What Do You Value?
Refreshing: Mission/Vision/Values 2026 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Raspberry bush illustration
We have raspberries in our backyard. Like, there’s a whole two good sections of fence line that are taken up by these bushes. And when we moved here we discovered something new: There are golden raspberries! Who knew? They are even better than your typical raspberry.
These things also grew through the fence, so it’s kind of funny to be out in the summer picking and have others harvesting off the bushes in the back. It’s been the starting point for many great connections in our community.
How do raspberries produce fruit? Certainly the branches are the bearers of that fruit, but can they do it by themselves?
The answer is no - they must be connected to the bush. And let me ask you this: if they do not produce anything, what’s the point of having them around? There isn’t one - most often, they are dead.
So now let’s ask this: Is it different for us, as Christians? Can we stand alone, or must we be connected to someone, or something in order to have vitality of faith? The answer - Sunday-School-esk as it sounds - is Jesus. We must be connected to Jesus.
Series Slide
What we value shapes who we are.
Today, we are going to explore the first two out of seven values we have as a church. The first value is…
Relationship with Jesus
Relationship with Jesus
Please turn with me to John 15:4-8. As you do, let’s gain a little bit of context:
The gospel of John was most likely written by the Apostle John - disciple of Jesus and author as well of 1-3 John and Revelation.
This gospel is different from the other three. It functions differently. Whereas Luke wanted to write an “orderly account”, John is focused on presenting the good news to a wide audience and wide religious background. His gospel is not necessarily in chronological order, but rather in thought order - each story helping to paint a picture of Jesus that adds to and fills out the other three gospels. Over 85% of John gospel is unique material! (Cornerstone). And John wrote with purpose: To evangelize the lost and strengthen the faith of the believer. The passage we are in falls during the farewell discourse: a block of teaching in John’s gospel that is the last of Jesus’ teaching before His passion, falling between the last supper and His betrayal and arrest.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Here Jesus is speaking to His disciples, and He employs a mashal, or parable to help them understand. This figurative language illustrates a very real thing: Jesus is the vine, the Father is the caretaker of the vine, and we (Christians) are the branches.
So Jesus tells the disciples “Abide in Me.”
The word for “abide” means to continue in a certain state or activity. It is also translated “Remain in me.”
Abide is not just mental assent, but remaining in union. Remaining in a growing relationship with Jesus. Walk in step with him. (VanZandbeek, Feb 9, 2025)
Another way this could also be understood is “step into union with me.” certainly this would not be remiss even for the disciples in the upper room, as they were about to see Jesus’ death and ressurection (Word Biblical, p. 272). At the same time, we can be assured that Christ remains in us, and with us.
Jesus then likens this “abiding” to a branch connected to a vine. Much like a raspberry stalk cannot produce fruit without being connected to the plant, so too Christians (the branches) cannot maintain vitality of faith if they do not abide in the vine of Jesus Christ!
Again Jesus reiterates this truth: He is the vine, and we are the branches. If you choose to abide in Jesus (again, remaining in relationship, continuing in union) you will bear much fruit! Fruit here is defined as the “good results coming from the life of the believer” (ESV Study Notes). So, it is every demonstration of the vitality of your faith (Word Biblical, 273). Jesus then makes it clear: Apart from Me you can do nothing!
This is why the Christian faith is not empty religion, nor simply mental assent. In James 2:18-20 we read:
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
James’ point is not that we are saved because we’re so great and do great stuff, but rather when you have saving faith in Jesus Christ it is going to change you. You will do things - produce fruit - that is in keeping with that faith and because of it! So being a Christian isn’t just “I believe Jesus exists.” Even the demons believe that! And they shudder at the thought. No, real faith transforms life! And real faith is defined as abiding in the vine of Jesus Christ. Why? Because apart from Him we can do nothing.
So what happens if you do not abide in the vine of Jesus? You die. It’s as simple as that. What is the good of a dead branch?
Every spring, when the ground thaws and the bushes are just coming back to life, Katie gets out into the back yard and determines which raspberry canes can stay, and which need to be pulled out. She usually creates a good pile that takes 2-3 loads for me to get rid of! Why do that? Well a) the dead canes are useless and b) removing them allows the plant to better survive!
Dead stalks are useless, and so are taken away. Therefore, it is imperative that we remain in the vine! So if you say you have saving faith in Jesus Christ, but your life is not changed and being changed because of it, we’ve got a question about the vitality of faith on our hands. Is it alive? Or is it dead?
Of course, when we produce fruit in keeping with the abiding we’re doing, this is glorifying to God! Moreover, when you abide in Jesus, your will and desires align with His. So we see more answers to prayer and can ask for whatever we wish. Why? Because we are asking in line with the heart of the Father.
Strategy
Strategy
So let me ask you this: Practically, how do we “Abide?” This is where strategy comes in. Strategy is the means by which we live out the value. Our strategy is…
Strategy: Through the Word, prayer, and praise.
The Word:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Did you know that the primary way God speaks to you in through His Word? So if you want to abide (grow in, walk in step with) Jesus, you need to be in His Word! In fact He says that:
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
This is the first way we remain in Christ: We are people centered upon the Living Word of God. It is our final authority for belief and practice. We live our lives according to it, our preaching and teaching come from it, and we will not deny it, nor try to change it.
Prayer
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Coupled with the Word is prayer! One can hardly expect to have a living, active relationship with God if one does not pray. Prayer changes everything. We are told to pray without ceasing. This includes both bringing our requests to God, rejoicing and praising Him, and cultivating listening prayer in which we learn to better hear the voice of God. Simply put: If you got married and then never talked to your spouse, how would you describe the vitality or health of your relationship? Probably as dead. Similarly, in order to abide in Jesus we must connected with Him often, daily even!
Praise
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Did you know praise is powerful? If you don’t believe me, try playing some worship music in the background the next time you’re having a hard day. Praise changes many things, and connects us to God. It reorients our hearts and minds around Him. When we come together as a church, we start with worship! So praise is a vital part of our abiding.
Relationship with Jesus - our Lord - is key! And it is our very first value. In fact, every other value we look at after this is dependent on this one. So we must abide in the vine together, friends, and so produce much fruit! Speaking of producing fruit, let’s now turn to our second value:
Spirit-Filled Lives
Spirit-Filled Lives
If this is new to you, perhaps you’re thinking “what is he talking about?” Or perhaps this is old to you, and you’re thinking “I’ve heard this before!” Can I challenge you to listen in, either for the first time, or again, and see how God might be wanting to grow something in you?
Being full of the Holy Spirit is our second value as a church. But what is it?
Let’s start here: Luke 24:48-49
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Jesus said this to His disciples. Now last week we explored the whole concept of mission and vision. Jesus gave us the mission: Go and make disciples of all nations. But how is our mission accomplished? Not on our strength, but His. Moreover, we have seen Jesus clearly say “Abide in Me.” Why? Because without Jesus we can do nothing! So here, Jesus tells His disciples “Hey, don’t go anywhere until you receive God’s power.” What was He referring to? Acts gives us the answer:
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In this moment, God poured out the promised Holy Spirit upon the believers, and everything changed. All of a sudden they are speaking in tongues, they’re boldly proclaiming the gospel, and it’s awesome. Peter explains it well using the OT prophet Joel:
“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
When the Spirit of the Lord fills someone up, they are never the same!
Throughout the book of Acts - in which we see the birth and growth of the early church - we see the descriptor “full of the Holy Spirit” often with everyone from Paul, to Peter, to Stephen!
But is this something for every Christian, or just the special ones?
Eph 5:18 tells us:
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Here Paul, writing to the Ephesians, is talking about how to walk in a way pleasing to God. And healthy for us! He contrasts the behaviors of being filled with wine, or the Spirit. What happens when someone gets “filled up” with wine? Nothing good is the general answer to that problem. We know the outcome of alcohol addiction. It leads to a ruined life.
So Paul warns away from that. No wonder! But what does he steer us towards? This idea of Spirit-filling. And look at the difference it makes!
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Talk about a difference in behaviors. the Spirit-filled Christian is marked by thankfulness and praise, signing, and a mutual submission that demonstrates the selfless love of God. Wow!
Being Spirit-filled is something that is for every Christian. Sometimes we think that it’s only for that one group in the church, or perhaps only for the really pious people. But this is part of what it means to Abide in Jesus! For the early church, it was natural and expected to be walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Somewhere along the way the church lost cultivating this, settling for making the Holy Spirit a background player. But God wants his church to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit!
What we must understand is that the Spirit was the chief element, the primary ingredient, of this new existence. For early believers, it was not merely a matter of getting saved, forgiven, prepared for heaven. It was above all else to receive the Spirit, to walk into the coming age with power. - Gordon Fee
When we talk about abiding in Jesus, being full of the Holy Spirit is the evidence of that abiding! Then the fruit of faith is produced, and we see evidence of the Holy Spirit working in our lives! Not only does the Holy Spirit indwell you when you get saved, but Jesus also pours out the Spirit upon you increasingly, empowering you for witness and the Christian life!
Spirit-filled lives are folks whose lives are permeated, or saturated with the Holy Spirit. And we care about this because the Bible cares about it, and tells us that this is not only necessary, but natural! (VanZandbeek, Feb 16, 2025).
Strategy
Strategy
So we value this because the Bible values it. We’ve seen some of the benefits already! But how do we live this out?
Strategy: Growing in the fruit and using the gifts
We do and continue to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit in our lives and the life of this church body.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
This fruit sure sounds like what we just read about being filled with the Spirit, don’t they? The fruit produced in the life of the believer when God’s Spirit indwells them is different. Joy peace, patience, all of these qualities come from a Spirit-filled life!
But that’s not the only thing. When believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, they are also given gifts! Let us now turn to Romans 12:
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Paul further expands on the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Cor 7:
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
As a church, we believe that all, not just some, of these gifts are available today. We want there to be exercising of gifts like hospitality, prophecy, generosity, tongues, discernment, wisdom, leadership, etc. Not everyone has the same gift, and that’s a good thing! Together, we are a body of believers each with a place in the church.
Friends, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, these gifts and fruit will be an active part of the church! We want to see these things. Because when we do, it is evidence that God is moving among us and empowering His people.
Our strategy for living out this value is to be growing in the fruit, and using the gifts. We want to see the fruit that demonstrates life - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flow out of this people. We want to see the gifts of mercy, faith, teaching, generosity, prophecy, tongues, healing, service, discernment, wisdom, etc. We want to see those gifts thrive in abundance. Guess what, when God pours out His Spirit, amazing things happen! Revival takes place - just go read Acts! And the people of God get a fire under them about proclaiming the good news. (VanZandbeek, Feb 16, 2025)
Conclusion - Response?
Conclusion - Response?
So, what we value shapes who we are.
Let me ask you, what do you value? What you hold dear - what you value - shapes who you are. You can value family, you can value friends. Perhaps you value money, influence, or nice things. The world has many things it wants us to values, some good, some bad. But it must all start from this central value: relationship with Jesus. When you abide in Christ, it shapes who you are and what you do. It transforms you! And it empowers you as God increasingly pours out His Spirit upon you.
These two values are the first two our church has. First, relationship with Jesus. We must abide in the vine for our faith to be alive! Second and connected to it is Spirit-filled believers. Without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing. With the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to proclaim the gospel and boldly live for Jesus. We see the fruit of such filling in our lives, and we are gifted for service in God’s kingdom.
So, today, as we come to the Lord’s Table, I wonder if we could take time to let Scripture sink deep. How is God speaking to you? Is He calling you into deeper abiding? Does He want to pour out more of His Spirit upon you? Does He want to give you a gift, or re-affirm the gifts He’s given?
Let’s respond, and come to the table together.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
