John 15:1-11
In Jn 15 Jesus is using a image from
nature to teach his disciples about Fruit BEARING
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
A)Jesus loved to teach w/ Pictures Theme here is having a Fruitful
life Gods Desire
B) 3 things are involved in Bearing Fruit :
1st IS Cleansing: John 15:2-3
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and
every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word
which I have spoken to you.
A)What
this is teaching us is that the Lord will seek to take
away areas of our lives that are not Producing
B)
Areas that are going to Prune= Cut Back/
1)
Tree Pruning is part of the cleansing Process of a Tree Denise tree OR { More Fruit
C)
How does
the Lord Prune ? 2 WAYS 1st
Trials
2nd
Word Ps 119 How can a young man
pure
1)
Clean because of the word I have spoken
.
2nd thing involved in Bearing Fruit
is Abiding: v.4-8
A)To
abide means to continue w/ To stay connected to
B) Abiding heart recognizes its dependency upon the
Lord
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither
can you, unless you abide in Me. V.5
For w/out me you can do nothing
C)
We wouldnt
think of taking a Branch from an Apple tree on the stage Watch the Fruit
1)
We
know that the Only way that it can bear fruit Stay connected
D)
Why do we think that we can- separate ourselves from the Lord & still
produce fruit
So abiding carries w/ it that idea of
staying close to in tune w/ - Dependant upon
A)
Notice also what Jesus says there in v.7 If you
abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire,
and it shall be done for you.
B)
This really
is the way we stay close to the Lord Staying in His word Matt 7: Hears
words
..
1)
Ps1
His delight in the word of the Lord & He meditates day & night
John 15:8
8 By this My Father is
glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
A)What
is this Fruit supposed to Look like ? Simple Christ likeness Brightest
demonstration is LOVE
B)
That is what Jesus has been talking about love like Him / Serve like Him { I am in You / you in me
Now in v.6 We are given an indication
of what happens if a person doesnt abide
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and
is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are
burned.
A)Note
the Branch loses life Becomes withered all nutrients are cut off { Our
lives
B)
The Branch
is cast into the fire : Hell lose Salvation
1)
Pt
isnt teach Eternal Security { My belief
C) Secure as long as I am abiding -
D)
Pt of this passage is to teach if I am not abiding there isnt anything worth
while left from my life
1)
Nothing
in me to offer to the Lord
2nd Abiding / 3rd
Obedience v. 9-10 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide
in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments,
you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and
abide in His love.
A)Again
the idea here is Love is the motivation for keeping His Commandments
B)
Jesus lived a life surrendered to His father because He was secure in Fathers
Love
C) When I realize how much that I am loved Natural response is to
keep His commandments
1)
It is the By Product
In v.11 Jesus tells us why this is so
important
11 "These things I have
spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
A)
Blesses me God desires that our lives would be full of Joy -
Neh
8:9-10
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe,
and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people,"This day is
holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people
wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
10 Then he said to them,
"Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for
whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for
the joy of the LORD is your strength."