John 15:1-17 — pg. 1676

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.”

Jesus uses FAMILIAR imagery for the people from the SCRIPTURES and their SURROUNDINGS.

What was TRUE in the days of Isaiah is EVEN MORE TRUE in the days of Jesus.

Martin Luther: “Christ wants to teach us to have a view of the affliction and suffering of Christians that is far different from what appears on the surface and before the world.”

Jesus is making a PROMISE. Jesus will be with you ALWAYS.

Consider the FRUIT of the faithful in the past, present, and future.

This is a WARNING. There are consequences for UNBELIEF.

All things are not good, but God WORKS for our good in all things.

It’s EASY to start to love. It’s HARD to keep on loving. Our love is how we are KNOWN.

Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks, The Other Half of Church: “JOY helps us regulate our emotions and endure suffering. Jesus refused to relinquish JOY in the midst of His suffering on the cross. When we are able to stay relationally connected to others and God, we experience joy while we suffer. JOY does not remove our pain, but it gives us the strength to endure.”

Your FRUIT is FROM God FOR others.

Verses Referenced: Isaiah 5:1-7; Galatians 5:19-23; Hebrews 12:11; Romans 5:3-5; Titus 3:5; Matthew 28:20; Luke 1:50; Romans 11:16-24; Romans 8:28; John 13:35; Mark 10:45; Romans 5:6-8; Matthew 5:16