I AM, Part 6 / The Vine / John 15:1-8 Pastor JoAnn Johnson & Dr. Nicci Witherspoon

May 10, 2026 Lasting personal change and spiritual growth come from staying deeply connected to Jesus, the “true vine.” As God lovingly prunes harmful patterns and shapes our thoughts, we are called to actively examine the “fruit” of our lives—our behaviors, words, and attitudes—and allow His Spirit to transform us from the inside out. Through consistent spiritual practices and reliance on God as the source of life, believers can experience real change, becoming healthier, more Christlike, and fruitful in their relationships. About this Sermon Series: What if the God you’ve heard about is more personal, more present, and more powerful than you’ve experienced? In this 6-week series, we’ll explore the “I AM” statements found throughout Scripture—words God uses to reveal His character, His heart, and His invitation into relationship. These statements aren’t just descriptions—they’re declarations of who God is for us. He is not distant or abstract. He is near, knowable, and actively at work in our lives. Each week, we’ll uncover a different aspect of His identity: the Bread that satisfies, the Light that reveals, the Shepherd who leads, the Resurrection who brings life, the Way who guides, and the Vine who sustains. Along the way, we’ll wrestle with what it means to move beyond knowing about God to truly knowing Him—personally, deeply, and authentically. This series is an invitation to trade shallow familiarity for real intimacy… to encounter the living God, not as a concept, but as a Person.