I AM THE VINE,

1
I AM THE VINE,
you are the branches
2
The Backdrop

• Jesus has spent the last three years convicting
  the hearts of His disciples.
• He showed them He is the Christ, the Son of God.
  Jn. 11 429
• He showed them how he abided by and lived in
  obedience to the heavenly Fathers will. Jn. 434
• He has now one final lesson for His disciples
  to grasp before He begins His journey to the
  cross.

3
The Final Parable
4
Bear Much Fruit

• The roles (Jn. 151, 5)
• Our heavenly Father The vinedresser.
• Jesus The vine.
• Disciples the branches of the vine.
• The import of the parable bear fruit (Jn. 152)
• Branches that dont produce are taken away. (cp.
  V. 3 1310-11)
• Branches that produce fruit are pruned to
  produce even more fruit!

5
Fruit-Bearing is All About ABIDING IN CHRIST
6
The Necessity of Abiding in Christ

• We cannot bear fruit unless abiding in Jesus. Jn.
  154-7
• This may seem trivial to some but the mere fact
  that Jesus is emphasizing this simple truth to
  His disciples should weigh heavily on our minds
  today.
• The point? WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING (You
  cannot bear fruit). V. 5
• Worse, those who do not bear fruit are cast out
  and burned. v. 6
• Those who do are blessed! V. 7

7
What Abiding Looks Like

• Abiding in Christ Keeping His commandments.
  Jn. 159-11
• The blessing of abiding in Christbeing loved by
  Him.
• Thus, keeping His commandments abiding in His
  love.
• End result His joy would fully abide within us!
• What commandment does Jesus stress? Love one
  another. Jn. 1512, 17

8
No Greater Love Than This

• Greater love has no one than this, than to lay
  down ones life for his friends. You are My
  friends if you do whatever I command you.
• John 1513-14