“…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
What a wonderful Sunday of worship together on the beach!
While I shared a very practical message about "Abiding in Jesus", there was so much in what Jesus shared.
Something that may not have been immediately obvious was that Jesus gives us a number of varied ways to assess our abiding.
Most personally, he says that taking on his teaching about abiding results in, "that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." When it comes to obeying Jesus, it's always worth reminding yourself that aside from being the right thing to do, it always leads us to the most joyous outcome.
Jesus invites us not just to life, freedom and relationship with God, but to joy!
While this teaching seems quite internal and personal, Jesus makes it clear that abiding in him always leads to external "fruit" in our public lives. The chief fruit abiding in him is promised to bear is love for others.
While abiding can only come through receiving God's love for each of us, the fruit of abiding in Jesus results in expressing love with others.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. - John 15:16-17
Interestingly, on Sunday I reflected on a number of expressions of this fruit after the service and during the week.
- Some people asked about other members of our church who weren't present.
- Some invited newcomers to spend time studying the Bible with them.
- Some were introduced to people they hadn't met and invited them into their life in meaningful ways.
- Some had opened up their home to those who needed a place to live.
Much love, see you Sunday!
Dan
P.S. Want to get baptised this Sunday? Let us know you're keen and check out some short resources on baptism: www.openroad.church/baptism
Coming Up
October
Mondays - Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Kings Beach - Katie 0412 500 940
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sat 18 - 430pm Blokes Bonfire, Bible + BBQ, 286 N Maleny Rd, North Maleny
Sun 19 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Armstrong, Jack + __ Baptisms
Sun 26 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
November
Mondays - Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Kings Beach - Katie 0412 500 940
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 02 - 3pm Monthly Worship Gathering - Venue TBA
Sun 09 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 16 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Baptisms
Sun 23 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 30 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $10,566
Last month's expenses: $11,243
Balance: $81,051
Giving in : Oct 23-Sep 25: $5000
Giving out : Oct 23-Sep 25: $14.482
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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