GET STUFF DONE

Connection precedes production

1. The Father Prunes (vs1-3)

2. The Son Gives Life (vs4-8)

3. The Disciples Fill with Joy (9-11)

John 15:1-3 “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 words that I have spoken to you.

Jeremiah 2:21 Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?”

Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!”

John 15:2 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.

The Vinedressers Cuts to

1. Cast away

2. Cultivate

How can a branch be “in me”, but not bear fruit and be cut off ?

Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

If we want fruitful, we should expect painful.

John 15:3 Already you are clean because of the words that I have spoken to you.

Pruning is not condemnation it’s sanctification.

The Father sees September in December.

He’s good with the knife, he doesn’t waste cuts

2. The Son Gives Life (vs4-8)

John 15:4-8 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.

Fruit is not the result of striving, it’s the result of abiding.

ABIDE = To make your home in.

John 15:5 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.

activity ≄ maturity

What does abiding actually look like ?

John 15:7-10 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

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.

3. The Disciples Fill with Joy (9-11)

John 15:9-11 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.

Fruit isn’t measured primarily by what you accomplish, it’s measured by who you’re becoming.

”How busy were you today?”

“How, with me, were you today?”

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

Who/what am I abiding in?