Abide: The Word Bears Fruit
Associate Pastor Cole Parleir
Part 1: The Word Became Flesh
Part 2: The Word Gives Life
Part 3: The Word Feeds Our Spirit
Part 4: The Word Sets Us Free
TODAY - Part 5: The Word Bears Fruit
A brief story of cars and gas gauges.
John 15:1–11 ESV
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in 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 in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The Vine:
Jesus is the true vine: the true source and sustainer of life.
Have you ever plugged something into an extension cord and then learned the other end was not connected to an outlet? It’s only as good as it’s source.
In verse 1 Jesus uses his 7th and final “I AM” statement describing himself as the true vine.
Jesus wants us to know through his repetition that he indeed is one with God his Father and we can trust him.
He is the true vine as well as the Good Shepherd.
All who have come before him or after him claiming to be the prophesied and promised Messiah were and are false and not able to deliver eternal/true life.
As Jesus said in John 14 “no one comes to the Father except through me”. This is because there is no other possible way since Jesus is the true, one and only vine.
Acts 17:28 ESV
for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
Question: What are some ‘false vines’ that present themselves to you promising life but have failed or you know can’t deliver?
Maybe it’s been religion saying “attach yourself to my to do list and work your way to God”.
Maybe it’s been your conscious saying “just keep me clear and you’ll be alright”
Maybe it’s been self-fulfillment through becoming the most successful person in your industry
Maybe it’s finding nirvana and disconnecting from life's troubles or expression, rising above them.
These will all prove temporary at bringing peace and joy.
The Vine Dresser:
Jesus’ Father is the vinedresser.
Here we see the relationship of God the Father and God the son. The son submits to the judgments of the Father as the owner of the vineyard and in choosing what is best for the vineyard, which is his creation.
The vinedresser’s goal is for the vine to be fruitful and everything he does is for the good of the vine in becoming fruitful.
God is the cultivator, pruner, and protector of his people.
The Branches:
The branches cannot produce life on their own as they must draw life from the vine.
Abiding in Christ is to keep in fellowship with him so that his life can work in and through us to produce fruit.
All who call themselves Christian are considered branches in the passage.
Not all who call themselves Christians are actually attached to the true vine.
EVERY branch (follower of Jesus who says I know him) will be either taken away or pruned. Every true believer attached to the true vine will bear fruit and be pruned in order to be more fruitful.
The branches who do not bear fruit are false disciples who will be taken away, gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. The missing fruit is the proof that they were never attached. This is most likely speaking of final judgment for those who are not found to be attached to Jesus Christ as indicated by their fruitless lives.
Our sincere faith is proven through the fruit that grows as we abide in Christ.
2 Peter 1:5–11
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Fruit:
Fruitfulness is a byproduct of staying in the vine.
Branches do not concern themselves with what kind or how much fruit they produce, their main concern should be abiding in the vine. (Loving Christ)
Staying (abiding) in the vine produces the fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22–23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law
Jesus says if you love me you will keep my commandments. Abiding in his love breeds more love for him which helps us trust and obey him, leading to the fruit of righteousness.
This increasing love for Jesus will also cause us to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’ as he makes disciples among us, giving us a new desire for the lost and missions local and abroad.
This obedience in turn renews your mind to pray God’s will and not your own, making your prayers align with what God wants to do, leading to answered prayers and the joy of God filling your heart.
Action:
Do you call yourself a Christian? Check your fruit to see if you are a true disciple abiding in the true vine of Christ. (Love for Christ that leads to obedience?)
Ask God to show you where he has been pruning you already and thank him for making you fruitful.
Join the Community Outreach group on Church Center for local missions or the Charleston, SC mission group.
Second City Church - Associate Pastor Cole Parleir