FBC Benbrook Sermons

Abiding and Fruit Bearing

The profound imagery of Jesus as the "true vine" from John 15 offers rich historical and spiritual significance. This metaphor draws from Old Testament imagery where Israel is often depicted as a vine. Jesus declares Himself as the true vine, emphasizing that all previous symbols and prophecies point to Him. This declaration is not just about identity but also about relationship and fruitfulness. Believers are the branches, and their ability to bear fruit is entirely dependent on their connection to Him.Abiding in Christ means to remain, continue, and dwell in Him. This mutual indwelling—where we abide in Christ and He abides in us—is the source of all spiritual fruitfulness. Without this connection, nothing of eternal value can be accomplished. The fruit that believers are to produce includes obedience to Jesus' commands, love for others, joy, knowledge of God's will, and a dynamic prayer life. These are not just external actions but the natural outflow of a life deeply rooted in Christ.Unfruitful branches, representing those who do not truly abide in Him, face a stark fate. These branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, symbolizing judgment. This highlights the importance of genuine faith that perseveres and bears fruit. The unfruitful branches represent those who may appear religious but lack a true, transformative relationship with Christ.The process of bearing fruit involves pruning, which can be painful but is necessary for greater fruitfulness. Pruning is part of sanctification, the ongoing process of being made holy. While none can claim to perfectly embody the fruit of the Spirit, the promise remains that if we abide in Christ, we will bear fruit. This is a call to deepen our relationship with Jesus, trusting that He will produce His life-transforming work in us.Abiding in Christ is essential for fruitfulness. The metaphor of the vine and branches underscores that spiritual vitality and the ability to bear fruit come solely from the connection to Jesus. This abiding is a continuous, intimate relationship where Christ's life flows through us, producing spiritual fruit.The nature of spiritual fruit includes obedience to Jesus' commands, love for others, joy, knowledge of God's will, and a dynamic prayer life. These are not mere actions but the natural outflow of a life deeply rooted in Christ. This fruit bears witness to the beauty and greatness of Jesus.Pruning is a necessary part of the Christian life. It involves God removing aspects of our lives that hinder spiritual growth. While this process can be painful, it is essential for greater fruitfulness. Pruning is part of sanctification, the ongoing process of being made holy.The danger of being unfruitful is real. Unfruitful branches represent those who do not truly abide in Christ. These individuals may appear religious but lack a genuine, transformative relationship with Jesus. The fate of these branches is judgment, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith that perseveres and bears fruit.For those who abide in Christ, there is a promise of fruitfulness. Even though barren areas may be seen in life, the key is not to strive harder but to deepen abiding in Jesus. The life-transforming power comes from the connection to Him, and as we remain in Him, He will produce the fruit we long to see.The call to abide in Christ is a call to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. This relationship is the source of all spiritual fruitfulness and the key to a life that bears witness to the beauty and greatness of Jesus. Trust in Him, remain in Him, and let His life flow through you, producing the fruit that glorifies God.

A Word for Troubled Souls

John 14 is usually thought of as a “funeral text,” a word of hope for those grieving the loss of a loved one. But Jesus is really speaking to a group of “troubled souls.” Jesus went to prepare a place for us, both to the cross and to the right hand of the Father. How do the words of Jesus encourage us today who are living through troubling times and have troubled souls? (John 14.1-18) July 7, 2024.

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

The religious leaders during the days of Jesus were looking for another God empowered anointed one, someone like Moses or David or Joshua, to rise up and rescue them. However, God sent His very Son to be a much greater Savior. The temptation to mold Jesus into our corrupted vision is always present, but we need to let Jesus be the Lord and Savior He claimed to be. (John 10.22-29) June 30, 2024. Guest preacher is Blake Theiss.

Living Sacrifices

Living Sacrifices. That is what the Scriptures tell followers of Christ to be: living sacrifices. But this is not a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins nor to earn God’s favor. That is a gift to be received by grace through faith. This is a worshipful response to the manifold mercies of God. But we live in a world that is working hard to conform us to its ways, so our reasonable service is to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. And what we find is that following the Lordship of Christ is the good and pleasing life. (Romans 12.1-2) June 23, 2024

The Good Shepherd

Jesus identifies Himself as “the Good Shepherd,” both fulfilling the messianic hope that God would send a shepherd to lead His people and demonstrating God’s personalized care for each of us. Furthermore, in John 10, Jesus shares how He has come to bring us abundant life: by calling each sheep by name. And when He does, they hear His voice and follow Him, and He leads them to life abundant and eternal. And no one can snatch them out of His hands. (John 10.1-18) June 16, 2024.

The Eternal Son of God

Jesus claimed to be both the Great I Am and the Son of the Father. How can Jesus be God and be with God? While our ability to understand the Eternal Triune God is difficult, the church has made a clear statement about “the eternal generation of the Son.” What does this mean, and more importantly, why does it make a difference in our daily walk with Christ?  When we take a closer look, we can see how the beauty and greatness of Jesus beautifies and blesses our daily experience in Christ. (John 8.53-59) June 9, 2024.

The Light of the World

The words of Jesus can be tough to hear. His claims about who He is and His demands to believe and follow Him are challenging, especially in our culture today. But our heart’s desire for life and to be set free from the burden of darkness continues to find its answer in the life that Christ alone can bring. Jesus is the Light of the World, and those who believe in Him are set free from the kingdom of darkness and join the Kingdom of the Son and His light. (John 8.12-30) June 2, 2024

Bearing Witness to the Light

John the Baptist’s ministry not only bears witness to who Jesus was, is, and is to come, but also encourages all believers in the good work God has created them to do. John bears witness that Jesus is eternal, exalted, the Lamb of God, and the Greatest Baptizer. And just like John, all believers have a unique calling to bear witness to the Light. The question is, “How can we bear witness to the Light in the unique place God has sent us in the unique way God has created us?” (John 1.19-34) May 26, 2024.

Unborrowed Hope

Why do Christians believe in the hope of eternal life? Is heaven just something we say to make ourselves feel better when facing the inevitability of death? Thanks be to God, that the Father loved us enough to demonstrate the Son’s authority over death and power to give life abundant and eternal by standing in front of a dead man’s tomb and commanding him to come. Whoever believes in Jesus, through he die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Him will never die. (John 11) May 19, 2024.

So That The Blind May See

When Jesus gave the gift of sight to the man born blind, He did more than just declare Himself to be the Light of the World. He also engaged the disciples in the unavoidable question of the problem of suffering. In John 9, we see how man-made religion is not capable of bearing the weight of human suffering, but a personal relationship with a living, indwelling Triune God is. (John 9) May 12, 2024