The Master Gardener

We need a re-awakening.

This is just my personal opinion and thoughts as I look at our world, country and the state of Christianity in the West. I may be wrong, and I think I am okay being wrong, but I think by and large we need a re-awakening. I also believe the younger generation is probably going to usher it in. I am excited about our teens and their faith.

Following Jesus is simple and hard.

The basics are not hard at all. Call upon Jesus. Accept his salvation and that he is the messiah and you are saved.

Romans 10:13 NIV

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The vineyard and fruit imagery was a key image of Jewish identity.

Jesus is not just using words that are nice.

Jesus, alone, is the TRUE vine!

This is quite the statement. This would be offensive to the nation of Israel. This changes everything!

Be at home with Jesus. Remain/abide/persist in/rest in/continue/stay

These are all words that pick up what Jesus is trying to convey. Remain and abide are how we most translate them but sometimes it is hard to understand what they mean.

Producing fruit is the goal.

This should not surprise us.

We must be pruned.

This requires we reframe what is going on. This hurts. This may be painful but it is necessary in order to be the people Jesus wants us to be.

Dead branches must be cut off to protect the vine.

This portion of our chapter has created quite the debate and rightfully so. How are we to understand what is going on?

The fruit: confident prayer.

Notice this again.

The fruit: greater love for others.

Believers and non-believers

The fruit: sharing in all Jesus experienced.

Persecution. hatred.

Let Jesus be your home!

This is our goal.