SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 15:4 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. 5 “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….7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
OBSERVATION: Jesus had just told of this unique relationship they had with the Son and through the Son to the Father. (John 14:20) Now He speaks of their responsibility to maintain that relationship. There is no salvation apart from Jesus and His abiding in us is shown as dependent on one thing: our abiding in him!
We obtain Christ by faith and on the basis of His completed work at Calvary. We maintain that relationship by our daily walk of faith and obedience.
Fruitfulness is the responsibility of every branch, but fruitfulness is impossible unless it remains attached to the vine. So it is with us. We are to be fruitful. We were created to be fruitful. Yet the fruit God desires from our lives is to bear unless we are attached!
APPLICATION: A tree is fruitful when its nature pushes through its limbs and branches and finds expression outside its structure. What results is something pleasant to see, pleasing to eat, and helpful to sustain life in those who pick it. And it contains seeds to start a whole new plant!
As a believer in Jesus, we become fruitful when the nature of Jesus who lives inside becomes visible in our speech and actions. Others see us responding as the Holy Spirit and the Word motivates us. They receive a blessing from something we say or do and a seed is planted in their lives, a seed that can grow into the life of Jesus living in them!
PRAYER: Lord, I know I cannot do this without you, but I offer myself to you. Live through me and make me fruitful. Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
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We are now in Hawaii. I was able to write out the SOAP while flying and now, in our hotel room can send it to you. I am not sure what my schedule will be these next two weeks, but am moving ahead knowing we are in God’s will. Back home it is after 9 pm, but here it is only after 4pm. 😊 We had a special reunion with my bother and some of his family at the airport, then lunch together before bringing us to this hotel.
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 