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October 25, 2020

The Reason Why Our Pruning Might Take the Hard Way

The Reason Why Our Pruning Might Take the Hard Way

John 15:1-11

One of the three main fruits in the Galilee were grapes. Growing grapes requires much work to grow them successfully.  Although many farmers successfully have plentiful grape harvests, it is not easy and requires constant care, such as pruning. Pruning was necessary and often arduous.

In John 15, Jesus illustrates through vine farming three features which Christians possess.
 
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:1 ESV
 
The first point is that we are the product of Jesus' existence. We get our life as branches from the vine. God, our father, is the vine dresser, and Jesus is the vine. Jesus manages our lives when we are part of the vine. Our lives are in Jesus and God's hands. We need to acknowledge that our existence is Jesus' responsibility. Also, we need to accept that Jesus gives us our lives and purpose.
 
To understand Jesus as the vine and our dependence on Him, it is necessary to understand plants. Tress are a good example to illustrate what Jesus is talking about. Tress have roots which give the tree stability. Weak roots will not hold the tree well or bring much water and minerals whereas strong roots hold the tree in the ground well and can bring in much needed water and minerals. In winter, trees lose their leaves and sometimes branches are cut off or cut back. In spring, new branches grow as well as new leaves and eventually fruit. It is important to note that the trunk and roots remain but do not need branches to be a tree. Branches need the tree or the vine to live. As Christians, we depend on Jesus to be Christians. Christians come out from the life of  Jesus Christ. 

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.
John 15:4 ESV

The second point is that Christians grow as they receive from Jesus. Branches that grow from the trunk will produce leaves as well as fruit, seeds or nuts. When branches are cut off, those branches die. Sometimes branches produce too many leaves which causes the branches to sag down. They then might touch the ground which then can destroy the fruit. Another result which could happen when branches touch the ground is that the branches might grow their own roots. These roots tend to be weak, and the branch might break off from the trunk. The result is the branch dies since the roots are too weak to sustain it. Much like Christians we tend to start to find independence from Christ. The independent growth does not sustain the branch for long and death follows. We can only grow through our dependence and interaction with Christ.

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.  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.
John 15:5‭-‬6 ESV
 
Jesus has called us to bear fruit. Branches that are not producing fruit are cut off and thrown away. However, the branches that produce fruit are pruned so that they can grow more fruit. Pruning is difficult and painful, yet it is done on those branches that are valuable and useful.
 
Jesus may prune us by putting different people in our life to push our character. When we are being pruned, we need to ask what is it that Jesus wants us to change in our lives so that we can bear fruit. Moreover, how can we bear more pleasing fruit.

You have value and purpose, but this has to be developed. It may be difficult as parts of our lives are cut back, yet in order to produce real fruit that is pleasing to God, we need to abide in Jesus and let God have his way in our lives.






October 18, 2020

Peace that the World Cannot Give

Peace that the World Cannot Give

John 14:25-31

 

Do not be afraid is a very common expression found in the Bible. Jesus might not say exactly do not be afraid, but he says something similar and offers us peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27 ESV

There are many times our peace may be disturbed or lost, but Jesus offers us His peace. This peace is not the same as the world gives.

Peace from the world is dependent on circumstances. If things are good, we can have peace. When you surroundings are difficult, that peace can be easily lost. However, the peace Jesus offers is not influenced by external situations.

The peace that Jesus gives to His disciples has a different nature than that of the world. This peace actually depends on the recognition of the sovereign God who is in complete control. When we have an understanding and trust that God is in control allowing all things to happen or not, we can have peace. Jesus returning to God in heaven fulfills His sovereign lordship.

You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
John 14:28 ESV

Now that Jesus has gone to take his rightful place in heaven, He is in control of all things. Jesus permits both good things and bad things to happen to us. Even when we fail we need to train ourselves to acknowledge that Jesus is in control.

Jesus tells us that He is control and not to worry. Also, He would be with us forever and send a helper.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 14:26 ESV

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18 ESV

Jesus makes a promise to remain with us whether we have failed or succeeded. It is not only our situations which do not influence the peace of the Lord, but also our own actions and attitudes.

The disciples did not behave in a way that showed they fully trusted Jesus. Peter denies Jesus three times. Other disciples went back to their old profession of fishing after Jesus died. Yet, Jesus never gave up on His disciples. In fact, Jesus even seeks out Thomas to prove to Thomas that He has indeed risen. Jesus loved his disciples that much and wanted them to have a right understanding of who Jesus is and why they did not have to fear.

All of our difficult times will come to an end, but how do we obtain this peace during our difficult times? 

Acknowledge that Jesus is in control and ask Jesus what you need to do. God cares about the means to success and not the end result. Jesus will give us instructions on how to respond; we just need to ask and acknowledge his authority.




October 11, 2020

Fall 2020

Fall 2020

It has been awhile, but it looks like we are back in business as it were. There are four items which need to be announced today.

1. Daejeon Onnuri English Ministry will resume it's English worship service at 2:00pm on Sundays next week. Anyone who attends the English worship service must have their temperature checked and follow social distancing rules as well as wear a mask. This also means that we will not have food or fellowship after the service. There is still no children's service.

  Since we have not had service in awhile and we would like to ensure that DOEM is ready to once again conduct services in a pandemic world, only the worship team and leadership will meet on October 18 for the worship service. All other members will be allowed to join on October 25, 2020.  

2. Online small groups will resume on October 20. We will have small groups meeting from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesdays. More information will come when Zoom links and study guide questions are ready to be shared.

3. Saturday Bible Study will resume on October 24. We are looking into the possibility of meeting in the Daejeon Onnuri building. If it is not possible, we will resume online. Regardless, SBS will be held on Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm.

4. We encourage you to attend the House of Prayer meeting being held over Zoom from Mondays to Fridays. You access the meeting through the OEM channel on Kakaotalk.

More information will follow in the days to come.

Have a restful Sabbath in the Lord. All the glory to God.