A Look at Jn 15:1-8

Background It is the night before the crucifixion Jesus has just finished eating the Passover

with the disciples and instituting the Lord’s Supper

He has let them know He will be returning to the Father

Jesus then comforts them by letting them know He is going to prepare a place for them (Jn 14:1-3)

He is continuing to present to them instruction on how to live once He is gone

Jesus uses an analogy that is something they should easily understand as there are multiple references of vine in the OT Is 5:1-7; Ps 80:8-16; Jer 2:19-22;

Ezek 15, 17:5-10, 19:10-1 4; Hos 10:1

Barclay’s notes state it this way… ‟...the fact that you are a Jew will not save

you. The only thing that can save you is to have an intimate living fellowship with me, for I am the vine of God and you must be branches joined to me.” Jesus was laying it down that not Jewish blood but faith in him was the way to God's salvation” Jesus made that He was the way for their and our salvation (John 14:6). For the people thought that their salvation depended upon their race as chosen people of God,

Couple more verses to consider Lk 3:8-11; Mt 5:20

Branches grow out of the vine…so we must grow through Christ2 Pet 3:18; 1Pet 2:1-2 Heb 5:12-14

Branches have no life of themselves Break a branch off a grapevine and it will wither

and die Abiding in Him, we bear much fruit, Without Him

we can do nothing (Jn 15:5)

As stated by PaulEph 2:1-7; Phil 4:13; 2 Cor 3:5

How can we abide in Christ?Gal 3:27; Jn 15:9-10, 14:21-23

Branches must bear fruitDead branches are cast out

Christians can lose their salvationJn 15:6; Mt 10:22; Rom 11:18-22; 2

Tim 2:12; Heb 6:4-6; 2Pet 2:20-21

Live branches are pruned to produce more fruit Heb 12:5-11; Rom 5:3-5; 1 Pet 1:3-9

The type of fruit a Christian must produce Fruits in keeping with repentance

Lk 3:8

Change of life for the betterLk 3:10-14; Is 1:10-17; Mal 1:6-10

How is bearing fruit manifested in our lives today? Winning souls to Christ

Rom 1:13; Mt 28:19-20 Sharing with those in need

Rom 15:25-29; 2 Cor 8:1-2, 9:12-14 Developing a Christ-like character

Gal 5:16, 23; 2 Pet 1:5-8; Heb 13:15

If you are a Christian but have fallen awayWhat happens to those who do not abide in

the vine?What happens to those who bear no fruit?

If you are not a Christian this morning…You can only be a disciple by putting your

complete trust in the vine.Salvation is in him and none other. (Acts

4:12)