Messages
Become An Abiding Branch (John 15:1-11)
Pastor Joe Sanders, April 29, 2012Part of the Become series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Life is full of troubles; personal, corporate, church, social, global. In the midst of that, of all those troubles, Jesus says, "Don't let your heart be troubled." That often has the opposite effect and causes us to look around at everything that can trouble us!! He's telling us to not be ruled by our troubles and goes on to tell us how that can happen. As he weaves a story about vineyards and vines and fruit, he gives us keys that keep us from being troubled and enable us to abide in God. To find our place of existence and life and joy in the midst of troubles. He will prune us, we will bear fruit, he will abide with us- and God will receive the glory as one more sinner lives for him in a very, very troubled world!
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John 15:1-11
15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (ESV)