Gather:
What was it like facing a hurricane?
Were you scared?
What observations did you make about the power of the storm?
Hear:
Read John 15:1-12
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Pause:
Consider the images of the vine and the branches in this passage and God’s role in pruning the branches.
Wonder:
As I surveyed the destruction from Hannah, I noticed lots of branches that were knocked down by the wind. In some cases, huge sections of a tree were just snapped off. Branches that appeared to be healthy were pruned by the immense power of the hurricane. Is our connection to Jesus strong enough to weather the storms of life? More importantly, are we abiding in the savior and producing fruit for God’s kingdom?
Unfortunately, many of us are “playing church.” We may seem healthy, but are not producing fruit because we are not attached to the true vine. Like the hurricane, God, in his great power and wisdom, will prune those who are not abiding in the Savior.
As we struggle to piece our homes back together in the wake of the destructive power of the hurricane, let us be reminded that none of us are able to stand against God’s awesome power on our own: which is exactly the reason Jesus died for us. He laid down his life so that we could have fellowship with the One whose awesome power makes a hurricane look like a gentle breeze.
How can we abide in Jesus?
What fruit should we produce?
Which fruits of the Spirit correspond to both this passage in John and Galatians 5?
Bless:
Father,
Help us to abide in you. Help us to keep your commandment by showing love to one another. As the clean up efforts for Hannah materialize and we continue to battle COVID-19, help us to find ways we can show love for others. Help us to experience true joy that fulfills us regardless of our circumstances. Help us to always remember the sacrifice you made so that we may find joy through fellowship with our awesome God.
In Jesus Name, Amen!