Fruit that Remains:

Context:

• Jesus is the Way the Truth, and the Life.
• The Holy Spirit is the Helper sent to “dwell with” and “be in” believers.
• Those who love Jesus keep His commandments.
• Disciples are to relate to Jesus, each other, and the world.
• Fruitfulness is not just desired, but expected.

John 15:1-2 “...I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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 three characters are present in these verses?

• The true vine - Jesus.
• The vinedresser - the Father.
• The branches - those connected to Jesus.

What happens to those who bear no fruit?

• They are taken away. NIV says they are “cut off”. 
• What do you think it means to be taken away from the vine?

What happens to those who bear fruit?

• They are pruned.
• Why? To bear even more fruit.

What do you think pruning feels like? Uncomfortable?

Is pruning a one time project? Ongoing. Regular.

John 15:3-5 “...Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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...”

What makes a person clean?

What is the word of Jesus that makes a person clean?

What makes bearing fruit possible?

• Abiding in the vine.

What does abiding in Jesus produce?

• MUCH fruit.

What can be accomplished apart from Jesus?

• Nothing? Nothing of importance? Nothing good? Nothing that should be?

John 15:6 “...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...”

To what does failure to abide in Jesus lead?

• Withering, gathering, burning.

John 15:7-10 “...If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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...”

What glorifies the Father?

• Bearing much fruit.
• Proving to be disciples.

How does abiding in Jesus affect a person’s prayer life?

• To dwell with Jesus is dwell with His words. 
• An abider wishes appropriately, asks appropriately, and it is done. 
• To be properly connected to Jesus is to bear much fruit.

How does keeping the commandments of Jesus affect a person’s love life?

• To dwell with Jesus is to pray appropriately.
• To act appropriately is to dwell in the love of Jesus.

John 15:11 “...These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full...”

Why is Jesus discussing fruitfulness and abiding?

• Jesus wants His joy to be in His disciples.
• Fullness of joy comes from the fruitfulness of abiding.

John 15:12-17 “...This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another...”

What is the greatest display of love?

• To lay down your life for your friends.

What does this look like? More concern for others than self?

How did Jesus display His love?

• He calls His disciples friends.
• He laid down His life for His friends.

What does Jesus offer His disciples?

• Everything He hears from the Father.
• The opportunity to bear fruit THAT LASTS.
• Brotherly love.