1. I AM THE VINE,
you are the branches

2. The Backdrop
Jesus has spent the last three years convicting the hearts of His disciples.
He showed them He is the Christ, the Son of God. Jn. 1:1; 4:29
He showed them how he abided by and lived in obedience to the heavenly Father’s will. Jn. 4:34
He has now one “final lesson” for His disciples to grasp before He begins His journey to the cross.

3. The Final Parable

4. Bear Much Fruit The roles (Jn. 15:1, 5)
Our heavenly Father: The vinedresser.
Jesus: The vine.
Disciples: the branches of the vine.
The import of the parable: bear fruit (Jn. 15:2)
Branches that don’t produce are taken away. (cp. V. 3; 13:10-11)
Branches that produce fruit are pruned… to produce even more fruit!

5. Fruit-Bearing is All About ABIDING IN CHRIST

6. The Necessity of Abiding in Christ
We cannot bear fruit unless abiding in Jesus. Jn. 15:4-7
This may seem trivial to some but the mere fact that Jesus is emphasizing this simple truth to His disciples should weigh heavily on our minds today.
The point? “WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” (You cannot bear fruit). V. 5
Worse, those who do not bear fruit “are cast out… and burned.” v. 6
Those who do are blessed! V. 7

7. What Abiding Looks Like
Abiding in Christ = Keeping His commandments. Jn. 15:9-11
The blessing of abiding in Christ…being loved by Him.
Thus, keeping His commandments = abiding in His love.
End result: His joy would fully abide within us!
What commandment does Jesus stress? Love one another. Jn. 15:12, 17

8. No Greater Love Than This
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
John 15:13-14