The Vineyard- August 31, 2014

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

Colossians 2:16-3:4

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          Our Source of Justification

o   It is often easy to try to quantify our justification, to start getting the idea that the things we do justify us rather than the things God has done through Christ.  Paul says not to allow others to judge us based on a works righteousness instituted by man. 

-          If you’re with Christ…

o   If we have identified with Christ, then our entire outlook on life should change.  The key is, do we identify with Christ?

-          Aim High

o   How often do you contemplate on heavenly things, Christ, and eternity?  We spend most of our time trying not to sin and think about bad things.  Paul tells us to place our mind on things above, so that our life becomes hidden in that of Christ.  

Pray that we will acknowledge Christ as our source of justification. 

Pray that we will identify with Christ, so that we will die to ourselves and live with Him.    

Pray that we will devote more of our thoughts to thinking about things “above”, rather than the things here “below”.