Last week we went through chapter 15 which centers on the “Vine and Branches” metaphor. Jesus explains that He is the source of all spiritual life, urging His followers to “abide” (remain) in Him to produce lasting fruit. He transitions their status from servants to friends, and commands them to love one another just as He has loved them.
American culture has progressively shifted toward hyper-individualism and inward self-focus. Hyper-individualism is an extreme cultural and social mindset that prioritizes the personal freedom, rights and desires of the singular self over collective well-being and community responsibility. It’s a technical way to say that the rule of the day has become selfishness. For decades now the bookstores and daytime talk shows focused on one topic, self! Self-help, self-evaluation, self-preservation, self-expression, and ultimately self-glorification has created a “me first” mentality that is …
Last week we went through chapter 14 which records Jesus comforting His disciples before His death, assuring them that He is going to prepare a place for them in the Father’s house and that He is the way, the truth, and the life. He teaches that knowing Him means knowing the Father, promises that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and assures them that the Holy Spirit—the Advocate—will come to teach, guide, and remind them of His words. Jesus also gives His followers peace that is different from the world’s peace, encouraging them not to be troubled or afraid as He prepares them for His departure
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In our series “Seek first the kingdom of God” we restate every week that that phrase means with the highest priority we seek to bring every are of life under God’s rule. We that are saved, have changed kingdoms. The kingdom of darkness was living for the glory and pleasure of self but now that we’re saved, we’ve entered the spiritual realm of God’s kingdom, and He has definite commands for how life is to be lived in all areas. We’ve looked at marriage and home life under God’s rule, now the scriptures turn to a different realm of life, our workplace life.