Plugging into Jesus: Part 2

This is to my Father’s glory,

that you bear much fruit,

showing yourselves

to be my disciples.

John 15:8

Remaining fully charged (spirit-filled) will make you spiritually successful. First, being plugged into Jesus helps you to see God's work. God is at work all around us, all the time, and He wants you to join Him in His work. He created us for good works which He prepared in advance. (Ephesians 2:10)

Second, being plugged into Jesus will allow you to produce much fruit. This phrase is often connected with soul-winning (leading people into a saving relationship with Christ.) This is certainly in keeping with Jesus' Great Commission to us, “Go and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

This phrase is also connected to spiritual fruit as listed in Galatians: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jesus said that every tree is known by its fruit. (Luke 6:44) A fig tree cannot grow apples. An apple tree cannot grow figs. The Jesus vine produces Jesus fruit. If this does not describe you, you don't have a strong connection to the source of spiritual power.

Third, if you stay plugged into Jesus, ask and it will be done for you.

Fourth, bearing fruit brings glory to God and marks you as a disciple of Jesus.

If you want fruit in your life; if you want to grow your faith and deepen your relationship with God, you must remain plugged into Jesus. He is the true vine. You are just a branch. Apart from the vine you cannot grow nor bear fruit.

View a video of “Plugging into Jesus.”

This is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.” It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”

Plugging into Jesus: Part 1

I am the vine;

you are the branches.

If you remain in me 

and I in you,

you will bear much fruit;

apart from me 
you can do nothing.

John 15:5

The prophet Isaiah wrote “The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel (Isaiah 5:7)” but when Israel fell out of favor with God, the prophet Hosea declared, “Israel is an empty vine (Hosea 10:1).”

A vine with no fruit is not of any value. Israel was disqualified and spiritually powerless.

Jesus declared that He was the true vine (John 15:1). In the same way that the vine brings water and life to the branches, Jesus brings LIVING WATER and spiritual power to us. He alone is the source of salvation and reconciliation to God. To be filled with the Spirit, we need to drink daily of His living water.

We can plug in to Jesus daily through a Quiet Time.

A quiet time (or devotions) is a regular appointment that we keep with God that allows us to block out other distractions and focus on our connection with Jesus through practices like prayer and Bible reading. A quiet time establishes a rhythm in our life that keeps us more mindful of God’s presence and builds spiritual strength.

For physical training is of some value,
but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:8

How to have a successful quiet time.

1. Have a consistent schedule (morning, evening, lunch)
2. Include Bible reading' even if its just a passage. This is the clearest way God speaks to us.
3. Pray. Focus more on listening for God's voice than on asking for things.
4. Keep a journal. Write the Bible verses you read and what God is telling you. Write your prayer requests and God's answers.

How do you plug into Jesus?

View a video of “Plugging into Jesus."

This is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.” It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”