A Fruitful Life

Here's the Point from CrossPoint Christian Church in Whittier, CA

A Fruitful Life

John 15:1-17

Sunday May 1, 2022

“Abiding in Christ is the evidence of our discipleship”

1. Jesus is the true Vine

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser

John 15:5a I am the vine; you are the branches.

1. I AM the Vine
   1. Proclamation of Deity
   2. Same I AM statement in Exodus 3

1. I AM stands for
   1. Self sufficient
   2. Self-existent
   3. Immediate presence
   4. God exists necessarily, it is His nature to exist and is not dependent on anyone else for His existence
   5. Unlike us human beings whose existence depends entirely on God.
   6. The source of life

1. The Branches Contrasts

John 15:2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away: and every branc that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit

1. Unfruitful
   1. Judas
   2. Professing believers
   3. Lack of fruit is an indication of not having genuine faith

1. Fruitful
   1. Represent the remaining 11
   2. True believers
   3. God prunes in order to produce more fruit

1. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing

1. The Fruit

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, an it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, hat you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

1. Abide
   1. “Remain in one place, at given time, with someone.” Dictionary of New Testament Theology, pg. 224
   2. Indicates permanence
   3. Relationship between the Son and the Fathers

1. Abide in His love (Verse 9 “As the Father loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.)

1. Obedience (Verse 10, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love”

1. Application (Abiding in Christ is)

1. Manifested by the believers’ obedience
2. Manifested by Love towards one another
3. Abiding in Christ and His Word is a confirmation of our discipleship

John 8:31-32 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”