STAY CONNECTED

CONNECTED AND CLEANSED

Because of the Word

See John 15:1-3

John 15:1–3 NASB95

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. “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. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

DISCONNECTED

Because of not staying in His Word

See John 15:7

John 15:7 NASB95

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

Because of not staying in His Love

See John 15:9

John 15:9 NASB95

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

Results of Being Disconnected

Cannot bear fruit

See John 15:4

John 15:4 NASB95

“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.

Are Destroyed

See John 15:6

John 15:6 NASB95

“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.

CONTINUITY

See John 15:16

John 15:16 NASB95

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Word Pictures in the New Testament John 15:16

But I chose you (ἀλλʼ ἐγω ἐξελεξαμην ὑμας [all’ egō exelexamēn humas]). First aorist middle indicative of ἐκλεγω [eklegō]. See this same verb and tense used for the choice of the disciples by Christ (6:70; 13:18; 15:19). Jesus recognizes his own responsibility in the choice after a night of prayer (Luke 6:13). So Paul was “a vessel of choice” (σκευος ἐκλογης [skeuos eklogēs], Acts 9:15). Appointed (ἐθηκα [ethēka]). First aorist active indicative (κ [k] aorist) of τιθημι [tithēmi]. Note three present active subjunctives with ἱνα [hina] (purpose clause) to emphasize continuance (ὑπαγητε [hupagēte], keep on going, φερητε [pherēte], keep on bearing fruit, μενῃ [menēi], keep on abiding), not a mere spurt, but permanent growth and fruit-bearing. He may give (δῳ [dōi]). Second aorist active subjunctive of διδωμι [didōmi] with ἱνα [hina] (purpose clause). Cf. 14:13 for the same purpose and promise, but with ποιησω [poiēsō] (I shall do). See also 16:23f., 26