“Chosen”, “appointed”, to “go” and “bear eternal fruit”

Saturday 8-13-2016   Home in Modesto

Scripture Reading:  Jer 13 - 15    John 15

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…   NKJV

O.  Jesus is telling his disciples that He must go away and leave them. This has to be jarring to them since they had left everything to follow Him.  Now He is breaking the news that each of them has been hand-picked, chosen for a divine purpose.

A.  God told Jeremiah that he was chosen while still in his mother’s womb.  (Jer 1:5)  Who are the chosen ones?  “The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Jesus says in John 3:16 “… that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” “All” are called and “whosoever” is welcomed to the foot of the cross. In this sense all of us are among the “chosen”.  I have not only been chosen to enjoy the glory of heaven, I have a purpose here on earth.  Jesus uses these terms, “chosen,” “appointed” to “go” and “bear fruit” … “fruit that remains” … for eternity.

P.  Lord Jesus, I want to be obedient to Your charge.  I know that I cannot “go” while sitting in my comfortable chair watching TV.  You have chosen me for bigger things, better things, eternal things. “Go” is a call to action.  It may mean “go” across the street or around the world. May I not be slack in fervently seeking and fulfilling Your divine purposes for my life.  Amen.

Ralph

Room at The Cross

By Ira Stanfill

The cross upon which Jesus died
Is a shelter in which we can hide;
And its grace so free is sufficient for me
And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea.

Refrain:
There's room at the cross for you
There's room at the cross for you
Though millions have come, there's still room for one
Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

Though millions have found him a friend
And have turned from the sins they have sinned;
The Savior still waits to open the gates
And welcome a sinner before it's too late.

Refrain:
There's room at the cross for you
There's room at the cross for you
Though millions have come, there's still room for one
Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

The hand of my Savior is strong
And the love of my Savior is long;
Through sunshine or rain, through loss or in gain
The blood flows from Calvary to cleanse every stain.

Refrain:
There's room at the cross for you
There's room at the cross for you
Though millions have come, there's still room for one
Yes, there's room at the cross for you.