John 15:1-8

April 12, 2023

The Vine and the Branches

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[a] my disciples.

John 15:1-8 CSB

What does this teach us about God?
- God created humans to live dependent upon and in constant fellowship with Himself through Jesus. (i.e., to abide)
- God’s word gives us language for our prayers.
- God is glorified as we bear much fruit. It is his desire that we are fruitful and flourish. This points to who He is as the one who nourishes and satisfies, thereby enabling us to flourish as we submit to Him.
What does this teach us about people/ourselves?
- Our fruitfulness bears witness to others that we belong to Jesus and are His disciples.
- Having God’s word in our heart, prayer and obedience is how we abide and bear fruit.
- God’s word is like a seed that is planted in the soil of our hearts, watered by prayer and bears the fruit of obedience in our life.
- Our life with Jesus is cyclical. As we obey God’s word, we abide in Him, and as we abide in Him we are enabled to obey Him.
By God's grace, how will you obey?
- Hide God’s Word in our hearts and pray that God will bring forth the fruit of obedience in our lives.