Abiding in Christ: Our Call to Fruitfulness

 

Summary

In today's reflection on John 15, we delve into the profound metaphor of Jesus as the True Vine and ourselves as the branches. This imagery is not just a visual representation but a call to a deeper understanding of our relationship with Christ and our purpose as His followers. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of remaining in Him to bear fruit, highlighting that apart from Him, we can do nothing. This passage serves as a vision for our church, urging us to focus on knowing, growing, and showing Jesus to the world.

The concept of remaining in Jesus is foundational. It means to know Him intimately, to walk with Him daily, and to be nourished by His presence. This relationship is akin to a vine providing life to its branches. God, as the gardener, prunes us for greater fruitfulness, which can be a painful process but ultimately leads to spiritual growth and resilience. This pruning is not only personal but can also occur within the church, preparing us for greater impact and fruitfulness in our community and beyond.

As we grow in Jesus, we are transformed into His likeness. This growth is often slow and requires patience, much like a vine gradually spreading across a trellis. It involves being intentional in our spiritual practices, such as prayer, studying the Word, and engaging in community. This transformation is not just for our benefit but is meant to be shared with the world. Our mission is to show Jesus through our actions, words, and love, reflecting His light to those around us.

Mission is integral to our identity as a church. We are called to be witnesses of Jesus, sharing His love and truth locally and globally. This involves being attentive to where God is already at work and joining Him in His mission. Prayer is central to this endeavor, as it aligns our hearts with God's will and opens our eyes to opportunities for ministry.

Ultimately, our goal is to bear fruit that glorifies God. This fruit is not merely numerical growth but encompasses transformed lives, deepened faith, and the manifestation of the Spirit's fruit in our lives. As we remain in Jesus, we become a community that knows Him, grows in Him, and shows Him to the world, fulfilling our calling as His disciples.

Key Takeaways:

1. Remaining in Jesus: To remain in Jesus is to know Him intimately and walk with Him daily. This relationship is the source of our spiritual nourishment and growth. Without remaining in Him, we risk becoming spiritually dry and ineffective. [36:31]

2. The Pain of Pruning: God's pruning process, though painful, is essential for greater fruitfulness. It involves cutting back areas of our lives that hinder growth, preparing us for a more fruitful future. This process can occur both personally and within the church. [34:26]

3. Growth in Jesus: Spiritual growth is a gradual process that requires patience and intentionality. It involves being transformed into the likeness of Christ through prayer, studying the Word, and engaging in community. [41:31]

4. Mission as Our Identity: Mission is central to our identity as followers of Jesus. We are called to be His witnesses, sharing His love and truth with the world. This involves being attentive to where God is at work and joining Him in His mission. [48:21]

5. Bearing Fruit for God's Glory: The ultimate goal of remaining in Jesus is to bear fruit that glorifies God. This fruit is not just about numbers but includes transformed lives, deepened faith, and the manifestation of the Spirit's fruit in our lives. [52:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:11] - Bible Reading: John 15:1-8
- [23:19] - Introduction and Church Updates
- [25:44] - Prayer and Reflection on John 15
- [26:40] - The Vine and the Trellis
- [28:05] - Vision for Our Church
- [29:33] - Knowing Jesus
- [32:33] - Jesus as the Source of Life
- [34:09] - The Pain and Purpose of Pruning
- [36:31] - Remaining in Jesus
- [38:52] - Growing in Jesus
- [41:31] - The Process of Spiritual Growth
- [46:16] - Showing Jesus to the World
- [49:42] - Prayer and Mission
- [52:23] - Bearing Fruit for God's Glory
- [56:12] - Communion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 15:1-8

Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He refers to Himself as the "True Vine" and us as the branches? How does this imagery help us understand our relationship with Him? [31:54]
2. According to the sermon, what is the role of God as the gardener in the metaphor of the vine and branches? [32:33]
3. What are the consequences mentioned in the sermon for not remaining in Jesus, as described in John 15? [38:37]
4. How does the sermon describe the process and purpose of pruning in our spiritual lives? [34:26]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of remaining in Jesus challenge our daily routines and spiritual practices? What does it mean to "walk with Him daily"? [36:12]
2. In what ways can the process of spiritual pruning be both painful and beneficial? How might this process prepare us for greater fruitfulness? [35:19]
3. How does the sermon suggest that spiritual growth is similar to a vine spreading across a trellis? What does this imply about the nature of spiritual growth? [41:31]
4. How does the sermon define the mission of the church, and why is it considered central to our identity as followers of Jesus? [48:21]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. What specific steps can you take to deepen your intimacy with Him and ensure you are "remaining in the vine"? [36:31]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel God might be pruning you. How can you embrace this process and trust in its purpose for greater fruitfulness? [34:26]
3. Consider your spiritual growth over the past year. What intentional practices can you implement to continue growing in the likeness of Christ? [41:31]
4. How can you actively participate in the mission of the church, both locally and globally? What opportunities do you see to share Jesus with those around you? [48:21]
5. Think of a specific way you can show the fruit of the Spirit in your daily interactions. How can you intentionally cultivate this aspect of your character this week? [52:23]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry or disconnected. What changes can you make to prevent this from happening again and to remain nourished in Jesus? [45:16]
7. How can you incorporate prayer more intentionally into your life to align your heart with God's will and open your eyes to opportunities for ministry? [49:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy with Christ as Our Lifeline
Remaining in Jesus is foundational to our spiritual journey. It involves knowing Him intimately, walking with Him daily, and being nourished by His presence. This relationship is akin to a vine providing life to its branches. Without remaining in Him, we risk becoming spiritually dry and ineffective. The call to remain in Jesus is a call to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, ensuring that we are constantly connected to the source of our spiritual nourishment and growth. [36:31]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What daily practices can you implement to deepen your intimacy with Jesus and ensure you remain connected to Him as your source of life?


Day 2: Embracing the Pruning Process
God's pruning process, though painful, is essential for greater fruitfulness. It involves cutting back areas of our lives that hinder growth, preparing us for a more fruitful future. This process can occur both personally and within the church. Pruning is not a punishment but a loving act of the Gardener, who desires to see us flourish and bear more fruit. Embracing this process requires trust in God's wisdom and a willingness to let go of what holds us back. [34:26]

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God is pruning you? How can you cooperate with Him in this process for greater fruitfulness?


Day 3: The Slow and Steady Growth in Christ
Spiritual growth is a gradual process that requires patience and intentionality. It involves being transformed into the likeness of Christ through prayer, studying the Word, and engaging in community. This transformation is not just for our benefit but is meant to be shared with the world. As we grow in Jesus, we are called to reflect His light to those around us, showing His love and truth through our actions and words. [41:31]

Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this week to foster your growth in Christ and reflect His likeness to others?


Day 4: Living Out Our Mission
Mission is central to our identity as followers of Jesus. We are called to be His witnesses, sharing His love and truth with the world. This involves being attentive to where God is at work and joining Him in His mission. Prayer is central to this endeavor, as it aligns our hearts with God's will and opens our eyes to opportunities for ministry. Our mission is not just a task but a way of life that reflects our identity in Christ. [48:21]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you be more attentive to God's work around you and actively participate in His mission this week?


Day 5: Bearing Fruit that Glorifies God
The ultimate goal of remaining in Jesus is to bear fruit that glorifies God. This fruit is not just about numbers but includes transformed lives, deepened faith, and the manifestation of the Spirit's fruit in our lives. As we remain in Jesus, we become a community that knows Him, grows in Him, and shows Him to the world, fulfilling our calling as His disciples. Bearing fruit is a testament to our relationship with Christ and a reflection of His glory to the world. [52:23]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your life to glorify God and impact those around you?

Quotes

"I am the True Vine and my father is the Gardener he cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful you are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you remain in me as I also remain in you no Branch can bear fruit by itself it must remain in the vine neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." [00:22:11]

"Jesus is the vine Jesus is the very source of life and we are the branches and so from that heart of that that vine its trunk it's its its roots we grow and we are nourished by it God is the gardener and he tenderly cares for us for his branches for his Vine in in context uh Jesus is sharing this to his disciples and throughout scripture God's people are known as that image of a a vineard of God depicts God's people." [00:32:33]

"Part of the tender loving care that God has for his his people and for this Vine and these branches is that part of caring is involves pruning cutting back for greater faithfulness for fruitfulness like cutting back those Roses that you might have in your garden cut them back and then next season they produce greater roses God Cuts back for greater fruitfulness this can happen not only in our own lives but it can also happen in church life too." [00:34:09]

"To remain in Jesus means first to know him and know him as that True Vine to know him as the True Vine the one who laid down his life for us as he goes on to speak about there in verse 13 we cannot abide or we cannot remain in him in his grace apart from that work that he has done on the cross for us that makes us part of his family that is the good news of what God has done that he's already done the work but he invites us to know him to trust him to find life in him to re to remain in him." [00:36:31]

"Everything begins through knowing Jesus all worship all prayer or discipleship or Community all all Mission it all starts with remaining in him remaining in Jesus again here John writes these words in verses 5 and six I am the vine you are the branch if you remain in me and I in you you will bear much fruit apart from me you can do nothing if you do not remain in me you are like a branch that is thrown away and Withers such branches are picked up thrown into the fire and burned." [00:38:52]

"Perhaps think about your own faith for a moment can you see growth over time no matter how long long or short your walk with Jesus has been can you see God uh work in you can you see the way in which he has shaped you and changed you I hope you can I hope you can we should be praising God for that shouldn't we our minds often probably go to oh he hasn't grown me enough I haven't transformed enough I'm still struggling I'm I'm I'm not perfect yet it's okay he didn't promise Perfection he promised growth growth and fruit I wonder how he's changed you." [00:41:31]

"As a church we should expect then growth not just numerical growth bums on seats kind of growth but spiritual growth you know spiritual growth that deepening of the our faith deepening of our love deepening of our obedience to Christ to Jesus is to be expected for churches to be expected for us as individual followers of Jesus as well and we do that together as God's people it happens through prayer and and the word through remaining in Jesus daily happens through community Through encouraging one another it happens through service through reflecting Jesus to those around us who we love and give to." [00:46:16]

"Mission is part of our DNA it's part of what it is to be a follower of Jesus but it's also part of who we are as as NBC we've historically been a church that has been focused on Mission and and driven to be part of Mission to be praying for it to be active in it and we all know that mission is not really optional we're not just like a comfortable group of Christians not doing anything it's the heart of Jesus's command to his followers again acts 18 which I mentioned earlier you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my Witnesses in Jerusalem Judea Samaria and to the ends of the Earth." [00:48:21]

"Jesus reminds us that when we remain in him we can ask anything in his name and that means prayer is Central to Mission prayer is Central as we abide with Jesus as we remain in him as we grow in him we become a people of prayer not just people of prayer that are that are simply praying for praying sake but we pray with expectation and we pray watching for God to do his work watching for God's answers to those prayers and and we look for where he is already going where he is already working." [00:49:42]

"Jesus speaks of bearing fruit for his glory for God's glory fruit isn't just about numbers but it's about depth the fruit of mission isn't just more people although that might be an indication but it's about lives transformed it's about faith being deepened it's about being disciples being made it's also about what is written in Galatians 5:22 the fruit of the spirit the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control as we remain in Jesus his love his love is really a light to us his love is something that that glows within us and that we pray has fruit for others to see and respond to either immediately or or over time." [00:52:23]

"The world needs Jesus needs the light and truth of Jesus we know the gospel isn't just a philosophy but the gospel really is As Romans 1:16 tells us it is the power of Salvation to all who believe and so we're called to to show Jesus to share Jesus through our words through our actions through our love this morning my prayer is that we be a community who know Jesus who grow in Jesus and who show Jesus to the world I hope that is a vision that you can align with can you that you can affirm for yourself it's been the foundation of this church for many years has been the foundation of historic Christianity for many millennial maybe in different different words but as I pray may it be front and center in our lives and the ministry that we undertake here at MBC." [00:56:12]

"When we remain in Jesus when we abide in him when we are close to him and remain in his Vine then we will bear fruit we will bear fruit that will bring glory to God let me PR let me pray dear heavenly father we give you thanks that we can know you that we are your people your people who are children of you Lord we give you thanks for the way in which you have grown us already that you have transformed us already and we know that there is continuing working to do but Lord we pray that as you do that may we be open to knowing where you are working in our world and that we may be part of that mission of showing you and sharing you with others." [00:58:21]

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Transcript
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