Welcome to Worship
November 17, 2024
8:30am
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. —(Ephesians 2:8-9)
Welcome to Worship: Rev. Bill Archer
Worship Song: Your Grace is Enough
Prayer: Jen Saunders
Redland Happenings and Welcome: Jen Saunders
Congregational Greeting
Worship Song: This is Amazing Grace
Mission and Ministry Moment: Lois Garin
Musical Meditation: Trust in God
Ensemble
Scripture: John 15:1-12
Sermon Title: Connected for Fruitfulness
Rev. Kevin Freeman
Sermon Notes:
On the night of Jesus’ arrest, He gave some of His most remembered instructions to His disciples. In these final hours, Jesus shared a powerful illustration. He is the Vine, and we are the branches. We must be connected to Jesus to remain fruitful. This sermon will explore how you can do that, and how to avoid dangerous misconceptions.
Christ is our connection to fruitful living.
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. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. —John 15:1–12 ESV
21 Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine? —Jeremiah 2:21 ESV
1 And the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? 3 Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? 4 Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? 5 Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything! —Ezekiel 15:1–5 ESV
1.) Understand the
of the
Misconception #1:
10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. —Matthew 3:10 ESV
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. —John 6:37 ESV
2.) Eagerly
for
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. —Philippians 1:10–11 ESV
Misconception #2:
8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. —Matthew 3:8 ESV
3.) Abide for
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. —John 15:10 ESV
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. —John 14:23 ESV
Misconception #3:
4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. —Psalm 37:4–6 ESV
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. —John 15:11 ESV
Time of Decision and Commitment: Build My Life
Benediction: Rev. Kevin Freeman