Part 3

Services

Saturday 6 pm, Downtown 7 pm, God's Country* Sunday 9:15 am, Downtown* 10:30 am, Crossfire** ALSO ONLINE

May 07, 2022

This shaping work that Jesus does in us – forming himself in us so that he can live through us – is not a forced thing. It’s not like a person working on a piece of stone with a chisel and a hammer. It occurs via relationship – as a branch that’s connected to a vine. The branch’s identity is defined through relationship to the vine. The branch receives nourishment through relationship with the vine. The branch’s ability to realize it’s created purpose – bearing fruit - occurs through relationship with the vine. If this relationship is interrupted in some way, worse – if it’s severed somehow – the branch’s ability to be the branch is compromised and eventually ceases to exist. Jesus says that’s the way of discipleship – that’s how his heart and priorities are shaped in us – by “remaining” in him, a word that occurs seven times in these verses. And if we fail to remain in him – if the relationship is interrupted or severed – then our discipleship is compromised. Jesus does not force the “remaining.” He offers it to us moment by moment. He is constantly present, ready to use every experience to nourish us and form himself in us so that we can bear fruit - literally “bear himself” in the world around us.

TAKING IT HOME 

Our readings for the week ahead are:

MONDAY, May 9 ,  Romans 15; Ps. 84

TUESDAY, May 10,  Romans 16; Ps. 85

WEDNESDAY, May 11,  Eph. 1; Ps. 86

THURSDAY, May 12,  Eph. 2; Ps. 87

FRIDAY, May 13,  Eph. 3; Ps. 88

SATURDAY, May 14,  Eph. 4; Ps. 89:1-18

SUNDAY, May 15,  Eph. 5; Ps. 89:19-35