NEW SERMON SERIES
January - February 2008
Living the Fruitful Life
A study based on John 15
On this six-week journey we are
going to examine the words of our Lord in John 15:1-17. As we think about
this passage during the next six weeks I hope you will discover that each
verse is packed with meaning and spiritual truth that will help us be “conformed
to the likeness of His Son.” (Romans 8:29)
This
passage of Scripture helps us
understand what the Christian life is all about and how it is to be lived.
The call of this passage is not to do, but to be. And it is an important
word to us in our day as so much value is placed on doing. Jesus assures us
in this text that as we practice the discipline of abiding, we will grow in
our relationship with Him and bear much spiritual fruit.
It is interesting to discover how
many object lessons God has given to us in creation. There is much in
nature that mirrors heavenly realities. The vine is one such object
lesson. Jesus taught His disciples about the vine on the night of His
arrest. Clearly Jesus is thinking about the future, His death and His
resurrection.
And He wanted His followers to have
a clear picture about their relationship with Him after His resurrection.
So He chooses the vine, abundantly grown throughout Israel, as His object
lesson.
I pray that as we think of the
earthly vine, we will discover the heavenly truth about our place in the
Kingdom. But more, I pray that we will not just learn about our
relationship with Christ, but will experience a deeper more trusting
relationship with our Lord.
Weekly Devotional Guides
click on links below
Week 1: January 14-20
to lead up to sermon January 20 - "Part 1: Life on the vine"
Week 2: January 21-27
to lead up to sermon "Part 2: Where do I cut? Being pruned"
Week 3: January 28-February 3
to lead up to sermon "Part 3: Hanging in there - the discipline of
abiding"
Week 4: February 4-10
to lead up to sermon "Part 4: Bearing much fruit"
Week 5: February 11-17
to lead up to sermon "Part 5: The vine and prayer"
Week 6: February 18-24
to lead up to sermon "Part 6: Picking over the produce"
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