Series: Committed
Message: Appreciation
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Refresh: Open with prayer. Read of listen to Psalm 50:16-23.
Read: John 15:1-17 - As you read in the New International Version, note 1-3 insights that arise.
Reflect: Results? Metrics? ROI? All good questions that boards, teams, clients, and shareholders expect to know and see. With poor performance there is a certain level of ambiguity that some would prefer, and with great performance there is a stronger level of clarity. The difference with our walk with Jesus is that there is always clarity. Jesus, from the very start, has been straight forward about His insight and ability to know us. When Adam and Eve were hiding in the garden, following their break of trust with Jesus, the first question that He asked them was found in Genesis 3:11 - “Who told you that you were naked?” Probing into this question, Jesus was asking Adam and Eve, “Who are you listening to now? Who are you allowing to shape your identity?” Back to John 15, Jesus tells us that we are to bear fruit, and the only way this happens is when we abide in Him. We cannot be a Christian if we do not have results. Our purpose is not to exist and simply be content with our own private walk with Jesus. We have to be committed to the life mission. As the apostle Paul shared in Ephesians 2:8-10:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
We are saved by grace. Our fruit does not save us. Our fruit is because we are saved. Because we are connected.
Recalibrate:
Respond: Pray for ears that listen to Jesus.
Research: Is your Church’s mission bearing fruit? What needs to change?