Feb 6, 2022
Lessons of the Vine: The Produce of the Branches
By: Phil Peacock
Series: Lessons of the Vine
John 15:1-8
John 15 records for us an illustration Jesus used involving grape vines. It presents to us three powerful images:
1) Jesus is the vine.
2) The Heavenly Father is the gardener.
3) We are the branches of the vine from which fruit should grow.
It is important we understand what kind of “fruit” God expects from us.
The fruit God is looking for is not the balance of your bank account, the size of your family, the number of people you know, diplomas you have on your wall, or how many cars are in your garage. In and of themselves, they have no lasting value.
God is looking for spiritual fruit that has an eternal value.
- Inner Fruit = developing the character of Christ
- Outer Fruit = good deeds that positively impact people and glorify God
- Evangelism = helping people come to know Christ as Lord
How fruitful have you been for God?
How fruitful do you want to be?
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Feb 6, 2022Lessons of the Vine: The Produce of the Branches
Feb 6, 2022Lessons of the Vine: The Produce of the BranchesBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Lessons of the VineJohn 15:1-8 John 15 records for us an illustration Jesus used involving grape vines. It presents to us three powerful images: 1) Jesus is the vine. 2) The Heavenly Father is the gardener. 3) We are the branches of the vine from which fruit should grow. It is important we understand what kind of “fruit” God expects from us. The fruit God is looking for is not the balance of your bank account, the size of your family, the number of people you know, diplomas you have on your wall, or how many cars are in your garage. In and of themselves, they have no lasting value. God is looking for spiritual fruit that has an eternal value.
- Inner Fruit = developing the character of Christ
- Outer Fruit = good deeds that positively impact people and glorify God
- Evangelism = helping people come to know Christ as Lord
How fruitful have you been for God?How fruitful do you want to be? - Jan 30, 2022Faith: How Do Trials Strengthen Our Faith?
Jan 30, 2022Faith: How Do Trials Strengthen Our Faith?By: Phil PeacockSeries: FaithHebrews 11:32-40 Because of faith, God’s people often experience amazing victories in this world. (vv.32-35a) And also because of faith, God’s people face incredible hardships and trials. (vv.35b-38) So how is it that trials help to strengthen our faith?
- They teach us to depend upon God. (Matthew 11:28)
- They work to refine our godly character. (James 1:2-3)
- They solidify our bond with Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:17)
- They help us develop a bond with others. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- They remind us to keep an eye on the eternal. (Romans 8:18, James 1:12)
- Jan 23, 2022Faith: What Difference Does It Make?
Jan 23, 2022Faith: What Difference Does It Make?By: Phil PeacockSeries: FaithHebrews 11:4-7 Abel illustrates that true faith makes a difference in the way we worship. Enoch illustrates that true faith makes a difference in the way we “walk.” Noah illustrates that true faith makes a difference in the way we work.
- Jan 16, 2022Faith: What Is It?
Jan 16, 2022Faith: What Is It?By: Phil PeacockSeries: FaithHebrews 11:1-3 Both the Old and New Testaments speak of the importance of faith in the lives of God’s people. Before launching into a list of biblical characters who showed faith in God, the writer of Hebrews gives us a definition of this spiritual imperative. Faith is the foundation of our hope. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for…” (v.1a) Faith is having certainty without sight. “...and certain of what we do not see.” (v.1b) Faith is the way to a right relationship with God. “This is what the ancients were commended for.” (v.2)
- Jan 9, 2022Gideon: In Weakness Made Strong
Jan 9, 2022Gideon: In Weakness Made StrongBy: Phil PeacockSeries: (All)Judges 6:36-40 & 7:1-18We pick up the story where we left off last week. God called a lowly farmer named Gideon to lead the Israelites against the oppression of the Midianites. Gideon was obedient to destroy the altar to Baal on his father’s own property, and to set up an altar to the one true God. But would he be brave enough to go up against the whole Midianite army?
- The Weakness of Inexperience
- The Weakness of Doubt
- The Weakness of Fear
- The Weakness of Inferior Resources
- The Strength of God’s Good Purpose
- The Strength of God’s Gracious Patience
- The Strength of God’s Great Plan
- Jan 2, 2022Gideon: God Calls Unlikely Heroes
Jan 2, 2022Gideon: God Calls Unlikely HeroesBy: Phil PeacockSeries: (All)We find the story of Gideon in the Old Testament book of Judges, which follows the conquest and settling of the Promised Land by the tribes of Israel. During the period of the Judges, a familiar cycle is often repeated.
- The Israelites would turn away from the Lord and do evil in His sight.
- God would allow His people to be oppressed by neighboring tribes.
- In their suffering, the Israelites would cry out to the Lord for help.
- God would raise up a leader (judge) to deliver them from oppression.
- God calls us to an honest assessment of the challenges we face. (v.8-10)
- God calls us based not on who we are, but on who we can be. (v. 12)
- God calls us to depend upon His strength, not our own. (v.14-16)
- God calls us to be faithful in small things before giving bigger assignments. (v.25-26)
- Dec 26, 2021God’s Guidance to the Magi & Us
Dec 26, 2021God’s Guidance to the Magi & UsBy: Neil TurnerSeries: God's GuidanceThree Things We Can Learn from the Magi:
- Do your homework.
- Don’t ignore the obvious; act on it.
- When you meet Jesus, you should change direction.
- Dec 19, 2021God’s Guidance for Shepherds & Us
Dec 19, 2021God’s Guidance for Shepherds & UsBy: Phil PeacockSeries: God's GuidanceLuke 2:1-8 tells us of Joseph and Mary’s relocation from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the purpose of the Roman census. It was there that Mary gave birth to a son and—having no better accommodations—used a feeding trough as his crib. The Christ-child’s first visitors were not from among the rich, well-educated noblemen of high society. God chose to send His angels to a group of shepherds. There are many things we can learn from their encounter with the Divine. We find their story in Luke 2:8-20. Be ready for divine interruptions. Be ready for divine revelations. Be ready for divine adventures!
- Dec 12, 2021God’s Guidance to Joseph & Us
Dec 12, 2021God’s Guidance to Joseph & UsBy: Phil PeacockSeries: God's GuidanceIn the first two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, we are told of three different times when an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph. In each case, he was given a direct instruction from God — and in each case his response was the same. He immediately obeyed! Matthew 1:18-25 “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife…” “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus…” Matthew 2:13-15 “Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.” Matthew 2:19-23 “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel.” How well do we follow God’s guidance when … We don’t fully understand why God wants us to do it? It’s difficult or inconvenient for us? It’s unpopular with those around us?
- Dec 5, 2021God’s Guidance to Mary & Us
Dec 5, 2021God’s Guidance to Mary & UsBy: Phil PeacockSeries: God's GuidanceLuke 1:26-56 Six months after sending His angel Gabriel to Zechariah the priest, God sent him also to a young woman named Mary. God’s specific plans for Mary were unique in all of history, but we are still able to learn valuable lessons about responding to God’s call upon our lives. The words of Mary recorded in Luke 1 reveal important steps toward spiritual maturity. “How will this be?” (v. 34) — Learning to listen carefully to God. “I am the Lord’s servant.” (v.38) -- Learning to submit fully to God. “My soul glorifies the Lord.” (v.46) — Learning to glorify the Lord for His blessings.