Chapter 15

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 15• Without Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5)!• Apostasy is possible!– Every branch that is “IN” Jesus but does not bear fruit is taken

away (John 15:2).– Those in Christ who become unfruitful are severed, gathered,

cast into fire (15:6).• Jesus left us a perfect example to follow!– “As” Jesus kept His Father’s commandments, He calls on us to

keep His (John 15:10).– “As” Jesus loved others and loved us, He calls on us to love one

another (15:12).

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 15• Jesus substituted His precious life, willingly receiving the

punishment due us (15:13)!– He not only did this for His friends (15:13), He did it for His

enemies (Rom. 5:6-10).

An Overview/Theme of John 15: “Abiding in Christ”

• Allegorically, the vineyard represents the church.– Jesus is the true vine (John 15:1). Bears fruit Himself & is our

only source of life.– The Father is the owner vinedresser/husbandman/owner (John

15:1).– Individual disciples are the individual branches on the vine

(John 15:2, 5).– The branch on the vine cannot bear fruit of itself, apart from

the vine (John 15:4).


• Disciples of Christ are commanded to “abide in Christ”!– The Greek word for “abide” (meno) is found 12 times in 8

verses in John 15.• The word means “to remain, abide, continue, be present, dwell, not

depart.”– Abiding in Christ is not a “take it or leave it” proposition in

order to please Him.• 2 times “abide” is used as an imperative—command to be followed

(15:4a, 9).– Abiding in Christ is not something that automatically continues

once a Christian.• 6 times “abide” is used in the present tense—continuous activity

(15:4b,5,6,10,16).


• Disciples of Christ are commanded to “abide in Christ”!– Abiding in Christ is not designed as a “one time” event in

someone’s life.• 2 times “abide” is used in the aorist tense—an overall summary of life

(15:7).– Abiding in Christ is conditional (cf. word “if” used frequently—

John 15:6, 7, 10, 14).• 1 time “abide” is used in the future tense, following the conditional “if”

(15:10).


• Jesus explains the only way to abide in Him!– To “abide” in Him one must first be “in Him” (cf. Rom. 6:3-4).– Jesus gives two vital keys in order to abide in Him:

• Abide in His words & let His words abide in you!– “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you…” (John 15:7).– See “word(s),” “commandments” & “command” in 15:3,10,14,17,20.– To abide in Christ, we must keep His commandments/words.

• Abide in His love & let His love abide in you!– “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love”

(15:9).– “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love…” (15:10).– To abide in His love, we must keep commandments & “love one

another” (15:12,17).


• Abiding in Christ comes with personal responsibilities!– We must faithfully maintain a continuous connection with the

life-giving vine (15:4).– Each & every branch is individually responsible for bearing fruit.

• “Every branch that bears fruit…” (John 15:2).• “I chose you… [for the purpose that] you should go and bear fruit” (16).• “…And that your fruit should remain” (15:16, present tense means

continuous).• Faithful disciples of the Lord are to be workers, fruit-bearers, in every

part of life.– Winning souls to Christ, serving those in need, growing in knowledge,

praising our God, sacrificing for the cause of Christ, loving one another, etc.


• Abiding in Christ comes with personal responsibilities!– Christ is not looking for “some” fruit or “a little” fruit.

• “He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). “…Bears much fruit” (15:5).

• “By this My father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (8). Our aim!– We cannot abide in Christ if we fail to “love one another”!

• Loving one another is a commandment of Christ (15:12, 17; 13:34-35).• Model & measure we have for love is the love of Jesus for us (15:12-13).• Loving one another is a badge of discipleship (John 13:34-35).• Loving one another is a condition for gaining His approval of us (15:14).• Loving one another is a requirement in order to abide in His love

(15:10).


• There are great blessings that follow those who abide in Christ & bear fruit for Him!– The Father “prunes” them or “cleans” them, so that they can

bear more (15:2-3).• His word cleanses, disciplines, teaches, in order to bear as much fruit as

possible.– Bearing fruit, working for the Lord, is not a burden (cf. 1 John 5:3)!– The more a Christian can do for the Lord, the more satisfied he will be!– And, God will continue cleansing & forgiving, so that more can be done!

– The Lord promises to answer the prayers of those who abide in Him (John 15:7, 16)!


• There are great blessings that follow those who abide in Christ & bear fruit for Him!– When Christians “bear much fruit,” our “Father is glorified” (8)!

No greater motive!– Those who “bear much fruit” are privileged to be called “His

disciples” (John 15:8).– Fruit-bearers are the recipients of & dwellers within the love of

Christ (John 15:9).• Jesus loves His fruit-bearers as much as His Father loved Him (15:8-9,12).


• There are great blessings that follow those who abide in Christ & bear fruit for Him!– Keeping His commandments, abiding in Christ & bearing fruit

brings great joy.• We share in the joy Jesus had when He did His Father’s will (John 15:11).• The Christian life is a life of joy – a life “full” of joy (John 15:11).

– Those who abide in Him & obey His commands, Jesus calls “friends” (John 15:13-15).• He died for (in behalf of, in the place of) His friends (John 15:13).• His friends do whatever He commands & serve the Father willingly

(15:14, 15).


• There are great blessings that follow those who abide in Christ & bear fruit for Him!– The world hates those who follow Christ (John 15:18-25).

• It hated Christ first (John 15:18), therefore it hates those who follow Him.

• Being hated by the world is evidence that you are not “of the world” (15:19).

• To be hated and persecuted for His name’s sake is to be united with Him (20-21).


• There are devastating consequences for those who choose to not abide in Christ!– “Every branch in Me that does bear fruit He takes away” (John

15:2; cf. Gal. 5:4).– “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and

is withered…” (15:6).– “…And and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and

they are burned” (15:6).– The possibility of apostasy is absolutely possible (cf. Mt. 25:41;

Rev. 14:10-11; 21:8).

How Chapter 15 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John

• “I Am” Statement: “I am the true vine…I am the vine” (John 15:1, 5).

• Jesus’ words (John 15:22) and His works (John 15:24) clearly proclaimed His deity.

• To accept or reject/hate Jesus is to accept or reject/hate the Father (John 15:23-26).

• Jesus fulfilled prophecy: “They hated Me without a cause” (John 15:25; cf. Psa. 35:19).

• Jesus was going to send the Holy Spirit, who would testify of Him (John 15:26-27).

Chapter 15

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Transcript of Chapter 15