Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Fulfill God’s plan as you

A few days after Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem we find Him and the disciples gathered for a passover meal.

He had washed their feet and explained to them why that was important.

As they were reclined around the table, Jesus taught many important truths.

They probably didn’t quite understand much of it…but they soon would.

He taught many important truths around that table.

They probably didn’t quite understand much of it…but they soon would.

John 13:34-35

In , verses 1-17, Jesus used the analogy of the Vine and the Branches to drive home one of the most important truths all believers need to understand.

John 15:

PRAYER

VIDEO: “Power Strip”

Illustration: Imagine this: you are vacuuming the living room carpet (I know for some that is hard to imagine).

But work with me here.

You are vacuuming, thinking to yourself, “Why does the word vacuum have 2 u’s in the middle?”

You are just about to go look that up on Google, when, poof, the vacuum stops working.

What is your first assumption?

"The dog ate the cord?” “The vacuum is broken (I guess I don’t have to vacuum now)?” “I am hallucinating…the vacuum is still working?

No! What is your first guess?

Of course…i must have pulled the plug out of the wall…i’ll just go plug it back in.

Let’s face it, without the machine being connected to the power outlet, vacuuming sucks!

When Jesus said “Remain in Me! (Live or abide in me),” He taught that if we are not organically connected to Him....like a vine is connected to the branch, we will never bear fruit…we will not have His power or strength to be who and what He has called us to be.

Big Idea: The only way to stay connected to Jesus and His mission is to allow Him to do the work in you that is needed

Big Idea: The only way to stay connected to Jesus and His mission is to allow Him to do the work in you that is needed

Interrogatory: What work does Jesus need to do in us?

Transitional: The dead and useless stuff in our lives must be cut back

God’s pruning makes room for new life

Exposition: Before we talk about pruning…let’s set the stage

At the end of Chapter 14, we catch a glimpse of the heart and passion Jesus

That phrase “Come now; let us leave” isn’t just a casual statement (in English it seems sort of matter of fact: “okay, it’s time to leave”.

But in the language/culture, that phrase was like a call to arms).

John 14:30-31

“Let’s go out and meet the enemy!” or “The prince of this world is advancing as we speak; let us go and confront Him on the field of battle.”

or “The game is afoot!”

IT’S TIME

He had a few more things to say first.

But before the night was over they did go out to meet the enemy…in the Garden

Vineyards were a vital part of their culture — not only because of the wine produced…but the grapes were uses for many things, such as being dried and made into raisin cakes…a important source of iron and other minerals.

The vineyards were well cared for (boxthorn hedges, terracing, A watchtower in the middle of the vineyard, etc.

…vineyard keepers understand the importance of pruning…it is necessary for a good harvest

A. Pruning means cutting of the dead stuff

…every branch (in me) that bears no fruit

The branches that don’t bear fruit wither and die

They are thrown into the fire

Jesus said in verse 5, “I am the vine; you are the branches.”

If I am one of His branches…I don’t want to be found not bearing fruit…do you?

His followers today

If I am one of His branches…I don’t want to be found not bearing fruit…do you?

B. Pruning means cleaning up the good stuff

B. Pruning means cleaning up the good stuff

…prunes every branch that produces fruit so it will produce even more fruit

The fruit-bearing branches must have all the excess off-shoots and runners cleared away so that they get everything they can from the Vine…enabling them to bear fruit.

Fruit bearing branches are ones that get all the nutrients and life they need from the Vine

Application

Application

Jesus is the Vine we are the branches…where do we get the nutrients we need in order to thrive and bear much fruit?

God’s Word cleans us up…conviction leads to repentance and change in our hearts…the cleaning up process.

How do you react when the Lord begins to prune your heart and life?

Transition: Pruning can be painful…but it makes room for life - so we can bear much fruit.

The only way to maintain this process is to remain in the Vine

Remain in Christ and experience new life

Exposition:

John 15:4-5

Jesus uses the word “remain (abide)” 10 times between verses 4 & 10 — this is significant

Remain: “meno” — as the branch is organically and continually connected to the branch, so you and I must be united with Christ

We must have that continual dependence on Jesus — communing with Him through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God

This leads us to submit to Him because we trust Him - if we are to remain in Him…we will face regular pruning sessions in our lives…this is good, even though we may not think so at the time

…remaining in Christ means...

A. Fruit happens

United to Christ…much fruit

Separate from Christ…no fruit

Bearing fruit for the Lord is not possible in our own human abilities; it is only possible through Christ’s work in us.

His work in us can only be accomplished as we surrender our opinions and plans to His authority and allow Him to do what needs to be done.

…remaining in Christ means we love Him and, if we love Him...

Obedience happens

B. Obedience happens

As we abide in him…we will desire to follow His commands for our lives

it is not a burden…following His plan brings freedom

The core of His plan is that, as His people (abiding in Him), we love one another.

He says this over and over again.

He says over and over again, “If you love me, keep my commands” (14:15, 14:21, 15:10, etc.)

…remaining in Christ means...

…remaining in Christ means...

…remaining in Christ means...

C. Answered prayer happens

John 15:

“If you remain in me!”

As we remain in Christ (through His word and the Holy Spirit) we learn to hear His voice and we desire His purpose and plans be fulfilled — the longing of our soul lines up with His plan and prayer is answered

“If you remain in me!”

As we remain in Christ (through His word and the Holy Spirit) we learn to hear His voice and we desire His purpose and plans be fulfilled — the longing of our soul lines up with His plan and so it is easy to see how prayer is answered

Challenge

WHAT IS THIS “FRUIT” JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT

WHAT IS THIS “FRUIT” JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT

Stay connected to God and His mission by allowing Him to prepare you for a great harvest — to bear much fruit

You cannot stay connected to Jesus by accident

Duct-taping the plug near an outlet doesn’t do anything

Taping a dead branch to the Vine will not result in fruit — it will simply be a dead branch taped to the Vine — nothing happens…it is still dead

Just going to church doesn’t cause you to abide in Christ

It’s very important…but in itself it doesn’t do anything