From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Sep 4, 2025 at 6:10 AM

Subject: 9-4-25 THOUGHTS

9-4-25   THOUGHTS  

If we are to make disciples, we must be disciples.  Verse 8 speaks of our “proving to be disciples...”   The bearing of fruit is the criterion!   The context is Jesus speaking to his disciples to become apostles to comfort them at His leaving this earth.  The SOURCE OF ALL BLESSING is a key teaching here.  It speaks of the TRUE VINE WHICH IS CHRIST!  ABIDING in the VINE allows fruit bearing.  APARTNESS brings nothingness!  I’m willing to say there is great danger if we miss this lesson!  

John 15:1-8    "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.   2  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  3  "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  4  "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  5  "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.  6  "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  8  "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

A Prayer:
Give us a joy that is sober, O  God!  Help us to see clearly the actions of love, from our hearts and in our hands.  Teach us to pray, O Father God.  Help us to powerfully abide in the true vine that is Christ Jesus.  May we know the blessings that come from the fountain of all blessings.   Thank You Lord for a living hope that spans eternity.  May we glorify Your name.   In Jesus,   Amen.