This week will be our last week in our Dwelling in the Word series. I appreciated the way everyone at Marion has participated in this series. It is my hope that you have found it beneficial, and this practice has given you additional ways to grow deeper in your relationships as you spend time dwelling in the Bible.
This week we will be spending some time looking at the word of Jesus in John 15…
John 15:1-8 New International Version
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also 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.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Full disclosure, John 15 has been and continues to be a very impactful scripture to me as I journey as a Jesus follower. Andrew Murray’s devotional titled, Abiding in Christ, takes you on a thought provoking and insightful journey through John 15. This devotional is 30 short chapters that focus on abiding, surrender, and how to follow Jesus. Originally published in 1895, Abiding in Christ, is a timeless classic that educates and encourages anyone interested in learning more about abiding. I have a few copies in the church office if anyone is interested in reading this wonderful book.
While I will appreciate dwelling with this passage, it will be a challenge for me to dwell with this passage without bringing my thoughts to the passage. But I am looking forward to dwelling with this passage.
I invite you to dwell with the words of Jesus in John 15 this week. Remember our 3 questions that can guide us through the passage…
1. What do I notice?
2. What do I wonder?
3. Where might the Spirit be nudging?
Bring you quiet hearts and your contemplative minds and dwell and discuss on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin
