The Vineyard- March 13, 2016

The Vineyard- March 13^th, 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

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

Jesus’ Birth was a God Thing

-          Jesus’ birth was prophesied hundreds of years prior to it happening. 

-          Jesus’ birth to the virgin Mary took place through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

-          Jesus’ birth was for the purpose of reconciliation, our redemption being God’s desire and part of his plan all along. 

-          Passages to Consider: Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:30-35; II Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus’ Birth in the Flesh was Necessary

-          In the beginning of Christianity, some speculated that Jesus’ merely appeared to be human. 

-          However, the Bible states clearly in multiple places that Jesus took on flesh, and lived fully as a human being. 

-          We as human beings have sinned, and so it was necessary for Jesus to come as a human being to redeem us.  He had to become like us, in order to atone for our guilt. 

-          Passages to Consider: Galatians 4:4-5; John 1:14, 16-18; Romans 5:15-17; I Timothy 2:5-6; II Corinthians 8:9

Jesus’ Birth Makes Him Sympathetic

-          Jesus hungered (Matthew 4:2), suffered (Luke 22:44), wept (John 11:33-35), was thirsty (John 19:28), and had real blood running through his veins (John 19:34).

-          Sometimes it is hard to open up to others because we know they can’t possibly understand how we feel. 

-          And yet, Jesus experienced the pain, suffering, and disappointment that is sometimes part of being human. 

-          Passage to Consider: Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus was willing to humble himself and take on flesh, not for himself, but for us.  Do you have that same mindset that allows you to humble yourself in order to serve others? As you go through life this week, keep this passage in mind:

-          Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5-7 ESV)