Get Connected & Stay Connected in Jesus

Get Connected & Stay Connected in Jesus John 15:1–9 Here in these verses of Scripture, Jesus uses a natural agricultural event to show us a spiritual principle that will open the door to receive the promises of God. God desires that our lives be like the fruitful branches of a grapevine. The only way to be fruitful is to remain connected to Jesus, the vine, and to allow God, the gardener, to prune our lives in ways that will stimulate growth and fruitfulness. It is God’s cultivating, weeding, and pruning in our lives that brings forth spiritual fruit. Just as sustenance for the desired fruit comes through the vine, so does the fullness of life come through faith in Jesus Christ. We need to stay close to God in Jesus Christ, who is the source of our spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Say, Neighbor: “Get Connected & Stay Connected in Jesus.” Jesus starts off by saying, “I am the true vine,” meaning that He is the true source of life, “and my Father is the husbandman,” meaning that the Father is the gardener who takes care of the branches in order that they may bear fruit. Verse 2 Jesus explains the work of the Father: John 15:2 In Matthew 15:13, Jesus explains that every plant not planted by the heavenly Father shall be rooted up. Matthew 15:13 Verse 2 goes on to explain that every branch that bears fruit is purged so that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2 The Greek word used for “purgeth” in this verse is “kathairo,” and it means “to cleanse,” meaning to get rid of whatever is impure or undesirable that is on the branch, or in the branch, so that the branch (person) may bring forth more fruit. Say, Neighbor: “Let God purge you!” Philippians 2:13 Philippians 2:13 Say with me: “Lord, work on me.” Question: What does God use to cleanse us? Verse 3 In verse 3, we see how God does His work in us: John 15:3 Jesus’ words are spirit and life. John 6:63 Jesus’ Word is given to discipline, correct, and make us thoroughly furnished unto every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 2 Timothy 3:16–17 Verse 4 — “Abide in me” Read John 15:4. The Greek word meno, which was translated “abide” in this verse, means “to stay (in a given place, state, relation, or expectancy)” (Strong’s Concordance). The dictionary defines “abide” as: “to remain; stay; to dwell.” Every possible definition, whether in Greek or English, stresses some point of consistency. We cannot claim to abide in Jesus if we only have communion with Him occasionally. Abiding in Jesus involves constant communion with the Lord. They don’t just visit there occasionally. Romans 1:17 Verse 5 Read John 15:5. The evidence of abiding in Jesus is bringing forth much fruit. Verse 2 speaks of “fruit,” then “more fruit,” and finally in verses 5 and 8, “much fruit.” There is no shortcut to bearing much fruit. We must grow. 1 Peter 2:2 1 Peter 2:2 Understanding the Vine and the Branches Understand this: the fruit is borne on the branch. It is easy to credit the branch with the fruit, when it is the vine that drew the life from the earth and channeled it through the branch. Likewise, since we are the branches through which the life of God flows, we sometimes think that it is our own holiness that produces the fruit. The moment we think that way, we are no longer abiding—trusting in and clinging to—the vine, and we will become fruitless if we persist in that mindset. Read: John 15:4–5 This is actually a great relief if we understand this and apply it properly. It puts all the responsibility on Jesus. Our only responsibility is to respond to His ability. Just like we have never seen a branch travailing to bring forth fruit, all we have to do is labor to rest—trust and depend—completely on Jesus as our source. Hebrews 4:11 If we abide in Him, fruit is natural. The Fruit Galatians 5:22–23 Galatians 5:22–23 Love — 1 John 4:18 Joy — Nehemiah 8:10 Peace — Philippians 4:7 Longsuffering — Colossians 1:9–11 Love 1 John 4:18 Joy Nehemiah 8:10 Peace Philippians 4:7 Longsuffering Colossians 1:9–11 Fruits of Righteousness 2 Corinthians 9:10 Abiding in Jesus Emphasis added, verse 7: John 15:7 Operating according to the Word of God is to abide in Jesus. The Result: When we abide in Jesus and His words abide in us, we can ask according to His will. John 15:7 Question: What godly desire do you have? “Just ask.” Ask like unto King Solomon. 1 Kings 3:5–15 The secret of answered prayer is remaining in Jesus. The more intimate our life in Jesus is through prayer, fasting, worship, meditation on and study of the Scripture, the more our prayers will be in line with the nature and work of Jesus, and therefore the more effectual our prayers will be. The Father is glorified when we bear much fruit and live as Christ’s disciples. John 15:8 Philippians 1:9–11 Philippians 1:9–11 Say, Neighbor: “Get Connected & Stay Connected in Jesus.”