The Vine and the Branches

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." -- John 15:5

Schmalenberger takes Easter season texts from Mark, Luke, and John and weaves them into eight sermons with applications for today's Christian. Sermons cover Easter through Ascension Of Our Lord.

In the chapter for Easter 5, the author speaks of Christ as the vine. He states that the vine and the branches' relationship teaches us something of what our relationship to Christ is like. Whenever we forget that Christ is the heart of everything, everything goes crooked. This is true of preaching, teaching; family life, vocation -- everything.

Sermon titles include:

- When Thomas Doubted

- One Flock, One Shepherd

- Chosen For Good News

- A Prayer For Disciples

Jerry L. Schmalenberger is president and professor of parish ministry at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University and Hamma School of Theology.