Dr. Tom Hover
January 23, 2022
John 15:1-8 / John 15
AM
JESUS’ SERMON FROM THE VINEYARD
John 15:1-8 Introduction: Jesus began to talk to His men about vines, vine dressers and fruit. What prompted this teaching? There are several possibilities.
Psalm 80:8-10, Isaiah 5:1-2, Jeremiah 2:21, John 14:12
I. A SERMON ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS John 15:2
A.) In verse 2, Jesus uses the phrase “in Me.” No less than 6 times in these verses, Jesus uses the phrase “in Me.”
B.) How does one get to be “in” Jesus? The only way this can happen is for the “new birth” to take place.
C.) Now, there are plenty of people “in” religion; and there are plenty of people “in” the church.
Matthew 7:21-23, Romans 9:17
D.) No one can be a fruitful branch for the glory of God until they have a vital, life-giving connection to the Vine. John 6:37
II. A SERMON ABOUT REPRODUCTION
A.) A vine has one distinct purpose: bearing fruit.
Mark 10:45, Luke 19:10, John 18:37.
B.) When a branch is grafted into a fruit tree, it receives its life from the tree, but it continues to bear its own kind of fruit.
C.) You will notice that God, in these verses, indicates that He expects us to bear fruit. You will also notice that there is to be a progression in our fruit bearing. Verse 2 mentions “no fruit,” “fruit,” and “more fruit.” Verse 8 speaks of “much fruit.” I gather from this that God expects us to always be growing in the fruit bearing process. When we speak of “bearing fruit,” what do we mean? What will be produced in our lives when we yield? How will we know if fruit is being produced through us? There are three basic fruits the Lord bears in the lives of His children. They are:
1. Sanctification—We become more like Him
Romans 6:22, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:10
2. Spirituality—We behave more like Him Galatians 5:22-23
3. Souls—We are burdened like Him Romans 1:13
D.) Is Jesus living His life through you today? Are you bearing fruit for His glory? Galatians 2:20, Matthew 17:16-20, Matthew 12:33
III. A SERMON ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY John 15:4
A.) When we think about fruit bearing, we draw back, thinking that it is hard and that we cannot do it.
B.) How does a person abide in Jesus?
First, you must be “in” Jesus. You must be saved! After that, you Abide in Him through prayer, study of His Word, meditation upon Him and His Word, v. 4, worship and praise, and total surrender of the life to Him, Rom. 12:1–2.
C.) If I want to be a fruitful branch for the glory of the Lord, I must learn the secret of fruitfulness. John 15:4. Philippians 4:13
D. Just a thought before we move on in the passage; every genuine branch wants to honor the Lord.
John 15:8, I Corinthians 10:31
IV. A SERMON ABOUT REALITY
A.) The fact of the matter is this: not all branches bear fruit at the same level. 1. v. 2—“every branch in Me that beareth not fruit he taketh away …”—“Taketh away” means “to lift up or to raise higher”. There are three steps in this lifting process. Hebrews 12:4-61.) His Rebuke — Heb. 12:5
2.) His Chastisement — Heb. 12:5
3.) His Scourging — Heb. 12:6
If, however, we choose to go on in our sins, there is a sin unto death: I John 5:16, Revelation 3:19, Hebrews
B.) Notice verse 2, Jesus says that this ministry is performed on “every branch.”
C. Verse 6 tells us that not every branch responds properly to the challenging and cleansing ministry of the Gardener. John 15:6
Conclusion: Jesus is the True Vine. He exists to bring glory to His Father, the Vine Dresser, by saving sinners, living through them, and causing them to bear fruit. With this in mind let me close by asking you a few questions:
1. Are you “in the Vine”? Have you ever been genuinely saved and grafted into Jesus?
2. Are you “abiding in the Vine”? Are you drawing your strength from Him so that He is able to produce is fruit through your life?
3. Have the Gardener been performing His purifying and pruning ministry in your life?
PM
John 15 The Overview
I. The Abiding in Christ (John 15:1–8)
II. The Affection in Christ (John 15:9–17)
III. The Animosity Towards Christ (John 15:18–27)
