The Vineyard- January 10, 2016

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

Luke 3:1-20

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

Read the passage. 

-          What Does Repentance Look Like

o   Repentance is an exalting of the humble, and a humbling of the exalted.  Spiritually, are you humble before God, or are you over-confident in your own righteousness?

o   Repentance is a turning, away from the world and ourselves and toward God.  What do you need to turn away from?  How might you turn toward God?

o   Repentance is asking the question, “what should we do?”  We live different lives, and so repentance will take shape in various forms in each of our lives.  Repentance might mean being more honest and fair, renouncing our attempts to control others, loving our neighbor, renouncing things that have become more of a priority than God, entrusting our lives to God and seeking forgiveness from him, or even admitting that we were wrong.  What form might repentance take in your life? 

o   Repentance is focusing more on God and others than ourselves.  John tells the crowd to share with those in need.  What do we have that we could share with others?  We keeps us from being generous towards others?

-          Confronted by Christ

o   All of us will have to stand before Christ and look him in the face one day. 

o   When we stand before Christ, will he look at our life and see the fruits of repentance, will he see within us a contrite heart?

o   Or, will Christ see someone who bore no spiritual fruit, someone whose life was lived in futility, pursuing the things of the world instead of a relationship with him?

Pray earnestly for God to reveal to you areas in your life where repentance is needed. 

Examine your heart and ask yourself this question, “am I ready to stand before Christ?”

If as a follower of Christ, you find yourself truly repentant, pray these words from scripture:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:10-12 ESV)