We are in John 15 this week. Imagine this scene: Jesus is walking along a dusty road next to some vineyards, just chatting with his disciples. He knows he is about to be crucified and will be leaving. He needs to break the news to these dear friends about leaving, and he knows they will all be challenged in many ways. They will have many doubts and even face death. He probably wanted to choose his words wisely. He wanted to use WORDS THAT STICK.
This new series, “Words that stick,” will be about words or phrases that have staying power for our life with Jesus. They help us have words and sentiments for who we are and also help us understand where God is leading and to trust in Him on a daily basis.
Pastor Adam mentioned a spiritual practice called “breath prayers.” They are simply that: words or sentiments that can be said with one breath in and one breath out. Breath prayers are a way of praying without ceasing as we are taught in I Thes. 5:17. An example might be: "Abba father, help me,” or perhaps “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in need.” During this series, perhaps you can come up with weekly breath prayers from the scriptures used in Pastor Adam’s teaching on words that stick? This might be a tangible and practical way to not only pray without ceasing, but also to have the words “stick” with you. That has the power to grow and change you into following Jesus more closely day by day. Are you up for the challenge?
INVITATION: These scriptures may be very familiar to you. Try to enter them anew and with fresh eyes to see what God has for you this week. Scripture is “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12). What is God speaking to you this week? What invitations do you sense God is extending to you as you read and reflect upon these verses?
MONDAY: John 15:1: Jesus is the one and only true vine. Sometimes we try to make someone else in our life our “vine” and our source. Or perhaps you have tried to be someone else’s “vine?” Often parents try to be the one and only “vine” for their children, which ends up in unhealthy situations. Who is your true vine?
TUESDAY: John 15:2-4: Pastor Adam shared his concern about our culture, and even churches, having “fake fruit” that the world is tasting and not liking and so not being drawn to Jesus. God is the gardener and ultimately cuts off every branch that bears no fruit. You will see the word “remain” in this chapter of John over and over. In verse 4, Jesus instructs all of us to “remain in me.” If you don’t, you cannot bear fruit. You cannot bear fruit without being a “branch” that remains in the vine. What practices do you have in place to remain attached to the vine? The world certainly tugs and pulls at us and satan tries to separate us from the vine. This creates fake fruit. Could that be you? How can you prioritize remaining in the vine this week?
WEDNESDAY: John 15:5: Jesus is our one and only source. We are to be a branch. We need the life and nutrients produced from the vine that is planted in the ground receiving those nutrients. Apart from God, we can do nothing. Be the branch. How might you make “be the branch” into a breath prayer in your life? Pastor Adam suggested “I am the branch, you are the vine.” Perhaps you want to come up with your own breath prayer from these verses? God doesn’t give us a long “to do” list or a business plan. It is actually fairly simple: be the branch. Stay attached. Remain. It is something we can do every moment of every day. It is not long and complicated. Can you “be the branch” today? Can you do something simple for the cause of Christ and to the betterment of you?
THURSDAY: John 15:6-10: Branches that are no longer connected to the vine are sticks and twigs. They are useless and are thrown into the fire and burned. They do not produce fruit. Pastor Adam specifically mentioned Rockhills as we seek to begin re-gathering this month. Not only will we be inviting our volunteers and faith community to begin re-gathering, but in October we will also be inviting our new neighbors. We have a new, God given facility. It was God’s timing - - -just before all schools were shut down by Covid 19. No churches are meeting in schools right now. Yet if we (Rockhills) do not remain attached, we will remain fruitless, and be full of sticks and twigs. How can you be in prayer for Rockhills Church as we move forward? Will you commit to staying attached to the vine with us? What will that look like in your life?
FRIDAY: John 15:11-17: Verse 11 tells us why to stay attached. There is complete joy only by staying attached to the true vine. Jesus longs to make our joy complete, and that is only accomplished as we stay attached to our power and our source of nutrients. How can you stay attached today? Tomorrow? Is there something you can bring into your regular schedule to KEEP you attached?
SATURDAY: John 15:18-25: Even though we are promised joy, it does not mean our life will be easy. This is not our “true” home and we should expect pain and suffering here. However, by staying attached to the vine, you can remain in a deep place of joy IN SPITE of circumstances. Regardless of what the future may hold and our culture, our politics, our health or anything else may throw our direction, you can have a deep seated joy and peace by staying attached to the vine - - Jesus Christ. Do you truly - at your deepest level - truth the “true vine” with your joy for life and in life?