Vital Branches

Vital Branches

Text: John 15:1-8 (NIV)

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesa so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

[1]

I.        Introduction:

II.      Cherish The Tended Vine

A.    A Vine That Symbolizes Christ And His Church

1.      Christ The Vine

2.      Christians The Branches

B.     A Vine That Is Carefully Tended By God The Father

1.      Removing Fruitless Branches

2.      Cleaning Fruitful Branches

III.   Remain An Abiding Branch

A.    Remain In Christ That He May Remain In You

B.     Remain In Christ That He May Empower You

1.      Apart From Him You Can Bear No Fruit

2.      Abiding In Him You Can Pray Effectively

C.     Remain In Christ That He May Impart Life

1.      Apart From Him The Branch Withers

2.      Abiding In Him The Branch Flourishes

IV.    Produce The Desired Fruit

A.    Fruit That Is Evidence of Abiding in Christ

B.     Fruit That Gives Glory To God

C.     Fruit That Confirms Discipleship

V.      Conclusion:

----

a  The Greek for prunes also means cleans.

[1]  The Holy Bible New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.