John 15:1-17
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."
Please take the time to read all of John 14-16. The verses we consider this week find a deeper meaning in their broader context.
How can we bear fruit? And what does that mean?
What is the "pruning" that we experience as fruitful Christians?
How can we be a friend of Jesus? And what does that mean?
What else?
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Counselor
This week we focus on the Holy Spirit. Here are a few passages to get you started:
John 14:16-8, 26-7
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 15:26,27
When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:5-15
"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."
What do you think about when you think about the Holy Spirit?
What is your experience with him?
John 14:16-8, 26-7
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 15:26,27
When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:5-15
"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."
What do you think about when you think about the Holy Spirit?
What is your experience with him?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
An Opossum and a Raccoon
I’m not sure what this means.
Last week I was leaving my church office when I heard a large truck emptying a dumpster at the small manufacturing business across the railroad tracks from the FLC. I really thought nothing of it. I got in my truck and drove a few blocks, to the other side of the railroad tracks, to make a visit.
As I got out of my truck the dumpster truck drove by. As it drove by something moving on the back caught my eye. I turned and took a good look. I saw a terrified raccoon, scrambling up and down and all around the back of the truck, presumably trying to figure out what to do next. I don’t know how the issue was resolved because the truck got out of sight.
I am guessing the raccoon was in the dumpster and got dumped into the truck. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, probably doing something he shouldn’t have been doing.
* * *
This morning I was coming back from the Park after a very nice run. As I passed city hall I looked to my right. Something was in the grassy strip between the street and the sidewalk. It was a cage; actually it was a trap. Inside the trap was a stupid looking possum. He was just sitting there in the trap, looking straight ahead; it was almost like he was waiting for a bus.
He too must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, probably doing something he shouldn’t have been doing.
What do you think this means?
Last week I was leaving my church office when I heard a large truck emptying a dumpster at the small manufacturing business across the railroad tracks from the FLC. I really thought nothing of it. I got in my truck and drove a few blocks, to the other side of the railroad tracks, to make a visit.
As I got out of my truck the dumpster truck drove by. As it drove by something moving on the back caught my eye. I turned and took a good look. I saw a terrified raccoon, scrambling up and down and all around the back of the truck, presumably trying to figure out what to do next. I don’t know how the issue was resolved because the truck got out of sight.
I am guessing the raccoon was in the dumpster and got dumped into the truck. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, probably doing something he shouldn’t have been doing.
* * *
This morning I was coming back from the Park after a very nice run. As I passed city hall I looked to my right. Something was in the grassy strip between the street and the sidewalk. It was a cage; actually it was a trap. Inside the trap was a stupid looking possum. He was just sitting there in the trap, looking straight ahead; it was almost like he was waiting for a bus.
He too must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, probably doing something he shouldn’t have been doing.
What do you think this means?
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Need a Brake
OK, maybe the title should be "Need a Break." But I meant to use "brake," because I want to slow down a little. I am continuing to make adjustments after my sabbatical, adjustments that I hope will position me for long term effectiveness in the Kingdom without "burn out." I have considerably changed some of the things I do and how I do them. Most people don’t notice, and that’s fine; maybe even good. But I am finding that I am getting busier and busier (again), to where I cannot get my work done and have much time or energy for things around the house. I am not complaining; just trying to adjust. I’ve been down this road before; need to turn around now.
One area I have been wondering about for quite a while is this blog. I don’t think I am finished with it, but I do plan to take a break. How long? I don’t know. I’ll let you know when I know. Could be a short break or a long one. Time will tell.
I’ve been doing this for more than 2 years in one form or another, and I like it. I think it’s been helpful and good for the most part, but lately it has become "another thing to do." I don’t need another thing to do. I getting ready to make the biggest adjustment in my family since the birth of Ben. Lester gets married, and then Luke leaves for Lipscomb. Wow. It’s all good but pretty draining.
I am doing some work with Lipscomb this fall in connection with their Conference on Preaching; this is related to my doctoral work. I am very excited about it. I am also working toward some specific Bible studies with our food pantry folks, and this also excites me greatly. Both are fairly time and emotion-consuming projects.
Thank you to all who have made this a stimulating experience over the last couple of years.
One area I have been wondering about for quite a while is this blog. I don’t think I am finished with it, but I do plan to take a break. How long? I don’t know. I’ll let you know when I know. Could be a short break or a long one. Time will tell.
I’ve been doing this for more than 2 years in one form or another, and I like it. I think it’s been helpful and good for the most part, but lately it has become "another thing to do." I don’t need another thing to do. I getting ready to make the biggest adjustment in my family since the birth of Ben. Lester gets married, and then Luke leaves for Lipscomb. Wow. It’s all good but pretty draining.
I am doing some work with Lipscomb this fall in connection with their Conference on Preaching; this is related to my doctoral work. I am very excited about it. I am also working toward some specific Bible studies with our food pantry folks, and this also excites me greatly. Both are fairly time and emotion-consuming projects.
Thank you to all who have made this a stimulating experience over the last couple of years.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Good Shepherd
John 10:1-21
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice." Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
Slowly and carefully read the text, asking God to guide your thoughts. Please read all of John’s 10th chapter.
What is the overall point of this passage? How would you summarize it in a sentence or two? How does it fit with the entire Gospel?
What are some of the characteristics/descriptions of a good shepherd?
How is Jesus a shepherd? How is he a gate?
What are some of the characteristics/descriptions of a theif?
What is the reaction to the teaching of Jesus?
What else is on your mind this week?
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice." Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
Slowly and carefully read the text, asking God to guide your thoughts. Please read all of John’s 10th chapter.
What is the overall point of this passage? How would you summarize it in a sentence or two? How does it fit with the entire Gospel?
What are some of the characteristics/descriptions of a good shepherd?
How is Jesus a shepherd? How is he a gate?
What are some of the characteristics/descriptions of a theif?
What is the reaction to the teaching of Jesus?
What else is on your mind this week?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I was Blind but Now I See
Here is a part of John 9 (vss. 1-17)
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don’t know," he said. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided. Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
Take the time to read the entire chapter carefully.
Who are the main characters in this story? How do they each relate to Jesus?
What is the main source of conflict in this story?
How does the miracle story serve as an illustration of spiritual blindness?
^^^^^
What else is on your mind this week?
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don’t know," he said. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided. Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
Take the time to read the entire chapter carefully.
Who are the main characters in this story? How do they each relate to Jesus?
What is the main source of conflict in this story?
How does the miracle story serve as an illustration of spiritual blindness?
^^^^^
What else is on your mind this week?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
True Freedom
John 8:31-47, 54-59
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.’” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
What is the overall point of this passage? How would you summarize it in a sentence or two? How does it fit with the entire Gospel?
How does Jesus compare himself to Abraham?
What is the significance of Jesus saying, “before Abraham was born, I am!”?
What else is going on?
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.’” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
What is the overall point of this passage? How would you summarize it in a sentence or two? How does it fit with the entire Gospel?
How does Jesus compare himself to Abraham?
What is the significance of Jesus saying, “before Abraham was born, I am!”?
What else is going on?
Monday, July 07, 2008
Off this Week
Kedra and I will be in Alabama this week, so we'll teke a break from this place also. A couple of the older kids are holding down the fort in Mitchell. See you next week.
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