Sermon for July 20th, 2025

Sermon – John 15:1-17

This text is my favorite of all time, but in its richness, it also serves as a strong warning, something that is one of my biggest fears. We want to produce good fruit for others, but our priorities can get in the way of bearing fruit that reflects God's call in our life. God calls us to surrender everything, including our priorities, to open ourselves to the powerful love God has for us.

Verses 1-3: I AM…Scared
Jesus is the True Vine, and we, as His branches, are pruned to bear fruit for God. Through abiding in Him, we grow spiritually and bear fruit for others. Without a deep relationship with Christ, our fruit is weak and unfulfilling; only Jesus can produce true, lasting fruit. However, we sometimes have different focuses, and it will be reflected in our fruit as well.  We must invite God to prune and shape us, removing the bad and nurturing the good.

Verse 4: Abide in the Great I am
We must remain in Christ to produce the only fruit that truly matters. Walking with Him is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. God calls us to change our priorities towards him.

Verses 5-6: Call to Deepen Roots
Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Choosing to walk without Him leads to fruitlessness and regret; true growth requires complete dependence on Him. Just as branches depend on the vine, we cannot grow spiritually alone; we need God and each other to flourish.

Verses 7-8: Like Father, Like Mother
God calls us into a deep relationship with Him, where obedience and connection lead to fruitful living. Just like a child responds to love and guidance, we are called to listen to God and bear fruit that reflects His work in our lives.

Verses 9-12: The Boundless Joy of God’s Love
Jesus’ love for us is boundless, and as we walk with Him, our joy surpasses anything else. His love compels us to love others, for love is the fertile ground in which spiritual fruit grows. We are called to surrender it all to God so that all that remains is love, A love that is so worth everything.

Verses 13-17: We are called to be more
Jesus calls us friends, not servants, and the greatest love is sacrificing for others. We are called to bear lasting fruit and to love one another as He loves us—deeply and sacrificially. No matter who we are or what we do. Whether we are teachers, crewmates, or whatever we are labeled, we can still be a vessel of Jesus’s love and plant the seeds of good fruit into others’ lives. We need God and each other to flourish. Surrender to God, trust in His process, and be open to the journey He has for us.