Final Words: John 15:1-11

Final Words: Remain In The Vine

February 18th, 2024/Casey Middle School

Story: I didn’t have the natural shooting ability, but one thing God gave me was hustle.

As the legendary football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant once said “Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships.”

Championship game, homeschool team, Guilford Panthers vs. the Raleigh Hawk. “I was chosen for this!” Being chosen to shut down the leading scorer on the opposing team.

What’s some good competition without a little trash talk… “You’re not going to touch the ball.”

I had the mindset “I was chosen for this.”

“You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.” - John 15:16

“I have an expectation for you.”

“I have chosen you for this.”

So then we have to ask ourselves the question “How can we bear fruit, fruit that remains.”

Passage: John 15:1-11 CSB

“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 my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

Pray:

Background:

This is one of Jesus’s final conversations with His disciples. It is also the 7th and final “I Am” statement referenced in the Gospel of John. It is a conversation with, about, and for believers.

We see Jesus’ “I Am” statements harken back to the burning bush with Moses and establishing Himself as God. “God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” - Exodus 3:14

When Jesus says “I Am”, He is revealing an aspect of His identity and mission. There are 7 "I am" statements recorded in the Gospel of John:

1. I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51): Jesus declares that He is the source of spiritual sustenance and eternal life.
2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5): Jesus claims to be the source of truth and enlightenment, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance.
3. I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7, 9): Jesus presents Himself as the entrance to salvation and protection, providing security and access to the Father.
4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14): Jesus identifies Himself as the one who cares for, leads, and lays down His life for His sheep (believers).
5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25): Jesus asserts His power over death and His ability to give eternal life to those who believe in Him.
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6): Jesus declares that He is the only means of access to the Father and the embodiment of truth and life.
7. I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5): Jesus describes Himself as the source of spiritual vitality, with His followers being the branches that bear fruit when they remain in Him.

These statements are significant because they not only reveal Jesus' identity but also convey deep spiritual truths about the relationship between Jesus and His followers.

The Allegory: The VINE, The VINEDRESSER, The Branches, & The Fruit

The Vine is JESUS. He alone is the source of all life, peace, power, and joy. There are false vines, but He alone is the real One.

The Vinedresser is God The Father. God the sovereign gardener removes dead branches and prunes fruitful branches.

1. Past Vineyard:
   1. The OT used the vineyard or vine as a symbol of Israel. This is found in Isaiah 5:1-7 and 27:2-6. However, Israel's failure to produce fruit resulted in divine judgment.
2. Future Vineyard:
   1. There is also a reference in the NT of a future vineyard that will experience the wrath of God, this is the vineyard of the earth. These are the ones destroyed at the end times. Rev 14:18.
3. Present Vineyard
   1. In this present vineyard, Jesus is the TRUE Vine, in whom we experience life and the source of all power, love, and joy. And God the Father is the one pruning the branches.

The Branches are believers. We stay connected to Jesus (The vine), and as a result we produce fruit. Branches not connecting to the source are cut off, while fruitful branches are pruned.

The Fruit is the result (or evidence) of being connected to the vine. Believers remain faithful to God by pursuing intimacy with Him through regular worship, prayer, reading the Word, obeying His Word, and yielding to the Spirit.

7 Types of Fruit in the Bible:

1. The Fruit of the Spirit - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.” - Galatians 5:22-23
2. The Fruit of Prayer - “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 my disciples.” - John 15:7-8
3. The Fruit of Praise - “Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name.” - Hebrews 13:15 NASB
4. The Fruit of Evangelism - “Now I don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry among you, just as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles.” - Romans 1:13
5. The Fruit of Holiness & Obedience - “But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the outcome is eternal life!” - Romans 6:22
6. The Fruit of Giving - “Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.” Romans 15:28 NASB
7. The Fruit of Good Deeds - “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” - Colossians 1:10

Bearing fruit is not a seasonal lifestyle based on the circumstances of life for the believer. When you are connected… you are producing. When you are grafted in… you are growing up. When you believe fully, you receive abundantly!!!

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.” - Galatians 6:9-10 CSB

Title: Remain In The Vine

Main Points: Remaining in these things will result in becoming FRUITFUL for Christ and experiencing the JOY of the Lord.

1. Embrace Pruning (Endure Pruning)

   1. 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.

   2. God cuts away what we don’t need so we can become what He wants us to be.

      1. We don’t need anger, pride, lust, apathy, and selfish gain.

         3. God prunes away to produce more, better, and sustaining fruit for His glory.

      2. We face trials and course correction with a faith maturation spirit.

         4. God alone knows the vision of the garden and has all authority to carry out that vision as He alone sees fit.

      3. We can’t see the bigger story, but we can trust that He who began a good work in you, will complete it!

         5. Two Kinds of Pruning:
      4. Story: “We’ve identified five trees that have severely declined in health due to restricted root zones and, thus, pose a public safety hazard if they aren’t pruned or removed,” said Forestry Manager Kathleen Alexander. “All the trees removed will be replaced in the spring with a new species to create better tree species diversity in the downtown area.”

      5. Removing: Separation

         1. These are the believers that are out of fellowship and communion with Christ. Already consumed in their own lust and desires, fully detached from a personal relationship with Jesus.
         2. The result of such a believer is worthless to the efforts of producing fruit, and worse, could spread disease and infect other branches that are producing fruit.

         3. This removal is not referring to a believer losing their salvation in Christ. Scripture clearly teaches that Christ holds and seals those who have truly put their faith and trust in Him. It is unwise to use an allegory and single text to come to such a conclusion. BUT, to be removed from communion and the source of joy and power of Christ is a serious offense and judgment from the Father.

            1. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
            2. Jesus is not talking about losing your salvation, but what we do with our salvation. 3. Pruning: Cutting Back
               1. This is the Father trimming off what is necessary, or you could even say, what is good or better, for what is best! God cares about both the quantity and quality of the fruit. Sometimes this is through conviction or divine discipline. This could even be a course correction whereby God demonstrates His grace in the life of a fruitful believer, BUT, to be trimmed back is for our benefit and it is for His glory. 2. Have you ever had God course correct your life at a time that you felt you were bearing fruit? 3. Pruning = short term pain for long term gain!
               6. Question: Has there ever been a time in your life that you felt the pruning of God, our sovereign gardener?

      6. Struggling to get pregnant… “If this is your plan for me, then I trust you.

      7. Doubting my calling… “Everyone else seems lighter than here, that sure would be nice…” but then the pruning “Would you rather live in comfort out of My will, or suffer in it?”
      8. Questioning God’s provision… “If I gave to you in abundance, would you still trust me for today?”
      9. Thoughts, doubts, and questions like these could go on all day and all night!!!

      10. To ever experience growth of any kind in your life, you must go through seasons of pruning away all that is of this world, and become fully submitted to all God has prepared for you!!!

          7. Illust: Our fig tree

      11. Due to neglect and unhealthy conditions, our beloved fig tree suffered damage. After many attempts to revive the tree it was simply not turning around. Leaves were turning brown, it started sagging, and it was all around sad to watch. One day I came home and it got cut down to just a stump. My wife said “This is what you have to do, but I’m not worried, it will grow back.”

2. Abide In Christ

   1. 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.
   2. You can live on your own, but there is no life outside of Him.
   3. You can strive in your own effort, but you cannot bear fruit apart from Him
   4. You can do life on your terms, but then you must face God’s divine judgment to give you what you want.

   5. Illustration: Drill & The Battery

      1. What good is a drill, if you disconnect the battery? It’s useless.
      2. The purpose for which it was purchased is not available unless it is connected to the source!
      3. You were bought with a price, our Lord and Savior Jesus hung on a cross and died for our sins so that we might live, truly live! Apart from being connected to Him, we have no life, we bear no fruit, and we experience no relationship with the Father!

      4. “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21

         6. Application: Some people are trying to produce fruit in their own effort

      5. To produce fruit in your life is to remain in relationship with Jesus Christ!

         7. When we “abide in Christ”...
      6. Our prayers are effective
      7. We glorify God in bearing fruit
      8. We demonstrate our discipleship
      9. And our joy is made full and complete

      10. Love and Obey the Word of God

          1. 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 my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
          2. Obedience to God is not something we do begrudgingly, it’s not anything we do for personal gain, it is a result of a loving relationship with Jesus and it produces great joy!
          3. There is only one condition to all of this: Obedience to God!

      11. “We are to remain in Him, receive from Him, and reproduce for Him.” - John Maxwell

          4. Question: Do you remember a time you felt intimate with Jesus? Overwhelmed by His love and grace? Grateful for His love and sacrifice? Crying in desperation for His presence?

      12. COME BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE!

      13. “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:4
      14. This could be coming back to a physical bible because your phone is just too distracting!
      15. This could be praying more short prayers throughout the day, never ceasing in prayer.
      16. This could be spending extended time on your knees at an altar.
      17. This might be going on a walk or hike with Jesus. Listening to worship and praising God for all He has done in your life.

      18. Illust: Running with Jesus (Dakota Ridge)

          5. Application: Abundance is the byproduct of abiding and obeying

      19. Good deeds, abundance, fruit… is not the goal!

      20. Mission is born out of intimacy with Jesus
      21. Purpose is born out of intimacy with Jesus
      22. Fruit is born out of intimacy with Jesus!

Closing:

“Our union with Christ is a living union, so we may bear fruit; a loving union, so that we may enjoy Him; and a lasting union, so that we need not be afraid.” - Warren Wiersbe

Invitation:

If you want to make a decision to follow Jesus. Then join me and everyone else in the building as we pray out loud together. It’s not the prayer that saves you, but your faith, making Jesus Lord of your life. We don’t let anyone go on the journey alone. If you have faith in Jesus, then let’s join together as we pray…

Prayer of Salvation:

Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you

I confess that I have sinned against you

I believe that God raised you from the dead

And right now, by faith, I say “Jesus is Lord”

Thank you for forgiving me

By your grace I am saved

And by your power I am set free

Conclusion:

If you prayed that prayer for the first time then Scripture says “anyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge them before my Father”. I’m going to ask that if you prayed that prayer for the first time would you lift your hand and let me know so that I can celebrate with you.

1. God is so proud of you.

2. The angels are rejoicing.

3. And we believe God has a purpose for your life.

Would you let us know that you made a decision so that we can follow up with you and help you on your next steps?