Key Scriptures: John 15:1-8, Mark 1:35-39
Big Idea: Burn bright comes from abiding, not grinding..

Welcome back to Redemption Church in Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I am glad to spend time with everyone in the room and everyone onlone.

We are in the final week of our series called Well Spent.

Every day we are spending something.

We spend
our money
our time
our energy

Today we are talking about how we spend our energy. The name of this message is Do Not Burn Out, Burn Bright.

I try to get things done.

I want to succeed.
I want to do what’s right.
I want to stay positive.
I want to get better, do better, keep moving forward.

And when I don’t accomplish it… you know what I do?

I work harder. WORK HARDER

That’s what we’re taught.

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.
Work hard. Push through. Don’t quit.

We teach it to our kids.
We celebrate it in our culture.

And there is value in hard work.

But I’ve had seasons…
where I worked harder…
and ended up hurting.

Not succeeding.
Not thriving.
Just exhausted.

Because working harder is not always the answer.

Sometimes… you don’t need more effort.

You need a different source.

And this isn’t just me. 

This is all of us.

We’re trying to keep up.
Trying to stay ahead.
Trying to hold everything together.

And we’re running out of energy.

We are living without margin.

We fill every hour.
Answer every notification.
Say yes to everything.

And then we wonder why we feel empty.

Burnout Burden Stats 

That means most people around you are carrying this right now.

And it’s hitting the next generation even harder:

And it’s not just about being tired.

You don’t burn out because you’re weak.
You burn out because you’re overloaded and disconnected.

We’ve been taught: work harder.
Push more.
Do more.

But there’s a problem:

There’s not enough energy to always work harder.

God didn’t design you to live at 100% output with 0% connection.

If working harder could fix your soul…
you’d already be healed by now.

Jesus doesn’t offer you a better schedule.

He offers you a better source.

John 15:5 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you… …you will bear much fruit.”

Pause.

Because in burnout culture, we fill in that blank.

If you work harder…
If you do more…
If you push yourself…

Then you will bear much fruit.

But that’s not what Jesus said.

John 15:5 (NIV)  “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.”

There are three things Jesus is teaching us here.

1) Fruit comes from connection, not pressure

Remain in me.

This is where the pressure of religion can get it wrong.

You can go to church… and still not connect with Jesus.

But Jesus says, apart from me… nothing.

Why do we worship?
So you can connect with Jesus.

Why do we preach about Jesus?
Because you need to connect with Him.

Why do we pray?
Because you need to connect with Jesus.

You need to connect with Jesus.

He’s the vine.
You’re the branches.

If a branch is cut off… it withers and dies.

Because the life is in the connection.

If you’re disconnected from Jesus…
you will burn out.

2) Jesus practiced withdrawal before He practiced power

This is a secret weapon. It is counter intuitive, but Jesus teaches us this.

Mark 1:35 (NIV) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Very early… Jesus withdrew and prayed.
Jesus unplugged. He went somewhere solitary.

3) Jesus practiced withdrawal before He practiced power

Let me ask you:

Do you have that rhythm?

Or are you just running?

Running and running and running…

Do you ever pause before the next moment?

Do you ever bring Jesus into your day
before the day takes over?

Some of you don’t need to charge ahead.

You need to withdraw.

4) Staying connected is how you stay alive

Jesus didn’t say visit me.

He said remain in me.

Stay connected.

Not once a week.
Not occasionally.

Remain.

Because when you stay connected…

Life flows.
Strength flows.
Peace flows.

Disconnect… and you wither.

Let me ask you something.

You probably know your phone battery percentage right now.

You won’t let it hit empty without charging it.

But the truth is…

You probably don’t know the percentage of your soul.

And you let it run all the way down
before you even think about recharging.

Is your phone more important than your soul?

Here are three simple moves to recharge your soul.

Soul Recharge
1) Connect daily

You need to connect with Jesus daily.

Find a time. Build Him into your life.

And we want to help you with that.

We’ve got a 5-day challenge for you.

It’s going to be right here in the prayer space.

Grab one before you leave.

It will help you connect with Jesus every day this week.

2) Practice withdrawal

Stop charging ahead.

Pause.

Before the meeting.
Before the conversation.
Find a solitary space and pray.

“Here I am Jesus. It’s just you and me.”
“Jesus you are important and I will make time for you.”

3) Stay connected throughout your day

Not just a moment… a rhythm.

Talk to Him.

“Jesus, help me here.”
“Jesus, I’m with You.”

Remain.

And here’s what’s powerful…

These three things don’t just work with Jesus.

They work in every relationship.

You can connect daily with your spouse.
Withdraw and give someone your full attention.
Stay connected throughout your day.

This will strengthen every relationship in your life.

And if you’re here and you’re not sure about faith…

Try this.

Approach Jesus this way.

Connect. Pause. Stay aware.

See what happens.

From Burn Out to Burning Bright
CALL TO ACTION

Right now, here’s what we’re going to do.

#1 Take the 5-Day Challenge

Before you leave, go to the prayer space and grab one.
Online friends, we will share a link on our livestream – download it.

Don’t just hear this message.

Practice it this week.

#2 If you’re exhausted – recharge

Maybe what you need is rest.

As we worship…

Lift your hands.
Open your heart.

“Jesus, I want to be close to You.”

Just rest in His presence.

#3 If you’re disconnected – connect

Maybe what you need is connection.

You need someone to pray with you.

So make the move.

Come forward.
Let someone stand with you.

We’re going to worship right now.

And this is your moment.

Make the move.