Remember your roots

Remain in Me and I in you John 15

What roots?

• Our history with God as individuals• Our history as church• Inspiration from history• Jesus is the Vine

Roots and fruit

“By their fruit you shall know them …”Roots of Ashwood church:• Friendship/relationship and

accountability• Radical atmosphere (like other radical

groups in history)• Releasing ministries (women, finance)• Youth

Roots and fruit

• Resource• “Go”

Diversity

• “The rainbow people of God”• Many backgrounds, visions and passions • = many tensions!

Diverse fruit – same root

• Danger of “Pick n Mix” church – no involvement

• Joy of “shifting church” or kaleidoscope church– committed relationships as part of the whole body– rooted in Jesus

The scandal of the church is that the Christ-event is no longer life-changing, it has become life-enhancing. We’ve lost the joy and power that makes real disciples, and we’ve become consumers of religion and not disciples of Jesus Christ. The call to corporate discipleship is a call to God’s promised glory. For Christ did for us that which we couldn’t do for ourselves. Dr John Sentamu from inaugural sermon as Archbishop of York 30 Nov 2005

Following Jesus – staying close

• Did Jesus really mean what He said?• We belong together – part of the Vine• Being truly spiritual involves both HEAR

& OBEY– Mystical: feed on Jesus, stay rooted, and– Practical: faith in action - love

• Forgive one another as He has forgiven us

Nickel Mines, Lancaster County PA

The Amish

The Amish

• Radical or reactionary?• We forgive because Jesus told us to• Radical (“of the roots”) discipleship

– being different rooted in Jesus

• “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away” Matt 5.29

Follow Me! Remain in Me!