SERIES: The Great Adventure: I AM
TITLE: Vine
Scripture: John 15:1-11
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” Augustine
I. THE ILLUSTRATION FROM GARDENING
The Seven I AM statements Jesus made about Himself:
- I AM the Bread of Life
- I AM the Light of the World
- I AM the Door/Gate
- I AM the Good Shepherd
- I AM the Resurrection and the Life
- I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
- I AM the True Vine
The Greek word for “gardener” is the word (farmer).
II. THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR FRUIT
If we lack the (connection) to the Father, the (Source of strength) for those who follow Jesus, we will not bear fruit. The plain and hard truth is the Christian life is neither hard nor difficult; it is (impossible) to live without (abiding) in Christ.
The word “abide” literally means “to have a permanent union with.” To abide in Christ means to have a (desperate dependence) and (restful residence) in the Lord.
The call here is not for us to (bear fruit); it is to (abide).
NEXT WEEK: Freedom! (2015 theme)
Title: Free!
Scripture: Ex.33:12-19; John 1:17
