“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

To abide in Christ means that we maintain a close connection to Him.

Ongoing - Daily - Life-giving

1. We bear fruit.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? (James 3:12)

2. Our prayer lives are transformed.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

3. We keep His commands, demonstrating our love for Him.
“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed." ― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

3And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:3-6)

15“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17)

4. We bring Him glory.
“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.” ― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

• Read the Bible.
• Talk with God.
• Worship.
• Be aware.
• Be thankful.
• Be still.

Because relationship with one another is at the core of being a disciple of Christ, we invite you to find community and experience spiritual transformation through LCC’s groups, classes, events, and service opportunities.

CLICK HERE to see what's happening with the Lighthouse family.

THIS WEEK
Loss of a Spouse: A grief support workshop. 6:30pm on Tuesday, January 28. Read more and sign up.
All-Church Prayer: For everybody. 6:30pm on Tuesday, January 28.
LYA (LCC Young Adults 18-25): Worship/connect. 7:00pm on Friday, January 31.

NEXT WEEK
Child Dedication Class: 9:00am on Sunday, February 2. Get all the details here.
Parent Connection Night: For parents of elementary through high school students. Get important updates for 2025. Meets at 6:00pm in the Coffee Shop (Building 2) on Wednesday, February 5. No registration required.

COMING UP
Brunch & Belonging: For those who are newer to LCC. Meet LCC pastors, directors, staff, and Leadership Team in a warm, relaxed setting. Enjoy tasty treats, make new friends, and discover more about life at Lighthouse. Meets at 10:30am in Room 321 (Building 2) on Sunday, February 9. No need to register.

ENEWS
Sign up for LCC's weekly eNews. Get special announcements and messages from our pastors and Leadership Team, updates and emergency notices, and a first look at upcoming groups, classes, and events. Visit www.lighthousehome.org/enews to sign up.

Discussion questions are updated/posted each Monday morning for the previous Sunday’s sermon. Questions for February 2 message will be posted on February 3.

See discussion questions for the teaching recorded on January 26.