman of ill-repute has been converted and brought about a remarkable work.

Matthew 9:35-38: People are like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord of the harvest can change our thinking, change the way we see the lost, even those who despise and look down on us. Pray to the Lord of the harvest. ‘Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.”’ (Matthew 9:37-38).

Jesus speaks to the disciples in helpful ways. The Lord Jesus, as He spoke to the woman, did so in a winsome, loving and caring way. He is transcendent in the way He operates. We need to be winsome – full of grace and truth.

In John 4 verses 1-9 what does the Lord Jesus do?

  • He breaks down the cultural barriers. The Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. Who are the people you think you can’t talk to? He challenges us not to out up barriers. The Lord Jesus asks a simple question. He creates questions. Questions are wonderful. Use questions that you might find interesting. Change the way people think. Be winsome, use wisdom, desire to see people saved. Good questions are so useful – questions about eternity, questions about the gospel.
  • After breaking down cultural barriers, Jesus speaks of a spiritual dimension. The Samaritan woman heard something she had never heard before. Jesus steps into a spiritual relationship (John 4:10-11).
  • The Lord Jesus steps into the gospel (John 4: 10-26). He demonstrates the gospel and ends by gloriously declaring that He is the Messiah.
  • The Lord Jesus steps into a challenge – to the woman and her thinking (John 4:21). We should never be afraid of challenges.

This passage is so rich. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send us to reach out. Take one step to speak to the person across the room. The first step is the hardest. The gospel we have is too good not to give away, too good not to share.

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Harvest: Friday 30th September 2016

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Our Harvest service was taken by Roger Thomas of Aberystwyth, who preached from John 15:8, ‘By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.’

At this time of year we thank God for His goodness throughout the year, but especially now. We are gathered to say thank you, ‘While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease’ (Genesis 8:22). God has kept His promise, He has been good to us.

The portion of scripture this verse comes from is part of the Parable of the Vine, spoken in the Upper Room the night before Jesus was betrayed.

Notice Jesus says, ‘By this my Father is glorified.’ Look at how Jesus refers to God as ‘my Father.’ He is saying He is God’s Son – one of the fundamentals of Christianity. Jesus is God’s Son. Millions of people believe in Jesus – He was a good man – however, few believe He was God’s Son. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet but not God’s Son. We don’t all worship the same God. The Baptism of Jesus declares Jesus to be God’s Son, ‘And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’ (Mark 1:11) The miracles of Jesus declare Jesus is God’s Son, ‘Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves’ (John 14:11). The transfiguration of Jesus declares Jesus is God’s Son, ‘And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ’This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to Him!’ (Luke 9:35). His resurrection declares He is God’s Son, ‘(He) was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord’ (Romans 1:4). It is essential we believe this.

John 3:36 ‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remain on him.’ If we reject God’s Son, we reject God the Father.  ‘No one who denies the Son has the Father’ (1 John 2:23).

‘By this my Father is glorified.’ This is our purpose in this world – to glorify God. To glorify God is to praise and to tell others how good God is, not to glorify ourselves or another person.  Matthew 5:16 ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’

Romans 15: 5-6 ‘May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’

The purpose of the church is to glorify God. Is this true of us? Do we live to glorify God? Are we seeking to glorify God? Psalm 90 tells us that it is the purpose of all creation to glorify God. The psalmist in Psalm 148 tells of the angels, sun, moon, stars and heaven itself all glorifying God. The psalmist calls on the earth to glorify God, including all creatures, even those in the depths of the oceans as well as the weather.

We are told that to glorify God we need to bear much fruit – to do good works and have a godly character. ‘And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God’ (Colossians 1:9-10). ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law’ (Galatians 5:22).

How do we bear this fruit? The Parable of the Vine answers this question. Jesus, as He walked, would often see something and use this to teach. He said, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing’’ (John 15:5) Here we read of the branches that bear fruit. The branches are Christians, people who believe the gospel.

‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you’ (John 15:7). The person who has faith in Christ and who also keeps His commandments is like the branch in the vine, which receives sap and nutrients from the vine and produces grapes. By being in Christ we receive grace and His grace enables us to do the good works. We need to be in Christ by faith, believing in the gospel of repentance. We cannot bear fruit without Jesus Christ. It is the only way to bear fruit. Jesus refers to Himself as the only true vine. There is only one vine that can enable us to live a godly, fruitful life – Jesus Christ. Is there fruit to be seen in our lives? Do we see a godly character, a life of godliness? Are we in Christ? Have we believed the gospel message?

Jesus is God’s Son. He was in heaven with His Father, three in one. We are sinful because of what happened in the Garden of Eden. God has given us His law, yet we can’t keep His law. We deserve to be punished, God has to punish us. Punishment is Hell. But God loves us and doesn’t want us to perish so He sent His Son into the world. He kept the law we broke. On the cross of Calvary He took all our sin upon Himself and suffered the punishment of our sins. He died, was buried and rose again on the third day. This is the gospel message. Go to God, confess your sins. Have we asked God to forgive all our sins?

If there is no fruit in our lives we don’t see a life of godliness but a life where we live for ourselves. We are not in Christ. ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit’ (John 15:1-2).

‘If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned’ (John 15:6). This speaks of separation, of judgement and eternal Hell.

It we see fruit in our lives it is evidence, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come’ (1 Corinthians 5:17).

In the Parable of the Vine Jesus teaches us that God helps us to bear fruit. The Father actively works in us so we can bear more fruit. Our God prunes, cleanses the Christian. How does He cleanse us? ‘’Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you’ (John 15:3). The word cleanses us. This is an encouragement to read the word of God.

Another way He cleanses us is through trials. God allows trials into our lives to change us, to drive us to God in prayer, ‘For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it’ (Hebrews 12:11). ‘Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing’ (James 1:2-4).

‘By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.’ (John 15:8) Do we bear ‘much fruit’? Do we see a godly character in each other? If not, prayer is the answer. Read the word. Ask God for more of His Holy Spirit. Another blessing of being in Christ is answered prayer (verse 7).

In summary, we are to glorify God, bear fruit, indeed, much fruit, by being in Christ.

Why does bearing fruit glorify God? Through our character and deeds, the fruit shows people what God is like. So when people see our gentleness they see the gentleness of God. When they see the way we talk to others, how we behave, they see the character of God. Through God’s grace we become more godly. ‘By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.’ (John 15:8)