Playing With Confidence

Whatever it Takes Pt 2

3.6.11  Integrity  Bud Wrenn

 

A major reason Christ-followers are such underachievers is that we don’t trust…. ourselves.  

 

We don’t believe in ourselves, as we focus too much on what we are NOT, than on what we ARE!

 

Questions to get at my insecurities, habits, hangups:

-     What things am I ignoring about myself?

-     What things am I most negative about?

-     What proportion of the time when I am wrong do I admit my mistakes verbally and honestly to someone else?

 

….so Jesus rallies our CONFIDENCE, giving us the natural connection between the branches (us), the Vine (Jesus), and the Gardener (God the Father)

 

Gaining Confidence:  Understanding John 15:1-8

 

1) It’s God’s garden – not mine.
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.


2) It is much better to be pruned than to be cut off from the Vine. 

2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.

 

James 2:18 (NLT) 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

 

3) The Pruning Shears:  The Conviction of God’s Word.

3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.

 

4) Whether to remain attached to the Vine is my choice.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

 

Big Question:  HOW do I remain in Him?  It’s an attitude driven by a mindset.

 

Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT) 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

James 3:17-18 (NLT) 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

 

5) The Vine is my only real source of power with which to go through life.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.

 

 

6) Connection to the Vine mean my heart and requests will be in synch with God’s heart.
7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!  8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.