Current Series: “I AM: changes who I am”Title: Week 6 – “The Vine”
Main Thought: Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.
Scripture: John 15:1-7, 12-13, Psalm 119:111.
Message explanation: What you connect to in life matters! We have to come to a place in our lives where we realize that apart from Jesus we can do nothing.
John 15:1. “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.” In today’s passage in John 15, Jesus uses the grapevine to describe the relationship that we have with God.
Let’s break it down:
Who's the vine? (Jesus) Who are the branches? (Christians) Who's the Gardener? (God)
Review of series:
Week 1 - Bread of Life – He is the only thing that can satisfy us
Week 2 - Light of the World – The light of Jesus promises you will never have to walk in darkness.
Week 3 - Good Shepherd - Security comes through a relationship with Jesus.
Week 4 - Resurrection and Life - Jesus’ resurrection reveals hope eternally and in everyday pain.
Week 5 - Way, Truth and Life – Jesus is the only way to God.
Action-Steps to be connected to Christ
1. Allow yourself to be CONFRONTED (15:2-3)
The Gardner has two main jobs:
- Cut off branches that have no fruit. They tend to sap the energy from the fruit-bearing branches. Dead branches might have diseases and it could spread to the healthy ones. People who are no fruit are people who attend church, but their commitment is not real and they never surrender to a relationship with Jesus.
- Prunes the branches who bear fruit so they will grow MORE fruit. In the first 3-5 years of life, vines are pruned back in order to “train” them. This is to help the vine develop strength and energy to produce fruit. God disciplines those He loves. Proverbs 3:12: For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28.
When God “prunes” us, He is helping us become more like Jesus so we need too…
2. Remain with GOD John 15:4: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
The Word of God takes root. It changes how you THINK, FEEL, and ACT. Head – Changes how I think. Heart – Changes how I feel Feet. – Changes how I live my life
Memorize God’s Word so that we can…
3. Produce good FRUIT
John 15:5: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
We have to stay connected to the power source. Who will bear much fruit? (Those who remain in the vine.) How do you know that? (v.5) The question is not what can we do FOR Him, but what can He do THROUGH us.
Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Take the Word In. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Live the Word Out. John 15:12-13: “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
John 15:7 “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”
Element of Fun: We played a “minute to win it” game with the Middle school students called, “Christmas Cliffhanger” It was hard and none of the students finished the game!
We showed a promo video for Dodgeball! (The video was not our original resource, we borrowed it from a friend).
Music: We are the Free, Search My Heart, None Like You (Cassidy wrote this song), One Thing Remains (closing).
Favorite Moment: One middle school girl receiving Christ was a highlight! Also, seeing students taking notes and asking questions on how to grow spiritually was a huge encouragement that students are hungry for God's Word.
What’s Next: We are having a one night Christmas Story with the students next week!
I've recently begun to contribute to a few youth ministry websites. I enjoy blogging and hope to one day write a book (e-book maybe?). I originally started a blog in 2007 to share my journey in ministry. Over the years, God has helped me learn more about who He is and who I am. I've also learned a lot from other youth pastors who blog.
I've joined with one of the best youth ministry sites out there: www.youthmin.org. I'm regularly sharing blog posts hoping to encourage youth workers!
I also wrote a guest post "How to give advice to students" for one of my favorite websites by Josh Griffin. It is a great website to check out and learn about student ministry. Josh includes a lot of guest bloggers like me to continue the conversation!
Current Series: “I AM: changes who I am”Title: Week 6 – “The Vine”
Main Thought: Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.
Scripture: John 15:1-7, 12-13, Psalm 119:111.