How to Bear Fruit John 15:1-8

My neighbor planted a grape vine He has long since moved away and it has not been cared for at all It reminds me of the importance of proper care and pruning of grape vines Our text today uses the analogy of the vine

The analogy was given to prepare the disciples for His departure The emphasis is on proper relationships: In chapter 15 Jesus will deal with the disciple’s relationship to Himself, with each other, and with the world That is, they are to abide, to love, and to testify, respectively

I. The Basic Analogy “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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.” (John 15:1–2, NKJV)

A. The vine analogy includes a work of the Father The Son is the source of life for the branches The Father is presented as the vine dresser

B. The vine analogy includes a purpose for the branches God’s desire and expectation is for believers to bear fruit Jesus taught that some believers in Him do not bear fruit What happens to a believer who bears no fruit?

II. The Underlying Relationship “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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.” (John 15:3– 4, NKJV)

A. There is clear indication that believers are in view here Jesus assured His disciples that they were “already clean” They were clean because they took His Word to heart

B. There is clear indication that believers are to abide in Him This may be understood as a conditional statement This does include an imperative element Much confusion has resulted from failing to recognize that Jesus spoke of “abiding” in two senses

III. The Ongoing Expectation “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 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.” (John 15:5–6, NKJV)

A. The one who abides may potentially bear much fruit This verse indicates that the disciples are the branches We are expected and encouraged to bear much fruit

B. The one who does not abide indicates a state of uselessness The vine analogy indicates the uselessness of a fruitless branch The vine analogy has some incidental elements There are some important observations to make here

IV. The Intended Result “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:7–8, NKJV)

A. The human result of abiding is a union of desire with Christ’s This abiding involves personal intimacy with Christ This abiding involves personally embracing His Words

B. The divine result of abiding is glorifying the Father The production of much fruit brings glory to the Father The production of fruit validates our claims to be disciples