John 15:1-11 – The True Vine and the True Branches

Jon Beck

My sermon notes for Sunday, May 13th as we continue our study through The Gospel of John. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net

 

John 15:1–11 – [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 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. [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. [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. (ESV)

 

John 15:1-11 – The True Vine and the True Branches

 

INTRO:

  • A true believer’s relationship Christ. Do we know Christ?
  • Our fruit in Christ, Our life in Christ
  • That our joy may be full!!!

 

Last of the 7 “I am” statements.

  1. Bread of life – 6:35
  2. Light of the world – 8:12
  3. Door of the sheep – 10:7
  4. Good shepherd – 10:11
  5. Resurrection and the life – 11:25
  6. Way, truth, and the life – 14:6

 

THE TEXT:

Verses 1-2 – The vine and the vinedresser (Son and the Father)

Vine – The Lord Jesus Christ

  • The true light. 1:9 – not John the Baptist
  • True Bread 6:32 – not the manna in the wilderness
  • The true vine – Several OT references to Israel and the vine. Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah. Mark 12 in NT
  • He is the fulfilment of all the OT prophesies…TRUE VINE

 

Vinedresser – God the Father

  • Takes care of the vines.
    • Care – Protecting
    • Watchfulness – nothing escapes His eyes
    • Faithfulness – always!

 

 

Verses 2-11 – The Branches (Believers and unbelievers)

 

Verses 2-3 – Bearing

 Branches

  • False believers – Judas
    • HE takes away
  • True believers – the 11

 

Bearing fruit – the spiritual productivity of our life.

  • From God’s perspective
  • Our productivity for His Glory
  • According to His will.
  • Spiritual fruit
  • How we live because of who we are!
  • Not the stuff we DO, but the life we live!!!!!!!

 

Galatians 5:16–24 – [16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [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. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (ESV)

 

2 Peter 1:3–11 – [3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. [5] For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. [8] For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. [10] Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. [11] For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ESV)

 

Pruning – Cutting. Cleansing.

  • so that we can be more productive. THE GOAL IS A PURER FRUIT
  • Holiness, cleansing
  • YOU ARE ALREADY CLEAN.
    • Instantaneous sanctification
    • Progressive sanctification

 

Verses 4-7 – Abiding

 

Abiding– permanent, continue, absolute dependence.

  • In Me – John 13:11 (Judas was a disciple…yet was not His)

 

Throwing – Judgment

 

Matthew 7:23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (ESV)

 

Verses 8-11 – Glorifying

 

By abiding, bearing, following, and obeying.

 

  • BY THESE we understand the love of the Father
  • BY THESE we bring Glory to God
  • BY THESE we can embrace the fullness of joy

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