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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Vines (11/21/05)
John 15:4-5 states, remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Jesus states that He is the vine and His believers are the branches. He tells believers that if they will remain and abide in Him, they will bear much fruit. The believer can do nothing apart from Jesus. Jesus uses this analogy to demonstrate that believers are to have a personal relationship with Him. The believer that abides in and remains in Jesus is given eternal salvation by the grace of God. However, Jesus wants believers to have an abundant life while on Earth. Without a relationship with Jesus, believers will not enjoy the abundant life Jesus died on the cross for us to have. Cultivating a relationship with Jesus includes a consistent prayer life, studying and meditating in the word of God, and obedience to God. A relationship with Jesus is essential to spiritual growth.

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. A branch is an outgrowth, a secondary limb that is part of and grows from the tree. We, as branches are outgrowths from Jesus Christ, we are part of Him and He is part of us. When we abide in Jesus, we will grow in Him and from Him. When we maintain a relationship with Jesus, He will direct our footsteps and lead us down the path of righteousness. He will guide us to our predestined place in His kingdom. When we abide in Jesus, we begin to fulfill God’s will for our lives. We can’t get there through our own strength or on our own accord, because apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. Without a personal relationship with the Lord, you cannot know God’s will for your life.

A believer that abides in and lives in Jesus will bear fruit which is the result or an outgrowth of the relationship with Jesus Christ. When you bear fruit, you begin to develop the mind of Christ. Your will, emotions, and thoughts, line up with the will of God for your life. Only then, will you be whole in every area of your life. Only then, will you live the abundant life that Christ came to give you. You begin to totally trust and depend upon the Lord and only then will you walk in the full grace of God. Through a relationship with God, you will see your prayers answered, you will feel God’s protection and grace surrounding you and your family. A relationship with God will cause you to be blessed in every area of your life. You will develop the faith that is able to move mountains. When you have a relationship with Jesus, you have the power of the Holy Spirit moving on your behalf and nothing is impossible.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Nina Phillips
11/30/05
Nice thoughts and commentary. Thank you for sharing them with us. God bless ya, littlelight
Sandra Petersen
12/01/05
Theologically sound doctrine. You have a subpoint for each of your three paragraphs (not counting the opening Scripture text). An introductory paragraph could be used to draw all three subpoints together into a main idea: The believer must have a relationship with Jesus Christ for three things important to his or her existence. Then each subpoint could be further developed in its own paragraph. This makes an excellent three point sermonette!