We’re thinking about productivity or fruit. An economist observed that in the U.S., productivity is down while employment is up – an observation of opposites. In the church, we normally measure attendance only – “employment” – with no real way of measuring fruit, even though fruit is very important.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last… (John 15.16, NIV)

What happens when there’s no fruit?

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away…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. 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. 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 15.1 – 6, ESV)

Those of us raised with some version of “eternal security of the believer” don’t really like these verses. My Navigator friend, the late Skip Gray, used to say,

I don’t know exactly what that means, but I know that it’s a bad scene and I don’t want to make it!

The parable of the fig tree that we looked at yesterday twice uses the phrase “cut it down.”

To whom is this directed? Theological purists would say, “He’s talking about the nation Israel, often referred to as ‘the fig tree.’ Israel rejected her Messiah and was cut down by the Romans in 70 A.D.” Fine, but are there any modern-day applications? People? Churches? Cities?

Consider ancient Ephesus, a thriving city and home to an early Christian church. What did John say to the church at Ephesus?

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2.4, 5, ESV)

“I will remove your lampstand…” I’ve been to Ephesus. It’s a tourist site now. Some famous buildings are there, including the 25,000-seat amphitheater of Acts 19, but no people live there. Nearby is the small Turkish town of Selcuk. I’ll never forget our guide pointing to “Harbor Street,” so-called because it went to the harbor (duh!). But the harbor today is six miles away! Do you know the word “meander”? It comes from the river near Ephesus which changed course. And when it changed course, it took the harbor with it.

When God removed Ephesus’ “lampstand,” he didn’t just remove the church. He removed the entire city!

More often than we should we read of mega-churches whose pastors go off the rails. And sometimes, a church of thousands or tens of thousands goes away. Europe is filled with Christian cathedrals, many of which have now been re-purposed. No fruit? Cut it down!

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. (Matthew 21.18 – 19, ESV)

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15.8, ESV)