Connection is the Key

 

John 15:1-8

We are living in a world where connection is a common word in our vocabulary. We are connected by Phone, Cable, Satellite, Internet and on and on the list goes. The importance of connection however is no greater in any realm than that of the Spirit. Connection to God is something which all of us who are here today are searching for and need to maintain in our lives on a daily basis. We need to be connected. To God, to the church, to family, and to those around us. Jesus spoke often of connections. His ministry touched the lives of countless individuals around Him and still touches men and women today.

John 15:1-8

1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

I.                               Connected In Our World

A.                The importance of connection

1.                 Information

2.                 Communication

B.                 The Internet

1.                 The potential for information and communication is phenomenal.

2.                 The importance of your connection

3.                 With it you can do so much, but without it you can do nothing

II.                             Connected In the Kingdom of God

A.                Jesus taught about the importance of connection

B.                 Connections to God

1.                 Prayer

2.                 Spirit – Rom 8 -Vital

C.                 Connections to the Church

1.                 Communication from God

2.                 Communication with the Family of God

3.                 Body needs communication and connection in order to function properly.

D.                Connections to the World around Us

1.                 You are the Light of the World

Matt 5:14  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15  Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the grain-measure, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house.

16  Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

2.                 You are the Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13  You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and to be trodden underfoot by men.

III.                          The Vital Connection

A.                We Must be Connected to God

1.                 In order to make it – Remember what happened to the branches that were not connected.

2.                 In order to Produce Fruit

3.                 In order to be ready for His Return

B.                 We Must Maintain the Connection

1.                 Every single day

2.                 Every single week

C. Let’s Reestablish the Connection and Keep it.