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Matthew 7:13–20; John 15:1–5; Matthew 25:14–30
Too often faith becomes about us: our plans, our desires, our blessings. On Vision Sunday 2025, Pastor Max Lyons teaches from the close of the Sermon on the Mount that God is looking for both faithfulness and fruitfulness, that fruit cannot be forced but only cultivated by remaining in Jesus, and that healthy fruit comes through a pruning process. Pastors Max and Juliet then unveil the church's four initiatives for the year.
Key takeaways
- Faith does not start with us; it starts with God, and making it primarily about our own blessings is settling for a cheap substitute of the Gospel.
- God desires both faithfulness and fruitfulness, not one or the other; a fig tree with leaves but no fruit is a warning for us.
- Fruit cannot be forced; it is cultivated by remaining in Jesus, who is the source, while fruit is the byproduct.
- Healthy fruit comes at a cost, because God prunes both unfruitful and fruitful branches so they produce more.
- Filter every decision this year through one question: will it make the fruit grow healthier?
Message notes
The real deal versus a cheap substitute
Pastor Max opens with a story about a British Snickers bar. When Juliet insisted the chocolate tasted better in London, he set out to prove her wrong and discovered the UK and US versions really are made with different ingredients. Juliet knew the difference between the real deal and a cheap substitute, and Pastor Max warns that Christians can settle for a cheap substitute of the Gospel: a faith that is all about God's plan for me, God's blessings for me. The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father in heaven, holy is your name," because faith starts with God, not us. Following Jesus is not about getting more from God but giving more of yourself to Him.
Seek first the kingdom
Pastor Max recalls last year's Vision Sunday, when he shared Matthew 6:33 and admitted his frustration that after two years Elan Church still had no building. The church committed to seeking God's kingdom first, and within two weeks they had a lead on the building they now meet in. When you put God first, you end up with more than enough. But having what God promises requires doing what God says; acknowledging Jesus as Lord with your mouth is not the same as being devoted to Him in your heart.
Faithfulness and fruitfulness
Is faithfulness alone enough? Pastor Max remembers losing youth sports games and parents insisting it was only about having fun, when every kid knew winning was the fun part. The fun of following Jesus is watching people get saved and baptized, marriages restored, and lives healed. James says faith without deeds is dead, in Matthew 25 the servant who buries what he was given is called wicked and lazy, and in Mark 11 Jesus curses a fig tree that is all leaves and no fruit. It is possible to attend church without life change and to know the Bible without obeying Christ. God wants both faithfulness and fruitfulness.
The narrow road and pseudo-prophets
Turning to Matthew 7, Pastor Max explains that the narrow gate means not living like everyone else: pursuing holiness instead of happiness. The higher the calling, the narrower the path. Jesus then warns about false prophets, literally pseudo-prophets, in sheep's clothing. Pastor Max tells of a cult recruiter who infiltrated the foyer of their London church and had to be turned away at the door. False prophets tell people what they want to hear, but by their fruit you will recognize them.
Fruit is cultivated, not forced
The Greek word for fruit, karpos, means deed, action, or result; it is what a life produces. If someone took a bite out of your life, would they taste the fruit of the Spirit? Pastor Max recounts how God told him and Juliet "not yet" when they first sensed a call to Naperville, sending them to Florida for two years first. Fruit takes time. Believers who strain to manufacture love or patience become what he calls constipated Christians. The goal is not fruit; the goal is Jesus. John 15 says no branch can bear fruit by itself, so Jesus is the source and fruit is the byproduct.
Will it make the fruit grow healthier?
The British rowing team, stuck in seventh place for years, began filtering every decision through one question, will it make the boat go faster, and won gold in 2000. Elan's question for 2025 is: will it make the fruit grow healthier? Sunday Gatherings, Groups, serving, generosity, solitude, prayer, Scripture, and forgiveness all pass that test. John 15 also says the gardener prunes every fruitful branch so it bears more. Pastor Max shares how adding a disciplined diet to his CrossFit routine required pruning; he cannot force muscle to grow, but he can control his diet and exercise. Likewise we cannot control our fruit, but we can control our faithfulness and devotion to Jesus. Each person receives a keychain with Matthew 7:17: every healthy tree bears good fruit.
Four initiatives for 2025
Pastors Max and Juliet close by announcing one initiative for each of Elan's four core values. For Holy Spirit led, a Holy Spirit conference planned for September. For Bible immersed, a partnership with theological education providers offering certificate and university-level courses. For wise stewards, a new set of follow-up, onboarding, community, financial, and pastoral care systems to keep a growing church healthy. For authentic, hosting the Global Leadership Summit on site so people can bring colleagues and be a genuine reflection of Jesus in their workplaces.
