The Vineyard- January 3, 2016

The Vineyard- January 3, 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 2:41-52

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

Read the passage. 

-          Don’t Assume Jesus is with Us

o   Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem assuming that Jesus was with them, which was a natural assumption to make. 

o   How often do we as Christians make decisions assuming that Jesus supports what we decide?

-          Jesus Teaches Us, We Don’t Teach Him

o   How often do we make a decision, and then go to the Bible looking for support?

o   Instead, shouldn’t we go to the Bible first, and allow it to inform our decision?

o   Jesus ability to teach us reveals something about who he is, the Son of God. 

-          Jesus is Where God is at Work

o   When Joseph and Mary return to Jerusalem, they find Jesus in the Temple “about his Father’s business.”

o   If we are wondering where Jesus is, if we are searching for him in our life, we should spend time in prayer, in the word, and in worship around the Lord’s Table.

o   We will find Jesus in those places where God is at work in our world. 

Carefully consider decisions you make, don’t assume Jesus would make the same decisions you make. 

Seek guidance from God’s word first, rather than going to God’s word as an afterthought. 

Pray that God will be at work in us, and that Christ will be glorified in our lives.