I am the true vine (Part 2)

What is spiritual fruit?

It’s not enough to be attached to the vine—we are also supposed to bear fruit: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8). If we bear “fruit,” we are his true disciples. If we do not, we are not.

So, what is this spiritual fruit?

How do we bear it? What happens to us if we don’t?

1. Our lives glorify God.
2. We have the joy of Jesus.
3. We reproduce spiritually, bearing “fruit that will last” (v. 16).

A tree reproduces by bearing fruit—so does a disciple. We are to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We are to tell what we know and to give what we have. God measures the faith we possess by the degree to which we share it.

How do we bear spiritual fruit?

How can we be attached to the vine so that our lives glorify God, bring us joy, and bring others to him?

First, admit that we need the vine.

“Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Not something, but “nothing.” No matter our stock portfolio or educational achievements, title, or status.

Admit that you need the vine, that you’ll shrivel up and die without staying connected to Jesus every day. “Abide” in him, choose to stay connected with Jesus every day, to “remain in me” (v. 2). A branch without the vine is Christianity without Christ. A branch in the vine climbs and grows to the sky.

Second, pray continually.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (v. 7).

How much do you pray? How often?

Prayer is how we connect with the vine. We are never taller than when we are on our knees. We are never stronger than when we are surrendered to God in prayer.

Third, obey his word.

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (v. 10).

Is there an area of disobedience in your life?

Do you need to confess gossip, slander, anger, lust, laziness, and pride?

Are you giving the tithe to the Lord?

Are you using your spiritual gifts fully in evangelism and ministry?

If we try to obey without Jesus, we will find ourselves hopeless, exhausted, and, at most, maybe prideful and self-righteous. Open your hands and let Jesus provide the nutrients for your life of spiritual fruit.

A summary of Jesus’ 7 “I am” statements

We can summarise this study by considering Jesus’ claims about himself and our response. Jesus uses several “I am” statements to reference:

• his offer of salvation,
• the power of his presence,
• his sacrificial love,
• his intimate, revealing light,
• his claim to authority and exclusivity,
• his promise of resurrection,
• and he even gives us the power to respond to these truths and him.

Who wouldn’t want to follow this God who loves us?

Spend time with him abiding, allowing these truths to sink in and affect your heart and actions.

As A.W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Praise Jesus just for who he is.

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