1. CHOICES WHICH INSURE A FRUITFUL LIFE John 15:1-8

2. 15:1 "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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will 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.

4. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

5. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

6. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. --Jn 15:16

7. Jesus used metaphors In this case… He is the vine We are the branches The object is to produce fruit that lasts

8. Christianity is not so much … a system of beliefs, the practice of rituals or even a life-style. It is a relationship.

9. The Christian Life is a relationship that has Purpose! It must be personal and specific -- it is voluntary and Eternal. This relationship is the most rewarding; most beneficial one can enter. We must make right choices if we will enjoy Fruit that will last.

10. CHOOSE YOUR VINE I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. -- 15:1

11. Israel is often pictured as the "vine" or "vineyard" of God: Ps 80:8 "You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations & planted it" New Testament era coin “Half Shekel”

12. Isa 5:1-7 "I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2 He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit....7 The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress."

13. Jer 2:21 "I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?

14. Hosea 10:1 "Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones."

15. The vine had actually become the symbol of the nation of Israel It was the emblem on the coins during the time of the Maccabees. One of the glories of the Temple was the great golden vine on the face of the Holy Place.

16. God uses the symbol of a vine in terms of degeneration. Isaiah's picture is that of a vine that has run wild. –God asks Isaiah what the wood of the vine is good for. Jeremiah complains that Israel has become a wild vine.

17. Jesus introduces Himself as "The True Vine" Jesus in the "vine of God". Only that which lives by Him will live, thrive and produce fruit. It really matters which ‘vine’ you choose to be a part of.

18. CHOOSE YOUR PURPOSE 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. -- 15:1

19. The grape vine grows two kinds of branches: One kind that does not bear fruit but grows fast and drains the vine's strength. –One may have a relationship with Christ and be a non-fruit bearing branch. John 15:2 "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit..." –There are also the branches of the wild vine:

20. Another branch that bears fruit. –Whatever the fruit is (souls, righteous living) it is a natural result of a right relationship with Christ Jesus. John 15:5a "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit..." –The fruit is pleasing to the Father -- who is the "gardener". John 15:8 "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

21. CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. -- 15:5-6 ACCEPT

22. Even the good get pruned Any branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. – v 2b

23. Non fruit producing branches… get cut off – v 2 and They are thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up thrown into the fire and burned. -v 6

24. If I Understand this correctly… This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. -- 15:8

25. It sounds like Jesus dropped a real heavy on us We've got to bear fruit or burn!

26. It’s a loving invitation to a life of fruitfulness. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” -- Jn 15:16