John 15:1-8 The Vine and the Branches
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also 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.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Our Role in Fruit-bearing — “My words remain in you”
Remaining in Christ becomes the primary focus of the branch. That said, the center-point of a great relationship can be summed up in just one word – COMMUNICATION. The communication we have with Christ flows in two directions – 1) FROM HIM TO US and 2) FROM US TO HIM. Today, let’s focus on the first concept – how does Christ communicate with us?
What do you think this phrase meant to the disciples the first time they heard it from the lips of Jesus?
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
How do Christ’s words “remain” in me?
Which of the following actions have I taken with Christ’s words this week?
Why do you think the order of John 15:7 infers that WE should have Christ’s words in us FIRST, before we “ask”?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.