Ye are the Branches

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Introduction: We don’t often think of God in these terms, but I believe He must really enjoy gardens, trees and flowers. He planted a garden eastward in Eden and walked there with Adam (Genesis 2:8; Genesis 3:8). The Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry resorted oftentimes to a garden place to pray and near the throne of God we find a river and a tree of life bearing fruit. In John 15, we are likened to branches shooting forth from the vine. This vine represents the Lord Jesus Christ. God is the husbandman and as such He cares for the fruitfulness of the branches. What would He find should He come today? 

I.                    The Duty of the Branches (John 15:1-3) 

A.    One Duty

B.     Fruitless Branches (John 15:2)

C.    Fruit Bearing Branches (John 15:2-3) 

1.            The process of purging

2.            The purpose of purging – more fruit (Hebrews 12:11)

3.            The instrument of purging – the word (Hebrews 4:12) 

II.                 The Dependency of the Branches (John 15:4-7) 

A.    The Branch Cannot Bear Fruit of Itself (John 15:4-5) 

1.      Except it abide (abide - 7 times in the first 7 verses)

2.   Without me ye can do nothing 

B.     The Branch that is Cast Forth Withers (John 15:6) 

III.               The Desire of the Branches (John 15:8) 

A.    The Glorification of the Father (Isaiah 61:3)

B.     The Evidence of Discipleship

C.    Fruit Given as a Gift of Love (Song of Solomon 7:12-13; Hosea 2:12) – compare this with the judgment seat of Christ