Jesus - Jesus Units His Followers

2024-11-17 Jesus - Jesus Units His Followers
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Sermon Notes
Sunday, November 17th, Pastor Nate Drye
Jesus
Unites His Followers
Look at how scripture defines the church:
• Jesus: Disciples of Jesus (the gates of Hell can't hold it back/ Peter Matthew 16)
• Paul/ writer of Hebrews: God’s dwelling place (Heb 3/ I Tim 3)
• John/ Paul: Bride of Christ (Rev 21/ Eph 5)
• Paul/ Jesus: Family of God (2 Cor 6/ Matt 12)
• Paul: Body (I Cor 12)
• Ezekiel 47: River that brings life: we know the church is not a place but a people
John 15:1-8 NRSV
1“I am the true vine (Jesus), and my Father (God the Father) is the vinegrower. 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 (ME) cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I (Jesus) am the vine, you (Church) 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.
If disciples (Branches) aren’t connected to Jesus (Vine), they won’t produce the love (Fruit) of Christ.
How to Kill a Church/ How to Divide the Church:
1. Do your own thing (not driven by the VINE).
2. Do it alone (not connected to other branches).
3. Avoid pruning and criticizing the fruit (it isn’t the right fruit/ is not in our five-year plan).
Christ cannot divide His church.
How Christ Grows the Church/ Unifies the Church:
1. Branches (Church) remain connected to the vine (Christ).
2. Remain connected to the branches (other disciples/ churches).
3. Embrace the pruning and release the fruit (love/ it isn’t our fruit).
The most extraordinary promises about prayer (you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted) follow the sharpest warnings (anyone who doesn’t remain is thrown into the fire).
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. (vv 6-7)
What does the unity of Jesus look like?
• Connected to Christ (the VINE),
• Connected to each other (branches),
• Embracing God’s pruning
• Generously giving away our fruit