Ask!

We're continuing our exploration into Jesus' parable about the vine and the branches. We've looked at several aspects already. I have talked to you about fruit, pruning, abiding and those other branches. Today, we're going to look at one of those astounding things that Jesus says from time to time. We're going to look at one of His promises. And it's good for us to bump up against these now and again just to remind us that Jesus really is astounding. We do not follow a hum-drum Lord. He does surprising things like making amazing promises. Listen to the promise that He makes here.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

This is another example of the grace of the Gospel. Jesus has been talking about the importance of bearing fruit, the necessity of bearing fruit. He could have simply demanded that and then walked off. And most people would understand that. After all, religion sets the goals, and then it's up to the religious to achieve those goals. Right? Well, that's what other religions are about. But not Jesus - and it's a good thing. If all He were to do is set the goals, we would never be able to achieve them, not His goals. So, being the kind of Savior that He is, He doesn't only set goals. He also offers grace so we can achieve those goals. It's as if He said, 'The goal is fruit, lots of fruit. So, what kind of fruit do you want to see in your life? Whatever it is, ask for it. Ask for it, and you will receive it. I will make sure of it.' We do not bear fruit on our own. Attempting to do that is just another way of trying to save yourself. No! Salvation is all of grace. And that includes fruit-bearing.

Sadly, there is a lack of fruit bearing in the Church in America these days. And one very large reason why that is so is that we have not taken an important exhortation to heart. Listen to something James wrote.

You do not have because you do not ask.

Jesus is inviting us to ask. What fruit do we want to see in our lives? What expression of the Christian virtues do we lack? Read through the Scriptures. What virtues does it list? Compassion, patience, enduring love, peace, self-control, joy. The list is almost endless. Which do you lack? Ask! Jesus promises fruitfulness to all who ask. For so many, the problem is simply that they do not ask. How many lives could be dramatically changed if we learned to ask?

Now, part of the problem is that we don't ask. But another part of the problem is that we don't know how to ask or what to expect. So, let's take a look at that. Yes, we want to see more fruit in our lives, more Christian virtues. But we can want them for the wrong reasons. So, Jesus reminds us of the reason for our fruitfulness.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

We are to ask for more fruit so that we can make the Father look good. That's the goal. James is, again, helpful here.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

So many of our prayers just have the wrong goal. And we're back to knowing yourself. How many try to develop humility so that they can show off - even just to themselves - how humble they are? Ask for fruit, but ask for the right reason. The goal is to make the Father look good.

So, if you ask what should you expect? Here's one thing not to expect. Don't expect a magic wand to mysteriously hover over your head and dramatically change you from, say, the proud person that you are to someone who is as humble as Jesus. It doesn't work that way. Growing fruit is a process that takes, among other things, time. Jesus is not saying that if you ask, then, 'Presto change-o!' that fruit appears. No, it will take time. And it will also take means. God usually uses means, tools, to achieve His goals in our lives. So, along with asking, there are other things that need to be involved. So, just to pick on one of God's tools, it's important that you are a part of the group. Fruit-bearing is a group project. And the group goes by the name of 'Church'. So, there are the church things that happen on Sunday, but there are also the church things that happen on the other days of the week. Your requests for fruit will be granted as Jesus uses means. And one of the main means that He uses is the Church.

There's another thing to bear in mind when you ask for more fruit. It might hurt. In fact, more than likely, it will hurt. Part of this fruit-bearing involves getting to know yourself. So, you think it might be good to grow in your love for others. Good. Do you think it might hurt if, in the process, the Spirit makes it clear, using one of the other people in this room, that you actually are a rather selfish person? Ouch! But that's why you aren't loving others as much as you might. Becoming more loving will mean becoming less selfish. And that will hurt.

As the Spirit develops some Christian virtue in you He will point out sin that needs to be dealt with. It's as sin is removed that more fruit can grow. Jesus calls it pruning, and it hurts. But you will not bear fruit without it.

Now, a question. Could Jesus ever say, 'No', to a prayer for more fruit? We know that He has said, 'No', to some prayers. I suspect the most famous is Paul's request to remove that 'thorn' in his flesh. There was some big problem interfering with Paul's ability to spread the Gospel. Paul prayed that it be removed. And Jesus said, 'No'. Could He ever say, 'No', to your prayer asking for more fruit? You have to be careful when it comes to questions like this, but I think that the answer is, 'Yes, He could'. But, if He ever turns down one of your requests it's because He wants something better to happen instead. That's what happened with Paul and his thorn. Listen to how Paul understood that, 'No'.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul wanted to be rid of the thorn so that he might be more fruitful in the spread of the Gospel. But Jesus disagreed with him – not with the goal but with Paul's plan to get there. Jesus had a better plan. Leave the 'thorn' in place. Result? Paul brags about the weakness this problem brings. He brags about it so that the power of Jesus might be put on display for all to see and thus be amazed. As a result, Paul was granted more fruitfulness, but it was by a different means than what he expected. So, there may well be times when Jesus will respond to your request for some fruit with a 'No'. But if that happens, remember Paul. Jesus is saying, 'No', so that He can say a bigger, 'Yes'. And the result will make the Father look even better than what you were hoping for. And isn't that the point of all this asking?

So, what do you do now? Well, here are a few thoughts for you to consider. The first is repeated from last week. Get to know yourself. What fruit, what Christian virtues, do you lack? You won't be asking for them if you don't know that you need them. So, get to know yourself. And remember that you will get to know yourself better as you interact with the other people in this room.

Another thought. Take this promise to heart. Believe it. Be bold. Ask! 'Lord, I think that it would be so good if I were more comfortable around other people. I am so shy that I don't talk. I clam up. That can't be good. So, give me this fruit so that I can interact well with the other folk here and be a blessing to them.' There's also the flip side of that. 'Lord, I talk too much and listen too little. Help me to keep my mouth shut so that I can really hear what others are saying and help them flourish.' Whatever you need, ask for it.

Last thought. Consider including other people's prayers in your prayers as you ask. The best example is the Lord's Prayer. But I would also include some ancient prayers like those from the Book of Common Prayer. One is included at the bottom of the announcement sheet each week. Doing this sort of thing can help you to learn how to pray, how to ask, what to ask for. I use both the Lord's Prayer and prayers from the Book of Common Prayer as part of my own daily prayer time.

So, ask. Pray. Let your requests be made known to God. And then watch as He responds to you, making you so very fruitful and Him so very glorious.