Abide In Christ

This is a short Bible study from 2008. It was presented to a group of men, many being uncertain of their immediate future, but Jesus, showing the disciples, us (them) the Kingdom, insures eternal life for those who will accept it.
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       Pray

Jesus’ instructions to the disciples – “upper room discourse” also en route to garden and arrest

John 15 (Amplified Bible)

 1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.

• “True Vine” – calls Himself True Vine, OT referred to Israel several times as “Vine” but it didn’t bear fruit over and over.
• Vinedresser as any farmer must be competent

    2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

·         “In Me” = abide – have a relationship / depend on Me

·         some branches don’t bear fruit

·         fruit is outer evidence that people can benefit from. Evidence of inner change.

·         Special attention from Vinedresser

3      You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].

·         Grow and nourished = fed by Word

·         The nature of God to feed children – take care of needs – manna

·         Jesus assures the disciples, they are clean already, Jesus did not want the Eleven to conclude, as many people do, that the absence of fruit or the presence of difficulties indicates the absence of salvation.

4        Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.

·         “Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you”

·         Jesus indicates He will take care of His “clean (saved) disciples

·         Abide in as opposed to flee from

5      I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

·         Jesus spoke of some fruit and more fruit (v2) but now speaks of “much” fruit.

·         Must stay connected – (how ?)

·         Much fruit = unhindered fellowship with Him

·         Whoever = any potential believer (John 3:16)

6      If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.

·         Literal

·         Non abiding = non believers (broken off branch)

7      If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

·         Must have fellowship and be connected