OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “I AM THE TRUE VINE”
INTRODUCTION: WHAT KIND OF CONNECTION?
We live in a world full of connections—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, social networks. But just because something’s connected doesn’t mean it’s working, thriving, or fruitful. Jesus doesn’t just ask if we’re connected to Him; He invites us to consider how we’re connected.
Are we loosely hanging on—or deeply abiding?
Sometimes our phones say they’re connected to Wi-Fi, but nothing’s loading. Sometimes you’re connected to someone online, but there’s no real relationship. The same can be true in our faith.
So, here’s the question I want you to reflect on today: “HOW ARE YOU CONNECTED TO JESUS?”
In John 15:1-8 by calling Himself “the true vine,” Jesus places Himself as the only source of life and nourishment for us. If you are looking for spiritual strength, fulfillment, or purpose outside of Jesus, it’s like being a branch without connection to the vine—it leads only to withering and spiritual death.
WHAT KIND OF CONNECTION DO YOU REALLY HAVE WITH JESUS?
1. ARE YOU SUPERPICIALLY CONNECTED OR SPIRITUALLY CONNECTED?
Jesus says: “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit...” (v. 2a)
That’s a surprising phrase— “in me”. That means it’s possible to appear connected to Jesus, to be around spiritual things, to say all the right words, but still not be producing fruit.
Think of Judas. He walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, saw His miracles—but his heart wasn’t truly connected.
So, what does superficial connection look like?
• Church attendance without heart transformation
• Bible reading without obedience
• A Christian title without Christ-centered living
Spiritual connection, on the other hand, is life-giving. It’s transforming. It produces fruit. That’s the difference.
REFLECTION: Is your connection to Jesus outward or inward? Visible or vital?
2. ARE YOU OCASSIONALLY CONNECTED OR CONTINUALLY ABIDING?
Jesus said: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” (v. 4)
Jesus doesn’t say “visit me once a week” or “check in when you’re in trouble.” He says, “remain”—that means dwell, stay, and abide.
Some people treat their relationship with Jesus like a hotel—they check in when needed. But Jesus is calling us to move in, to make our home in Him.
Real connection is daily, consistent, and relational. You can’t microwave spiritual growth. You have to stay close to the source.
REFLECTION: How are you staying connected?
• Are you in the Word daily?
• Are you praying, not just when things go wrong, but to stay in tune with God’s heart?
• Are you living a lifestyle of dependence on Him?
3. ARE YOU PASSIVE OR FRUITFUL?
Jesus says clearly: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit...” (v. 5a)
Jesus explains that no branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. The same applies to us. If we try to live independently from God, we lose the ability to produce anything of eternal value. Spiritual fruit—like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—is only possible when we rely on Christ as our source.
Fruitfulness is the natural outcome of a life that is connected to Jesus, the vine. This fruit is not merely personal gain but encompasses the fruits of the Spirit, impacts on the lives of others, and advancement of God's kingdom.
Fruit is the evidence of connection. The fruit includes both inner transformation and outward impact.
You can’t fake fruit. It grows naturally from what’s inside. And in the Christian life, fruit looks like:
• Character – Love, joy, peace, patience (Galatians 5)
• Obedience – Doing what Jesus commands
• Influence – Impacting others for God’s kingdom
Some people say they’re connected to Jesus, but their life is full of bitterness, pride, gossip, unforgiveness. That’s not the fruit of the Spirit.
REFLECTION: How’s your fruit?
• Is the character of Christ growing in you?
• Are people around you being affected by your walk with Jesus?
4. ARE YOU RESISTANT OR RECEPTIVE TO PRUNING?
“Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (v. 2b)
Pruning is a necessary process for any plant that is expected to bear fruit. Through trials, challenges, and the discipline of the Lord, we are pruned. This process, though painful at times, is designed to strip away what hinders growth and to make us more like Christ. Pruning isn’t punishment—it’s preparation.
God removes things from our lives that are getting in the way of greater fruitfulness. Are there areas in your life where God is pruning you?
• Unhealthy relationships
• Comfort zones
• Sin patterns (lifestyle)
• Self-reliance
Sometimes we feel like we’re being cut back—but it’s because God sees more in us. He’s not content with “some fruit”—He wants “much fruit.”
REFLECTION: How do you respond when God prunes you?
• With anger and resistance?
• Or with trust and surrender?
5. ARE YOU DISCONNECTED OR DEPENDENT?
(A) Verse 5 ends with a powerful truth: “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” (v. 5b)
That’s humbling. On our own, we can do:
• Nothing that lasts
• Nothing that pleases God
• Nothing that brings eternal fruit
We can do a lot of activity, but not true ministry… a lot of work, but not true worship.
True connection means total dependence. Like a branch can’t live without the vine, we can’t live the Christian life without Christ. Every breath, every step, every act of love—comes from Him.
REFLECTION: How are you depending on Jesus?
Are you living like you need Him—or like you’ve got it under control?
(B) The Consequences of Disconnection: "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (v. 6)
Jesus gives a sobering warning: If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Branches that sever themselves from the vine no longer have life. This illustrates the danger of spiritual neglect.
When we disconnect from Jesus, our faith withers, our spiritual vitality diminishes, and we lose sight of God’s purpose.
This is not to scare us but to remind us of the supreme importance of our relationship with Christ. Without Him, there is no life or fruitfulness.
6. ARE YOU GLORIFYING YOURSELF OR CHRIST? (vs. 7-8)
Jesus also emphasizes the results of abiding: “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (v. 7). This is not a blank check for personal desires, but rather, when you are abiding in Christ, your prayers align with the will of God. You’ll begin to desire what He desires, and your prayers will reflect His purposes.
The ultimate goal, Jesus says, is “to glorify the Father” (v. 8) by bearing much fruit and showing ourselves to be His disciples. Fruitfulness in the Christian life is not to bring attention to ourselves but to point others to the greatness of God.
APPLICATION: SO, ARE YOU CONNECTED?
Let me bring us back to the question: Not just “Are you connected?”—but “HOW are you connected?”
• Is it superficial or spiritual?
• Is it occasional or continual?
• Is it passive or fruitful?
• Is it resistant or receptive to pruning?
• Is it disconnected or dependent?
• Is it for your glory or God’s?
CHALLENGE:
• Jesus isn’t looking for fans—He’s looking for branches.
• He’s not impressed with surface-level religion—He’s looking for deep, lasting connection.
• If you feel dry—reconnect.
• If you feel cut back—trust the Gardener.
• If you feel fruitless—abide in the Vine.
• If you feel disconnected—return to Jesus.
