The Vineyard- January 15, 2012

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Mark 10:32-52

-  In this passage Jesus gives the most complete picture of the suffering He must endure.  How does seeing Jesus response, and knowing that He too suffered, help us deal with the times of suffering we face in our own lives?

- Nothing is more revolting than playing politics in the church.  Here are James and John lobbying for the best places in Jesus’ kingdom.  And yet, James and John would go on to become great servants in Jesus’ kingdom.  What do you think happened that transformed their way of thinking and acting? 

- Bartimaeus showed faith in Jesus’ ability to give Him sight, so much faith that he refused to be silenced in his pleas for help from Christ.  Do you have Bartimaeus faith, which allows you to keep asking even when the answer doesn’t come right away?

Luke 4:1-13

- This passage shows that Satan chooses opportune times to tempt us.  When we are hungry, when we are impatient, when we are grieving, he chooses times when we are most susceptible.  How does Jesus fend off the devil’s temptations?

-  If Jesus’ uses scripture to ward of Satan’s temptations, what does that say about scripture’s importance?

- The devil promises the temporary, God promises the eternal.