Week 6 Text: John 15:1–27
Big Idea: Life and fruit only come through Christ; cut off from Him, we’re dead wood.
I. The Lie of Self-Sufficiency
- Culture preaches independence and self-help: “You do you. Find your truth.”
- Jesus exposes that lie — life only comes from abiding in Him.
- Self-sufficiency leads to burnout; dependence on Christ leads to fruitfulness.
- The Vine and the branches show belonging, dependence, and spiritual vitality.
II. The True Vine (vv.1–3)
- Jesus declares: “I am the true vine.” Every other “source” of life is counterfeit.
- The Father is the vinedresser — He tends, prunes, and removes.
- Pruning is not punishment; it’s preparation for greater fruit.
- A pruned life is a productive life.
III. The Call to Abide (vv.4–6)
- Abide = remain, dwell, stay connected.
- Fruit isn’t produced through effort but through union with Christ.
- Apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value.
- Disconnected branches wither — connection determines vitality.
IV. Fruit That Glorifies God (vv.7–8)
- True fruit is obedience and answered prayer aligned with God’s will.
- The purpose of fruit: to glorify the Father, not self.
- Abiding transforms desires — we begin to pray according to God’s heart.
- Visible fruit proves genuine discipleship.
V. Abide in Love (vv.9–17)
- Jesus defines love through obedience, not emotion.
- “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.”
- His command: love one another as He has loved us.
- Real love is sacrificial — it gives, endures, and lays down self for others.
- Fruitful discipleship grows from rooted love.
VI. Expect the World’s Hatred (vv.18–25)
- The world hated Jesus — it will hate His followers too.
- Rejection isn’t failure; it’s confirmation of faithfulness.
- Hatred exposes spiritual opposition between light and darkness.
- Believers must respond with endurance and grace, not retaliation.
VII. The Helper’s Witness (vv.26–27)
- The Holy Spirit, the Helper, empowers believers to testify about Christ.
- The Spirit bears witness to Jesus — and we bear witness with Him.
- We don’t stand firm in our own strength; the Spirit sustains our courage.
- Partnership: The Spirit empowers, and we obey.
VIII. Connecting to Today’s World
- Self-care culture: Real renewal comes from abiding, not isolation.
- Identity confusion: True identity is found in connection to Christ.
- Cancel culture: Expect opposition — Jesus was hated first.
- Shallow faith trends: Without abiding, faith withers and dies.
- The world celebrates independence; Jesus calls us to dependence.
IX. Dead Wood or Living Branch?
- You’re either connected to the vine or you’re firewood — no neutral branch.
- Abiding is continual surrender and dependence on Christ.
- Without Him, you can do nothing; with Him, fruit flourishes.
- Fruit proves the connection is real — peace, love, endurance, obedience.
- The secret to fruitfulness isn’t effort — it’s abiding.
Closing Scripture:
John 15:5 — “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.”