Guerrilla Christianity

S8E59: Living in the Vine (Eastertide 2018)

Sermon #279

The word "Abide" is not one that we use in conversation very often, if at all.  It means to dwell, or to remain.  It also means to live and be connected to, which is surely what Jesus had in mind when he told his followers to abide in him.  He gives us the image of a vine with branches bearing fruit, and he calls us to be those branches and to remain or abide in the vine.  In truth, we can do nothing apart from Christ, the true vine.  And so we need to practice our faith in such a way that we remain connected to Christ so that we can bear much fruit.

John 15:1-8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on April 29, 2018 (Previously unpublished)

S.D.G.

S8E58: The True Vine (Eastertide 2015)

Sermon #112

As we continue to look at Jesus' "I Am" statements as recorded in the gospel of John, we come to this statement that Jesus said to his disciples in the upper room before his betrayal and crucifixion: "I am the true vine."  So we are looking at what it means to be a part of the vine, to be connected to the vine, and to bear fruit in keeping with the nature of the vine.  As Jesus said, the branches cannot bear fruit if they are not connected to the vine, and the same is true for us.  But Jesus also tells us that when we bear fruit we are pruned.  Sometimes when the church seems to be going through adversity, it is really in a period of pruning so that the branches may bear more fruit, all to the glory of God.

John 15:1-8

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on May 3, 2015 (Previously unpublished)

S.D.G.