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Feb 26, 2023

John - The Vine (click for resources)

Passage: John 15:1-11

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: John: Come and See

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: love, fruit, vine, branches, abide

This is Jesus’ final “I AM” - “I am the vine” – and he adds “and you are the branches.” In this one passage we are given a real-life object lesson of what it means to live the Gospel-Life: The Lord himself is the source of life and sustenance; we are entirely dependent on him to live; we have also been nourished not just for our growth but to bear fruit, enabling others to grow. Put simply, we are blessed so that we can be a blessing; our lives are made to produce “fruit” (the Fruit of the Spirit), which is a production of the One we are grafted into.

Theme: This is Jesus’ final “I AM” - “I am the vine” – and he adds “and you are the branches.” In this one passage we are given a real-life object lesson of what it means to live the Gospel-Life: The Lord himself is the source of life and sustenance; we are entirely dependent on him to live; we have also been nourished not just for our growth but to bear fruit, enabling others to grow. Put simply, we are blessed so that we can be a blessing; our lives are made to produce “fruit” (the Fruit of the Spirit), which is a production of the One we are grafted into.

Central Text: John 15:1-11
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.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

What are some words that really stick out to you in this passage?

How is becoming a Christian being “grafted” into Christ?

Given that, how is living the Christian life equated to “abiding”?
How is that we so often treat Him like a VRBO?

What does “abiding” look like? How do you do it?

Explain how “abiding” produces each of these results:

Bearing Much Fruit (v. 8)

What is this fruit?
(See Galatians 5:22-23)

Is this fruit produces by our effort or just naturally?

Glorify God (v.8)

Having Full Joy (v. 11)

 

Prayer of Abiding (Scotty Smith)

Lord Jesus, how can it be? How is it possible you love us just as much as the Father loves you? We believe, help our unbelief. By your Spirit, make this more real to us than the coronavirus, tax season, and March Madness.

Abiding in your love is a command we’ll gladly seek to keep, Jesus. Because you perfectly fulfilled the law for us, obedience is no longer a burden to us (1 John 5:3). We’ve been set free from performance-based living, for a life of whole-heart loving. Hallelujah!

Take us farther up and farther into the ways and means of grace. Not by quickly dipping one toe in sheepishly, but by getting saturated, lingering, and marinating in your endless, unwavering affection for us—that’s our goal and joy.

May your Word increasingly become more precious to us than fine gold, and sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb (Ps. 19:10). For it warns us of the insanity of sin, and woos us unto a life of true freedom and joy (Ps. 19:7-13). May the pleasure we find in obeying you be only second to the pleasure we have in being loved by you.

Jesus, knowing you are praying for the fullness of our joy makes all the difference in the world, as we lean into the demands, surprises, and pains of this day. Thank you. So very Amen we pray, in your magnificent and merciful name.