Each year the elders of Freshbrook Church prayerfully seek to discern what message God wants to speak to us as a church and through us to our community. This year we have chosen a verse from the Gospel of John, chapter 15 verse 5. The verse is displayed on the wall at the front of the church and will be on our notice sheet and helping shape the outworking of our different activities and ministries over the course of the coming year. There are ‘postcards’ available in the church which have the image on and a short narrative to help outline some of the thinking behind the theme. The text on the card says:
“We all want to live for something worthwhile. But if the hopes we’ve laboured for die with us, what’s the point? Jesus offers something far greater: lives that are truly fruitful, like branches connected to a flourishing vine. He promises fruit that will outlive us: a transformed life of self-sacrificial love, which touches others and makes the world a better place; a life of prayer that brings God’s blessing into dark places; a life of testimony that leads others to eternal life with Christ.
How can we bear such fruit? Only by staying connected to Jesus. This happens when we ask him for two things: the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, to transform our lives. But that’s just the beginning! In John 15:5, Jesus says we must remain in him. Unless we consciously depend on him each day, it doesn’t matter how hard we work as individuals or a church; none of the fruit will last. How can we remain in him? By taking his words to heart, rooting ourselves in Scripture and soaking in his teaching. This enables us to understand his will, pray in alignment with him and obey his commands. As we do, we begin to live lives of sacrificial love, share the good news with confidence and see our prayers answered.
Will you make 2025 the year you more consciously depend on Jesus through his word and prayer, with the help of the Holy Spirit?”
If you would like to hear the message to the church from this text you can watch the service on our YouTube channel here: Theme Text Sunday 5th January
