Abide: The Way to Be Alive

Sermon by Pastor Brent Snook / January 5, 2025

Series: How to Thrive in 2025

Text: John 15:1-11

Read John 15:1-11

Three Important Facts to Know:

1. Jesus is the Vine
2. The Father is the Vine Dresser
3. You and I are the Branches

I. THE PROCESS OF BEING LIKE HIM

A. The purging of sin

Read John 15:2a

B. The pruning of self

To “prune” = to thin, to reduce, to cut off

Read John 15:6

The branch that is not attached to the vine is useless

II. THE PICTURE OF BEING LIKE HIM

A. Clean

We are washed, changed, sanctified in Christ

Read John 15:3, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

B. Bear fruit

When we abide in Christ, we also bear fruit

Read John 15:2, 15:5

Read Isaiah 15:1-4

God laments when His people are not faithful

4 Levels of Fruit Bearing

1. No fruit
2. Meager fruit
3. More fruit
4. Much fruit

Which basket represents your life right now?

C. Answered prayer

Read John 5:7, 5:16

Prayer is a privilege – but it’s also hard work

D. Love

When we love one another selflessly our love will not look like the world’s love

Read John 5:9, 10, 12, 13

E. Obedience

“If ye do whatsoever I command you.”

Read John 5:10

F. Joy

Read John 5:11, Hebrews 12:2

1. The source of joy
2. The strength of joy

Abiding in Christ brings continuous joy