Designed to Grow

Introduction

Jesus often used illustrations and examples from life that would have been familiar to his audience. In John 15, Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to communicate the connection between the believer and Christ.

Growth is the goal

God did not create you to merely “get by”, he created you to grow, to be more like Him.

John 15:5 (NASB 95)

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

3 Kinds of branches:

Healthy branches

John 15:2b (NASB 95)

...every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:4 (NASB 95)

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

These are those who are connected firmly to the vine and produce fruit

The only way for a believer to remain healthy is to abide (remain) in Christ

Unhealthy branches

John 15:2 (NASB 95)

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away...

These are those who have become diseased, starved, or dehydrated.

Believers must guard their lives, ensuring that they stay connected. The moment they disconnect is the very moment they start dying.

Dying process begins immediately, but can be remedied with swift action.

Dead branches

John 15:6 (NASB 95)

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

These are those that have completely died. There is no longer any life in them. They are hard, cold, lifeless, and ready for the fire.

It’s hard to imagine that believers can get to this point, but they can. Diligence is required.

Good news: Jesus is God, and he is all-about resurrecting what was dead.

Conclusion:

Is almost seems trite, too simple to even mention, but there is a pattern to ensure that we become and remain healthy.

Scripture

Prayer

Worship

Church

Baptism in Holy Spirit