Who Am I - I Am a Branch

 

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:1–8 ESV).

 

Have you ever seen the damage to trees after a heavy windstorm? Limbs and branches are often strewn about the landscape, and some land on houses and cars, causing even more damage. Often those branches still have healthy-looking leaves and fruit, but we know they will soon die. When a branch is severed from the main trunk, its vitality is lost. Its lifeline is gone. Its leaves will wither and die, and its fruit will decay.

 

Jesus conveys a similar message in our reading today, saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” He helps us to see that if we break away from him—the true vine—we will not have his spiritual life in us. Though we may appear vibrant for a while, we will lack the capacity to produce spiritual life, health, or fruit on our own. Only if we stay connected to Jesus can we bear spiritual fruit that endures.

 

The main function of a vine such as a grapevine is to bear fruit. And fruit-bearing sums up our purpose as followers of Jesus. In fact, Jesus explains that every branch that bears no fruit will be cut off. But with his Spirit living in us, we will yield fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (cf.  Galatians 5:22-23). This is our calling; this is a vital part of who we are.

 

Who Am I - I Am a Witness

 

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:6–9 ESV).

 

Before going back to heaven, Jesus called each of his followers to be a witness for him. A witness is someone who can attest to what they have seen or experienced personally. This calling applies to all of us who follow Jesus today as well. We are called to be reliable witnesses, sharing with others the grace of God that we have personally witnessed and experienced in our lives. This lies at the heart of our identity as followers of Christ.

 

The task that Jesus has entrusted to us is to carry his life-saving message wherever we go. This magnificent, global mission began with Jesus’ first-century followers, and it continues with his 21st-century followers today.

 

Empowered by his Spirit, we have a story to tell and a life-altering encounter to share. While others may have doubts about the Bible’s teaching or quibble about theology, they cannot refute our personal experience. They cannot change what we know to be true about God’s work in our hearts and lives.

 

Jesus recognized that a transformed life becomes an unstoppable force for good and for God in this world. To the people around you, there is no one better positioned to testify to the life-changing power of God than you.

 

Think of a story you can share with someone about the Lord’s work in your life. Whom will you tell today? This is a part of who we are!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Steward

 

[Jesus said] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” (Matthew 25:14–19 ESV).

 

A steward is someone who takes care of and manages someone else’s property or belongings. The steward is not the owner but is responsible to the owner for all that the owner has entrusted to them. Stewardship deals with our responsibility over much more than mere money. The Bible includes many examples of stewardship. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he charged them with its care (cf. Genesis 2:15). Since the beginning, humans have been entrusted by God to steward his creation, his blessings, and the very lives he gives them.

 

In Jesus’ parable in our Bible reading today, three servants received bags of gold from their master before he left on a journey. They were expected to be productive, innovative, and enterprising with what they had been given. Specifically, they were to invest their master’s resources in worthwhile ventures, aiming for growth and multiplication. While two servants faithfully embraced this responsibility, one did not. The master’s approval clearly fell upon the two who were faithful.

 

As the Lord’s stewards, we don’t possess anything on our own. All we have is entrusted to us by our gracious heavenly Father. Yet while we live and breathe, we are called to nurture and care for what God has given us, using it for his glory. Then one day we too will hear the Master’s words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

What a commendation! Is that what you long to hear when you see Him? If your answer is affirmation, then be a good steward of that which He has entrusted to your care!

 

Who Am I - I Am an Intercessor

 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV).

 

Many years ago in my first full-time pastorate I had a wonderful and instructive visit with one of the older members of the church. She was 92 years old at the time and somewhat frail, though she was able to live in her home. Her children were very attentive to her and cared for her each day making sure she had her medications and meals. Her body was deteriorating, though her mind was as sharp as any. During my visit she apologized profusely for not being able to attend church. She went on to say that she had heard many good things about the “young” pastor’s sermons. Wistfully she said she would love to be there to show her support. I told her that the greatest thing she could do for our church and for me personally was to pray daily that we would be the church God desired us to be. She agreed to pray daily.

 

Each time I went back to visit I was so encouraged by her faithfulness to keep her promise to pray. She kept a list of the specific things I would ask her to pray about. She loved to cross them off as I reported the success of her prayers. Indeed, God has shown in the Bible that he uses the prayers of his people in his kingdom-building work in this world. Many examples show that God often provides what his people ask for in prayer. It certainly made a difference to me!

 

Of course, I am not saying that God is something like a good-luck charm or a magic genie that grants our wishes. Our prayers need to be in line with God’s will for our lives and for his kingdom work in this world (cf. Matthew 6:9-13; 1 John 5:14-15). And while God will often answer our prayers aligning with his will, there are times when the answer may be different from what we ask. At times we don’t understand God’s will or his plans or even his ways (cf. Isaiah 55).

 

In 1 Timothy 2 Paul urges believers to intercede (pray) for everyone—including “kings and all those in authority”—because “this is good, and pleases God our Savior.” When we intercede faithfully for others, we become personally involved in God’s redemptive work. Each spiritual victory, I believe, is a testament to the fact that someone has been praying. Each of us are to be such intercessors!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Student

 

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:14–18 ESV).

 

Usually we begin our “formal education” at the age of five. It continues for at least another twelve or thirteen years. For many that time is extended with college or university education. Even those who opt for technical training require more time to secure the education and training necessary to pursue their chosen career. The instruction we receive during that time provides us with the building blocks we need for a productive life.

 

As believers in Christ, we are also students of Him. We need to learn God’s Word and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Savior. We need to absorb God’s Word continuously as the Holy Spirit transforms us His power. He is the One who works in us and teaches us the truth and wisdom of God. Daily we need to walk in step with the Lord and his Spirit, growing to know God and to share his love with others everywhere.

 

I love the little fable of a man on a stroll who hears a voice say to him: “Gather some pebbles.” Though he sees no one, the voice persists: “Gather some pebbles and put them in your pocket, and tomorrow you will be both glad and sorry.” Intrigued, the man thinks, “Why not?” So, he picks up a few pebbles and puts them in his pocket. The next day he discovers they have been transformed into diamonds. Then he feels gladness for taking some, and he is sorry for not taking more.

 

Similarly, our study of God’s Word may not reveal its benefits right away. Yet over time, nuggets of truth and wisdom will prove to be valuable treasures—blessing our lives in countless ways. Be a diligent and constant student of the truth of God!

 

Who Am I - I Am an Abassador

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17–21 ESV).

 

An ambassador is a government official who represents their country to another nation. This is often a pivotal role in bridging gaps between nations. An ambassador aims to promote goodwill and cooperation while minimizing outbreaks that could lead to hostility. The aim is to build understanding and tolerance between nations and cultures.

 

This means ambassadors need to listen and communicate effectively. They should express themselves with tact and diplomacy, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to their own nation while also caring for the people of their host nation. Rather than viewing the host nation as an adversary, competent ambassadors seek to build bridges, not walls. As a result, they are deeply invested in the outcomes of diplomatic negotiations.

 

What does it mean, then, for believers in Christ to be his ambassadors? As believers, we have been called to be official representatives of God and his kingdom in this world. We serve as emissaries for our Lord and King, speaking and acting on his behalf. This appointment carries honor as well as responsibility. We are entrusted with a message, becoming the voice of the Lord to a broken, hurting world. Under his authority, our aim is to build bridges instead of barriers, seeking to share the good news of Jesus so that people can come to know him as their Savior and King.

 

Who Am I - I Am a Soldier

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV).

 

The Bible is clear that we are engaged in a spiritual battle taking place between good and evil, between God’s kingdom of light and Satan’s kingdom of darkness. So, when we place our faith in Jesus, we not only become part of a family; we also enter a battlefield. We enlist in a mission to serve faithfully in God’s kingdom. So, what does it mean to be faithful spiritual soldiers? There are three principles that we ought to be aware of in understanding this characteristic of our new life in Christ:

 

§  First, our commitment is a pledge of unwavering allegiance to Jesus as our King. We wholeheartedly acknowledge his sovereignty and yield to his authority. We recognize that chaos would result within and around us without submitting to Jesus’ authority. He is our leader and commanding officer in this battle.

 

§  Second, to be good soldiers we ought to know our enemy. We understand that our battle is “not against flesh and blood,” as Paul puts it, but against spiritual powers. We also understand that neither conventional weapons, brute force, nor human strategies are going to defeat our spiritual enemy. We should study the enemy, know his game plan, and understand how to defeat him—with fervent prayer, godly praise, and self-sacrificial love.

 

§  Third, as good soldiers we are also equipped for battle. We practice spiritual disciplines and put on the armor of God so that we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” and faithfully execute their mission.