1. The Basis for Christian Living The Vine and The Branches
John 15:1-17

2. ~~~Have you ever seen a grape vine?
What good is it if it is only a vine?
Obviously a symbol of Old Testament Israel
Jesus is the vine. God the Father is the vine dresser (caretaker)
The vine has two types of branches:
branches that bear fruit (vv. 2, 8),
branches that do not (vv. 2, 6).
Talking to the 11 Disciples on the way to the garden
~~~Have you ever seen a grape vine?
~~~What good is it if it is only a vine?
~~~~Obviously a symbol of Old Testament Israel
~~~~Jesus is the vine. God the Father is the vine dresser (caretaker)
~~~The vine has two types of branches:
branches that bear fruit (vv. 2, 8),
branches that do not (vv. 2, 6).
~~~~~~~Talking to the 11 Disciples on the way to the garden

3. Vine and Branches defined
Vine—Rooted in the soil (Christ is the Vine)
John 15:1 (ESV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
~~~Vine—Rooted in the soil (Christ is the Vine)
~~~~~~~John 15:1 (ESV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser

4. Last of the 7 “I am” statements
“I AM the Bread of life” (6:35, 41, 48, 51).
“I AM the Light of the world” (8:12).
“I AM the Door of the sheep” (10:7, 9).
“I AM the Good Shepherd” (10:11, 14).
“I AM the Resurrection and the Life” (11:25).
“I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (14:6).
“I AM the true Vine” (15:1, 5).
“I AM the Bread of life” (6:35, 41, 48, 51).
“I AM the Light of the world” (8:12).
“I AM the Door of the sheep” (10:7, 9).
“I AM the Good Shepherd” (10:11, 14).
“I AM the Resurrection and the Life” (11:25).
“I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (14:6).
“I AM the true Vine” (15:1, 5).

5. Branches Christ followers are the branches
No Notes

6. No Fruit—Removed and burned
John 15:2–3
Takes away
Vine dresser getting rid of dead wood
Getting rid of apostate Christians
Transforming life of Christ was never in them
~~~John 15:2–3 (ESV) — 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
~~~Takes away
~~~Vine dresser getting rid of dead wood
~~~Getting rid of apostate Christians
~~~~~~Transforming life of Christ was never in them
2 John 9 (ESV-Next slide

7. 2 John 9 (ESV)
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
~~~~~~~Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

8. Fruit bearing—Pruned to bear more fruit
He prunes.
God removes all things in the believer’s life that would hinder fruit-bearing,
He chastises to cut away sin and hindrances that would drain spiritual life just as the farmer removes anything on the branches that keep them from bearing maximum fruit
~~~~He prunes.
~~~~God removes all things in the believer’s life that would hinder fruit-bearing,
i.e.,
~~~~~~~~he chastises to cut away sin and hindrances that would drain spiritual life just as the farmer removes anything on the branches that keep them from bearing maximum fruit (Heb. 12:3–11).

9. Hebrews 12:1–16 (ESV)
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
~~~~~~~~~4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline

10. 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
~~~~~~~8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

11. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
~~~~~~~~~12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

12. Purpose of the vine and Branches
Vine supplies life to the branches
Abide=remain, stay around
Fruit is evidence of salvation
No fruit—No salvation
Pictures judgment for those who were never saved
Judgment seat of Christ—2 Cor. 5:10
Great White Throne Judgment Rev. 20:11-15 
Branches—Produce Fruit
~~~Vine supplies life to the branches
John 15:4–6 (ESV) — 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
~~~~Abide=remain, stay around
~~~~Fruit is evidence of salvation
~~~~No fruit—No salvation
~~~~Pictures judgment for those who were never saved
a. Judgment seat of Christ—2 Cor 5:10
b. Great White Throne Judgment Rev. 20:11-15 
~~~~~~~~Branches—Produce Fruit

13. Result of fruit failure
Removal
Cut off—Taking health from the vine
Removed so others can be fed well
Your fired
~~~Removal
~~~Cut off—Taking health from the vine
~~~~~~~Removed so others can be fed well
~~~~~~~~Your fired

14. Result of Pruning Bear Fruit—v. 2
Prune so it will bear more fruit – v. 2
Ultimate Purpose – Bear Much Fruit – v. 5
~~~~Bear Fruit—v. 2
~~~~Prune so it will bear more fruit – v. 2
~~~~~~~Ultimate Purpose – Bear Much Fruit – v. 5
Apple tree at Laura’s house

15. Love and Commandments (15:7-17)
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:7–17 (ESV) — 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I 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, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
~~~~~~~14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

16. This is the “eleventh commandment,” that we love one another.
Abide in Christ—His words abide in you
Benefit-Ask what you wish and it will be done for you
Father is glorified when you bear much fruit
Keep His Commandments—Abide in His love
Friends with God
No longer called servants but friends
~~~Abide in Christ—His words abide in you
~~~Benefit-Ask what you wish and it will be done for you
~~~Father is glorified when you bear much fruit
~~~Keep His Commandments—Abide in His love
~~~Friends with God
~~~~~~~~~No longer called servants but friends

17. John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
~~~~~~~You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

18. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
John 15:17
These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
~~~~~~~These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

19. What is fruit?
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Proverbs 11:30 (ESV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
Fruit is the natural result of the tree
Fruit is not worked for, it is cultivated and pruned but the natural result of the tree.
~~~~Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
~~~~Proverbs 11:30 (ESV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
~~~~Fruit is the natural result of the tree
~~~~~~~Fruit is not worked for, it is cultivated and pruned but the natural result of the tree.

20. What is the fruit in your life?
 Are you producing fruit?
~~~~ Are you producing fruit?

21. Matthew 7:15–20 (ESV)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
~~~~~15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.