Clearbranch UMC
ClearBranch is a United Methodist Church serving the Trussville/Argo area of northeast Jefferson County, Alabama.
Our Mission is
to ENGAGE people through relational ministry,
to EQUIP disciples for Christ, and
to EMPLOY their gifts through missions.
The Vision of Clearbranch UMC is Transformed Lives offering the Transforming Love of Christ
Series: Dear Future Me
Sermon Title: The Abiding Life
Key Scriptures: John 15:1-11 (NRSV)
1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. 2 He REMOVES every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he PRUNES to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been CLEANSED by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 ABIDE IN ME as I ABIDE IN YOU. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it ABIDES IN THE VINE, neither can you unless you ABIDE IN ME. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who ABIDE IN ME and I IN THEM BEAR MUCH FRUIT, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not ABIDE IN ME is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you ABIDE IN ME, and MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT and become my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; ABIDE IN MY LOVE. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will ABIDE IN MY LOVE, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and ABIDE IN HIS LOVE. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
The Key: Occupied with occupation
Abide in CHRIST - TREASURE the trim
John 15:1-4 (NRSV)
Galatians 2:20 (NRSV)
John 15:1-4 (NRSV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. 2 He REMOVES every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he PRUNES to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been CLEANSED by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I ABIDE IN YOU. Just as the branch cannot BEAR FRUIT by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.
Galatians 2:20 (NRSV)
20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Abide in HIS WORD - LEARN from the burn
John 15:5-8 (NRSV)
Colossians 3:16 (NRSV)
John 15:5-8 (NRSV)
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them BEAR MUCH FRUIT, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and BURNED. 7 If you abide in me, and MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT and become my disciples.
Colossians 3:16 (NRSV)
16 Let THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God.
Abide in HIS LOVE - DWELL in the Dwelling
John 15:9-11 (NRSV)
Exodus 25:8 (NRSV)
Exodus 29:45 (NRSV)
Leviticus 26:11-12 (NRSV)
1 John 4:16 (NRSV)
John 15:9-11 (NRSV)
9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; ABIDE IN MY LOVE. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will ABIDE IN MY LOVE, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and ABIDE IN HIS LOVE. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
Exodus 25:8 (NRSV)
8 And have them make me a SANCTUARY, so that I may DWELL among them.
Exodus 29:45 (NRSV)
45 I will DWELL among the Israelites, and I will be their God.
Leviticus 26:11-12 (NRSV)
11 I will place my DWELLING in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk AMONG YOU, and will be your God, and you shall be my people.
1 John 4:16 (NRSV)
16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
Challenge Questions:
What do you need less of in 2018?
What lessons can you learn from 2017?
How can you prepare a better dwelling?
Worship Set List;
Found In You - Vertical Church Band;
Come Thou Fount - Crowder;
Blameless - Dara McLean;
Thank You Jesus - Hillsong;
At the Cross (Love Ran Red) - Chris Tomlin