"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."
Interesting wording. Is it saying "FIRST you bear much fruit, THEN you become my disciples"? I would think it would be the opposite, but then what is the purpose in ordering the process (for lack of a better word) like this? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
I believe it is saying, first you abide, and because you abide, you bear much fruit.
Michelle
Remember, this is traditionally Rogation Sunday!
Abiding, dwelling, communion ....
It is only through the sacramental life and a life of prayer that we begin to comprehend this text.
I am not a Greek scholar but it seems to me that what 15:8 means is simply
"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and (thus) you are my disciples."
The whole theme is one of coinherence - we live because Christ lives within us.
Alleluia Christ is risen is not simply the announcement that Jesus lives again, but that we, his people, have been raised from the dead through him. Only in relationship are we who we say we are - not because our names are in the parish register of some denomination!
tom in ga
Have funthis week guys and gals with the lectionary. This Sunday my wife will have put up with me for 40 years and I'm going to preach what I please this Sunday. Think I'll preach on making a good marriage batter and close at the communion table by serving my wife first and then recommitting to the vows we made at our wedding and then invite the couples to come and do the same.
Harold in Alabama
Have funthis week guys and gals with the lectionary. This Sunday my wife will have put up with me for 40 years and I'm going to preach what I please this Sunday. Think I'll preach on making a good marriage better and close at the communion table by serving my wife first and then recommitting to the vows we made at our wedding and then invite the couples to come and do the same.
Harold in Alabama
Two thoughts -
one - for a children's time - pull out a big, juicy bunch of grapes, and get the kids to help you eat them - strip it clean, then ask how long it will take for more grapes to appear -of course, it won't happen, because the branch is now disconnected from the vine and cannot be restored - the difference between it and us is, we can always be reconnected to the source, and always find new ways to bear fruit.
two - this Sunday is the anniversary of the Liberation of Holland by the Canadian army during the Second World War.The children of Holland know the stories and tend the graves of Canadians who died there - they prune, plant and water - and what they grow is an enduring sense of gratitude and a deep cherishing of freedom.
RCAFA Chaplain!
In his commentary on John D.A. Carson contrasts the growth of a vine, which depends on the life which comes up through its roots and spreads through the branches with the growth of a Crystal. Both appear to "grow," but the crystal enlarges by accretion. As he puts it, "The Christian or Christian organization that expands by external accretion, that merely apes Christian conduct and witness, but is not impelled by life within, brings forth dead crystals, not fruit." (pg. 516). A useful, distinction, I think.
I'm also tempted to explore the idea of grafting, since it's been almost a year now since my family and I relocated to California from Texas. Different branches, same vine.
Craig in Cal
Harold,
Dr. Freud here.
Your slip is showing by stating you have 40 years of "batter" marriage.
Repent.
I am praying for your wife.
Sigmund
Harold,
Dr. Freud here.
Your slip is showing by stating you have 40 years of "batter" marriage.
Repent.
I am praying for your wife.
Sigmund