Don't Lose Your Signal

Devotional

Day 1: Remain in Christ to Bear Fruit

Remaining in Christ is not a casual suggestion but a vital command for every believer. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it stays connected to the vine, so too are we unable to flourish spiritually apart from Jesus. This abiding is an intentional, daily choice—making Christ your dwelling place, your spiritual address, and the source of your life. When you take responsibility to draw near to Him, He promises to remain in you, empowering you to bear fruit that lasts. The strength of your spiritual signal depends on your proximity to Jesus, and He invites you to live in constant, life-giving connection with Him. [12:13]

John 15:4 (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."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to intentionally draw closer to Jesus and make Him your dwelling place, not just a Sunday visitor?

Day 2: Your Responsibility to Stay Connected

The strength of your relationship with God is not accidental; it is your responsibility to seek Him, open His Word, and pray. God’s presence is always available, but it is up to you to move closer, to recognize when you’ve drifted, and to take action to reconnect. Just as you would move closer to a cell tower for a stronger signal, you must prioritize time with God, making space for Him in your daily routine. When you do, you’ll find that He is always ready to meet you, to strengthen you, and to fill you with His presence. [13:19]

James 4:8 (ESV)
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: Where in your daily routine have you allowed distractions to weaken your connection with God, and how can you intentionally move closer to Him today?

Day 3: Rooted and Built Up in Christ

A healthy spiritual life is like a tree planted by streams of water—rooted, nourished, and fruitful. Paul urges believers to continue living in Christ, being rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith, and overflowing with thankfulness. Just as you wouldn’t expect your phone to last a week on a single charge, you can’t expect your faith to thrive on occasional connection. Daily worship, prayer, and time in Scripture are the means by which you stay rooted and energized, allowing God’s life to flow through you and produce lasting fruit. [23:01]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What is one new daily habit you can start this week to keep your spiritual roots deep and your faith charged?

Day 4: The Danger of Disconnection

When you drift from Christ, you become like a branch cut off from the vine—fruitless, powerless, and vulnerable to the pressures of life. Jesus warns that a disconnected life leads to withering and emptiness, not because He abandons you, but because you have stepped away from the source of life. Just as a phone loses access to the cloud when it loses signal, you lose access to God’s sustaining power when you neglect prayer, worship, and Scripture. Remaining connected is essential for spiritual vitality and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. [29:04]

John 15:6 (ESV)
"If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel spiritually withered or powerless? What might God be inviting you to reconnect or surrender to Him today?

Day 5: Abiding Produces Fruit and Reveals Discipleship

Abiding in Christ is not just about personal nourishment; it is the way you glorify God and show yourself to be His disciple. When you remain close to Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—becomes evident in your life. This fruit is not produced by your own effort but by staying grafted into the vine, making Christ your home, and seeking His kingdom first. True discipleship is marked by a life that dwells in Christ daily, not just in moments of convenience. [35:32]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you most long to see grow in your life, and how can you intentionally seek God’s presence to nurture that fruit today?

Sermon Summary

In a world where we are more connected than ever through our devices, it’s easy to overlook how profoundly disconnected we can become—both from each other and from God. Our smartphones, with their constant notifications and endless streams of information, have become almost like a third appendage. We rely on them for communication, entertainment, and even spiritual reminders, like daily verses from a Bible app. Yet, despite all this connectivity, many of us feel isolated, distracted, and spiritually dry. The paradox is striking: with all the tools to stay in touch, we often lose the deeper, more vital connection that sustains our souls.

Jesus’ words in John 15:4, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you,” are not just a gentle encouragement—they are a command and a promise. The responsibility to stay connected to the true source of life falls on us. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains attached to the vine, we cannot flourish spiritually unless we intentionally dwell in Christ. This abiding is not a casual visit or a weekly check-in; it is a daily, moment-by-moment choice to live in His presence, to seek Him first, and to let His Word and Spirit nourish us.

Modern life tempts us to settle for spoon-fed spirituality—quick verses, short prayers, and surface-level engagement. But just as a phone needs regular charging and proximity to a strong signal, our faith needs consistent, intentional connection to Christ. When we drift, we become like a branch cut off from the vine: powerless, fruitless, and vulnerable to the pressures and anxieties of life. The call is to recognize where we have allowed distance to grow, to repent, and to move closer to the “tower”—to Christ Himself.

Abiding in Jesus means making Him our dwelling place, not just a place we visit. It means prioritizing prayer, worship, and Scripture—not as obligations, but as the very means by which we are recharged and made fruitful. The promise is clear: when we remain in Him, we bear much fruit, our joy is made complete, and our lives bring glory to God. The invitation is to examine where we are dwelling, to take responsibility for our spiritual connection, and to make our home in Christ every day.

---

Key Takeaways

1. Superficial Connectivity vs. Deep Relationship Despite unprecedented technological connectivity, many experience profound disconnection—emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. The ease of digital communication can mask a lack of genuine, face-to-face interaction and even hinder our ability to engage deeply with God. True connection requires more than just proximity to information; it demands intentional presence and vulnerability with both God and others. [06:53]
2. Abiding Is an Active Responsibility Jesus’ command to “remain in me” places the initiative on us. God’s presence is constant, but our experience of His nearness depends on our willingness to seek, dwell, and abide in Him. Spiritual growth is not automatic; it is cultivated through daily choices to open His Word, pray, and pursue His presence, even when distractions abound. [12:46]
3. The Danger of Spiritual Drifting Just as a phone loses signal when it moves away from the tower, we become spiritually weak and fruitless when we drift from Christ. This drifting often happens subtly—through neglect, busyness, or unrepented sin—until we find ourselves disconnected and empty. Recognizing the signs of spiritual distance is crucial, and returning to Christ requires humility, repentance, and a renewed commitment to abide. [20:37]
4. Daily Practices Sustain Spiritual Vitality A once-a-week charge is not enough for our devices, nor is it sufficient for our souls. Regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, worship, and Christian community are the “chargers” that keep our faith vibrant and fruitful. These practices are not mere rituals but lifelines that keep us rooted, nourished, and able to withstand the challenges of life. [24:17]
5. Fruitfulness Flows from Proximity to Christ The evidence of abiding is a life marked by spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more. This fruit is not manufactured by effort alone but is the natural result of staying close to Jesus, the true vine. Our calling is not just to believe, but to dwell, to remain, and to let His life flow through us, bringing glory to God and blessing to others. [35:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - The Modern Dilemma: Always Connected, Yet Disconnected
[01:35] - Don’t Lose Your Signal: The Smartphone Analogy
[02:36] - The Ubiquity and Impact of Technology
[04:32] - The Illusion of Connection and Its Consequences
[06:53] - Emotional and Spiritual Disconnection
[08:24] - Spoon-Fed Spirituality and Shallow Engagement
[10:06] - Jesus’ Command: Remain in Me
[12:13] - Our Responsibility in Staying Connected
[14:30] - Practical Ways to Maintain Spiritual Signal
[16:44] - The Problem of Lost Love and Spiritual Apathy
[17:25] - The Vine and the Branches: Flourishing Through Connection
[19:56] - Proximity to the The Tower Analogy
[21:46] - What’s Your Spiritual Charger?
[23:01] - Paul’s Echo: Continue to Live in Him
[24:17] - Daily Practices for Spiritual Vitality
[25:46] - The Consequences of Disconnection
[27:45] - Losing Access: The Cloud and the Word
[30:27] - How to Remain: Repentance and Returning
[32:05] - Abiding as Dwelling: Making Christ Your Home
[34:17] - Bearing Fruit and Showing Discipleship
[36:59] - Examining Our Dwelling Place
[38:27] - The Promise of Complete Joy
[39:15] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Staying Connected to the True Source**

---

### Bible Reading

**John 15:4-8 (ESV)**
> 4 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.
> 5 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.
> 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
> 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
> 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

---

### Observation Questions

According to Jesus in John 15:4-5, what is the result of a branch (or person) not remaining connected to the vine?
What does Jesus promise will happen if we remain in Him and His words remain in us (v.7)?
In the sermon, what are some modern ways people try to stay “connected” spiritually, and why might these be insufficient? [[08:24]]
What analogy does the pastor use to describe the importance of staying close to the “tower” or source? [[19:56]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus put the responsibility on us to “remain” or “abide” in Him, rather than making it automatic? [[12:46]]
The sermon compares spiritual drifting to losing cell phone signal. What are some subtle ways spiritual drifting can happen in a believer’s life? [[20:37]]
The passage says, “apart from me you can do nothing.” What does this mean practically for someone’s daily life and choices?
The pastor mentions that abiding is not a casual visit but a daily dwelling. How does this challenge the way many people approach their faith? [[36:10]]

---

### Application Questions

The sermon talks about “spoon-fed spirituality” like quick verses or short prayers. In what ways have you settled for surface-level connection with God? What is one step you could take this week to go deeper? [[08:24]]
Think about your daily habits with your phone or other devices. Are there specific times or activities that distract you from connecting with God? What could you do to minimize those distractions? [[15:33]]
The pastor says, “It is your responsibility to go to God. It is your responsibility to open up his word.” What is one practical way you can take more responsibility for your spiritual connection this week? [[11:27]]
When was the last time you felt spiritually “disconnected” or “dry”? What were some signs that you were drifting, and how did you respond? [[28:28]]
The sermon uses the analogy of a phone needing regular charging. What are your “spiritual chargers”—practices or people that help you stay connected to Christ? How can you make these a more regular part of your life? [[24:17]]
Jesus says that when we remain in Him, we bear much fruit. What is one area of your life where you want to see more spiritual fruit? What would it look like to “abide” in Christ in that area? [[35:32]]
The pastor challenges us to examine where we are “dwelling.” Is there a place, habit, or relationship that is pulling you away from making your home in Christ? What is one change you feel led to make? [[36:59]]

---

**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Ask God to help each person recognize where they have allowed distance to grow, to give them the desire and discipline to move closer to Christ, and to make their home in Him every day.

Sermon Clips

We live in an area where these devices have really become our third appendage. You know, they really are an appendage, you know, something that, you know, it's almost as if they're glued to our hands. We have to carry these around. In fact, if you've ever left home and you left your phone at the house whenever you were about, you almost felt a little lost not having this, because we have become so truly dependent on this. [00:02:36] (31 seconds) #TechDependence

So many of us. Young and old alike. Can still feel so profoundly disconnected. With all that we have that's available to us. It is still so easy for us to actually feel disconnected. Because as we have seen, especially as the reports or the surveys or the research has been coming out after 20 years of its existence. We're finding out that depression is even at an even higher rate than ever before. When we have all this connection with all of these different means. To all of these different people. And all of these different resources. And yet still at the same time. There is a lack of people being able to look each other in the eye. [00:06:49] (48 seconds) #ConnectedButAlone

We're disconnected unlike ever before. And I think that the sentiment here. As I was alluding to earlier. Is very similar with our disconnect with God. Because we have given ourselves over into a similar sort of era. Where we give God screen times. We do this little spoon fed. We have this spoon fed type of time with God. Where we have our one verse of scripture a day. You know I have it on my phone. Where the YouVersion app every day will pop up with a verse of scripture. As soon as I. As soon as I turn on the power of my phone. There may be a scripture verse right there for the day. And I'll open it up and I'll read it. And I'll pray over that verse every day. And perhaps you do the same thing. But at the same time that we have the availability. Of being able to be reminded to be in scripture. We're also less likely to be in scripture. [00:08:20] (57 seconds) #FaithInScreenTime

Now and I want to say this too. Because I feel like that. With our watered down faith sometimes. That we fail to realize. That the responsibility falls on you first. The responsibility falls on you first. It's not God's responsibility to come to you first. It is your responsibility to go to God. It is your responsibility to open up his word. He's not going to open up his word for you. It is your responsibility to go to him in prayer. He's not going to come and sit down in front of you first. And say I'm ready to talk. [00:11:12] (35 seconds) #YourFaithYourResponsibility

What is it like for us to be connected being like a tree that is rooted near its water source being like a cell phone a smartphone that's that's near its cell tower what is it like for us to be connected to a vine i can tell you what it's not like to be and that's my next point we lose our signal we become weak if you've ever been in a place where you are trying to connect that circle shows up in the middle of your screen and it's rotating around as it's trying to get its connection as it's trying to reconnect if you're on your on your computer it might be an hourglass that starts twirling around [00:25:09] (49 seconds) #RootedAndConnected

When we disconnected ourselves from our signal, disconnected ourselves from the vine, when we've gone to where our connection is weakest, if we're not careful, what is it that we might lose? Fruitless? Powerless? Empty? [00:28:28] (26 seconds) #DisconnectedLife

Now Jesus isn't saying that he's going to do that to you. He's saying that is what life is like whenever you're disconnected from the vine. It's as if everything is getting torn up. You're going through the shredder. You're being passed through the fire. You're being thrown into the waste basket. What's it like to not be connected to the vine? And the troubles of this world become greater when we simply are at our weakest. [00:29:59] (44 seconds) #LifeWithoutTheVine

My last point is, is what does it mean to remain? To remain close to the tower? Maybe it's through repentance of a sin issue that's in your life. Where you recognize that that has disconnected you from the vine. Disconnected you from your signal. Repenting. Maybe your prayer, your conversations with God have become scarce. Maybe they've just been little token things. Things that you quote or say depending upon the time of day or the plate of food that's in front of you. Do you worship him daily? Do you just pause to sing a hymn or a song of praise? Just get close to the tower. Get closer. Move closer. [00:30:44] (62 seconds) #RepentAndReconnect

Do you recognize your responsibility or where it's been slacking do you recognize where you have been dwelling do you recognize in your life where the branches are being picked up where they're being thrown into the fire and burned do you see do you recognize what jesus is calling you to do abide remain dwell show yourself to be my disciple [00:37:17] (39 seconds) #RecognizeAndAbide

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does remaining in Jesus require from believers?

How does spiritual disconnection affect Christian fruitfulness?

Why is daily scripture and prayer essential for faith?