The LifeThe LifeLiving Lives of Eternal Significance Through Relationship

with God Through Jesus Christ

The LifeThe Life

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…no man comes to the Father except by me”John 14:6

What kind of life is Jesus What kind of life is Jesus talking about here?talking about here?

Jesus is talking about life in TWO aspects:

The first aspect is Quantitative; Do you have this life?

What kind of life is Jesus What kind of life is Jesus talking about here?talking about here?

Life that is Eternal-a beginning

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Jn 1:12-13

What kind of life is Jesus What kind of life is Jesus talking about here?talking about here?

Life that is Eternal-a beginning

“Truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” Jn 3:3

What kind of life is Jesus What kind of life is Jesus talking about here?talking about here?

Eternal Life is Defined as Relationship

And this is eternal life, that they knowYOU the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Jn 17:3

What kind of life is Jesus What kind of life is Jesus talking about here?talking about here?

Eternal Life Available to All, yet not Experienced by

All Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Jn 3:36

What kind of life is Jesus What kind of life is Jesus talking about here?talking about here?

The SECOND aspect of the life that Jesus offers and of which he is referring to here is Qualitative; How vital is Life in you?

Various Metaphors for Life Various Metaphors for Life used by Jesusused by Jesus

LIGHT John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Joh 1:5,9 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Joh 1:9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Various Metaphors for Life Various Metaphors for Life used by Jesusused by Jesus

THIRST Joh 4:13-15 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Various Metaphors for Life Various Metaphors for Life used by Jesusused by Jesus

HUNGER “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Various Metaphors for Life Various Metaphors for Life used by Jesusused by Jesus

The metaphors of hunger, thirst, light etc. from the book of John are primarily used by Jesus to speak of the initial drawing of us to him

The metaphor I want to speak of next deals more with actually living and developing the Christian life

Various Metaphors for Life Various Metaphors for Life used by Jesusused by Jesus

ORGANIC UNION "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.

Various Metaphors for Life Various Metaphors for Life used by Jesusused by Jesus

ORGANIC UNION Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Three Persons, Three Three Persons, Three ActionsActions

BranchVineVinedresser / Gardener

PruningAbidingFruit Bearing

““I am the TRUE VINE”I am the TRUE VINE”

What do people go to for life?

What are some “false vines” that we go to for our life?

Power, Pleasure, Fame, Power, Pleasure, Fame, FortuneFortune

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.

“Boastful pride of Life”

HibiscusHibiscus

???!!!???!!!

Growing Tropical HibiscusGrowing Tropical Hibiscus

Warm tempsPlant foodMoist but not soaked rootsLots of sunshine

Elysia chlorotica - photosynthetic Elysia chlorotica - photosynthetic sea slugsea slug

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be Organically related to Jesus?Organically related to Jesus?

Rom 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be Organically related to Jesus?Organically related to Jesus?

We get Jesus’ heart for eternally significant things!

Our priorities change

Our values change

We find a new capacity to enter intoa joyful life not dependent upon circumstances

How do we actually connect with How do we actually connect with Jesus in an “organic” way?Jesus in an “organic” way?

PrayerTrust Is this like an OS or an APP?Mechanics: Daily going to God for my

needs, reading His Word, asking for His Guidance and Direction

The Life – LIVED!The Life – LIVED!

“…those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness (will) reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

The Life – LIVED!The Life – LIVED!

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

ConclusionConclusion

We NEED this life that Jesus offers Jn 3:36

Jesus offers us this life! “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out”. John 6:37

We need to receive this life and grow in it Jn 1:12

Our lives can take on new dimensions of fullness John 10:10 Fruitfulness & Joy John 15