Text: John 15:1-7
Introduction: Have you discovered the secret to the CHRISTian life? Simply put, it is the believer, which is referred to as the branch, learning to yield–stay attached–to the VINE, Jesus Christ. John’s goal in writing his gospel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was to present Jesus as the Son of God so that the readers would believe on Him.
1. Jesus is the “TRUE VINE”! (John 15:1)
“I am the true vine, … . 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
2. Jesus said His Father was the “HUSBANDMAN”, vinedresser! (John 15:1,2)
The word “husbandman” is γεωργός (gheh-ore-gos’), which means a worker of the soil, husbandman, farmer, farm-laborer, vine-dresser.
3. Jesus desires MORE Fruit! (John 15:3)
“…he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
The word “purgeth” is καθαίρω (kath-ah’-ee-ro), which means cleanse, purify, prune.
In other words, Jesus is saying if we are producing fruit, then we can expect to get pruned—cut back. Why? In order to bring forth more fruit!
4. Jesus lets His disciples know that WITHOUT Him His followers can do nothing! (John 15:3-5)
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
When a branch falls off a tree, it becomes fruitless!
5. Jesus assures His followers that the key to answered prayer is staying attached to Him! (John 15:6,7)
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Conclusion: Once a person becomes a follower of Jesus Christ through a personal relationship (by turning from sin/ turning to Jesus), then he or she is connected to the Vine, which is Jesus. Then comes the process of producing fruit by remaining attached to Him. However, in order to produce a lot–much more–of fruit, then the pruning—cutting back process, takes place. A branch that does not produce is cast off & burned.
[My personal thought from a practical perspective is taken back to the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” While testing our works/gifts, the fiery eyes of Jesus will either burn them up–wood, hay, stubble–or they will be refined as gold, silver, precious stone (1Cor 3:11-16; 2Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10).]
Rewards will follow or losses will follow. Mind you, not loss of salvation but loss of crowns. The bottom line:
Staying connected to Jesus will result in a fruitful life for the glory of God!
My prayer is…”Lord teach me how to abide.”
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
