John 15:1-12

Teaching of John 15
A. Jesus says: “I am the true vine.”
B. God the Father (Jesus’ Father) is the gardener.

• He cuts off every branch that does not bear fruit;
• He prunes the fruitful branches so that they will bear even more fruit;
• You are clean because of the word Jesus spoke to you.

C. Messages to all those who believe in and follow Jesus
 
Interpretation
As a branch must remain in the vine to bear fruit, so we must remain in Jesus and remain in his love in order to bear fruit…. The life he came to give us requires a living, loving relationship with God, marked by faith, trust, obedience, and love. When we have this kind of relationship with God, we will be abiding in Christ, and our lives will be fruitful.

Application
How well-connected are you?
• What kind of connection do you have to Jesus?
• Is it a strong connection?
• Is it a fruitful connection?
• Is your connection characterized by obedience and love—love for God, love for Jesus, and love for one another?
• What could you do to abide more fully and deeply to be fruitful in life?

Group 1. Those who are confident that they have a lot to contribute to this world (the over-confident and self-reliant), but we cannot do anything to bear lasting fruit unless we abide in Christ.
Group 2. Those who lack confidence in their ability to make a contribution to the world (the under-confident, fearful and hesitant), and
Group 3. Those who are not yet connected to Jesus.

Conclusion
Only by being well-connected to God the Father and to Jesus Christ can you experience the fullness of God’s love, joy, and fruitfulness. And the only way you can remain in Christ and Christ’s love is by believing in him, trusting him, obeying him, loving him and extending the love he gives you to others. Then, your life will bear fruit and you will experience eternal life, starting in this life and extending into eternity. This is Jesus’ message and invitation to you: “Abide in me.”


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The series "Living in the in-between"
​Talk 3
"The Mystery of Christ"
(Ephesians 3:1-13) (MP4)

Today, we will study about the mystery of Christ, what he did for us and what is our call in order for the covenant to be fulfilled.
1. Double hopeless conditions
2. Establishing a new community
3. God's intent through the church
4. The character of church
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For Lifenet groups and personal reflection
1. What were the double hopeless conditions for gentiles? And what were the double gifts of God’s grace? (Eph 2:1-22)
2. Why was it so difficult for Jewish Christians in the NT time to accept Gentile Christians? What was the hindrance? (cf. Acts 11:1-3; Mark 7:1-8)
3. The rulers and authorities may work through structures or in institutions. Talk about an example in the Bible as well as in the human history.
4. “Put on all of God’s armor.” The seven armors are introduced (Eph 6:14-18). Talk about what a church would be like if it misses each one of these armors. (eq. a church missing Truth, a church lost Faith)

NLIF is an international church in Yangon. Come and join our English Sunday worship service.

The series "Living in the In-Between"
Talk2
“Christ, Kingdom, and Covenant”
(Colossians 1:16) (MP4)

Christ came for restoration of the kingdom of God. Now we are living as God’s kingdom people in the in-between after the completion of Christ’s redemption and before the completion of God’s kingdom.
Today we will focus on the three key themes of the Bible, which are Christ, Kingdom and Covenant.
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For Lifenet groups and personal reflection
1. The kingdom of God is the rule of God. How the rule of God is illustrated in Genesis 1:1-25? How is human-beings described in Genesis 1:26-30? What is their part in ruling creation as the partner of God?
2. Matthew 5:3-10 shows about the kingdom of God. What is the character of the person who is in the kingdom of God like?
3. Jesus taught the prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Why do we need to pray “May your kingdom come” constantly? What will a society be like when this prayer is answered? How will God answer this prayer?
 
NLIF is an international church in Yangon. Come and join our English Sunday worship service.

Luke 15:1-32
 
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wreath like me!
I once was lost but now am found…”
What does it mean to be ‘lost’’?
Let’s consider different levels of lostness – loss of materials (replaceable), loss of love ones, and much deeper level of spiritual loss (living without Jesus).
 
There’s comfort, peace, satisfaction in knowing we don’t need to be lost without Jesus but to be found in Jesus.
Luke 15 is a trilogy of lostness – same audience (both Pharisees/priests and tax-collectors/sinners) and same context; different stories for 3 causes of loss:
 
1) A cause for concern – The shepherd notices what is missing and pursues it persistently. Our purpose for coming together here is to bring glory to God, and understand it is not about ME but about the people out there that need a shepherd. It is about what you and I can do with Jesus to bring glory to God.
 
2) A cause for commotion/action – Not get busy with those left but reach those in need of the gospel. So we obey the Great Commission in going out, making disciples, baptizing and teaching people to obey Jesus and doing all with His presence (Matt. 28:19-20).
 
3) A cause for salvation – There are reasons to celebrate: “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repent” (Luke 15:7, 10). It is the same with God: “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32).
We have the promise of resurrection bodies, for the ultimate victory in Christ who is now seeking the one lost, maybe just you.
There are some local people who are desperate to hear the gospel. It is our challenge then to be the one who points them to our great Shepherd and Lord, the voice of the gospel to such a people.
 
Are you lost? Back to Jesus, He will carry you on his shoulders once you are found.
It is a difficult decision you have to make – to be a follower of Jesus.
 
 
Come join our English congregation of the International Church in Yangon!