Human beings not Human Doings.
We are more than the sum of our knowledge, effort, and accomplishments. We will seek first to “be with” God before endeavoring to “do for” Him.
John 15:1-11 NIV
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
1) is our
“I am the true vine.. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
“Discipleship is not just a matter of acknowledging who Jesus is; it is having Jesus spiritually connected to our inner lives.” —Gary M. Burge, NIVAC
Question for reflection—
What are my daily rhythms that keep me connected to the vine? Weekly rhythms?
2) is in
“my Father is the gardener.”
Isaiah 41:8-10 NIV
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“Whatever the fears, encourage yourself to face them—and then turn them over to God. God loves you, and when we know Christ and have put our faith and trust in Him, we know He’ll never abandon us.” –Billy Graham
“If we trust in our worry more than we trust God we are sinning by our lack of faith in God, who has given us the richness of His constant abiding presence, for those who put their faith in Him.” –Billy Graham
3) by
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”
Colossians 3:7-15 NIV
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
4) is given by
“bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Question for reflection—
Is your life balanced? What are one or two things you can do to bring a healthier balance to your life
5) is for
“that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Psalms 16:9-11 NIV
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Answer Key: Jesus, source; God, control; Cleansed, Jesus ; Purpose, God; Joy, you