John 15:1-11 (The Vine and the Branches)

Introduction

Two days ago, the Titans did a horrible horrible thing. ...

If you leave, you cant really say you are a true fan of that team. Thats my opinion. And thats not even necessarily a bad thing. I actually think it is ok for people to have different rooting interests in professional sports.

Time and time again, John has spoken about 3 groups of people in this gospel message.

You have the unbeliever

You have the believer

You have the faker

You remember back towards John 8 when John wrote about Jesus saying some really hard things? When he said those things, what happened. It said MANY DISCIPLES left him.

It wasnt many pharisees. It wasnt many opposers. It was people in his group. People that followed him that left him. people on the inside that served with him that left him.

What would the natural person say about any other situation? What was John alluding to? They were never really followers. They were interested. They liked what He could do, but wanted nothing to really do with Jesus.

This passage is so so so polarizing. Many great people and well many people. Entire denominations use this passage in a way that I believe completely misses the point of what John is so clearly saying with his message.

The New International Version Chapter 15

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 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.

5 “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. 6 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. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12

The New International Version Chapter 15

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

The New International Version Chapter 15

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If

The New International Version Chapter 15

2 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.

The New International Version Chapter 15

3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

The New International Version Chapter 15

4 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.

The New International Version Chapter 15

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.