True Fruitfulness Flows From Abiding

The following is a full manuscript from our Wednesday Evening Homily.

Intro:

Open with me in your Bibles to John 15. We are looking at the first 8 verses, briefly, this evening. In what Scholars refer to as the farewell discourse. John 13-17, is a series of speeches and prayers of Jesus during the Last Supper. Jesus knows His hour has come that the Son of God might glorify the Father in Heaven.

In this passage, Jesus gives us imagery of the vine and the branches. This theme of Abiding in Christ will be a critical theme of our time together on Wednesday Night. I’d like for us to be devoted to a time of worship together, in which we catechize our children and students, as well as a time of worship through the word, and then finally devote ourselves to prayer as a church.

I am increasingly convicted of the need for our church to pray. Jesus said, My house shall be a house of prayer! (Matt 21:13) As such, we should strive to pray more and often. I’ve also been reading of Charles Spurgeon’s “Only a Prayer Meeting.” But my hope is that we would delight in this time. That it would be aimed more toward the heart than to our heads. That even in a time of opening up the scripture, would seek to pierce the souls of men and women, both young and old. So if these times feel more hearty than heady, that is the point.

So here in this passage, Jesus aims to show us the importance of abiding in Christ and the fruits of abiding in Christ.

Scripture: John 15:1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Doctrine:

Jesus helps us to see in this passage that all spiritual life and spiritual fruit come only from our union with the true vine, Jesus.

Notice in verse 1. When Jesus says, “I am the true vine.” That He means it. It is Jesus alone who is true! He is the true vine. This means that all other vines are false vines! Any form of righteousness that attempts to grab at the world or its system will never satisfy us with the supply and nourishment we need for true life. Israel would try to cling to religion, but religion apart from Jesus is vanity. Jesus alone is the source of divine life! HE is the only means of supply and growth as a Christian!

Notice also, in verse 1, that the Father is the vinedresser. This is further demonstrated by the Father’s rights and care over the vine! He prunes the branches! He tends to the branches. He judges the branches. This is a means of providence and sovereignty over us. But it is also the means of His purposes in us. Namely, our sanctification. Our growth, that we might bear more fruit, and bring him more glory! Here is the wisdom, care, love, and mercy of the Father to tend what is rightfully His vine!

Notice also in verses 4-6,  the necessity of abiding! That is to say, we can do nothing apart from Christ! That, as branches, we cannot bear fruit on our own. But oh, what mighty branches often we think we are. How frequently do we see ourselves as “the big stick!” Yet, in reality, we are nothing but broken apart from Jesus. For what is a stick, but a branch separated from its life source? On its way to death! May we rejoice not in our might or strength as a big stick, but rather as branches that are abiding in the vine!  Jesus is the vine, we are the branches!. This is the type of dependency Christ means. Not only can we bear no fruit. Notice, Jesus says we can do nothing apart from him!

What then is our portion, beloved? What is our strength, our hope, and our purpose, but only to abide in the Lord Jesus! That is that we remain! We continue – that is, we abide – continually in Jesus!

Notice then, in verses 5 and 8, the fruit of abiding. In contrast to doing nothing apart from Jesus. It is only in Christ that we indeed will bear fruit! Moreover, Jesus says, MUCH FRUIT! This is the fruit of love! This is the fruit of joy, and of peace, and patience, kindness, and goodness, that we be found faithful, and gentle, and self-controlled! The fruit of abiding in Jesus is the fruit that bears fruit with Jesus. That is, we love like Jesus. We are holy like Jesus. We live distinct lives for the glory of God. Finally, we are surrendered to Jesus. We listen, obey, follow! We abide in Christ!

For this fruit glorifies the Father, but also proves discipleship!

How many desire to prove discipleship by external and false means? I go to church! I give! I have taken on the rights of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. I care for the least of these….Ah, but if you have no fruit, they are but vanity. This fruit is from the heart, not our deeds. The fruit of love for God! The fruit of holiness unto Christ, the fruit of obedience to Christ.

Then, finally, notice in verse 6 – the Judgement of Fruitlessness. Those unfruitful branches are of no use but to be cast out and burned. These are but false branches. Not true branches supplied by the vine. They are but mere professors, but they are not possessors! They may have a profession, but not possession of true faith in Jesus. They are not supplied by the true vine, but by their own strength!

Here is a great warning of false security. Lest we say I have faith, but no fruit to demonstrate. Lest we say we have faith, but no root in Christ. Lest we say we have faith, without abiding. Assurance with no surety of Jesus, our vine!

Reasons:

What shall we save of motivations to abide?

1.    It is reasonable to conclude that, as Christ is the only source of true life, then apart from Him there is only death!

a.    If branches have no life apart from the vine, and it is true. We know this practically! Then truthfully, neither do our souls have life apart from Christ!

2.    The Father is glorified in faithful branches.

a.    God’s glory is the end of all things. The heavens declare the glory of God. His creation tells of His might, faithfulness, and glory. Even the rocks cry out.

b.    The end of our life is that we might bring Him glory

                                               i.     So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him (2 Co 5:8)

c.     Righteous Fruit is evidence of His gracious work in us!

3.    Fruit affirms discipleship.

a.    Not merely our profession, but living and delighting in Jesus. That is abiding and obedience display evidence that we are in Christ.

Uses (Application):

So then, how shall we live? What shall we say? What shall we do with these great truths and motivations?

1.    It is for our examination.

a.    Do you abide? Are you abiding? From where are you finding strength? - Yourself? Your creativity, your knowledge, your ability?

                                           i.     Perhaps it is better to ask not of the outer man, but the inner!

1.    From where does your soul find rest?

2.    Where does your soul find strength?

b.    Is there visible fruit?

                                               i.     Jesus has not left us guessing. Rest assured, there is a real tangibility to faith. In one sense, it can’t be seen, but it is certainly on display!

1.    Is there fruit of repentance?

2.    Fruit of humility?

3.    Fruit of obedience

4.    Fruit of love

5.    Fruit of abiding in the vine!

2.   It is for our comfort.

a.    Are you weak, Christian? Are you weary, saint?

                                               i.     Oh that we might truly abide in Him. And the beauty is that those who abide are truly in the vine!!

                                             ii.     Yes, the Father may prune us, but it is not without great care!

1.    We may feel it’s cut, but knowing that one day we might glory in the fruit He bears in us!

2.    Beloved, know the love of the Father’s pruning of the true branches!

3.   It is for your encouragement!

The encouragement here, Christian. Very simply – ABIDE in JESUS! Seek Him daily. Grow in Christ daily! Pursue more of Him – through His word and through prayer!

That we might put away our tendencies upon self, and cast ourselves upon Jesus for strength. Yes, Christian - Cling ONLY to the vine!!

4.   It is a warning!

That we might be warned of hypocrisy. The danger, the snare, and the destructive end of not abiding. The reality of fruitless vines! The fate of those fruitless branches is only destruction. It is a great warning to our souls to find no comfort in outward piety. We have no comfort in the garb of external religion, but only in inward transformation. That our hearts be transformed. That we abide in vital union with Christ alone!

Conclusion:

So may we resolve in our very souls. Plant it deep in our hearts. Christ is the only true vine. We are the branches! Then may we make it our aim to abide in Christ, that we bear fruit in Christ, through the work of the Spirit, and glorify the Father. May we truly live as humble branches of Christ’s vine. Jesus says, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." So may we do nothing apart from Him and continually abide in Jesus!