Remain in Me

Transcript

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Welcome back to Beyond Sunday and day 30 of anchored in God's promises. I can hardly believe we're almost through this month, together, day after day, we've been reminded that God's promises are true, that they're trustworthy and steady anchors for our lives. Today's promise comes from Jesus' teaching in John 15, where he uses a vivid picture to show us what life in him looks like. He says, I'm the vine. You are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you. You'll bear much fruit apart from me. You can do nothing. Jesus compares himself to a vine and us to the branches. The branch doesn't have life in and of itself. Its entire ability to grow, flourish, and produce fruit depends on being connected to the vine. That's the point. Our lives are not meant to be lived independently. Every ounce of strength, wisdom, and fruitfulness comes from staying connected to him. The key word here is remain. Some translations say abide. It means to stay, to dwell, to make your home in Christ. This isn't about occasional connection like plugging into God only on Sundays. It's about ongoing daily relationship. Prayer, scripture, worship, listening, and walking with him in the ordinary moments of life remaining in him is less about striving and more about staying close. It's a decision you and I made. And here's the promise. If you remain in him, you'll bear much fruit. Not, maybe not sometimes, but you will. Fruit looks like character transformed by the spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, fruit looks like good works that flow from God's power in your life. Fruit looks like the impact that lasts beyond you because it's produced by him. And notice fruit is the natural result of connection. The branch doesn't grit its teeth to produce grapes. It simply stays attached and the life of the vine flows through it. Jesus is also clear. Apart from him, we can do nothing. Now, that doesn't mean we can't stay busy. We can achieve, accomplished, build and fill our calendars, but in the eternal sense, the lasting spiritual fruit that matters for the kingdom, apart from him, it's empty. This is both humbling and freeing. Humbling, because it reminds us we can't do it on our own freeing, because it reminds us we don't have to think about a bouquet of flowers. They're beautiful, colorful, and fragrant, but the moment they're cut from the stem, they begin to die. They may look alive for a while, but without connection to the root, their life is fading. That's what happens when we try to live apart from Jesus. We may look put together on the outside, but without him. Our spiritual life, withers connection is everything. Where in your life are you tempted to operate apart from him? Maybe in your work, relying only on your own skills, maybe in your relationships, trying to love others without first being loved by him. Maybe in your faith doing all the right activities, but forgetting to simply remain close to him. The promise is clear, stay connected, and fruit will flow. So here's your challenge. Take five or 10 minutes today and sit in quiet prayer. Not asking God for anything, but simply saying, Jesus, I want to remain in you. Teach me to stay connected. Then listen, let His presence be enough. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, thank you for being the true vine. Thank you that when we remain in you, our lives bear fruit that matters. Forgive us for the times we try to live apart from you. Draw us closer. Teach us to abide daily moment by moment, so your life flows through us. In your name, amen. Hey, if this verse spoke to you, maybe send it to someone who feels weary from striving. Let this be a reminder that fruit comes from connection, not performance. I hope to see you back here tomorrow for our last day. Of our series for August of anchored in God's promises.