Series: Committed  
Message: Appreciation
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read of listen to Psalm 49:5-12.

Read: John 15:1-17 - As you read in the ESV translation, note 1-3 insights/questions that arise.  

Reflect:  If I asked you, “What are you committed to?” I would hope that, depending on your circumstances, your answer would be along these lines: wife, husband, school, work, parents, home, peace, justice, myself, career, etc… I would also hope that God would appear in that list, maybe even be first. But what does it mean to be committed to something or someone? Often it means we carry responsibility, and sometimes it means we have a return or benefit. As we look at seven of the “I Am” statements by Jesus, I chose to start with the last one found in John as it is the gold standard for all the others. 
Jesus is gathered with his most committed followers for their last meal together…for now. Many could not handle where He was taking them. They wanted political revolution, the power and glory of King Solomon restored, but Jesus was showing them that being committed to Him would change the Universe. Commitment is not grounded in human domination, human sexual power, or human economies, but rather a systemic seismic shift and recalibration of the known an unknown universe.  That is why the last metaphor calls us to be appreciative, to recognize that with God we are everything and without Him we are nothing (John 15:5-6).

Recalibrate: ​ 

1. Who can you recall that because you were with them life was better? At work, school, or in a relationship? What made the difference?

Respond: Pray for gratitude in your life.

Research: Appreciation. Find a good definition and Biblical grounding for your understanding of appreciation.