11-7-10: Learning to Follow Jesus: Attribute 1.1 - Learn to remain in him

Sermon Theme:
Learning to Follow Jesus
Attribute 1: Learn to be with Jesus
Step 1: Learn to remain in Him
Bible Verse: : “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28

Bible Story

In our bible lesson today, Jesus told his disciples a story to teach them the importance of staying connected to him. Of course Jesus didn’t use a lamp to tell his story, because electricity hadn’t even been invented yet. Instead, Jesus used an example that his disciples would understand. He used the example of a vine. Vine is a plant with a lot of branches growing out from it. (picture) The branches have fruit on them. If it is a grapevine, the branches should have grapes on them.

Have you ever seen a branch that has been broken off a tree or a vice? What happens to it? That’s right, it withers up and dies. Can it ever have any fruit on it again? No it isn’t any good for anything except fire wood. And that’s what he said in verse 6, “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (pictures)

Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the braches. If you remain in me, you will have much fruit, but apart from me, you can do nothing.” Jesus wants us to produce a lot of fruit. We will talk about those fruit next week. Most of all, he wants us to love others as he has loved us.

Can we do that on our own? No way. Just as the lamp must be plugged in before its light can shine, and just as the branches must be connected to the vine before they can produce fruit, you and I must stay connected to Jesus to produce the good fruit that God expects of us.

The good news in verse 7: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” – John 15:7

Verse 8 -10: When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.