Ep. 29 - Sermon - John 15:1-8 "Are You Plugged into Jesus?"

There are a ton of things that we are invested in. We are "plugged" into social media, the news, politics, trends, hot products, new tech, sports, fitness, nutrition, entertainment, finances, school, books, etc.. but are we plugged into Jesus? How much? Enough? Barely? Rarely? Do our habits and schedules reflect the reality that only Jesus gives us power? Do we plan out our day, our week or our life to show we believe and know that Jesus alone can save us and it is only through His gospel that we can have real life now and eternal life in heaven? This sermon is a chance for you to audit your thinking and your choosing on a daily basis about what needs your time and attention. While many things are important and all things are gifts from God, only one thing is truly needful. So: "Remain in me and I will remain in you" Jesus says. Let us remain in Him through worship, Bible Study, celebrating the Lord's Supper, remembering our Baptismal Identity, praying constantly, and making Jesus a daily focus of our attention and our love. This sermon was first delivered on April 28th, 2024 by Pastor Titus Buelow at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Helenville, WI. The Sermon Text: John 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.