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SERMON NOTES
Saturday/Sunday, April 27/28, 2024 – Pastor Kischnick
THEME: “Vine, Branch, and Fruit” TEXT: John 15:1-8
INTRO. Age 16, summer painter, 4 of us > big 2 ½ story brick house. One side covered by ivy. Other young guy moving ladder late in day. Next morning a whole section of ivy wilted. He had accidentally broken a branch from the main vine. The Boss and the owners were not happy!
TEXT: Jesus instructs us: to be fruitful disciples we must remain connected to him. Only in him do we receive the Father’s care, the Holy Spirit’s gifts, and fruitfulness that counts for something in the Kingdom.
I. “APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING”
PIX: Healthy vine vibrant, robust, green
A. Spiritually healthy Christians:
1. Worship 2. Confess 3. Pray
4. Serve 5. Love others 6. Grow
PIX: Broken stem disconnected, starved
B. Those who drift away:
1. Soul slowly starves
2. Less Christ-like, more worldly 3. Wilting
PIX: Dead branch the final result – still looks like a grape vine, but no
life, no fruit.
C. Appear “good” but no Jesus coming into them, no Jesus going out.
1. “Out-put without in-put makes Kaput!”
2. Jesus gives LIFE.
II. PRUNING IS PAINFUL
ILLUST. Grandpa Mossner/Dad’s Concord vines No prune, no fruit.
A. You WILL get pruned (and you won’t like it).
1. “God indeed tempts no one…” (M. Luther)
2. God does allow trial: to strengthen, to bond, move forward in faith
B. It’s not “fun” but we learn to trust, give thanks for deliverance, and
to sympathize with others in their trials.
C. We learn to “LEAN INTO JESUS”
III. “THE FATHER’S GLORY…YOU BEAR MUCH FRUIT”
PIX: The Fruitful Vine Dad’s Concords were Full of Fruit!
A. Hold onto Jesus for Dear Life.
1. Seek HIS GIFTS: Word, Baptism, Absolution, Holy Communion
2. Through Him receive the Holy Spirit and His Gifts.
B. Don’t just “BE GOOD” but “DO GOOD” for Jesus’ sake.
CLOSE: Grapes Wine Scripture’s picture of JOY = Spiritual joy with real Substance, real Meaning, real LOVE.
PRINTABLE PDF:snapril28.PDF
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WATCH THE ENTIRE ROAST! CHECK IT OUT HERE. https://www.facebook.com/GraceLutheranChurchNA/videos/331850621504079/
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My Dear Friends in Christ,
A heartfelt word of appreciation to you for your love, your gifts, your kind words, the luncheon, the video, the barrel of monkeys, the ape-filled chocolate kiss, the flowers, the “Tiny Bruce” song, the Tiny Bruce that’s in my office and creeps me out, and 30 years of your partnership in the Gospel. There’s nowhere else I’d rather have been and no people I’d rather serve. I am privileged to be your pastor, and I love you all!
I thank God every time I remember you in my prayers…” and I pray for your continued health in faith and in life.
Pastor K. – Psalm 16:8