“I am the Vine, You are the Branches”

Mar.29, 2009 Jn.15:1-17   Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)

●    FISHY FRUITFULNESS

    ○    goldfish unimpeded by thick ice prison (Gen 1:22)
    ○    Jesus has already supplied us with what we need to be fruitful

●    SIGNS OF AN INVISIBLE SUPPLIER: JOHN 13-16

    ○    mega-theme: Jesus going to the Father (13:1,31,22, 14:2,4,12b,28; 16:5,7,10,17b)
    ○    disciples to be ‘signs’ of Jesus the Vine (2:11; 4:54; 6:14; 9:16; 11:47)
    ○    1) Love each other (13:34f; 15:12ff,17)
    ○    2) Ask God to do great things (14:12ff, 16:23f,26)
    ○    3) Love-and-obey God (14:15; 15:9f,14)
    ○    4) Bear fruit (15:2,4f,8,16; Gal 5:22f; Col 1:6,10; Php 1:11)
    ○    5) Holy Spirit in believers - teaching, testifying, convicting (14:17,26 15:26f; 16:8-11, 13ff)
    ○    6) Trouble in this world - hated, persecuted, put out, killed (15:18ff, 16:2,33)
    ○    7) Yet Peace and Joy (14:27, 16:33; 15:11, 16:20,22)
    ○    faulty turn signal bulb: circuit flashing but no sign

●    SECRETS OF FRUITFULNESS

    ○    “Remain in Me” - locate ourselves to connect (15:4ff)
    ○    “My words remain in you” - thoughts shaped by Scripture (Rom 12:2; 2Tim 3:16f)
    ○    Ask in prayer (15:7; Ps 37:4)
    ○    start bearing fruit even modestly lest cut off (2,6; Jn 2:5)
    ○    accept the Gardener’s pruning so more fruitful (2f)

●    CLEANSING LOVE GETS ITS HANDS DIRTY

    ○    Jesus showed the ‘full extent of His love’ by washing disciples’ feet (13:1ff)
    ○    humiliation of CEO doing janitorial work
    ○    cleaning not only feet, but heart’s motive