Sermon Title: THE ABIDING LIFE
Sermon Text: JOHN 15:1-8,16
By: PTR REN SABIO
John 15:1-8, John 15:16 AMP
“ I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you].Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.
SERMON NOTES
1. Recognize the True Source of Life (Jn 15:1-3)
• Jesus is not one vine among many
• The Father is not a distant owner
• The Word cleanses the disciples
2. Remain in Christ Before Trying to Achieve for Christ (Jn 15:4-5)
• Abiding is a settled relationship
• Abiding is daily dependence
• Abiding is obedient love
• Apart from Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value
3. Receive the Father’s Pruning Without Running Away (Jn 15:2, 6-7)
• Pruning is evidence of purpose, not abandonment
• Do not confuse pruning with condemnation
• The warning about withering is real
• The Word reshapes prayer
4. Reproduce Fruit That Glorifies God and Remains (Jn 15:8,16)
• Fruit reveals the life of the Vine
• Filipino strengths can become gospel fruit
• Much fruit glorifies the Father
• Chosen and appointed to go (V16)
Application: “Remain, Receive, Reproduce”
This week: Remain
• Give Christ the first fifteen minutes of your day for seven days: read John 15 slowly, listen, confess, and pray.
• Choose one sentence from John 15 to carry through the day. When anxiety or temptation rises, return to it.
• Remove one ordinary distraction during your time with God. Put the phone away unless it is being used for Scripture.
This month: Receive
• Ask, “Father, what are You pruning?” Write down what comes to light and compare it honestly with Scripture.
• Invite one mature believer to pray with you and ask you a truthful question about the area God is addressing.
• If the issue is sin, confess and take a concrete step of repentance. If it is overcommitment, release or delegate one activity. If it is unresolved conflict, pursue a biblical conversation.
This year: Reproduce
• Identify one person who is spiritually curious, new in faith, or younger in the Lord. Pray for that person by name.
• Invite that person into a simple rhythm: share a meal, read Scripture, ask what God is saying, and practice obedience together.
• Serve through one gift God has given you, but protect your abiding time so ministry flows from communion rather than replacing it.
• Practice redeemed Filipino hospitality: welcome someone beyond your usual circle—another generation, language, background, or social group.