Introduction
In his insightful and compelling book You Are What You Love, author James KA Smith writes the following:
“Jesus doesn’t… ask, “What do you know?” He doesn’t even ask, “What do you believe?” He asks, “What do you want?”
This is the most incisive, piercing question Jesus can ask of us precisely because we are what we want. Our wants and longings and desires are at the core of our identity, the wellspring from which our actions and behavior flow. Our wants reverberate from our heart, the epicenter of the human person. Thus Scripture counsels, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23). Discipleship, we might say, is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive to and intentional about what you love*.” To this is might add, we all are becoming what we love. So what are we becoming?
Let’s dig in this week and see what we can find.
Grace and peace y’all,
John Ray and the teaching team
* Smith, James K. A.. You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit (pp. 1-2). (Function). Kindle Edition.
Text:
John 15:1-8 FNVNT 1“I am the true grapevine. My Father is the Vine Keeper. 2He cuts off the branches in me that have no fruit. He carefully trims back the branches with fruit, so they will grow more fruit. 3“My teachings have purified you, 4but you must stay joined to me in the same way a branch is joined to the vine. A branch cannot grow fruit unless it is joined to the vine. It is the same with you and me. 5“I am the vine and you are the branches. The ones who stay joined to me will grow much fruit, for without me nothing grows. 6The ones who do not stay joined to me are broken off and dry up, and then they are gathered up and used to make a fire. 7“If you are joined to me and my words remain in you, you can ask me for anything and it will be done. 8 When you grow a harvest of fruit, this will show that you are walking my road. You will then bring great honor to my Father.
Communal Confession for Vine and Branch
Rejoice, Grace Church this time culminates our Sabbath day, our gift of rest and renewal.
We rejoice in this time for worship and wonder.
God gives us Sabbath as freedom from and freedom for.
God is worthy of worship, our Creator, Healer, and Inspiration.
Hang on Grace Church, we were never promised an easy road.
Jesus bids each and all of us to take up our cross and follow Him.
We have the promises and person of Jesus with us every step of the way.
Because we have this we will endure, even though we struggle.
We have the testimony of those who have gone before us to encourage and enlighten us.
Because we have this we will follow their example and receive their encouragement.
We have been given each other to rejoice with, grieve with, grow with and work with.
Because we have this community and all these things we will not lose heart or be forever discouraged.
Grace be to you now and forever in the Name of our Lord Jesus
Lord’s Prayer
Christ, who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
