Every branch in me / John 15:1-8

John 15:1-8

Jesus never called us to a shallow or effortless faith—he called us to discipleship. And while growth in Christ can be stretching, even painful, it is never without purpose. In John 14, Jesus gave his disciples a comforting promise that they would do “greater works” because he was going to the Father—but how could that possibly be true? In John 15, he gives the answer. He reveals himself as the true Vine, the Father as the careful Husbandman, and us as the branches whose fruitfulness depends entirely on abiding in him. In this sermon we consider whether we are truly connected to Christ and gaining all that’s necessary for fruitfulness.