Sunday, October 1st, 2023
Dr. John Welborn
Abide
Abide as the Branches

Key Components of Jesus’ Teaching on the Vine:
The Vine: Jesus
The Vineyard: The World We Live In
The Vinedresser: God the Father
The Branches: Disciples of Jesus (Us)
The Fruit: The Life of Jesus Lived Through His Disciples
The Command: Abide

Series Main Idea: The Key to a Truly Fruitful Life is Abiding in Jesus Everyday

“This abiding relationship is natural to the branch and the vine, but it must be cultivated in the Christian life. It is not automatic. Abiding in Christ demands worship, meditation on God’s Word, prayer, sacrifice, and service – but what a joyful experience it is! Once you have begun to cultivate this deeper communion with Christ, you have no desire to return to the shallow life of the careless Christian.”Warren Wiersbe

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”John 15:1-8

Main Idea: A Branch Has One Job, to Abide in the Vine

I. Apart from The Vine, Branches are Barren
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”Matthew 6:13

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit…thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”Matthew 7:15-18, 20

Main Idea: A Branch Has One Job, to Abide in the Vine

II. Abiding in the Vine, Branches are Bountiful
“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”John 15:5

Fruit is NOT the Goal! The Goal is to Abide in the Vine, and Fruit will Come!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“The believer can each day be pleasing to God only in that which he does through the power of Christ dwelling in him…he lives in Christ alone and is for each moment dependent on Him alone.” Andrew Murray

Three Practical Principles of Abiding in the Vine:
- Be Confident of Your Position in Christ
- Be Consistent with your Daily Time with God
- Be Conscious of His Desire to Be with You

“You NEED to be with God…God WANTS to be with you!"Vance Pitman

Main Idea: A Branch Has One Job, to Abide in the Vine

Series Main Idea: The Key to a Truly Fruitful Life is Abiding in Jesus Everyday

“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take and eat it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28

We are the Branches and We’ve Got One Job: Abide in the Vine that is Jesus

Sources & Further Reading Opportunities
Chasing Vines – Beth Moore (2020)
Abiding in Christ – Andrew Murray (1895)
Secrets of the Vine – Bruce Wilkinson (2001)
Lessons from the Vineyard – Vance Pitman (2014)
New American Commentary: John 12-21 – G.L. Borchert (2002)
Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament – Douglas Mangum (2020)
Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax (2017)
Tony Evans Book of Illustrations – Tony Evans (2009)
Word Pictures in the New Testament – A.T. Robertson (1933)