The Branch Life pt.4 John 15:1-10 Sermon The Branch Life pt.4 John 15:1-10  

5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

“What Determines where you end up, your intentions or your actions?”

1"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser 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 bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are 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 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.  9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also 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 so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

ACTION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN INTENTION

Fruitfulness is EVIDENCE of grace, not the CAUSE of grace.

The essential idea of fruit is that it is the silent, natural, restful produce of our inner life.

Fruit, more fruit, much fruit is the result of the DOUBLE ABIDING .

The best way to predict your future is to pay attention to where you are abiding.

What IS clear is that God wants us as branches to not just bear fruit but to bear MORE fruit.

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 

7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 

11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

A renewed grasp of the truth of forgiveness is needed for a strong spiritual life.

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

FRUIT Godly character - Gal 5:22ff Good works / fruit of righteousness– Mat 7:16-17, Col 1:10; Eph 5 Converts – Jn 4:36; Jn 15:16; Col 1:6 Worship Heb 13:15 Giving – 2 Cor 9:10

Fruit is anything that represents the tangible outflowing of the indwelling Christ. It is His life spilling out through us before God, others, and the world. What is given to us, flows through us.

Doctrine and experience indicate that some branches will be more fruitful than others.

Giver of All, Another day is ended, And I take my place beneath my great Redeemer’s cross, Where healing streams continually descend, Where balm is poured into every would,

Where I wash anew in the all- cleansing blood, Assured that thou seest in me no spots of sin.