SCRIPTURE : 1 Corinthians 2:1-3
Text: John 15:1-17
Opening: ARE YOU STRIVING, Dying or Abiding? Once we have been BORN-AGAIN, we begin to Grow in The Lord . SOMETIME THE GROWTH IS FAST AND WITH OTHERS IT IS SLOWER, BUT WE WERE BORN TO GROW.
God’ LOVE FOR US IS SO UNCONDITIONAL THAT NOT ONLY DID HE SEND HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON TO DIE FOR US BUT HE SEALED US WITH HIS SPIRIT TO BE OUR COMFORTER AND TEACHER. ( EPHESIANS 4:30) HOW MUCH MORE COULD WE WANT? NEED
UNFORTUNATELY, because of our UNBELIEF, we STRIVE TO DO RIGHT, trying to do it in the energy of our own flesh and fail miserably .
WE MANUFACTURE FRUIT THAT WE THINK LOOKS GOOD AND IT NEVER LAST AND THEN WE BEGIN A VICIOUS CIRCLE OF FRUITLESS PRODUCTION.
In the scripture readings today we find 3 GREAT TRUTH’s
1)WE ARE NOT THE PRODUCER:
Jesus says, I AM THE VINE, MY FATHER IS THE VINE DRESSER AND YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.
People could relate to this for they had vineyards over there.
IT TAKES ALL THREE ENTITIES TO PRODUCE FRUIT. WE cannot make it grow by OURSELVES!!!!!!!!!
JESUS IS THE VINE FROM WHICH THE LIVING WATER FLOWS. JOHN 4:10-14
THE MOMENT WE STOP DRINKING THE LIVING WATER WE BEGIN TO DRY UP .
2) WE MUST ABIDE IN HIS LOVE FOR THERE IS NO JOY ANY PLACE ELSE!!!!!!
We can manufacture happiness with circumstances but you will never manifest JOY WITHOUT ABIDING IN HIS LOVE
WHAT ARE WE Chasing? HAPPINESS OR JOY?
JESUS LOVE WILL STIR US TO SERVE! Matthew 20:28
JESUS WASHING THE DISCIPLES FEET JOHN 13:1-17
3) WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND APPOINTED TO BEAR FRUIT THAT LAST:
We can’t make fruit that last without the LIVING WATER
MUST STAY CONNECTED!
There is a promise for staying connected
” WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME , HE MAY GIVE YOU”
Putting JESUS name at the end of the prayer is not what he meant !!
KNOWING YOU ARE CHOSEN AND APPOINTED AND ABIDING IN THAT LIVING WATER GIVES YOU THE POWER TO ASK.
CLOSING: ARE YOU WHERE YOU SHOULD BE? ENJOYING THE ” LIVING WATER” COMING FROM YOUR ABIDING IN THE VINE AS A BRANCH AND MANIFESTING LASTING FRUIT!
MANUFACTURING OR MANIFESTING ?