John 15:1-10, I AM: the True Vine

## I AM: the 
# True Vine
## John 15:1-10
[Flor Saurina](https://unsplash.com/photos/mHLHSn4gtno "caption")

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## Jesus is the I AM

+ **Bread** of Life [(Jn6)](# "ref")
+ **Light** of the World [(Jn8)](# "ref")
+ **Door** for the Sheep [(Jn10)](# "ref")
+ Good **Shepherd** [(Jn10)](# "ref")
+ Resurrection and the **Life** [(Jn11)](# "ref")
+ **Way**, the Truth, and the Life [(Jn14)](# "ref")
+ True **Vine** [(Jn15)](# "ref")

[pxhere](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1094065 "caption")

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+ ch14-17 w/**disciples**, last supper
+ prep for **after** Chr returns to Father
  + i.e., us in **current** age!

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I am the **true vine**, 
and my Father is the **vinedresser**.

[John 15:1 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ v1-3 **intro**
+ though Christ has **departed**
  + must stay **connected** to him
+ and there is **accountability**
  + for our **action** + inaction

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## I AM: the True Vine (Jn15)
1. Abide in the **Vine** [(v4-6)](# "ref")
1. Abide in Bearing **Fruit** [(v7-8)](# "ref")
1. Abide in His **Love** [(v9-10)](# "ref")

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+ Connected
+ Growing
+ Learning to Love

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**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 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ abide: **remain**, lasting, staying power
+ constant, ongoing supply of **life**

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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 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ pos: **abide** + bear **fruit**
  + not on **own** power but
  + supplied by **life** of Christ
+ neg:

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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.

[John 15:6 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ abiding + bearing fruit are not **optional**
  + **2-tiers** of Chr, passive + active
+ **thrown**: cast out, no longer part of vine
  + **withers**: init semblance of life
  + but disconnected, dies out
+ **fire**: ultimate destiny is destruction
+ Can one **lose** one's salvation?
+ v2 does neg first, then pos:

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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.

[John 15:2-3 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ prune: clean
  + trim away parts **unfruitful**
  + **steer** in direction of growth
+ **Word** cleans us:
  + convicts of **sin**
  + guides into **truth**

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# Am I trying to live **independently** of Christ?

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+ even Chr living
+ all the rituals + labels of Chr life
  + but w/o Christ

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## I AM: the True Vine (Jn15)
1. Abide in the Vine [(v4-6)](# "ref")
1. **Abide in Bearing Fruit** [(v7-8)](# "ref")
1. Abide in His Love [(v9-10)](# "ref")

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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 15:7-8 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ abide > ask > fruit > glory
+ ask for **anything**?
+ later in same ch, v16:

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You did not choose me, but I **chose** you 
and **appointed** you that you should go and 
bear **fruit** and that your fruit should **abide**,

so that whatever you **ask** the Father 
in my name, he may **give** it to you.

[John 15:16 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ "chose": **election** (church: called-out)
+ "appointed": **set**, placed, role, ID
+ fruit that **abides**

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# Do I **pray** for the **fruit** of the Spirit?

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## I AM: the True Vine (Jn15)
1. Abide in the Vine [(v4-6)](# "ref")
1. Abide in Bearing Fruit [(v7-8)](# "ref")
1. **Abide in His Love** [(v9-10)](# "ref")

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As the Father has **loved** me, so have I loved you. 
**Abide** in my love.

If you keep my **commandments**, 
you will abide in my **love**,

just as I have kept my **Father's** commandments 
and abide in his love.

[John 15:9-10 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ abide in Chr, abide in love
  + Chr set **example** w/Father
+ love || cmds
+ love w/o obedience is fickle **emotion**
  + lose sight of God's **holiness**
+ duty w/o love is **legalism**
  + lose Chr's **grace**
+ "keep": guard

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This is my **commandment**, 
that you **love** one another as I have loved you.

Greater **love** has no one than this, 
that someone **lay down** his life for his friends.

[John 15:12-13 (ESV)](# "ref")

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# What does it mean to **love**?

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+ how should we love **God**?
+ how should we love **each other**?

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