Growing Spiritually (a 7-part study)

Seven times in verses 1-8 Jesus says 'I Am.'

A vine is to be fruitful, similarly God's people are to be fruitful.

2 Peter 1:3-4 tells of the extraordinary things the Lord has done for us. We have been given (1) 'his divine power' and (2) 'his very great and precious promises.'

The world is spoken about in three ways. First, it refers to the universe created by God. Second, it refers to all people, as in John 3:16. Third, it speaks of everything that is opposed to God's will. This is how the word is being used by John.

One is filled with wine, not by one drink but by continually drinking. A wine-filled life is lived under the influence, the control of wine. Wine has become the master and the drinker has become its slave.

We have the ministry of the Holy Spirit assisting your prayer. What we cannot express in words does not create a problem because the Spirit is interceding for us. (Rom 8:26-27)

Jesus said that love is the true identification of his disciples. (John 13:34-35)

Love is seen in the Lord giving his life for us. His is a sacrificial love, a self-giving love, a love that seeks the good of others irrespective of the cost.

Your conversion to the Lord makes you a member of the body of Christ with obligations to the church and blessings to be received. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

You have been given gifts by the Lord which he intends you to be use for the edification of the body. (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:3-8)