• Dreams--we all have them; dreams of a teen-ager, for example, include moving out of home and getting their own car so they may live a life of freedom, without being told what to do. It's not until later do they learn the hard way that life isn't what we expect it to be

  • One of the most tragic events in the Bible was marriage of Leah to Jacob (the Abraham-Isaac-JACOB whom God later renamed Israel)
  • We all have created plans in our own eyes for how dreams, family and jobs should progress; we don't plan for things not to go our way; but unexpected events will always happen
  • The connection of this story to John 15:1-11 is that if you abide in (obey and wait on) Jesus Christ then you will be able to not only successfully overcome all adversity but "bear fruit" for Him, at the same time
  • Romans 8:28: God has an ultimately good purpose--a "perfect purpose"--in all good and bad events that happen in your life; Joseph couldn't have become the king of Egypt (which was what eventually happened--Genesis 41:39-40) unless he was exiled from his family by his six brothers who hated him
  • John 15:1-11: If someone asks what they need to do to be happy in (all areas of their) life, tell them "John 15:1-11"
  • Matthew 5:16: Let men see your good deeds--not for your recognition, but for God's. This is how God is glorified and you bear fruit (John 15:8)

  • How can you not want to glorify God? Consider He breathed into you life, paid--not cancelled--your debt of eternal hell (if you're saved) by lovingly dying on the cross for you and soon to return to take you to an eternal utopia (Heaven) where you'll see Him face to face

  • James 2:22-26: Faith without proving it is not to have faith. You can claim you believe in God but so can Satan. You must prove your beliefs.


    CLOSER
  • So the ultimate question is: are you abiding in God--His Word and His love?
  • There are days coming when age and/or illness will overcome you; yet, through this, you can still bear fruit for God by demonstrating your remaining strength in abiding in Him
  • John 15:8: Why do we need to make sure God is glorified--that you bear fruit? Because that's how we prove we're His disciples (if you're saved) and that you truly believe your salvation from Him to be real