Yesterday I posted the first two elements of John 15:1-8, remaining (abiding) and obedience. Today I want to finish this series with the final two keys to this passage. Jesus is certainly interested in fruit bearing. In the text He spoke of fruit, bearing fruit, bearing more fruit, and bearing much fruit. As I see…
Month: July 2011
Juicy Fruit: Remaining and Obeying
Jesus spoke the words recorded in John 15 to his disciples on the night he was betrayed. Last words are important words, much like the final briefing to a squadron prior to their departure for a mission. One of the first words in the text that leaps off the page is the word “remain” (or…
Juicy Fruit
I began to regularly eat fruit when I started my weight loss journey about 50 pounds ago. Before then, my consumption of fruit was limited to Fruity Pebbles, Hostess Fruit Pies, and Fruit by the Foot. But I’ve learned to enjoy and even appreciate fruit. One of the obvious attributes of fruit is its beauty….
How to Pray for Those Who Don’t (part 4)
When we pray for those who don’t, Paul has encouraged his readers to pray with understanding, but his real emphasis is that we pray God’s mission into action. “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard…
How to Pray for Those Who Don’t (part 3)
So since self righteousness is not a valid option, what are the benefits of the righteousness provided by Christ? In the next section of Romans 10, Paul reveals the benefits of the righteousness that are available through Christ. For example, we do not have to ascend to God through our own efforts because Christ has…
How to Pray for Those Who Don’t (part 2)
“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling…
How to Pray for Those Who Don’t (part 1)
Who do you know that doesn’t pray? Who do you love that doesn’t pray? How do you pray for those who don’t? The Book of Romans has been called the “Gospel According to Paul.” It is his treatment of what the gospel is and what the gospel does and how we are to approach it…
Giving with All Your Might (part 2)
So what can we take away from Jesus’ words about the widow’s gift in the Temple? Here are three simple applications from this great story. 1. THE SIZE OF THE GIFT IS NOT EVERYTHING. Have you ever noticed how a parent can melt over a picture drawn by their 5 year old? Or how a…
Giving with All Your Might (part 1)
I’ve never had a problem with speaking on the subject of stewardship. I think the best time to teach on giving is when the church is not in dire straits. There is something about being behind in the budget and a mounting accounts payable that tends to make stewardship sermons more about immediate pain relief…
Six Steps to Successful Prayer (part 2)
“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for” (1 John 5:14-15, NLT). Today I want to share six steps that have helped me…