Abiding in the True Vine

Independent Bible Church

Abiding in the True Vine

March 5, 2023 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • John 15:1–11

As Jesus and his disciples make their way from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus teaches vital lessons about the meaning of true discipleship. According to Jesus, true disciples will abide in Christ and bear spiritual fruit for the glory of God. To illustrate this truth, Jesus delivers his final “I am” statement in John

15:1 by saying, “I am the true vine”. He then calls his disciples to be fruit-bearing branches that abide in Him.

Easter's Story of Glory

April 9, 2023 • Pastor Mark Johnson • John 17:20–26

HAPPY EASTER! The darkness of Gethsemane and Good Friday gave way to the glory of Easter morning! In John 17, the night before the cross, we listen to the mysterious wonder of God talking to God. In the process, the story line of the whole Bible comes into view, God’s Story—a Story of Glory!

Listen, Jesus is Praying

April 2, 2023 • Pastor Mark Johnson • John 17:1–19

This Palm Sunday, as we enter “Passion Week,” consider what was on Jesus’ mind as He prayed less than 12 hours from when He would hang on the cross. This is the only recorded prayer of Jesus that we have of any length. It is the true Lord’s Prayer. What can we learn is life-changing. Listen as God talked to God!

Take Heart!

March 19, 2023 • Pastor Mark Johnson • John 16

John 16:33 gives the theme of this part of Jesus’ final message to his disciples: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus was preparing His own for the “pressure” they would face: Persecution (16:1-4) and Life without His physical presence (16:5-6). Why would He tell them and us that “it is to your advantage that I go away”? He left them (and us) RESOURCES for the pressure of life in this fallen world…