1. The True Vine John 15:1-8

2. Symbols: Jesus is the vine The Father is the gardener We are the branches Vs. 1-4 Jesus is the TRUE vine  He is the genuine source for life, nourishment & blessing  There are other vines that are false or fake – promising life, nourishment & blessing but offering only death, hunger & cursing

3. The gardener is looking for fruitfulness  Fruit in the NT represents the product of godliness & virtues of character …the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

4. Branches that bear no fruit are cut off  Cut off is a reference to judgment  Bearing fruit is required to avoid judgment  If we do not bear fruit we are considered dead weight Branches that do bear fruit are pruned  God’s desire is fruitfulness and He is committed to seeing us be as fruitful as possible so He prunes us

5.  Pruned = purged or cleansed The Father is committed to cleansing us from stuff that hinders fruitfulness Galatians 5:19-21  What tool does He use to prune? (vs. 3) The word = logos – all inclusive words of God – all He has said  Bible Hebrews 4:12

6. Need to read Bible Need to study it …the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop… Matthew 13:23 Jesus is the logos – invite Him to give you understanding With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4:33-34

7. Remaining in Jesus is essential to bear fruit  Remain = abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present This is a command – we can do it His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him… 2 Peter 1:3 We have the choice – walking in Him or walking in our flesh …choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… Joshua 24:15 It requires a constant dialogue …pray continually… 1 Thessalonians 5:17

8. Verses 5-8 Apart from Him we can do absolutely nothing Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Everything is meaningless! Ecclesiastes 12:8 Remaining in Him is essential to escape judgment Remaining in Him & His words remaining in us creates an environment for answered prayer  Words = rhema – revelation, words brought to life  The things God has revealed to us need to remain a part of us – it is how we grow & are cleansed

9. Bearing fruit brings God glory because we cannot produce life without Him Bearing fruit is essential to be a true disciple of Jesus! It is not optional!

10. Application: Fully comprehend that apart from Jesus we can do absolutely nothing Read & study His word so He can cleanse you from things that hinder fruitfulness Remember what He speaks to you & do it Consciously make a choice every day to walk with Him Intentionally communicate with Him about everything