Abiding in Christ

John 15:1-17

INTRODUCTION: There are times in life when we come to the realization that the Bible is a much bigger book than we ever imagined. Though this chapter is one of the most studied, taught, and preached chapters of all the Bible, its living words still unveil themselves with each fresh view. The overall theme seems quite easily determined as fellowship, but consider the following: 1.) the word love appears 10 times; 2.) the word abide appears 9 times; 3.) and the word fruit appears 8 times. In the end, we will see that these three words very much hold the key to the theme.

I. THE PARTAKERS OF THE PICTURE (John 15:1)

A. The Audience (John 13-15)

1. As Jesus knew His hour was come to depart (John 13:1)
2. After the washing of the disciples’ feet (John 13:3-17)
3. After the departure of Judas (John 13:18-30)
4. After Christ exclaimed what He would do for men in His absence (John 14:1-27)
a. In preparing a place (John 14:1-3)
b. In answering prayer (John 14:12-14)
c. In providing a Comforter (John 14:15-27)
5. Before they entered the garden for prayer (see John 18:1)

B. The True Vine

1. There can be no doubt as to the identity of the “true vine,” as Jesus Christ identifies Himself as such.
2. On the contrary, the very presence of a “true vine” suggests the presence of another vine. According to scripture, Israel is considered a vine (Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; Hosea 10:1). Regardless of whether the Lord was speaking of the danger of the apostles trying to find power and refuge in their natural heritage or speaking of some other vine, the point is that the Lord is the only “true vine.”

C. The Husbandman - Here again, there can be no doubt as to the identity of the husbandman. God, the Father, is identified as such by the Son (John 15:1).

II. THE PROBLEMS OF THE PICTURE (John 15:2, 4-6)

A. The Problem of Choice (John 15:2)

1. Some branches bear not fruit.
2. Some branches bear fruit.

B. The Problem of Inability (John 15:4-5)

1. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, no more can ye (John 15:4).
2. Without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).

C. The Problem of Consequences (John 15:6)

1. A man who abides not
a. He is cast forth as a branch.
b. He is withered.
2. A man’s fruit who abides not
a. Men gather them.
b. Men cast them in the fire.
c. They are burned (1 Corinthians 3:11-14).

III. THE PRODUCE OF THE PICTURE (John 15:2-5, 7)

A. The Process of Produce (John 15:2-3)

1. Purged to bring forth more fruit (John 15:2; see Psalm 51:7)
2. Clean through the word (John 15:3; see Ephesians 5:25-27)

B. The Source of Produce (John 15:4-5)

1. Abide in me, and I in you (John 15:4).
2. Ye cannot bear fruit of yourself, only by abiding in Christ (John 15:4).
3. Those abiding in Christ bringeth forth much fruit (John 15:5).

C. The Companion of Produce (John 15:7)

1. If ye abide in Him, and His words abide in you
2. Ye shall ask what ye will
3. It shall be done unto you

IV. THE PRAISE OF THE PICTURE (John 15:8)

A. The Father Is Glorified

B. The Abiders Are Disciples

V. THE SUBJECT OF THE PICTURE (John 15:9-17)

A. The Context of Abiding (John 15:9-15, 17; see Jude 1:21)

B. The Call for Fruit (John 15:16)

C. The Promise of Provision (John 15:16)

D. The Confirmation of 1 John 2

1. Abiding in Christ yields a Christlikeness (1 John 2:6).
2. Abiding in the light yields a love for others (1 John 2:7-11).
3. The abiding of His word allows for continuance (1 John 2:24).
4. His Spirit is the anointing that abides in us (1 John 2:27).
5. Abiding in Christ prohibits shame when He appears (1 John 2:28).

CONCLUSION: Abiding in Christ can only be accomplished by allowing His word to abide in you; specifically as it relates to loving other branches in Christ.