We Are the Branches
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We Are the Branches
Welcome, friends, as we begin our "We Are" series, celebrating who we are as the Church of Jesus Christ. Let’s join in a simple chant: "We are" — "the church!" Today, we’ll explore a vivid picture Jesus gives us in John 15, where He calls us branches connected to Him, the true vine. Through this metaphor, we’ll uncover how to live fruitfully, abide deeply, and experience the blessings of life in Christ.
1. Living as Branches Bears Fruit
Jesus declares in John 15, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." He’s the vine, we’re the branches, and God tends us with care. In the Old Testament, Israel was often called a vine, meant to bear fruit for God, yet they often fell short, yielding only bad grapes. But Jesus steps in as the true vine, redeeming what was lost, ensuring God’s purposes thrive through us, His church. As branches, our role is clear: bear fruit. Yet some branches bear none—they’re cut off, not as believers losing salvation, but as those never truly connected, like Judas, who played the part but lacked faith. For those of us in Christ, fruit is evident, even if immature, through the Spirit’s work. But even fruitful branches face pruning. God trims us through challenges—job loss, illness, or conviction—to spur greater growth. Don’t mistake hard things for bad things; God redeems them, producing a harvest of righteousness and peace, refining us into who we’re meant to be as His church.
2. Abiding in the Vine Grows Our Fruit
Fruit doesn’t grow on its own. Jesus says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine." Apart from Him, we can do nothing—not a slow fade, but a sudden stop. I once had a Bluetooth speaker that died the moment I unplugged it, leaving me stranded at a Christmas party with no music—and no future DJ invites! That’s us without Christ: disconnected, we’re powerless. Abiding isn’t a Sunday visit or a quick prayer; it’s a moment-by-moment, day-by-day connection through prayer, God’s word, worship, and obedience. We often think hard work alone can bear spiritual fruit, but without the vine’s vitality, our efforts fall flat. True fruit—love, joy, peace—flows only from the Spirit’s work as we stay rooted in Christ, aligning with His will, not ours.
3. Staying Connected Brings Blessings
Abiding in the vine isn’t just duty—it’s a doorway to blessing. First, Jesus promises answered prayer: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Not a blank check for a Pirates’ winning season or a Hawaiian house, but a call to desire what God desires. As we abide, our prayers align with His will, echoing Jesus’ own heart: "Not my will, but Yours." Second, abiding brings glory to God. When we bear fruit like love, joy, and patience, God is lifted up. The world notices a stark contrast—not hypocrisy, but God’s power in us—prompting them to ask, "What’s different about you?" and we’ll point to God. Third, we live in love: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." Obedience opens the door to experience God’s love fully—if you’re not feeling it, check your obedience, not His affection. Finally, abiding fills us with joy: "That my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." This joy, this love, this answered prayer—they’re not limits but the path to fulfillment, far beyond what distractions might offer.
4. Abiding Together as the Church
Abiding is personal, yes, but also corporate. As a church, we must remain in the vine together. Ministries, classes, or songs can run on human effort, but without Christ’s power, they’re man-made, not Spirit-filled. Let’s seek God’s wisdom, pray for His leading, and align every decision with His purposes. When we do, we’ll see God-sized things—lives changed, homes restored, hearts turned to faith—because we’re connected to the vine. So, friends, abide in Christ. Don’t coast on past seasons of faith; without daily connection, we wither. Stay in the word, in prayer, in worship, moment by moment, because "we are the church," called to bear fruit together.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to be Your branches, connected to the true vine. Keep us rooted in You, pulsing with Your power through prayer, worship, and obedience. Let us bear fruit that glorifies You, transforms lives, and reflects Your love and joy. Work through us as a church, that we may see Your purposes unfold, in Jesus’ name, amen.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: We Are
Sermon Title: We Are the Branches
Date: Mar 9, 2025
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
John 15:1–11
Psalm 80:8
Isaiah 5:2
John 10:27–28
John 13
Galatians 5:22–23
Hebrews 12:11
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