TALES OF THE VINE

“Connecting Is Critical”

Pastor Duane Cross | 01.15.2012

HOW DO WE BECOME FRUITFUL & FULFILLED?

I. CONNECTING With Christ is Crucial.

“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” Matthew 7:20-23(NLT)

II. CONTINUING With Christ is Critical.

“And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. They prove the truth of this proverb: ‘A dog returns to its vomit.’ And another says, ‘A washed pig returns to the mud.’” 2 Peter 2:20-22(NLT)

1) OUR PASSIONS GET TWISTED.
2) OUR PRIORITIES GET TWISTED.
3) OUR PERSONAL LIVES GET TWISTED.

III. CONNECTING WITH CHRIST CONNECTS US WITH EACH OTHER.

“This is my commandment: love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13(NLT)

1) COMMUNITY IS GOD’S ANSWER TO LONELINESS.

“Let’s not give up the habit of meeting together...instead, let us encourage one another."

Hewbrews 10:25a(TEV)

2) COMMUNITY IS GOD’S ANSWER TO FATIGUE.

“Every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:10(The Message)

3) COMMUNITY IS GOD’S ANSWER TO DEFEAT.

“If one person falls, another can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:10(NLT)

4) COMMUNITY IS GOD’S ANSWER TO DESPAIR.

“Be happy with those who are happy and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15(TEV)

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:13(NLT)