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Pastor Montia Setzler
January 4, 2015

Series: Discovering the Life Changing Gospel

The Results of Remaining in Christ

John 15:1–8 (HCSB)

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper.  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, so 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.

 

  1. UNDERSTANDING THE SYMBOL THAT JESUS PORTRAYS (15:1, 4-5)
  • The symbols are important: (15:1)

The Son is the vine

The Father is the gardener

The Believers are the branches

  • As the branches, we are connected to the vine (Salvation)
  • As the branches, we are dependent on the vine (Discipleship)
  • As the branches, we must remain with the vine (Perseverance)

1 John 2:19 (HCSB)

19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

  1. UNDERSTANDING THE STEPS THAT JESUS PROVIDES (15:2-3, 6)
  • He cuts off the branches that do not produce (15:2a, 6)
  • He cuts back (prunes) the branches that do produce (15:2-3)

Hebrews 12:11 (HCSB)

11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

  • He provides a way to ensure our success (15:4, 5c–6)

 

  1. UNDERSTANDING THE SUCCESS THAT JESUS PROMISES (15:7-8)
  • When we are abiding in Christ, we can ask God for anything (15:7)

John 14:13–14 (HCSB)

13 Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

  • We bring glory to the Father in two ways:

By producing much fruit (15:5b, 8b)

By proving to be His disciples (15:8c)

 

In using the imagery of the vine and the branches, Jesus emphasizes that He is the One from whom we connected and sustained. Allowing Him to dwell in us, changes everything. To do otherwise promises discipline from the Father.