Seek him
John 15:1-11 (ESV)
“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.
John 15:1-2 (ESV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
- What are you connected to?
- Where do you go when you need help, hope, peace, grace, encouragement, guidance or direction?
- Song lyric: In The Arms “You are the only One I call home, You are the only place I go.” I run in the arms of Jesus.
- Jesus says He is the “TRUE” vine.
- Our Father in the Gardner / Vinedresser.
- He knows when to remove and prune.
John 15:2 (ESV)
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.
- Illus: Judas
John 15:2 (ESV)
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.
- What is fruit?
- How do we bear fruit?
- He prunes the fruitful to bear more fruit.
- Do you trust Him when He prunes?
- Don’t judge another’s pruning.
John 15:3 (ESV)
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
- God’s Word cleans/prunes us.
- How does this work?
John 15:4 (ESV)
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.
- How do we abide?
- What happens to fruitless branches?
- We are helpless without Him.
John 15:5 (ESV)
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.
- Without Christ we live a fruitless life!
John 15:6 (ESV)
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.
- This image helps us further understand the necessity of abiding in Christ.
John 15:7 (ESV)
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- The ingredients of a powerful prayer life that wants and prays the Father’s will.
John 15:8 (ESV)
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
- Fruit bearing glorifies our Father!
- It also verifies our connectedness to Christ.
John 15:9-10 (ESV)
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.
- How do we abide in His love?
- What are His commandments?
John 15:12 (ESV)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:11 (ESV)
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Nehemiah 8:10b (ESV)
….. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 3:1 (ESV)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
- What has the Lord done to dwell with us?
- Seek Him with all your heart!
Prayer & invitation