John 15:1-17
The Vine and the Branches
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.
Christlike Love
9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.
John 15:1-17 CSB
Prayer: Heavenly Father God, creator of all things, we thank you for giving your Son, the true vine, to us so that we can bear fruit. We recognize that we can do nothing apart from you, God. We confess that whatever fruit we think we can produce without you is worthless. We confess that we have sought life and joy in other things. We pray that you would give us the patience and endurance to remain in you. We pray that you would still our hearts and minds so that we can find rest in you. We pray that we would truly receive the joy you offer us. We pray that we would, in loving obedience, do the things you have commanded us so that we might prove to be your disciples. We pray that we would draw near to you. We pray that we would lock arms with fellow believers - uplifting, encouraging, and loving one another. We pray that we would love others enough to invite them to draw near to you as well. We are honored to be called your friend. Empower us, Lord, to bear fruit for your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
OVERTIME
The Bible is an incredible book.
On page one it literally starts "In the beginning" and concludes with a Revelation from John the Elder written just shy of 100 AD.
It's includes books of law, history, poetry, the writings of the prophets, four Gospel accounts, early church history, a bunch of letters (called the epistles) written by obedient Jesus followers to churches around the ancient world, and the aforementioned book of Revelation.
There are about 35 known authors plus a few more unknown authors that God divinely inspired to pen His words to His people. Though the words, messages, and commands were all divinely inspired, each other still had their own unique writing style.
One of the most meticulous writers of the new testament was Luke, a physician, and author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. For example, Luke's Gospel is the only account that highlights the birth of Jesus and events from his early childhood up until Jesus is 12 years old. Oddly enough, Luke gives us one sentence that captures Jesus' entire young adult life.
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people." - Luke 2:52
The most wordy author in the new testament sums up approximately 18 years of the life of Jesus Christ in one sentence, and yet, the sentence speaks volumes.
In their book, Exponential, Dave and Jon Ferguson challenge their readers to check their RPMS. No, they aren't talking about the revolutions per minute you see on the dashboard of the vehicle. They are referring to the four ways Jesus grew between the 12-year he was in Luke 2:51 and the 30-year old he became two verses later in Luke 3:1.
Relationally - "in favor... with people"
Physically - "increased in... stature"
Mentally - "increased in wisdom"
Spiritually - "in favor with God"
In what ways are you growing right now?
Are you more focused on growing in one of those areas than the others?
Is there one of those that you've neglected (whether accidentally or intentionally)?
Take a moment to ask God to reveal to you an area of your life where you have room to improve.
Here are just a few examples of ways where we can grow in each of our RPMS.
| Relationally | Physically | Mentally | Spiritually |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attending Church | Diet | Read Books | Prayer |
| Date night | Exercise | Unplug | Reading Scripture |
| Small group/Bible Study | Getting good sleep | Express gratitude | Worship |
| Encouraging others | Massage | Give generously | Fasting |
| Serving others | Hydrate | Practice patience | Sabbath |
Some of you may be naturally inclined towards some of the things on this non-exhaustive list. It's important to celebrate and praise God when He enable us to find joy in growth! We should also be open to God pruning us (John 15:2) so that we might experience even further blessings!
If you're like me, when you scan this list there's a couple things you would confess are very difficult for you. Fortunately, God has placed people in our lives that can help us grow. Do you struggle to exercise? Seek out a personal trainer! Barely making it in the classroom? Request the aid of a tutor! Coaches, counselors, peers, pastors - the Lord has gifted different people in your life to help you grow!
Perhaps the greatest coach on spiritual growth is Jesus himself. In John 15:4 Jesus tells us to "remain" in Him. A little further down in John 15:9 he says again to "remain" in His love. He tells us to stay close to Him. Don't wander to this thing or that thing. There is nothing in this world outside of Jesus that will make your joy complete.