Isaiah Pauley
  • Home
  • Bio
  • BLOG
  • Some Sermons
  • Home
  • Bio
  • BLOG
  • Some Sermons

Needy for Jesus

4/16/2021

Comments

 
Picture
We exist in a “DIY” society. By that, I mean independence is highly prioritized. There’s a push for young men and women to forge their own way. Being dependent is often looked down upon. But this self-sufficiency and personal autonomy is not how many societies around the world operate.
In Africa or Asia, for example, we find collectivist cultures. Rather than a “DIY” mentality, they view themselves as parts of a whole. They identify themselves as dependent on one another. So, people in individualist cultures like the United States often have a mentality of being disconnected from those around them. Those in collectivist cultures, on the other hand, often have a mentality of being so closely connected to one another that individualism seems selfish and alienating.

I’m not here to debate which of those sociological concepts is best for society. But I do think it’s important for us to understand how difficult it often is to recognize our need for dependence in an individualistic culture.

I say all of that to say this: when it comes to our relationship with God, we’re desperately dependent. And when it comes to our relationship with other brothers and sisters in Christ, an individualistic mentality stifles Christian community. This is why we often hear people say, “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” In their individualistic mindset, their faith is disconnected from other Christians.

So, while an individualistic culture might be what most of us prefer sociologically, something needs to be said of our dependence on Christ and His people. And that’s what I want us to focus on this week.

Jesus says, “‘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. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing’” (Jn. 15:1-5 ESV).

Jesus likens us to branches. And, as His disciples, we’re called to bear fruit. But, as Jesus makes clear, the only way for us to bear fruit is for our branches to be attached to the vine, who is Christ. The vinedresser, as Jesus explains, is God the Father. If we don’t bear fruit, we are cut away. And if we do produce fruit, we are pruned.

If we’re to live our lives in obedience to Christ’s call to make disciples (see Mt. 28:19-20), we must recognize our dependence on Him. We must recognize how we, as branches, are unable to produce fruit on our own. We must remain attached to the vine and submitted to the vinedresser. Only then can we be effective disciples for the kingdom of God.

I don’t know about you, but I often forget just how needy I am for Christ. It’s easy for me to think I have what it takes to live the life I’m called to live.

So, I try to gather courage apart from Christ. I try to reach people without prayer. And I try to bear fruit without realizing the dependency I have on the vine.

As we walk this journey of faith, I pray we recognize the power available to us as we seek to serve the Lord. As we abide in Christ and rely on Him, we find joy. And that joy must characterize our obedience as we seek to make disciples here and now.
​

Let’s be needy for Jesus.
Comments

    Categories

    All
    Calling
    Christmas2019
    Church
    Classics
    Colossians Series
    Confidence
    Direction
    Discipleship
    Discipleship Series
    Doubt
    Ephesians Series
    Esther Series
    Expectations
    Failure
    Faith
    Fear
    Forgiveness
    Grace
    Grief
    Hope
    Identity
    Joy
    Justice
    Life
    Love
    Marriage
    Origins Of Christ
    Passion
    Peace
    Perspective
    Philemon Series
    Prayer
    (Re ) Series
    Rest
    Sacrifice
    Salvation
    Sin
    Student Ministry
    Surrender
    Thanksgiving
    Trust
    Work
    Worry
    Worship

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

Proclaiming the Word through writing since 2014.

© 2022 Isaiah Pauley