Anchor Verses:

John 15:4, 2 Corinthians 13:5, John 15:12-13

Focus Statement:

We are created to abide in Christ—not simply to be attached to Him in name, but to live in continual dependence on His Spirit. Fruitfulness comes not through ritual but through relationship, where the inward flow of His life produces outward love, endurance, and witness.

Introduction: Relationship over Ritual

  • Abide, remain in me, dwell
    • All mean to not just be with Jesus, be stay with Him
  • Abiding is how we were created to live.
  • Not external motions but an inward posture of dependence.
  • The position of the heart matters more than performance.
  • Only possible through the power of the Spirit.

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The Nature of Abiding:

  • Branches can’t bear fruit apart from the vine.
  • Outward connection isn’t enough — inward flow is vital.
  • Obstacles:
    • Disease (sin, bitterness, distractions).
    • Damage (wounds, resistance to Spirit’s work).
    • Improper pruning (avoiding God’s refining).
  • True abiding = dependence, not just association.

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Pain With A Promise:

  • God’s purpose = fruitfulness.
  • Unfruitfulness weakens the whole vine (church).
  • Pruning is love, not abandonment.
    • “How do you develop endurance without an obstacle? Courage without a challenge? Trust without lack?” – Frank Bauchman
  • To leave unfruitfulness unaddressed misrepresents God.

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Fruit for the Family:

  • How do we do this?

    • John 15:10

      • What commandment?
        • John 15:12
  • We don’t eat our own fruit

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Walking it Out: 

Healthy Branch Checklist
Based on John 15 & Galatians 5:22–23

  • 1. Am I Staying Connected?
    • Do I draw near to God in prayer, Scripture, and worship?
    • Am I relying on His strength or my own?
    • When life is hard, do I remain or drift?
  • 2. Is Fruit Growing in Me?
    • Do I see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
    • Are my words and actions reflecting Christ more over time?
  • 3. Am I Welcoming Pruning?
    • Am I letting God remove what hinders growth?
    • Do I see trials as His shaping hand, not just interruptions?
  • 4. Am I Helping the Whole Vine?
    • Am I building others up in their faith?
    • Am I engaged in the church’s mission, not just consuming?
  • 5. Am I Bearing Lasting Fruit?
    • Are people drawn to Jesus through my life?
    • Am I investing in things with eternal value?

Sermon Questions

  1. Am I truly abiding, or just associating with Jesus?
    Is my connection to Christ marked by inward dependence or just outward appearance?

  2. How is God using pruning or pain in my life as an act of love?
    Do I see challenges as opportunities for growth and trust, or as interruptions?

  3. Who benefits from the fruit in my life?
    Am I bearing fruit that blesses others in my family, church, and community — not just myself?

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