WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.799 Well, hey, church family. I know most of us are snowed in right now, and we will get through this time. 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:13.839 And I know it's a bit of an imposition, maybe. Not what we were expecting up until just a few days ago. 00:00:14.679 --> 00:00:21.140 And so I want to just direct us for a few minutes, even though we can't gather together in person right now, 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:27.679 if you're able to gather with us online this Sunday, or if you're able to go back and watch this later, 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:32.539 then I want to draw your attention to John chapter 15. John chapter 15. 00:00:33.140 --> 00:00:37.799 Jesus is talking about remaining, or your Bible might say abiding. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:43.820 And it's kind of the same word. This was a Greek word. Of course, we know the Bible was, the New Testament was written in Greek. 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:51.399 Old Testament largely written in Hebrew. And so even though we are grateful we now have an English Bible that we can read from easily, 00:00:51.879 --> 00:00:55.840 we sometimes want to go back and find what was that original word that was used. 00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:02.720 Well, when we see this word remain or abide in John chapter 15 and verse 4, it was the Greek word meno. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:09.840 And what it meant was to abide, to remain, to stay, to dwell, or to continue. 00:01:10.380 --> 00:01:16.020 So kind of we get the full picture of what Jesus is trying to teach us here in John chapter 15. 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:23.140 So as most of us are snowed in, the roads are closed, our plans have changed, or been postponed. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:29.299 I know many of us had games. I was supposed to coach a game this Saturday. Of course, that got rescheduled. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:34.159 And whether we like it or not, we're being told we need to remain inside. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:37.099 Sometimes we're telling ourselves, you need to remain inside. 00:01:37.099 --> 00:01:46.919 The roads may not be safe to travel, or whatever hazards this weather has brought our way is causing us to mostly stay inside for a couple of days. 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:51.179 So I've been thinking about this over these last couple days. 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:58.519 And what if this idea of remaining is not an inconvenience, but it's an invitation? 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:04.299 And I think that's what Jesus was expressing to us here in John chapter 15. 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:05.199 He says, 00:02:05.979 --> 00:02:21.979 I am the vine. You are the branches. 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:34.419 Our two boys, Austin and Bo, have memorized that verse. 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:41.639 And occasionally in our family devotional time before we tuck them into bed, we'll have them say this verse along with some others. 00:02:42.579 --> 00:02:43.799 And I love how they do it. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:44.879 They say, 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:54.780 It really emphasizes that idea that, look, apart from God, we can do nothing of true eternal value. 00:02:55.859 --> 00:02:57.259 He is the access. 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:01.359 He is the key that unlocks the eternal world. 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:04.659 And we only get access to that through Jesus. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:08.099 So, Jesus is not raising his voice here. 00:03:08.979 --> 00:03:12.500 He's not trying to challenge us into something big and bold. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:16.900 He's actually bringing it down to something quiet, something calm. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:18.879 It evokes the psalm that says, 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:22.560 Be still and know that I am God. 00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:25.879 He's not taking us on a guilt trip. 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:32.620 He's just simply issuing a very basic command. 00:03:33.580 --> 00:03:36.460 Remain in me or abide in me. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:39.140 And then he reminds us, 00:03:40.360 --> 00:03:41.099 I'm the vine. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.600 You as the branch will grow from me. 00:03:46.200 --> 00:03:49.719 So, a branch is not doing the work itself. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:52.939 It's growing out from the vine. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:54.000 That's why he says, 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:57.260 You've got to remain attached to me. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.280 So, a branch, what does a branch do? 00:04:01.020 --> 00:04:03.840 Its one job is to stay connected. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:06.180 So, whether we're stuck at home, 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:11.719 or we're busy with our normal, usual weekday schedule, 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:15.180 we have the same job. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:17.840 To stay connected to the vine. 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:21.759 And when we start doing that, 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:23.379 focusing on that, 00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:26.560 then we find ourselves with less anxiety, 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:28.439 less restlessness, 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:32.199 our drive to go out and accomplish, 00:04:32.899 --> 00:04:34.279 it might change a little bit. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:37.160 Our need to feel useful and productive, 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:39.480 it might look a little different. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:43.120 When we're staying connected to the vine. 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:45.319 That's going to be uncomfortable for many of us. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:48.199 Because being still, 00:04:48.459 --> 00:04:50.360 like the psalmist encouraged us to do, 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:52.519 has a way of revealing 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:55.319 the noise in our own hearts, 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:56.680 the noise in our own minds 00:04:56.680 --> 00:04:58.240 that we usually try to quiet down 00:04:58.240 --> 00:04:59.540 and distract with everything else 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:00.379 going on around us. 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:03.180 Sometimes that noise 00:05:03.180 --> 00:05:05.439 can drown out everything else. 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:07.860 And that's the noise 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:10.000 that Jesus wants to address directly. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:12.100 I'm thinking of Luke chapter 10 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:13.939 and the story of Mary and Martha. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:15.719 Many of us who have been in church 00:05:15.719 --> 00:05:17.120 for most of our lives 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:18.939 are familiar with this story. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:20.399 And if you're not, that's okay. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:22.679 Jesus went back to his hometown 00:05:22.679 --> 00:05:24.599 to visit some of his best friends, 00:05:24.739 --> 00:05:25.459 Mary and Martha 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:26.719 and their brother Lazarus. 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:28.739 And he comes into their house 00:05:28.739 --> 00:05:30.060 and it's a big party 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:31.419 and everybody's having a great time 00:05:31.419 --> 00:05:33.419 and everybody's so excited to see him. 00:05:33.679 --> 00:05:34.859 And the two sisters, 00:05:35.139 --> 00:05:35.879 Mary and Martha, 00:05:36.479 --> 00:05:38.459 responded or reacted very differently 00:05:38.459 --> 00:05:39.719 to Jesus' visit. 00:05:41.479 --> 00:05:43.439 Mary was so overjoyed 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:45.560 at seeing the Son of God, 00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:47.219 whom they knew well, 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:49.039 lifelong friends, 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:51.080 come and visit her house 00:05:51.080 --> 00:05:52.160 that she just sat down 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:52.480 and said, 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:54.240 Jesus, I'm so glad you're here. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:54.879 Just teach me. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:56.020 I just want to listen to you. 00:05:56.280 --> 00:05:57.480 I want to listen to you talk. 00:05:57.720 --> 00:05:58.900 I don't want to miss a thing 00:05:58.900 --> 00:06:00.640 of this time with you, 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:01.460 this experience. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:03.700 Martha, on the other hand, 00:06:03.780 --> 00:06:05.140 responded differently, didn't she? 00:06:05.740 --> 00:06:07.759 She was so distracted by her task. 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:09.860 And in chapter 10 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:11.160 of the Gospel of Luke 00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:11.860 in verse 38, 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:12.360 it says, 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.879 Martha was distracted 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:15.160 by her many tasks, 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:17.220 but Mary sat at the Lord's feet 00:06:17.220 --> 00:06:19.160 and was listening to what he said. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:20.620 Martha wasn't being lazy. 00:06:21.700 --> 00:06:23.360 She was being responsible. 00:06:24.340 --> 00:06:26.080 She was serving Jesus. 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:27.380 Isn't that what we're called to do? 00:06:27.640 --> 00:06:28.780 We're called to serve God? 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:30.380 That's literally what Martha 00:06:30.380 --> 00:06:31.680 was trying to do in that moment. 00:06:32.380 --> 00:06:33.940 Her heart was in the right place, 00:06:34.100 --> 00:06:34.480 and yet, 00:06:35.280 --> 00:06:36.900 her heart was also 00:06:36.900 --> 00:06:38.400 not in the right place. 00:06:38.960 --> 00:06:40.820 It missed what was most important. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:43.140 And that's what Jesus said 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:44.599 to Martha. 00:06:45.479 --> 00:06:46.560 It seems that 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:47.719 he addressed her gently, 00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:48.159 and he said, 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:48.879 Martha, Martha, 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:49.560 you're worried, 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:50.419 and you're upset about 00:06:50.419 --> 00:06:51.479 many things, 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:52.680 but only one thing 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:53.639 was truly necessary. 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:56.300 And Mary chose that. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:58.819 She sat at my feet. 00:06:58.919 --> 00:07:00.979 Her heart was toward me. 00:07:01.099 --> 00:07:02.479 It wasn't just toward 00:07:02.479 --> 00:07:03.919 serving me. 00:07:03.979 --> 00:07:05.000 You know what's interesting there? 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:06.300 Is you and I 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:07.079 can get caught up 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:08.519 in a lot of good things 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:10.139 that can actually 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:11.419 cause us to get 00:07:11.419 --> 00:07:12.240 disconnected 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:13.819 from the vine. 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:15.959 It can cause us 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:16.479 to stop 00:07:16.479 --> 00:07:17.779 abiding 00:07:17.779 --> 00:07:18.699 or remaining 00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:20.180 in Jesus. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:22.339 We can be so busy 00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:23.699 trying to keep 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:24.479 all his commandments 00:07:24.479 --> 00:07:25.039 that we read 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:25.560 in the scriptures, 00:07:26.359 --> 00:07:27.259 trying to do 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:27.959 all the work 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:28.659 that we feel like 00:07:28.659 --> 00:07:29.199 he's laid out 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:29.819 for us to do, 00:07:30.099 --> 00:07:30.899 trying to keep up 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:31.839 with all the things 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:32.659 that God has given 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:33.659 to us in our life 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:34.560 that we forget 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:35.560 that really the main 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.000 pursuit is him. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:38.159 It's a relationship 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:39.220 with him. 00:07:40.260 --> 00:07:41.180 Mary chose that. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:43.600 She chose presence 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:45.320 over productivity. 00:07:46.640 --> 00:07:48.240 Martha was so concerned 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:49.080 with being productive, 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:50.600 she missed 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.360 just the presence 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:53.140 of Jesus. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:55.320 Mary chose 00:07:55.320 --> 00:07:56.480 abiding 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:58.480 over activity. 00:07:59.640 --> 00:08:00.500 Martha was so 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:01.640 caught up in 00:08:01.640 --> 00:08:02.840 I've got to go do something. 00:08:02.940 --> 00:08:03.540 I've got to get this 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:04.480 all taken care of. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:05.640 And some of us 00:08:05.640 --> 00:08:06.800 are just wired that way. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:08.259 others, 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.560 it's just easier 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:10.480 to sit down and say, 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:11.020 you know what? 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:12.220 I'm just going to sit here 00:08:12.220 --> 00:08:12.960 right in this moment. 00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:14.079 I'm going to be with Jesus 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:14.720 right now. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:15.639 I'm going to soak in 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:16.040 everything 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:18.620 that he has to teach me. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:19.900 Everything else 00:08:19.900 --> 00:08:20.840 can wait. 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:21.420 So, 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:23.420 Jesus doesn't 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:24.300 shame Martha, 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.500 but he invites her 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:28.300 just like he invited 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:29.040 all of us 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:30.280 in this passage 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:30.780 in John 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:33.819 to rest in him, 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:35.600 to abide in him, 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:37.620 to remain in him, 00:08:37.699 --> 00:08:38.519 to stay connected 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:39.379 in him. 00:08:39.459 --> 00:08:39.939 And so maybe 00:08:39.939 --> 00:08:40.879 in your life, 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:41.639 maybe there's been 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.659 a time when you 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.220 were connected 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:44.100 very closely. 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:47.000 Maybe you've gotten 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.819 a little disconnected. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:49.899 And that's why 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:50.819 Jesus says remain. 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:52.240 Stay there. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:53.439 Don't break 00:08:53.439 --> 00:08:54.079 the connection. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:55.439 The connection 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:56.799 can always come back, 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.620 but don't break it. 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:00.060 because if we want 00:09:00.060 --> 00:09:00.620 the fruit 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:01.539 that will grow 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:02.820 from God, 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:03.340 we read about 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:04.100 the fruit of the Spirit. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:05.320 Love, joy, peace, 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.039 long-suffering, 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:06.899 gentleness, goodness, 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:07.419 patience. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:09.120 All these things 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:10.200 that we need 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:10.779 in our lives, 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:11.639 our souls know 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:12.139 we need them, 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:12.779 our relationships 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:13.639 know we need them, 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:14.440 our spouse knows 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:14.919 we need them, 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.080 those in our life 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:17.779 that interact with us 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:18.519 on a daily basis, 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:19.620 they know we need 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.480 this fruit of the Spirit 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.820 and we want it. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:23.539 But often we don't 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:24.240 see that fruit 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:25.139 because we've become 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:25.799 disconnected 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:26.879 and we're not remaining. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:28.360 We're not abiding. 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:29.620 So let's take advantage 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:30.240 of this time, 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:32.639 these snow days. 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:34.259 I don't know 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:34.899 if school's going 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:35.300 to be canceled 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:35.740 on Monday, 00:09:35.800 --> 00:09:36.340 I'm sure we'll know 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:36.860 that soon, 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:37.379 but listen, 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:39.419 whatever our situation 00:09:39.419 --> 00:09:41.500 is in the next hours 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:42.560 or days that come 00:09:42.560 --> 00:09:44.399 and then as we get 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:45.720 back into regular life, 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.240 let's abide in Him. 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:48.740 Let's remain in Him. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:49.700 Slow our pace, 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:51.279 soften those reactions, 00:09:51.560 --> 00:09:52.320 loosen our grip, 00:09:52.420 --> 00:09:53.000 hands open, 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:54.080 eyes up, 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:54.500 and God, 00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:56.379 teach me to abide.