Doctrine: The Church (John 15:1-25)

When I was a kid- I learned what the church is..

ready..

here is the church

and here is the steeple

open the doors

and see all the people..

close the doors

hear them pray

open the doors and they all walk away

(CL’s- do not use this tomorrow)

b/c..while catchy and memorable..

this nursery rhyme misses the heart of the church.

The church is not a place you go- it’s a people you belong to.

in vs 5 this week Jesus says: I am the vine- you are the branches.

Notice that branches is plural.

All of the branches together includes all believers- past, present and future …

which means, that every believer is connected to each other because of their connection to Christ.

The captial c- Church is connected by Christ and represents the family of God—all those across the ages and nations that He has redeemed and adopted as His own.

This room alone is just a tiny of picture of God’s church…a tiny picture of heaven..

The New Testament refers to the Church as the “body” of Christ.

The life and vitality of the Church flow from Christ through believers and into the world.

Jesus is the vine- the church is rooted in Him..He gives believers life…He is what connects each of us in this room to one another.

our belief in Christ unifies us with other members of Christ’s Church throughout the world. and through Jesus’ life in his people, the Church draws others to Jesus by witnessing to His love for the world.

When I believe in and belong to the True Church, I live a joy-filled life because I am connected to Christ for eternity.

I remember and participate in the life of the vine that sustains all of God’s children as I remain in a hostile world- a world where Jesus reminds us this week that HIS people..his church..do not belong.

When I view myself as a PART of something bigger than myself..then in faith I joyfully attach myself to a local body of believers who represent just a portion of the greater body of believers.

I participate in fellowship with Christ as I interact and make space in my life for those also connected to the vine.

How is your connection to the vine?

Are you connected to a local body of believers?

Connection implies interaction- the branchs of a vine were never meant to be self sufficient and independent- and neither were you…

The Christian faith is a team sport; God calls us to live together within the community of the Church.

Our mission at BSF is global, in-depth Bible studies producing passionate commitment to Christ, His Word and His Church.

BSF comes alongside the local church to equip, train, and support the local church as we train leaders and equip women and children to read and grow in God’s word.

The church is alive and growing across the world not because of our own efforts- but because Christ- the true vine- our life source vine is alive in each of his people.

He prunes. He loves. He produces fruit in and through us..and apart from him you can do nothing?

How are you relying on Jesus, the Cornerstone—drawing life from the Vine for strength, vision, and fruitfulness—as you serve in His Church?

Believers find their true home within the Church.

The Church community finds hope in a greater, glorious, eternal kingdom beyond their temporary dwelling in this world.

This is the church…this is the body of Christ…and that is our true home.

Let’s Pray.

Pray from 9:37-9:47