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John 15:1-11 ESV
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
I. The True Vine
A. Israel is referred as the vine in the Old Testament (Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:8-19)
B. Jesus declared to be the true vine.
C. The Jews viewed connection to Israel as the way to be brought near to God, but connection to Jesus is the way to spiritual life.
II. The Vinedresser
A. The vinedresser is in charge of caring for the vineyard.
B. Pruning is done to cut away dead wood that brings disease and living tissue to keep a quality crop.
III. Abiding in the True Vine
A. A branch cannot produce its own life, it must draw life from the vine.
B. Abiding is keeping in constant fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in through us to produce fruit.
IV. The fruit of Abiding
A. Branches do not eat the fruit; others do.
B. Man made results will not reproduce, but Spirit produced fruit will go on reproducing from one life to another.