God Working with Us

I am the vine, ye are the branches.   He that abideth in me and I in him, the same 

bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:5

Jesus was known for speaking in parables to explain spiritual aspects of the Kingdom of God.  He used the natural aspect of the vine with its branches and fruit to explain how we, His followers, are connected to Him; our Lord and Savior. 

In the natural world, life comes from the vine. The vine sends a life flow into the branches of a plant to produce fruit. The branch does not bear fruit of its own. If it is separated from the main vine, it ceases to bear and eventually dies.  This is the example Jesus used to illustrate the flow of God's power in the spiritual world. We are the branches that bear the fruit. Jesus is the vine. We do not in our own strength produce the fruit, we just uphold it. 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  John 15:4

The powerful miracles of New Testament times were not Peter's miracles. They were not the work of Apostle Paul's hands. They were a result of the Holy Spirit of God flowing through them as spiritual branches bringing forth spiritual fruit.

These men did what God had commanded them. They preached the Word. They laid hands on the sick. They commanded demons to loose their hold on the lives of men and women. They obeyed and left the results to God.

Obey God and leave the results in His hands. 

We are not the miracle worker, we are the miracle-working vessel. 

God is the source of power. When we are obedient to God and act on His Word, then it is up to Him. He produces the power through us.  Peter and John, filled with the power of God, walked in power and authority granted by God and miracles were performed:

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.  And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.  Acts 3:6-9

Peter was such a miracle working vessel that people just wanted to pass under his shadow:

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  Acts 5:15

Peter was not the only one, all the disciples were miracle working vessels:

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.  And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Acts 5:10-13

When the disciples asked, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?” Jesus answered. . .

. . . This is the work of God: that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.  John 6:29

The Holy Spirit is the One who works through us. He is the One who has delegated the authority. We do not have to work up the power by emotionalism. We do not have to "pray it down". It is the power of God working in and through us.  In the day of the disciples, Jesus was there working with them:

. . . they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following.    Mark 16:20

Often in ministry this pattern is switched. Many try to work for God. But the method that brings powerful results is "The Lord working with them" through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told the disciples:

And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon we: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.    Luke 24:49

The Holy Spirit is the life flow between man and God.  If we are not connected to this source our attempts to do the ministry work; to bear the fruit of the vine will fail.

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.   And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.   Acts 19:13-18

Many ministries and people fail because they go forth before receiving the enduement of spiritual power. If we are to meet the challenges of the great responsibility Jesus gave us, we must do so in the authority and power of God given to us through Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to act in this power and authority except through Jesus Christ!

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.    John 14:16





(Biblical Studies)

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