Abide
I've been reading much of John 15 this week.
I read it Tuesday. I read it again yesterday. And then I found myself reading it again today.
There is something about this passage that I just can't seem to move past. Maybe it's because of the season Phillip and I are in right now. There is a lot of change happening around us.
There are things we know and things we don't know, things we can plan for and things we simply have to trust God with.
And in the middle of all of it, I keep coming back to these words of Jesus: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” John 15:4
Abide.
Stay.
Remain.
Jesus uses the picture of a vine and branches, and it's so simple. A branch doesn't produce fruit by trying harder. It produces fruit because it is connected to the vine.
And then Jesus says: “For without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Nothing.
I think sometimes we know that verse, but we don't really live like we believe it. We try to do things in our own strength. We make our plans. We try to control outcomes. We carry things God never asked us to carry.
But Jesus didn't say, “Work harder for Me.”
He said, “Abide in Me.”
And then there's the pruning.
Jesus says that the Father prunes the branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.
Pruning isn't rejection. Sometimes pruning is actually evidence that you're growing.
God loves us too much to leave us exactly as we are. There are things He wants to remove, things He wants to change, things we've held onto that He knows we need to release.
Pruning can be uncomfortable, but the Father isn't cutting us back to hurt us.
He's preparing us to bear more fruit.
We need both truths.
We need to be willing to be pruned, and we need to learn to abide.
Because pruning without abiding leaves us striving in our own strength. And abiding means recognizing that the life, strength, and fruit can only come from Jesus.
This isn't salvation by works. We don't earn God's love by how much fruit we produce.
We are saved by His grace.
The fruit isn't what makes us His. The fruit is evidence that we are abiding in Him.
So What Does Abiding Look Like?
Maybe it's simpler than we make it.
It looks like opening God's Word daily.
Praying when you don't have the right words.
Bringing your questions to Jesus instead of trying to figure everything out yourself.
Letting God correct you.
Obeying when He asks you to do something difficult.
Sometimes abiding is simply stopping in the middle of your day and saying, “Jesus, I need You. I can't do this without You.” Because we really can't.
And part of our abiding is where church community comes in.
“so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:5
We need one another. We need the Church. We need people who pray for us, encourage us, speak truth to us, and walk beside us.
Community is a beautiful gift from God.
But community cannot replace abiding.
Your spouse can't do it for you. Your pastor can't do it for you. Your small group can't do it for you.
They can encourage you. They can walk beside you. They can point you toward Jesus.
But they cannot be your Vine.
Jesus is the Vine.
And especially in a season of change, I think that's something we all need to remember.
We are walking through this together. But our hope isn't in our circumstances, our plans, our building, or even in one another. Our hope is in Jesus.
So let's encourage one another to abide.
Let's pray together. Let's worship together. Let's carry one another's burdens.
But let's also make sure that each of us is learning to sit with Jesus for ourselves.
Because everything around us can change.
But the Vine doesn't.
Stay connected to Jesus.
Let Him prune what needs to go.
Let His Words shape you.
Let His life flow through you.
Abide.
That's where the life is.
That's where the fruit comes from.
And that's where we can rest.
Mark your calendar! 🗓
Exciting things are coming to Crosspoint! See below for several of these opportunities to serve and grow together. Be sure to save the dates and be a part.
Crosspoint’s Vision Sunday
September 6 | 9:30 am & 11:30 am
Our move is just around the corner, and we’re excited to share what God has ahead for Crosspoint!
Join us for Vision Sunday as we talk about the move, the vision behind it, and what this next season will look like for our church family.
Have questions? Send them in ahead of time! We want to hear what you’re wondering about and will answer as many questions as possible on Sunday.
Submit your questions and join us for Crosspoint’s Vision Sunday!
Hoving Home
September 12 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
This is a great opportunity for women in our church family to go and share God’s Word and love with women who need hope and Christian friendship.
Discipleship Meeting
September 13 | 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
After our services, Pastor Phillip will meet with our current disciplers and anyone interested in becoming a discipler.
While we continue doing one on one discipleship, we’re moving toward a more intentional model of ongoing discipleship—one that recognizes that making disciples is much more than completing a course. We’ll discuss the changes, where we’re headed, and how you can help others grow as followers of Jesus.
Childcare will be available.
Moving Party
September 23 | 7:00 pm
Instead of our normal Wednesday activities, we’re having a church-wide Moving Party!
We need everyone who is able to help us make the transition and prepare for our first Sunday at World Vision.
There will be no regular Wednesday Bible study or activities that evening.
Childcare will not be available.
Ladies’ Retreat 2026
September 24 - 26
We’re thrilled to invite you to our annual ladies' retreat! This is always a special time to head out of town to reflect, worship God, study His Word, build friendships, and just get refreshed. Come with us!
📍 Where:
Ironwood Christian Camp
49191 Cherokee Rd
Newberry Springs, CA 92365
💵 Cost:
$220 per person
If you have already registered, please fill out this Ironwood Waiver.
Church App
Download our app and stay connected with your church family, your small group, and upcoming events! You can also give and listen to past services.
Download here:
or
Service Times and Location
434 N Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107
Sunday @ 9 am - Prayer
We believe in the power of prayer. We would love for you to join us for this special time to seek the Lord together before the morning service.
Sunday @ 9:30 am & 11:30 am - Worship gatherings
Childcare and classes are available for kids through 4th grade.
Check-in for childcare starts 15 minutes prior to each gathering.
Wednesday @ 7:00 pm - Bible Study
Come each Wednesday for Bible study. Be strengthened in your walk with the LORD and your connection with our church family. Throughout the summer, we will have separate Bible studies for men and ladies. At the end of the Bible study, we break up into small groups for discussion, connection, encouragement, and prayer.
Wednesday @ 7:00 pm - Summer Kids
A summer kids program will run for ages 0-5th grade. Check in starts at 6:45 pm.
(Our Awana discipleship program for kids will resume October 7th)
Love and Share
Share Crosspoint on social media! Help your friends and family see what God is doing in lives! As you love and share our posts, others see how excited you are about what God is doing. Hey, they just might show up and start walking with Jesus too!
What is your Next Step?
God intends for us to grow in our new life in Christ. Here are several things you can do to jumpstart that growth.
Enroll in CONTINUE
Sign up for Baptism
Become a Member of Crosspoint
Join a ministry team
Whatever your next step is, we are here to support you and help you make it!
Not sure of your next step? That's ok too! We can help. Click here!
LIVESTREAM
We will be streaming the 9:30 AM service LIVE on our YouTube channel. Also, all of our services, including our Wednesday Bible studies, are posted to our podcast. Search for CrosspointLA in your favorite podcast app.
