Sermon Tone Analysis

Theme for 2019: Find Answers to Life’s Questions through Prayer (John 15:7)

Jesus is teaching his disciples that they have a new identity.

(18th Century and still present in some areas today) Modern identity: I am the master of my fate and captain of my soul; Post-modern identity responds to that saying, the self is massive signifiers and narratives that swirl to and fro and we actually re-invent ourselves the whole time.

However; the Christian response to both of those is that “a new creation” happens through salvation/baptism as an initiation where a person ceases to be the person that you used to be and you start being transformed into being a new creature.

The self that you are now has a new identity in Christ.

We are imagers of God, we are a community united as the people of God.

The Apostle Paul tells us about our new identity in Galatians,

It is extremely important to realize that our primary identity has to change when a person becomes a follower of Jesus and a child of God.

This new identity motivates us as an international community to find ways to “Bridge God’s love.”

The text takes us to find answers to Life’s questions through prayer.

There are eleven verses in the text, but it is important to read them out loud together.

John 15:1-11

1. Get Ready

Before the game begins: Introductions

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

(John 15:1)

Who is who?

True Vine, Vinedresser & branches/friends

I am the vine; you are the branches.

(John 15:5a)

God is Creator and we are His creatures

Here is a quotation from the Bible Knowledge Commentary that says,

Active dependence and loving obedience are the proper paths for all of God’s children.

What is freedom?

Before knowing Jesus and in our former identity, we felt independent and we had our own choices.

We might say, “it is up to me.”

However, we are being taught that being branches in the vine leaves us dependent, totally dependent on the vine.

Jesus is our everything.

Jesus is our all in all.

Jesus is King, Master, Lord and Savior.

So, # 2

2. Get Set

Location, location, location; put all the pieces in the right places

Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

(John 15:5b)

What is our relationship?

Connection, Correction, Communication

Ask Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers.

(Genesis 37-45)

Ask Daniel who was thrown into the lions den (Daniel 6:20-22)

Ask the boy who shared his lunch for the feeding of 5,000 people (John 6:1-14)

Ask the widow who gave two mites (Luke 21:1-4)

Pray,

Jesus’ own obedience of the Father shows us how to pray

Jesus’ example of his relationship with the Father is our example.

Our relationship of active obedience and loving obedience is the foundation for our communication through prayer.

A fruit that comes from the vine and is shown on the branches in verse 11.

Be joy full!

Jesus’ joy poured into you so you are joy full.