1 “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. —John 15:1-11

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Big Idea: Jesus is our source of

.

Introduction: In chapter 15 Jesus taught His disciples the importance of abiding in Him. He dealt with their relationship to Himself, to one another, and to the world around them. This morning we will focus on His use of the vine and branches metaphor and explore what it would be like to live a life connected to Jesus.

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1. Abiding in Jesus provides

Reveal Answer

• a. Jesus is the true vine, God the Father is the vine dresser (v.1)
• b. God prunes fruitless branches (v.2)

God cares for you enough not only to correct the parts of you that bear

but also the parts that carry

Reveal Answer

.

• c. The Word cleanses (v.3, Eph 5:26)
  

  that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, —Ephesians 5:26

God’s Word cleanses as it condemns

Reveal Answer

, promotes

Reveal Answer

, and reveals

Reveal Answer

.

• d. Jesus is THE source of life (v.4-6)
  
  1. Branches don’t produce fruit apart from the vine
  2. Branches wither and die apart from the vine
  3. Dead branches are gathered to be burned

Jesus is

.

• e. Abiding in Jesus is synonymous with faithfulness to His word. (v.7—10)

  1. “Keep my word” (John 14:23-24)

     23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. —John 14:23-24

  2. God desires to answer prayer for those abiding in Him (v.7)

  3. Abide in Love (v.9)
  4. Keep my commandments (v.10)

Jesus wants us to be both

.

2. Abiding in Jesus provides

Reveal Answer

• a. Jesus wants you to experience His joy. (v.11)
• b. Obedience leads to joy.

When you abide in Jesus, we are free from

of cultivating fruit, love, and joy

Reveal Answer

.

• c. Jesus wants your Joy to be full (v.11)

Joy in Jesus does not come from

, but from being

Reveal Answer

with God and

Reveal Answer

in His love and care.

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Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. In your own words, what is abiding in Christ?

4. How can we identify the areas of our life that may be causing spiritual disease and decay? What steps will help us to welcome God’s pruning to become fruit bearers?

5. Spend time as a group planning out time in your calendars to specifically invest in abiding in Jesus this week. Pray for one another in preparation and commit to check in throughout the week to encourage one another to follow through on this plan.