Christ Memorial was a church plant of Salem Lutheran in Affton in 1948. Our history is God “sowing seeds” and “bearing fruit.” What will he grow in the next 75 years? Martin Luther once said, “Even if I knew the world would end tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree today.” We continue to plant seeds for coming generations of gospel multiplication. More people loved in Christ, more people sent into the world.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4) O Lord, I suffer grief and loss. You alone are my comfort. Amen.
Word:
John 15:4
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
Meditation
Practicing Faith through Proximity to Jesus by Brett Hartmann
I’ve never been much of a gardener, as many withered basil plants and flowers can attest to. Plants don’t stay alive with good intentions. They need care and nourishment.
So, what does it mean to abide with Jesus? One way we abide with Jesus is by nourishing the behaviors and actions in our lives that align with his will. On the other side, it means cutting out behaviors and actions that do not align with God’s will. If we succeed in tending to our souls in this way, surely God will produce much fruit through us.
What are the behaviors we should cultivate? Paul nails this on the head in Galatians when he lists the nine fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In a way, these fruits build on each other in reverse order. If we have self-control, we can then exhibit gentleness and faithfulness. If we are gentle and faithful, we will exhibit goodness and kindness. When we practice those qualities, we will be patient and find peace. And the culmination of the fruits are joy and love. If we practice these things, our will aligns with God’s will, and we abide with Jesus.
Funny enough, just before the fruits of the spirit in Galatians, Paul details a list of “the flesh,” which is at war with God’s will. This list includes “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” When we practice these behaviors, we distance ourselves from Jesus. These are the diseases that infect the healthy vine. We must cut out these behaviors from our lives, lest we become dormant.
In practice, how can we nourish good behaviors? Currently, I am reading James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits, and he has some good insight. Clear notes that, “the closer we are to someone, the more likely we are to imitate some of their habits… We soak up the qualities and practices of those around us.” In this passage, Clear discusses how proximity to people and practices influences our own behaviors. Jesus said the same thing 2,000 years ago with the vine metaphor. When we abide with him, we remain in close proximity to him (and he to us). He nourishes and strengthens us to bear much fruit.
Dear Jesus, draw me close to you, that I would abide in your presence. Align my will with yours, that I may produce more fruit for the kingdom – that more would know your love, and in turn, produce fruit of their own. Amen.
Prayer for Life as a Child of God
· For the Father to give me care and guidance.
· For forgiveness when I wander and want my own way.
· For the Father to keep me childlike in faith even as I age.
· For growth in faith, that I love and trust in God above all things.
· For strength to obey God.
· For the Father to heal my hurts.
· For assurance when I doubt.
Closing Prayer
O Lord, your ways are not our ways. Teach us your will, even when it appears backwards. We want to know you. We want what you want. Thy will be done, in Jesus’ name. Amen.