The Vineyard- February 21, 2016

The Vineyard- February 21^st, 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

As we celebrate the 94^th Anniversary of the church meeting in this location, consider what the following verses tell us about the church. 

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

Read the passage. 

Matthew 16:13-20

-          Knowledge of who Jesus is the bedrock of the church.  What does Peter say about Jesus in these verses?

-          What does it mean for Jesus to be the Christ, or Messiah?

-          What does it mean for Jesus to be the Son of the living God?

-          How does Jesus’ identity define who we are as a church?

Colossians 1:15-20

-          This passage speaks about Jesus role in creation, as well as his authority in the church. 

-          What was Jesus’ role in creation? (v. 16)

-          What is Jesus continual role in the universe? (v. 17)

-          Specifically, Jesus is what for the church? (v. 18)

-          Why is it important to remember that the church belongs to Jesus, and not ourselves?

I Corinthians 12:12-31

-          In this passage Paul uses a physical body to explain how the fact that we are different, with different talents, gifts, and even weaknesses, is a good thing. 

-          Eyes are good things, but if the whole body was an eye, how would we walk, or taste, or smell, or hear, or communicate at all? 

-          Some jobs or tasks are more visible than others, but that doesn’t mean they are more important.  You can’t see your heart beating every second, but you’d be in trouble if it wasn’t!

Praise God for Jesus Christ, the foundation of the church which makes our salvation possible!

Pray for the ability and desire to be a servant in Jesus’ church, and the wisdom to discern and do his will. 

Thank God for all the various talents that keep our church body healthy!