Abide in The VineAbide in The VineJohn 15:1-11John 15:1-11

John 15:1-27 John 15:1-27 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. vinedresser. (2)(2) Every branch in me that does not bear fruit Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (3)(3) Already you are clean Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. because of the word that I have spoken to you. (4(4) Abide in ) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, 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 unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. in me. (5(5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever ) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. apart from me you can do nothing. (6)(6) If anyone does not If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7)(7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (8)(8) By this my By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. my disciples. (9) (9) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. you. Abide in my love. (10)(10) If you keep my commandments, If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. commandments and abide in his love. (11) (11) These things I These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.joy may be full.

IntroductionIntroduction

• Vine – familiar symbolVine – familiar symbol– Grapes & Grapevines were common; Grapes & Grapevines were common; – Mentioned in Old TestamentMentioned in Old Testament– Fruit of the vine - Lord’s SupperFruit of the vine - Lord’s Supper

• Branches are IndividualsBranches are Individuals– Not Denominations (vs. 6)Not Denominations (vs. 6)

• Describes a Relationship Describes a Relationship – Christ & Individual ChristianChrist & Individual Christian

In What/Whom Are We to Abide?In What/Whom Are We to Abide?

• Israel had been a vine Israel had been a vine (Psa 80:8)(Psa 80:8)– Sought to abide in Abraham/Law of MosesSought to abide in Abraham/Law of Moses– Worldly SourcesWorldly Sources• Trusting in Man’s WordTrusting in Man’s Word• Trusting in ThemselvesTrusting in Themselves• Trusting in MaterialismTrusting in Materialism

• Christ is the True Vine Christ is the True Vine (Jn 15:1)(Jn 15:1)– Scripture is clear – We must abide in HimScripture is clear – We must abide in Him

Pruning & GraftingPruning & Grafting

PruningPruning

• Deadwood removal,Deadwood removal,• Shaping,Shaping,• Improving health,Improving health,• Preparing specimens for Preparing specimens for

transplanting, transplanting, • Increasing the yield or Increasing the yield or

quality of flowers and fruitsquality of flowers and fruits

• Deadwood removal,Deadwood removal,• Shaping,Shaping,• Improving health,Improving health,• Preparing specimens for Preparing specimens for

transplanting, transplanting, • Increasing the yield or Increasing the yield or

quality of flowers and fruitsquality of flowers and fruits

GraftingGrafting• Inserting tissues from one Inserting tissues from one

plant into those of another plant into those of another so that the two sets of so that the two sets of vascular tissues may join vascular tissues may join togethertogether

• One plant is selected for One plant is selected for RootsRoots

• The other is selected for its The other is selected for its stems, leaves, flowers, or stems, leaves, flowers, or fruitsfruits

““Abide In”Abide In”

• Context: Part of the plant; share the Context: Part of the plant; share the vascular systemvascular system• Abide: (Greek) – Abide: (Greek) – meno (meno (μενωμενω) – stay; ) – stay;

an inward, enduring personal an inward, enduring personal communioncommunion– KnowingKnowing– Sharing fellowshipSharing fellowship– Unity in thought/purposeUnity in thought/purpose

Why Are We to Abide in Christ?Why Are We to Abide in Christ?

• Christ is the true vine (John 15.1)Christ is the true vine (John 15.1)• If we do not abide in Christ…If we do not abide in Christ…– Cannot bear fruitCannot bear fruit

• Would be lifelessWould be lifeless• Taken away, thrown into fire; burnedTaken away, thrown into fire; burned

– Can do nothingCan do nothing• No man can save himselfNo man can save himself• In Christ, we can do all thingsIn Christ, we can do all things• ……and dependent on Christ for Spiritual lifeand dependent on Christ for Spiritual life

• Salvation requires abiding in ChristSalvation requires abiding in Christ

How Do We Abide in Christ?How Do We Abide in Christ?

• We must:We must:– Get “in” ChristGet “in” Christ

– ContinueContinue to be “in Christ.” to be “in Christ.”

– Grow & Bear Fruit (Jn 15:5)Grow & Bear Fruit (Jn 15:5)• Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)

Matt 10:22 Matt 10:22 And And ye will be hated ye will be hated by all for my by all for my name's sake, but name's sake, but the one who the one who endures to the endures to the end will be saved. end will be saved.

Gal 3:27 Gal 3:27 For as For as many of you as many of you as were baptized were baptized into Christ have into Christ have put on Christ. put on Christ.

ConclusionConclusion

• We Must Abide in ChristWe Must Abide in Christ– Nowhere else provides Joy and Eternal LifeNowhere else provides Joy and Eternal Life• John 6:68 - Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to John 6:68 - Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to

whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,……

• Resolve to Abide in the True VineResolve to Abide in the True Vine

Are You Abiding in the Vine?Are You Abiding in the Vine?