Abiding in Christ: The Call to Love and Inclusivity

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Pruning

In John 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the importance of spiritual pruning. Just as a vine must be pruned to bear more fruit, we too must undergo a process of removing aspects of our lives that do not honor God. This pruning is not about cutting people off but about eliminating behaviors, attitudes, and habits that hinder our spiritual growth. It is a communal and personal process that helps us align more closely with God's will and purpose for our lives. Pruning can be painful, but it is necessary for us to flourish and bear the fruit of the Spirit.

This process of pruning is a reflection of God's love and care for us. He desires for us to grow and thrive, and sometimes that means removing things that are detrimental to our spiritual health. As we submit to this process, we become more like Christ and are better able to serve others and fulfill our mission. Embracing pruning allows us to experience the abundant life that Jesus promises and to be more effective in our witness to the world. [32:30]

John 15:2 (ESV): "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you feel God is calling you to prune? How can you begin to remove this hindrance to your spiritual growth today?

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Day 2: Inclusivity in Christ

The love that God has for Jesus is the same love that Jesus has for us. This profound truth calls us to be inclusive and affirming, breaking down barriers that divide us. Our mission is to reflect this Trinitarian love in our relationships and communities, fostering unity and healing. Inclusivity in Christ means welcoming and accepting everyone, regardless of their background, status, or identity. It is about creating a community where everyone feels valued and loved.

Inclusivity is not just about acceptance but also about actively working to remove the barriers that prevent people from experiencing God's love. This involves challenging societal and denominational barriers that exclude people and advocating for justice and equality. By reflecting God's inclusive love, we can create a community that embodies the heart of the gospel and invites everyone into a transformative relationship with Jesus. [35:38]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Think of someone who feels excluded or marginalized in your community. How can you reach out to them and show them the inclusive love of Christ today?

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Day 3: Living Out Love

Love is not just a sentiment but a call to action. It involves kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, as Christ commands. This love has the power to transform lives and communities, setting people free from oppression and bringing about justice and healing. Living out love means actively seeking ways to serve others and to demonstrate God's love in practical ways. It is about being the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world.

Living out love requires us to go beyond our comfort zones and to be intentional in our actions. It means being willing to sacrifice our time, resources, and energy for the sake of others. As we live out love, we become a reflection of Christ's love to the world, and we can make a significant impact in the lives of those around us. [46:54]

1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can show love to someone in need today? How can you make this a regular part of your life?

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Day 4: The Power of Connection

Our connection to Jesus, the true vine, is essential for our spiritual vitality. Without this connection, we cannot bear fruit or experience the abundant life that Jesus promises. This connection also binds us to one another, creating a community that reflects God's love to the world. Being connected to Jesus means abiding in Him, spending time in His presence, and allowing His Word to shape our lives.

This connection is not just about individual spirituality but also about being part of a larger community of believers. As we remain connected to Jesus, we are also connected to each other, and we can support and encourage one another in our faith journey. This communal aspect of our connection to Jesus is vital for our growth and for fulfilling our mission to make disciples of all nations. [35:01]

John 15:5 (ESV): "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: How can you strengthen your connection to Jesus today? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him and with your faith community?

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Day 5: The Open Table

The table of communion is a powerful symbol of Christ's inclusive love. It is open to all, regardless of background, status, or identity. This openness reflects the heart of the gospel, inviting everyone into a transformative relationship with Jesus and with each other. The open table is a reminder that God's love is for everyone and that we are all welcome in His presence.

Participating in communion is a way of experiencing and celebrating this inclusive love. It is a time to remember Christ's sacrifice and to reflect on the unity we have in Him. The open table challenges us to extend this same love and welcome to others, breaking down barriers and creating a community where everyone feels valued and loved. [58:32]

1 Corinthians 10:17 (ESV): "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How can you extend the inclusive love of Christ to someone who feels unwelcome or excluded? What steps can you take to create a more inclusive and loving community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we reflect on the profound metaphor of the vine and branches from John 15, where Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower." This imagery speaks to our deep connection with Christ and the necessity of pruning in our spiritual lives to bear more fruit. Just as a vine must be carefully tended and pruned to flourish, so must we be pruned of anything that hinders our growth in Christ. This pruning is not about cutting people off but about removing the parts of ourselves and our communities that do not honor God.

The sermon also delves into the personal journey of answering God's call, despite societal and denominational barriers. It highlights the importance of inclusivity and the transformative power of love. The love that God has for Jesus is the same love that Jesus has for us, a love that is meant to be shared and reflected in our relationships with one another. This love is not just a feeling but a call to action, to live out our faith in ways that bring healing, justice, and unity.

We are reminded that our connection to the vine, Jesus, is what enables us to live abundantly and to serve others effectively. This connection calls us to a life of love, mercy, and humility, setting aside divisions and focusing on our shared mission to make disciples of all nations. The table of communion is open to all, symbolizing the inclusive love of Christ that transcends all barriers and invites everyone into a transformative relationship with Him.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Necessity of Pruning: Just as a vine must be pruned to bear more fruit, we too must undergo spiritual pruning. This involves removing aspects of our lives that do not honor God, allowing us to grow and flourish in our faith. This pruning is a communal and personal process that helps us align more closely with God's will. [32:30]
2. Inclusivity in Christ: The love that God has for Jesus is the same love that Jesus has for us. This profound truth calls us to be inclusive and affirming, breaking down barriers that divide us. Our mission is to reflect this Trinitarian love in our relationships and communities, fostering unity and healing. [35:38]
3. Living Out Love: Love is not just a sentiment but a call to action. It involves kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, as Christ commands. This love has the power to transform lives and communities, setting people free from oppression and bringing about justice and healing. [46:54]
4. The Power of Connection: Our connection to Jesus, the true vine, is essential for our spiritual vitality. Without this connection, we cannot bear fruit or experience the abundant life that Jesus promises. This connection also binds us to one another, creating a community that reflects God's love to the world. [35:01]
5. The Open Table: The table of communion is a powerful symbol of Christ's inclusive love. It is open to all, regardless of background, status, or identity. This openness reflects the heart of the gospel, inviting everyone into a transformative relationship with Jesus and with each other. [58:32]
### [58:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:45] - Personal Calling and Barriers
[30:06] - Prayer and Introduction
[31:13] - The Metaphor of the Vine
[32:30] - The Necessity of Pruning
[35:01] - The Power of Connection
[35:38] - Inclusivity in Christ
[39:13] - Living Out Love
[46:54] - The Call to Action
[52:25] - Communal Pruning
[55:06] - Radical Love and Mission
[58:32] - The Open Table
[59:48] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower"? ([32:30])
According to the sermon, what is the purpose of spiritual pruning in our lives? ([32:30])
How does the sermon describe the love that God has for Jesus and how it relates to us? ([35:38])
What are some examples given in the sermon of how love is a call to action? ([46:54])

Interpretation Questions

How does the metaphor of the vine and branches help us understand our relationship with Jesus and each other? ([32:30])
In what ways does the sermon suggest that inclusivity is a reflection of God's love? ([35:38])
How can the concept of pruning be applied to both personal and communal aspects of our faith? ([53:44])
What does it mean to live out love in practical terms, according to the sermon? ([46:54])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. What aspects might need pruning to better honor God and bear more fruit? ([32:30])
How can you actively practice inclusivity in your community, reflecting the love that God has for Jesus and for us? ([35:38])
Think of a specific way you can live out love this week. Is there someone you can show kindness, compassion, or forgiveness to? ([46:54])
How can you strengthen your connection to Jesus, the true vine, in your daily life? What practices or habits can help you abide in Him more fully? ([35:01])
The sermon mentions the open table of communion as a symbol of Christ's inclusive love. How can you embody this inclusivity in your interactions with others? ([58:32])
Are there any divisions or barriers in your life or community that you feel called to address? How can you work towards healing and unity? ([51:04])
Reflect on the idea that love is a call to action. What specific actions can you take to bring about justice and healing in your community? ([46:54])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Jesus uses this imagery to convey that disciples are dependent on Jesus for their very life. And can do nothing without him. Cannot produce any fruit. Cannot survive. Cannot experience the abundant life that Jesus just talks about earlier in John. And cannot provide the substance of life for others. Without the vine the community withers and dies as well. Without the vine. The branches dry up and they die. With the vine. Connected to the vine. The branches flourish. Take over the yard. Produce some beautiful apples. And feed an entire city." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "To be connected to the vine is to be loved the same way that God loves Jesus. We are loved in the same way. The indwelling of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The love in the Trinity. The love in this Trinitarian essence. This love that God has for Jesus is the same love that Jesus has for us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Whom the Father sends in Christ's name as Jesus just promised in chapter 14." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The word is freedom. Free indeed in Jesus Christ. The word is abundant, given an abundant life. The word is generous grace, more than we all deserve, more than we can comprehend. The word is beloved. The word is redemption. The word is salvation. The word is being a new creation. Free in Christ to grow in the likeness of Christ. The word is love." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The message of love for all people. The gospel of love. The gospel of belonging. The gospel of affirmation for everyone. Including those who do not think alike. The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to upset some people. There are some that will not take kindly to this message of this abiding, welcoming, generous, overwhelming love for all people. Which is clearly in the gospel of Jesus Christ. For we are all one in Christ Jesus." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "This table is now truly open. After general conference. This table is truly open to all people. This table is open to the broken and the unbroken. The joyful and grief stricken. Weak and strong. Young and older. Extrovert, introvert. Black, white, indigenous. Hispanic, Asian, Persian. Republican. Democrat. Independent. And those that just do not care about politics." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When we are close to the vine we understand what God requires of us. And together we can love, mercy, do kindness and walk humbly with our God. We have a clearness about what is of God and what is not. When we abide in the vine we give up the desire for honor and accolades. And we sit at the lowest place of the table and maybe we even give up our seats." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What if the branch that is pruned is not people. But the branch that is pruned is the branch in each of us that dishonors the beloved community of God. This pruning activity is a pruning of our own hearts. The pruning of our church's well intentioned but misguided priorities. It is the pruning of hunger, violence and oppression in our communities. Maybe it's time we prune ourselves of the hurt and the harm that we've done to one another these past few years." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "For hopefully we are not the same Christian today that we were yesterday. We are not the same Christian today that we were when we gathered here for annual conference last year. That we are always growing in the vine and growing with one another. And when we leave this beautiful place here. At Lake Junaluska on Sunday this weekend. Hopefully we will not be the same Christian we are this morning. That we will be so connected to the vine. That we will continue to grow every single day." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "What if we pruned ourselves and laid aside the temptation of sin to judge people who are different than ourselves. Who think differently than we do. What if we pruned ourselves of the language of us and them. And we grew into the vine of we and ours. if we pruned ourselves of resentment and regret. And we pruned ourselves of cheap forgiveness and cheap grace. What if we pruned ourselves and our churches of we have never done it that way before." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "One of our guiding principles as good Methodists is there's no personal holiness without social holiness. And as Dr. Wainwright said in class years ago you cannot say yes to Jesus and say no to service. When we turn this around there is no. And when we turn it around and we say there's no social holiness without personal holiness. We cannot fully love our neighbor if we do not connect to the vine. So you are invited to this table today. To connect to the vine. To receive his goodness and his love and his presence. Come and abide." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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