John 15:1-8 | The Fruit of Abiding

This past Sunday at Rocky Valley Baptist Church we began a new summer series called “Follow Me.”

After spending weeks in “Give Us Eyes to See” looking at who Jesus is and asking God to help us see Him clearly, we now turn the corner to a new question:

If we truly see Jesus clearly… will we follow Him faithfully?

In John 15, Jesus gives one of the most powerful pictures of the Christian life:

“I am the vine, you are the branches.”

What a reminder for us in a world that celebrates self-sufficiency and independence. We are constantly told to:

work harder,

become stronger,

depend on ourselves,

trust our own abilities.

Yet Jesus says something completely different:

“Without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

The truth is many of us become spiritually exhausted because we are trying to produce fruit disconnected from the Vine. We try to:

parent in our own strength,

lead in our own wisdom,

endure trials in our own power,

fight temptation through willpower alone,

and maintain appearances while our hearts are running dry.

But Jesus never called us to manufacture fruit.

He called us to abide.

The branch does not strain to produce grapes. Fruit naturally comes when it stays connected to the vine.

The same is true spiritually.

When we abide in Christ:

His Word shapes us,

His Spirit strengthens us,

His peace steadies us,

His joy sustains us.

This sermon was such a needed reminder for me personally in a season where life feels busy and overwhelming at times. The answer is not simply “do more.” The answer is stay close to Jesus.

Not occasional encounters with Christ…

but continual communion with Christ.

My prayer for our church this summer is not just that we would attend services or complete another series, but that we would truly become disciples who walk closely with Jesus daily.

Because following Jesus faithfully begins with abiding in Jesus continually.

Watch “The Fruit of Abiding” HERE