To “be the church,” we get to love God, love people, and make disciples. In the last two blogs we have talked about how a disciple has conversations with God, other disciples, and not-yet disciples. Today we want to focus on having a life giving conversation with God. How exactly does that work?
For insight, we took a field trip to a vineyard to better understand Jesus’ words about this very subject.
Jesus and the Grapevine
In Jesus’ final hours before the crucifixion, he wanted his disciples to understand how they needed to stay connected to him. In John 15:5 he said,
“I am the vine. You are the branches… Apart from me, you can do nothing.”
In a vineyard, a branch disconnected from the vine is dead. But connected to the vine, it can produce much fruit. I don’t know about you, but I love to eat sweet, juicy grapes! If you happen to have some in your fridge, I give you permission to grab some and snack on them while you continue reading!
Conversations with Jesus And Others
When we follow and befriend Jesus, we are his disciples. As we discussed last time, an engaged disciple will have soul-connecting conversations with other disciples and not-yet disciples.
But first things first. As we build a foundation of life-giving daily talks with Jesus, the joy and power of God will be evident in our lives.
Staying Connected to Jesus
In John 15:4-5 Jesus says,
“...abide in me,... abide in me,... abide in me.”
He is using the metaphor of a grape-vine as Steve talked about earlier. We stay connected to Jesus with an open mind, hopeful heart, and courageous will. These are needed to have life-giving conversations.
He is always with us in the present, but are we aware and responsive to him in moments of time everyday?
Jesus - Our LIfe Source
If we are, we are connected to the source of life, Jesus. The phrase “...I in you…” signifies that the mind of Christ, the heart of the Father, and the power of the Spirit are working in you.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,...” 2 Peter 1:3a (ESV)
Everything we need to fulfill our purpose is available to us if we stay connected and responsive to Jesus.
Detached = No Fruit
But if we are detached, we starve ourselves of the nutrients needed to be what we were created to be.
“…As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. …for apart from me you can do nothing.”
These are strong words from Jesus. I think he means what he says. Separated from him we cannot accomplish anything that matters in eternity. We will not produce fruit. We must remain connected to the source of life, Jesus.
Attached = Fruitful
“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit,”
When we do, it makes all the difference in the world.
The Father is Elevated and Magnified
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…”
When we stay connected to Jesus through daily life-giving conversations, we will produce a truckload of spiritual fruit. This shines a spotlight on God the Father for all to see. It raises God-awareness in the hearts and minds of people in our families and communities. And it has one more very important effect. It’s found in verse 8.
Evidence of Your Faith
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
If you were arrested on the charge of being a disciple of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict you and pass sentence?
When we have daily life-giving conversations with Jesus, we stay connected and prove to ourselves and everybody else that we are his disciples.
Up next: Conversations with Jesus: The Benefits
Would you like to share this with your friends? Here’s the slideshow for today’s blog so you can talk about it with them!
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