The Vineyard- January 29, 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 11:20-33

- In many ways, a fig tree with leaves but no fruit can represent insincere faith; it looks good from afar, but on closer inspection proves to be fruitless.  Are there any ways that your faith is like that fig tree?  How can you re-center your life around God so that your faith once again bears fruit?

- Jesus didn’t just use an example; he created one by cursing the fig tree and causing it to die from the roots upward.  What does Jesus power in this instance reveal to us about who He is?  

- When the Pharisees, scribes, and chief priests comes to Jesus and question His authority, Jesus shows them to be leaders, who are incapable of, or unwilling to, take a stand.  Who are you trying to please?  The crowds?  A friend or family member?  Is trying to please them preventing you from taking a stand for what’s right?

Luke 5:1-11

- Jesus tells Simon to move into the deep water and let down his nets, even though Simon and the other have fished all night with nothing to show for it.  When they obey, they haul in an over-whelming amount of fish.  What does this tell us about human effort, and the blessings of God?

- Simon was obedient to Jesus’ command, even when it didn’t make sense, and look at the result!  Why is obedience so important as followers of Christ?