"the Benefits Of Abiding In Christ The Vine."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(John 15:16) "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

(John 15:5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

(John 15:1-4) (1) "I am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman." (2) "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (3) "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (4) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

PROLOGUE

This message highlights the profound benefits of abiding in Christ, often referred to as the true vine. Drawing from the 15th chapter of John’s Gospel, specifically verses 16 and 17, we are reminded of the deep spiritual connection and relationship that believers are called to cultivate.

When we remain in Christ, we not only draw strength and nourishment from Him, but we also bear fruit that reflects His love and purpose in our lives. Additionally, we are called to love one another, reinforcing the importance of community and mutual support among believers.

This message invites us to understand the transformative power of abiding in Christ, encouraging us to live in alignment with His teachings and to share His message of grace and love with the world around us.

As we move into this important message, let's take a moment to reflect on our past experiences and the state of our hearts and minds before we encountered the transformative light of the gospel, of the moments of confusion and darkness that appeared to overshadow our lives, until the bright message of salvation broke through, bringing clarity and purpose to our journey.

The vine spoken of in the fifteenth chapter of St. John's gospel represents Christ, the vine, the very essence of life, and our connection to life is found in him. It is fascinating that just like the blood running through our veins carrying the necessary oxygen and other nutrients we need to live, we get our life nutrients from abiding in Christ, the Vine.

I want to share some insights from an inspiring article I read by David Wilkinson, which explores the fascinating growth process of a vine. In the article, Wilkinson describes how vines face challenging conditions that can make it difficult for new branches to emerge.

What captured my attention is that the vine develops runners that intricately cross one another, forming a complex structure that resembles a cross. It explains how the runners on the right side grow toward the left, and those on the left grow toward the right, forming a cross.

In conclusion, let me say that this unique configuration not only supports the growth of new branches but also enhances the vine’s ability to thrive in its environment. The article beautifully illustrates the resilience and adaptability of nature, reminding us that even in challenging situations, growth and new beginnings are always possible. Let us never forget that the branch and the vine are connected at the cross.

"HOW To ABIDE IN CHRIST THE VINE."

One day, while browsing through my laptop's photos, I came across an old picture of seagulls standing in a row like little kids—three of them sitting peacefully on the hood of my 18-wheeler, gazing at me through the window. It's remarkable to see these wild birds, usually fighting among themselves, so calm and steady, lined up like schoolchildren to comfort a troubled man of God. This was around 2008 near Salt Lake City, Utah, during a difficult period in my life that might have pushed some people to seek psychiatric help.

The vine mentioned in the fifteenth chapter of John's gospel symbolizes Christ, the vine, the very source of life, and our connection to life is found in him. It is interesting that, just like the blood flowing through our veins carrying essential oxygen and nutrients, we receive our life sustenance by abiding in Christ, the Vine.

I want to share some insights from an inspiring article I read by David Wilkinson, which explores the fascinating growth process of a vine. In the article, Wilkinson describes how vines face challenging conditions that can make it difficult for new branches to emerge.

What caught my attention is that the vine develops runners that cross each other intricately, forming a complex structure that looks like a cross. It explains how the runners on the right side grow toward the left, and those on the left grow toward the right, creating a cross.