In Pastor Mike’s sermon titled “Abiding,” based on John Chapter 15, he delves into the profound message of Jesus as the True Vine and the importance of abiding in Him. Pastor Mike starts by emphasizing Jesus’s message of hope in heaven from the previous chapter and then shifts to the practical help Jesus offers on earth in John 15. He sets the scene as Jesus and the disciples leave the Upper Room for the Garden of Gethsemane during Passover season. Jesus’s declaration, “I am the True Vine,” is examined, with Pastor Mike highlighting its significance amid the impending challenges faced by the disciples. He challenges common interpretations of the passage, emphasizing that Jesus doesn’t threaten to cut off unfruitful branches but rather lifts them up and cleanses them through the Word. The importance of abiding in Christ is underscored, with Pastor Mike explaining that fruitfulness comes from staying connected to Jesus, not from striving or struggling. He elucidates various aspects of spiritual fruit and emphasizes that true fruitfulness flows naturally from abiding in Christ. The sermon also touches on the relationship between abiding in Christ and answered prayer, emphasizing the alignment of our desires with God’s will through immersion in His Word. Pastor Mike concludes by highlighting the joy that comes from abiding in Christ and obeying His commandments. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the transformative power of abiding in Christ, grounding one’s life in His Word, and bearing fruit that glorifies God.