John 15 Scripture Study

Scripture Study

Verse 1 - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser”

Another definitive statement declaring that Jesus is the true vine. There will be plenty of other vines that will try to deceive you, but Jesus is the way the truth and the life.

Two distinct roles, but both are invaluable.

Verse 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.

What happens to a believer and what happens to a non believer.

If a branch produces no fruit, it is of no use and better to be cut, than to spread death onto the other branches.

Pruning is not a fun process and is often the term of snipping or cutting off weeds or other things that grow and can deviate it’s ability to produce fruit.

Sin can sometimes feel like pruning where it is uncomfortable and hurts, but other fruit is now allowed to be filled there and we can keep growing from the true vine.

Verse 3 - “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 abide in my, 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”

Jesus’ word cleans us, nothing else. The fruit we bear is meaningless unless we are connected to the vine.

The two are connected, abide in God, and He will abide in you. Even the demons believe in Jesus’ word, but they obviously don’t abide in Jesus, so Jesus doesn’t abide in them.

Verse 5-6 - “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 in the fire, and burned”

No fruit, means no Jesus. How do you know you love and believe in Jesus? What fruit do you bear? If there is no fruit in your life, is Jesus truly in your heart?

If you don’t abide in Jesus, you will not see the kingdom of God.

Verse 7-8 - “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”

The power of God’s spirit working in us. This premise applies true to us to this day however even more so for these apostles! They would proclaim God’s word and perform miracles as they truly abided in God’s word and bore much fruit.

What Jesus has done on the cross has saved us. Our fruit could never repay our sins, but it is the proof of being a disciple.

Don’t live in ignorance and complacency. Live like Jesus abides in you to show God you are His disciple.

Verse 9 “As the Father has loved me so I have 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”

The relationship between the Father and Son is beautiful and filled with love.

All of this is done because Jesus loves us. We get the opportunity to live for Jesus and do so because of His love.

It didn’t say abide in His wisdom, hope, or faith, it said to abide in His love. Love is the greatest of them all (1 corinthians 13:13).

How do we abide in His love? Obey Him! Repent from your sin and do what Jesus commands us to do. God commanded Jesus to go into this world and die for us, to suffer on the cross, to live a life as we did, to never sin, perform miracles, and share the good news. Jesus did all these things and more because He loves His Father.

Verse 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full”

We have Joy in Christ because we have a confident expectation in what God is going to do when Jesus comes back and where we are going when we die.

Jesus wasn’t this dictator leader who always judged and rudeness. Jesus was a man filled with joy and people wanted that.

We have a Joy in Christ because the world becomes secondary and Christ becomes the primary. Attacks from the flesh become insignificant, as Christ becomes more significant. A peace takes over in all situations because Christ is present in all situations. To never do life alone and to fulfill our true purpose is truly a way to have our ‘joy be full’”