INTRO TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, Sarah Barry
JESUS IS THE TRUE VINE
Passage: John 15:1~8  
Key verse: 5
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am(A) the true vine,(B) and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,(C) while every branch that does bear fruit(D) he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.(E) 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you.(F) No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;(G) apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.(H) 7 If you remain in me(I) and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.(J) 8 This is to my Father’s glory,(K) that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.(L)
Footnotes
- John 15:2 The Greek for he prunes also means he cleans.
Cross references
- John 15:1 : S Jn 6:35
- John 15:1 : Ps 80:8-11; Isa 5:1-7
- John 15:2 : ver 6; S Mt 3:10
- John 15:2 : Ps 92:14; Mt 3:8; 7:20; Gal 5:22; Eph 5:9; Php 1:11
- John 15:3 : Jn 13:10; 17:17; Eph 5:26
- John 15:4 : S Jn 6:56
- John 15:5 : ver 16
- John 15:6 : ver 2; Eze 15:4; S Mt 3:10
- John 15:7 : ver 4; S Jn 6:56
- John 15:7 : S Mt 7:7
- John 15:8 : S Mt 9:8
- John 15:8 : Jn 8:31
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Remain in Jesus and bear fruit (1-4)
Jesus used the analogy of a vine and branches to explain his relationship to believers. He is the true vine. God is the gardener. We are the branches connected to the vine. When a branch doesn't bear fruit, the gardener considers it dead and he cuts it off. This will allow the other branches more nutrients so they will bear more fruit. If we don't bear fruit to God (have faith), we will be cut off. We must remain in the vine (Jesus) in order to bear fruit. We cannot bear fruit on our own.
2. Bear fruit for God's glory (5-8)
Jesus promises that if we remain in him, we will bear much fruit. If we do not remain in Jesus, we can do nothing. We are like a branch that the gardener cuts off and burns. If we do remain in Jesus, we can ask God for anything in Jesus' name, and God will grant it. God wants us to bear much fruit. It is for His glory.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remain in Jesus, the true vine and bear fruit.
One Word: Remain in Jesus and bear much fruit