In this section of John we have considered how Israel failed to be God’s vine (c.f. Isaiah 5:1-30, Jeremiah 2:20-22) and how Jesus proclaimed Himself as the “true vine” (John 15:1). Essentially, Jesus succeeded in trusting God in all the ways Israel failed to trust God. Jesus now employs this same imagery of being the vine, his disciples being the branches, and the Heavenly Father being the farmer who prunes the branch to bear fruit – changed lives. Last week we considered how “abiding” is a loose understanding of what it means to be “spiritual” (connected to/with Jesus) in our day. How do we live fruit-bearing lives? When we value/love Jesus, we will be motivated to willingly obey Him which results in a fruitful life – a life that displays the character and priorities of Jesus Christ. Today we will continue to consider how dependence on Jesus will overflow in the disciples of Jesus.
About Dan Miller
Pastor Dan was part of the core group that started Grace Fellowship in 2003. Pastor Dan is our primary teaching pastor, leads the staff, and oversees the vision and strategy for our disciplemaking philosophy of ministry. Dan married Vicki in 1993. Together, they enjoy their seven children – Benjamin (married to Courtney), David, Alexa, Zachary (married to Ginna), Nathan, Ana, and Autumn, along with one grandchild - Lucy.
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