Introduction
The room was growing tense as I started to fold my arms and reflexively take on defensive body postures. Likewise, the person I was “talking” with did the same. Though we never shouted at each other, the level of our voices was on the rise. The others in the room started to slowly shrink back as we continued to “state our case” to the other, not really listening to the responses because we were too busy forming what to say next. Finally, Alex broke in and said “you two are in violent agreement with each other”. The comment totally changed the room as we both realized he was right, we were both arguing for the same thing, but didn’t, couldn’t realize it because of our assumptions and postures.
How often do we read Scripture the same way, assuming that we are going to argue against it when in fact, it might be making the very same case we think should be made. Well, let’s dig in a bit this week and see if we can some to some sort of agreement on what Paul is saying to the Corinthians.
Grace and peace y’all,
John Ray and the teaching team
Text:
A Confession from John 15 (the message)
Reader: Jesus declared he is the Real Vine and his Father is the Farmer, that every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. That if we live in him -make our home in him just as He does in us, the harvest is sure to be abundant.
Everyone: Jesus we make our home in you and you make yours in us. Make this Church good soil for the Vine to take root and the branches to bear fruit.
Reader: Jesus told us the tree will be judged by the fruit.
Everyone: Give us hands to tend the soil, hearts to endure the pruning and ears to hear the song that gives us hope.
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.
