07.26.03.red

It's the very last story that Jesus told.

The Vine and the Branches

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

No branch can bear fruit by itself;
it must remain in the vine.

I am the vine; you are the branches.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

I am the vine; you are the branches.

John 15:1-8
NIV

What example would Jesus use to explain this message to me today?

What is God telling me today about our relationship?

What lessons do we learn from the carnations?

A carnation in green water

A carnation in blue water

Garbage in
Garbage out

Good in
Good out

The Rod Goesinga story--
His bones are dead

Father in heaven,
Keep me clean on the inside.

To be "in the vine" means to be so connected
to Christ that His blood by His Spirit
pulses through my body and prompts me
to act like Him and to introduce everyone
I meet to the Christ that I know and love.

My life is like a crystal goblet

Gracious God,

I confess that I have been more willing to consume the fruits of others than bear fruit myself.

I have not been fruitful because I depended too much on myself and not enough on you.

Help me, God, to be a channel of your grace.

Fill me with your presence.

Help me to be transparent and
share your love.

Amen.

God speaks.
God moves.
God is beautiful.

we respond. we create. we worship.

remain in me,
and I will remain in you.

check out previous red worships--archive

Resource List for 07.26.03

The Holy Bible (Message, NAS, NCV, NIV, NLT)
online

PreachingPlus.com Leonard Sweet's Worship Resources
website

Scribbling in the Sand, Christ and Creativity, by Michael Card
get the book

Secrets of the Vine Bruce Wilkerson
buy the book

Windows of the Soul by Ken Gire
get the book