Weekly Tip #1 – Spring 2017
John chapter 15 is a riveting teaching directly from Jesus. Before the passion week, which came to a brutal but glorious end (crucifixion and resurrection), Jesus gave His final teachings to His disciples in John 13-17. In verse 1 Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” Here is what a vine and a branch look like:
Jesus is the vine. Why? Because in Him is life. Consider these passages:
John 14:6 says, “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12)
Jesus replied to Martha, “25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)
Jesus is the life giving and nourishing vine. Jesus is life. Real life is not found in relationships, money, partying, drugs, sports, clubs, TV shows, social media, education or anything else. Only in Jesus can we find fulfillment and have eternal life. Only in Jesus can we produce fruit. Is there anything that could take away your affections, attention, or interest away from Christ?
Starting Off You Spring Ministry
As you begin the spring term in your ministry situation, start out your time in prayer. Ask God to work powerfully in the environment you will be ministering to. Do a prayer walk, hold a prayer meeting, do a 24-hour prayer chain, ask churches and other believers to pray for you. Pray individually or in pairs. Whatever you do, pray earnestly for God to work. If God does not do it, it will not happen.
Be Spirit-Filled – Ask the Holy Spirit to live and work in your life in a powerful way. Pray for personal boldness, insight, wisdom, and clear direction. Ask Him to give you courage as you regularly share the Gospel message on campus, do follow-up, lead your Bible studies, and in all you do. The Holy Spirit is our power source. Don’t leave home without Him.
Abide closely with the Lord – have a personal regular devotional time in a book of the Bible of your choice or a devotional guide/reading plan. Ask God to draw you closer to Him as you let His Word dwell in you richly and continue to change you from the inside out. Let God’s Word regularly change your heart so that you stay away from sin and live a godly life unto Him.
Follow the steps and use the tools needed to get your ministry off the ground again. Refer to the first tip I wrote last fall. Here it is.
Have a great week! Talk to you next week,
Ben with Cru