John 15:1-11 / Pastor David VanAcker

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.

What started out as a single sermon (in my mind) is now on part four, spread out over six weeks. While it was not exactly the route I imagined, it has been good for my soul to have more time to marinate in the awesome truths and blessings of this passage. I hope the Lord has encouraged you in a similar way.

With that, this Sunday I'll preach my final sermon on John 15:1-11. We’ll do a brief review and then look at the last five blessings that belong to those whose hope is in Jesus.

The big idea of this passage is that the Christian life is about abiding in Jesus in such a way that His mind, heart, and actions flow freely out of us, and all according to the superintending grace of God. And the main takeaways are to pray in faith, learn to abide in God’s Word and love, and to seek full joy in Jesus.

Service Order

Welcome
Exhortation
Assurance of Pardon
How Great (Ps 145)
     Reading: Psalm 57
Blessed Assurance
     My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
Offering
Sermon
Yet Not I, But Christ In Me
Glory
Benediction

Memory Verse

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Service Times

Prayer
8:30-8:45am
Sunday School
9:00-10:00am
Worship Service
10:30am-Noon

Berea

Join us at 9 for Sunday School of all ages. This week the adults will resume their course on Biblical Doctrine. We will look at the Doctrine of the Church: Worship. Kids will continue their curriculums as well. Join us, even if you've never attended.