Explore and understand the importance of abiding in Jesus as the source of true spiritual fruit.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive deep into John 15:1-17, a passage that speaks to us about the source of true fruit, the prerequisites for producing fruit, and the incredible benefits of abiding in Jesus.
Let's take a moment to read that passage together now:
[Read passage]
As we unpack this passage today, I want to share a quote from Daniel Bourguet. He said, "The image [of the vine and the branches] is that everything that a disciple might do without Christ is of no account, and not even of interest." It’s so important to understand this imagery, so we’re going to talk about that today.
Now, let's bow our heads for an opening prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, as we embark on this journey through Your Word, open our hearts and minds to the truths You want us to discover. Help us understand the significance of abiding in You and the fruits that come from a life fully surrendered to You. Guide us in our understanding and application of these truths in our daily lives. We pray this in Your precious name, Jesus. Amen.
Alright, let's jump in, shall we?
In the passage we just read, Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to illustrate our relationship with Him. He is the vine, and we are the branches. This metaphor is not only beautiful but also deeply significant. It tells us that Jesus is the source of true fruit in our lives. But what does this mean? What is this 'fruit' that Jesus speaks of?
The New Testament: The term 'fruit' often refers to the visible expression of God's work in a person's life. It includes qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not qualities we can produce on our own. They are the result of God's Spirit working in us and through us.
What He meant: When Jesus says He is the vine, He is saying that He is the source of these qualities. Without Him, we can do nothing. We can't produce true spiritual fruit on our own. We may be able to mimic these qualities to some extent, but without Jesus, they are merely a facade. True spiritual fruit—the kind that lasts and brings glory to God—comes from abiding in Jesus.
Abiding in Jesus definition: It means maintaining a close, personal relationship with Him. It means spending time in His Word, talking to Him in prayer, and seeking to obey His commands. It means relying on Him for strength, wisdom, and guidance. It means recognizing our own inability to live a godly life apart from Him and depending on Him to work in us and through us.
When we abide: We are like a branch that is firmly attached to a healthy, thriving vine. Just as the branch draws nourishment from the vine, we draw spiritual nourishment from Jesus. His life flows into us, enabling us to bear fruit.
If we try to live apart from Jesus: If we try to produce fruit on our own we are like a branch that has been cut off from the vine. We may appear healthy for a while, but eventually, we will wither and die. We can't sustain spiritual life on our own. We need Jesus. He is the source of true fruit.
Not easy: This doesn't mean that abiding in Jesus guarantees a life free from difficulties. On the contrary, Jesus says that every branch that bears fruit is pruned so that it will be even more fruitful. Pruning involves cutting back, shaping, and sometimes even wounding the plant. It's not a pleasant process, but it's necessary for the plant's health and productivity.
God allows difficulties and trials in our lives to prune us: This is to shape us and help us grow. These trials can be painful, but they are part of the process of producing fruit. They help us learn to depend on Jesus more fully and trust Him more deeply. They help us grow in character and maturity.
This fruit is the visible expression of God's work in our lives. It brings glory to God and shows the world that we are His disciples.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when you experienced the truth of this principle in your own life. How did abiding in Jesus help you bear fruit in a difficult situation? This could also be about someone you know.
As we delve into the requirements for producing fruit, it's important to understand that fruit-bearing is not a passive process ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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