Abide In Jesus

Jesus is the True Vine (v1-2)

The true vine is in contrast to Israel

Isaiah 5:1-4 “1 Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?”

Isaiah 5:5-7 “5 And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!”

Israel was to be the symbol of God’s love to the world, but their injustice and unrighteousness they failed.

Jesus took their place and became the true vine

We Are to Abide (v3-11)

Meno: Remain; stay; reside; abide

(abide by) accept or act in accordance with (a rule or decision).

Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

Abide appears 11 times in these 15 verses; 40 times in the Gospel and 27 times in John’s epistles.it’s not a recommendation

What does it mean to Abide?

Accept Jesus as Savior

Christ’s words clean us

There is power in the word’s of Christ, and because of that in scripture also

Continue or persevere in believing (1 John 2:19)

Be in Unity (v4)

Believing or loving obedience (John 15:9-10)

If We Abide, We Will Produce Fruit

Fruitfulness is the result of the Son’s life being reproduced in a disciple. The disciple’s part is to remain.

Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 325.

A disciple’s continual abiding with Jesus (If a man remains in Me)—and the indwelling of Jesus in a believer (and I in him)—result in abundant fruit (cf. v. 8).

Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 325.

V5: 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.

v7:If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

v:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Those that produce fruit will be pruned

Even when we are fully in unity with Christ, the Father will prune us.

Our suffering is used for God’s glory

Many come to Christ through the faithful witness of suffering Christians

“The blood of the martyr is seed for the church”

Without Jesus, we can do nothing:

v4: As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

v5:for apart from me you can do nothing.

Those Who do not Produce Fruit Will Be Cut Off

There is a comparison to the dead branches and Judas leaving

V2 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.

v6 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.

Abide In Love

Our love for each other ought to mirror the love Christ has for us

Jesus’ example of live is that of giving your life for your friends

This was in the shadow of the cross

We are His friends

Our status as friends of Christ is not contingent on our obedience even though John 15:14 “14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.” makes it should that way.

What He is telling us is our friendship with Him will produce obedience

The Fruit of Abiding

The joy of Christ (v11)

A love for each other (v17)

It is important that we Abide in Christ because we cannot achieve these fruit on our own