Walking in Obedience

Text:

John 15:1-11

Theme: Obedience is the fruit of abiding in Christ, leading to a life of joy, purpose, and fruitfulness.

Introduction

Have you ever had a time when your computer won’t turn on?

When I did Tech support work

People would often call me with issues.

My 1st question was always, jokenly... Is it plugged in?

I can’t tell you the number of times the answer would be no

simple fix....plug it in.

No matter how Modern or powerful your computer is, it won’t work unless it’s connected to the power source.

The same is true for us spiritually—if we are not abiding in Christ, we cannot walk in obedience or bear fruit.

Many believers struggle with their faith because they try to obey under their own strength

Years ago I mentioned the Sin Confess....Sin Confess cycle.

the only way to do this is by repenting

meaning to turn away.

but you can only do that if you are connected to to Jesus through Holy Spirit

If you try to “will” it, you will fail over and over again.

but if you learn to connect to the vine you will learn to walk in the obedience God has called you too

Timmy and Sarah Learn to Obey

One sunny Saturday morning, Timmy and Sarah were excited to go on a family picnic at the park. Their parents had packed sandwiches, fruit, and their favorite cookies. Before leaving, Dad gathered them together.

“Listen up, kids. The park is fun, but we need to follow some rules,” Dad said. “Stay where we can see you, don’t go near the lake alone, and when we say it’s time to go, no arguing. Got it?”

Timmy and Sarah nodded eagerly. “Yes, Dad! We promise!”

When they arrived, the park was full of laughter and fun. Timmy and Sarah ran to the playground, climbing, swinging, and racing each other. Everything was perfect—until they saw a beautiful butterfly fluttering toward the lake.

“Look at that butterfly!” Timmy pointed. “Let’s follow it!”

Sarah hesitated. “But Dad said not to go near the lake alone.”

“We won’t go in the water,” Timmy reasoned. “Just a little closer.”

Sarah sighed but followed him. Step by step, they got closer until—SLIP! Timmy’s foot slid on the muddy bank, and he tumbled forward!

“Timmy!” Sarah screamed, grabbing his arm just in time. His shoe landed with a splash in the lake.

Hearing the commotion, Dad rushed over. “Kids! What happened?”

Timmy looked down, ashamed. “We disobeyed. I’m sorry, Dad.”

Dad sighed but smiled gently. “I’m glad you’re safe. But this is why obedience is important—it’s not to take away fun but to keep you safe.”

Timmy and Sarah learned an important lesson that day. Obedience wasn’t just about following rules—it was about trusting that their parents knew what was best.

That evening, Timmy prayed, “Jesus, help me to obey, not just because I have to, but because I trust You.”

Sarah smiled. “Yeah, and help us listen the first time!”

Mom and Dad laughed. “That’s a great prayer!”

From then on, Timmy and Sarah worked harder at obeying—not just because they had to, but because they knew obedience led to safety, trust, and love.

In John 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to show us the importance of staying connected to Him.

Walking in obedience is not about striving in our own strength but about remaining in Him, allowing His life to flow through us.

Today, we will explore three key truths from John 15:1-11 about walking in obedience through abiding in Christ.

let’s read it

John 15:1–11 NASB95

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 bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4“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. 5“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. 6“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. 7“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also 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 so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Questions

What happens when we abide in Christ?

Answer: When we abide in Christ, we bear much fruit (John 15:5),

our prayers align with God's will (John 15:7),

and we experience the fullness of joy (John 15:11).

2. What is the role of the Father in our spiritual growth?

Answer: The Father is the vinedresser who prunes us so we can bear more fruit (John 15:1-2).

He removes what hinders our growth and shapes us to become more like Christ.

3. How is obedience connected to love?

Answer: Jesus says that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 15:10). Just as He obeyed the Father and remained in His love, we show our love for Jesus by walking in obedience.

4. What happens to those who do Not bare fruit?

Answer: vs 2 the Father removes them

Vs 6 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.

I think Jesus has made the case for why we should abide in Him

He our source, It our relationship with Him that allows us to bare fruit.

So How do we do Abide in Christ?

I. Abiding in Christ Requires Surrender (John 15:1-4)

John 15:4 NASB95

4 “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.

A. Jesus is the True Vine (v.1)

Jesus declares, “I am the true vine.”

This means that apart from Him, we have no life, no growth, and no fruit.

Many people attach themselves to other “vines” like success, money, relationships, or religion, but only Jesus is the true source of life.

Only by connecting with Him will we ever truly be satisfied.

B. The Father is the Vinedresser (v.1-2)

God actively works in our lives to shape us into Christ’s image.

Anyone like to be pruned?

Anyone feel like they are being pruned right now?

Pruning is necessary to remove what hinders our growth—sin, distractions, and anything that prevents us from bearing fruit.

Pruning helps grapes grow by removing unproductive or unhealthy parts of the vine,

allowing the plant to focus its energy on producing better, healthier fruit.

God can also prune good things to provide room for greater things

Here’s how it works:

Increases Fruitfulness – When a vine has too many branches, its nutrients are spread too thin, leading to small, weak grapes.

Pruning directs the vine’s energy toward producing fewer but larger and juicier grapes.

Removes Dead or Diseased Branches – If parts of the vine are damaged, diseased, or not bearing fruit, they can drain resources and even spread sickness to the healthy parts.

Pruning keeps the vine strong and productive.

Improves Sunlight and Airflow – Too many branches can block sunlight and air from reaching the fruit, which can cause mold and disease.

Pruning opens up the vine so the grapes get the light and air they need to ripen properly.

Encourages New Growth – Pruning stimulates new, healthy branches to grow, which leads to even more fruitfulness in the next season.

C. We Are the Branches (v.3-4)

A branch cannot survive on its own—it must stay connected.

Abiding in Christ means daily dependence through prayer, worship, and obedience to His Word.

Luke 9:23 NASB95

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

Application:

Are you surrendered to God’s pruning, or are you resisting His work in your life?

Walking in obedience begins with surrendering to His process.

Its not a fun process, it can actually be filled with pain

but its a necessary process,

God puts individuals, and even churches through the pruning process to perpetuate growth.

However, we have to surrender to the process for it to be successful

II. Obedience Bears Much Fruit (John 15:5-8)

John 15:5 NASB95

5 “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.

A. Fruitfulness Comes from Dependence on Christ (v.5)

We cannot manufacture spiritual fruit on our own—it comes from abiding in Christ.

Fruit includes godly character

Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

it also includes good works, answered prayers, and leading others to Christ.

B. Disobedience Leads to Spiritual Barrenness (v.6)

Jesus warns that disconnected branches wither and are thrown away.

When we walk in disobedience, we become spiritually dry, distant, and ineffective.

You can literally feel a distancing in your relationship with Jesus when you disobey

This goes all the way to the Garden of Eden

Genesis 3:8–9 NASB95

8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

When we sin, it separates us from His presence, His Plans, His desires for our Lives

conversely

C. Obedience Aligns Us with God’s Will (v.7)

Jesus says,

John 15:7 NASB95

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

This is not a blank check for selfish desires; it means that when we abide in Christ, our prayers align with His will.

You will want, what He wants, therefore He can do it for you!

D. Fruitfulness Glorifies God (v.8)

John 15:8 NASB95

8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

Jesus says that when we bear much fruit, we prove to be His disciples.

True discipleship is not just knowing about God, but obeying Him and producing fruit for His glory.

James 2:19 NASB95

19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

This verse emphasizes that mere belief in God is not enough

true faith is shown through obedience and action

Even demons recognize God's existence and power, but they do not submit to Him in love and obedience.

Application:

Are you producing lasting fruit, or are you spiritually stagnant?

Walking in obedience leads to a life of impact and purpose.

Do you feel like you are obey God?

or are you caught up doing your own thing?

This is an important question to regularly ask yourself!

III. Obedience Flows from Love (John 15:9-11)

John 15:10 NASB95

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.

A. Jesus Models Obedience (v.10)

Jesus Himself walked in perfect obedience to the Father.

this is demonstrated in the garden when Jesus prayed

Luke 22:42 NASB95

42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

He did not obey out of fear or obligation but out of love.

love for us

B. Love and Obedience Are Inseparable (v.9-10)

John 15:9–10 NASB95

9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also 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.

We obey Christ not to earn His love but because we love Him.

Love fuels true obedience—it is not a burden, but a joy.

That’s a true test to reveal your motivation.

You can do many things for many reasons,

but as we’ve recently shared.

When you operate out of a motivation of Love,

You get fueled, instead of warn out

Matthew 11:28–30 NASB95

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

If you are carrying a burden too heavy for you to bare, release it and pick up Jesus’s burden which is fueled by Love

C. Obedience Leads to Joy (v.11)

Jesus says,

John 15:11 NASB95

11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

True joy comes not from doing our own thing but from abiding in Christ and walking in obedience.

When we live in step with Him, we experience the fullness of joy and peace that the world cannot give.

Application:

Is your obedience motivated by love or obligation?

Are you getting worn out, or invigorated ?

Jesus invites us into joyful obedience, where His love sustains us.

Walking in Obedience Through Abiding

Walking in obedience is not about striving, legalism, or religious duty.

It is about abiding in Christ, bearing fruit, and living in His joy.

Key Takeaways:

Abiding requires surrender – Stay connected to the Vine and let God prune your life.

Obedience bears fruit – When we remain in Christ, we will produce godly fruit that glorifies God.

Love fuels obedience – The more we love Jesus, the more we will joyfully obey Him.

Challenge:

Evaluate your connection – Are you abiding in Christ daily?

Trust the pruning process – Let God remove what hinders your spiritual growth.

Walk in love-fueled obedience – Choose to obey not out of duty, but out of love.

Review the handout 20 things Jesus tells his disciples to do!

Closing Prayer: