Abiding in Jesus

John 15:1–17

Introduction: The Image of the Vineyard

Personal experience: visiting vineyards in Bordeaux, France.

Grape cultivation requires pruning, care, and tending to produce quality fruit.

Jesus uses the image of a vineyard to teach about discipleship in John 15.

Context: The Farewell Discourse—Jesus’ final words to his disciples before the crucifixion.

I. The Central Message: Abiding in Jesus

John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches…”

A branch disconnected from the vine cannot bear fruit; it withers and dies.

Modern parallel: A lamp unplugged from an outlet—without power, it cannot shine.

Abiding = an intimate, honest, ongoing relationship with Jesus.

Three characteristics of abiding:

Intimacy – close, vulnerable, and real.

Honesty – requires confession and openness before God.

Ongoing commitment – not just a one-time decision but a lifelong relationship.

II. Why Do We Struggle to Abide? The New Year's Resolution Effect

Many people begin the year with ambitious goals—getting in shape, learning a new skill, improving their habits.

Illustration: A fitness app (Strava) found that most people give up on their resolutions by the second Tuesday of January (“Quitter’s Day”).

Why? Lack of a compelling vision of why they want to change.

The YMCA slogan: “Find your Y”—knowing your purpose increases commitment.

Spiritual parallel: Many Christians start strong in their faith journey but lose steam without a clear vision of why abiding in Jesus matters.

III. Why Should We Abide in Jesus?

Bearing Fruit: Our purpose as branches is to produce fruit.

The Fruit = Eternal, Abundant Life

Not just life after death, but a transformed life now.

John 17:3 – “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Eternal life = knowing God personally, deeply, and communing with Him.

The Warning: Apart from Jesus, there is no life.

A severed branch cannot produce fruit; without Jesus, there is only spiritual death.

Ultimate consequence: Rejection of Christ leads to eternal separation from God.

IV. How Do We Abide in Jesus?

Worship: Our Communal Communion with God

Weekly worship is where we collectively abide in Jesus.

Communion is at the heart of this—receiving the presence of Christ into our bodies.

Worship lifts us into the divine life of God.

Prayer: Our Daily Personal Communion with God

If abiding in Jesus is what gives life, then prayer is what keeps us connected.

What is prayer? An ongoing conversation with God—listening and responding.

Struggles in prayer:

Not knowing what to say.

Fear of vulnerability.

Laziness/procrastination.

Spiritual opposition (Satan tries to keep us from prayer).

Common reasons people fail at prayer? No vision, no plan

We need a trellis.

The Trellis Analogy: A vine needs a trellis for structure and growth.

A structured prayer life provides support and consistency.

The trellis doesn’t produce fruit, but it enables greater fruitfulness.

V. Practical Ways to Develop a Prayer Life (The Trellis for Abiding in Jesus)

Have a set time and quiet place for prayer.

Use a guide or structure to shape your prayer time.

ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication).

Lectio 365 (a daily Scripture and prayer guide).

Field Guide for Prayer (structured prayers and prompts).

“Pray as you can, not as you can’t.” – Dom John Chapman

Trust the Spirit to bring the fruit.

TALK ABOUT THE FOUR OPTIONS IN BULLETIN

Conclusion: The Call to Abide

If you want eternal life—abide in Jesus.

If you want a life of joy, peace, and love—abide in Jesus.

If you want to bear fruit that lasts—abide in Jesus.

Worship Him, commune with Him, pray to Him, and allow Him to prune, feed, heal, and fill you with His life.

Call to Action: What steps will you take this week to abide in Him?

Amen!