He makes us Fruitful John 15: 1-17 p. 995

S – A – L – T S PIRIT: The presence and empowering of God. A TTENTIVENESS: Avoiding distractions from the here and now. L OVE: Intimacy with Jesus and the Father T EACHING (WORD): Knowing all that God has said.

The Key Words John 15:1–17 (TNIV) 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

1. F ruitfulness We were “chosen” and “appointed” to bear fruit (v 16) The True Vine (v 1)  In the OT Israel is the Vine / Vineyard  (Ps 80:9-16; Isa 5:1-7, 27:2; Jer 2:21, 12:10; Eze 15:1-8, 17:1ff, 19:10; Hos 10:1-2)  In each reference Israel (the vine) is punished because it does NOT bear fruit !!!  Now the true Vine has finally come.  It will bear fruit on its BRANCHES

1. F ruitfulness... “I am the vine, you are the branches” (v 5)  Branches without fruit are “cut off” (v 2), “thrown away” and “burned” (v 6) “My father is the gardener” (v 1)  Branches bearing fruit he “prunes” [Gk: “cleans”]  “You are already clean because of the word [teaching] I have spoken to you” v 3  They were already following his teaching/word [Logos] “Pruning” our lives: 40 Days with God – Lent 2011 (starts Mar 9)

1. F ruitfulness... Bearing “much” fruit brings the Father Glory (v 8)  It is the testament to his goodness !!! (John 1:14-17; Exod 33:18-19) What is fruit?  Being witnesses & disciple makers (Matt 28:18-20)  The fruit of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,... Gal 5:22-23)  Peace / Shalom [wellbeing] (John 14:27)  Joy that is “complete” (v 11)

2. F riendship The whole image of remaining presumes intimate friendship “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (v 5) Bearing fruit is not a Command, it’s a Consequence !!!  A branch cannot bear fruit of itself (v 4)  Apart from the vine a branch can do nothing [of God’s fruit-bearing] Remaining in Jesus is the command (v 4)  His words must remain in us (v 7) – i.e. taken deep into our inner being  “If you keep my commands you will remain in my love” (v 10)

2. F riendship... Remaining:  Obedience; Intimacy; Dependence; Support  Obedience = Trusting one-mindedness = Friendship Prayer:  Ask “whatever” and it will be given (v 7, 16)

3. F aithfulness The model for us:  Joining the intimacy of the Father and the Son – oneness of thought & action  “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you” (v 9) “Love each other as I have loved you” (v 12)  “IF you keep my commands, you will remain in my love...” “... Just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (v 10) Friends not Servants (v 14 – 15)  Because everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you  The “commands” presume like-mindedness, trust, being on the same page

Remaining in Jesus... Presumes F RIENDSHIP (an intimate love relationship) Requires F AITHFULNESS (we cannot go off on our own) Results in F RUITFULNESS (essential & natural to the relationship)