Abide: Introduction to John 15:5

Imagine you are listening to a sermon and the preacher asks “How many of you truly believe that you can do this life on your own?” As you survey the room, you notice that not a single hand is lifted to the air. No one believes that. After all, what Christian would actually admit that they can get through the winds and waves of life all on their own? Not a single one! Though we would never vocalize it we sometimes claim that we can make it on our own by our actions. In the process, we are claiming that we do not need a Savior.

We know that we need Jesus every minute of every hour. Even still, our hearts regularly need realignment.

A close look inside our hearts reveals the truth. We know that we need Him “every hour”, as the song says. We know that we need Jesus every minute of every hour. Even still, our hearts regularly need realignment. The following series will cover spiritual disciplines that we believe are crucial in aligning our hearts to the heart of Jesus. If you are a church planter or pastor, we pray that this series will remind you of your deep need for Jesus. If you are an everyday missionary, we pray that you will understand the depth, beauty, and necessity of this disciplines. We will share posts on Prayer, Bible Intake, Rest and the Sabbath, and more.

“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.”

As you follow along the next two weeks, it is our prayer that you do so using a John 15:5 lens. “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.” Remember, Jesus did not say, “apart from me you cannot do big things,” he said, “apart from Him you can do nothing.”


Published February 8, 2016