The True Vine

Sermon Summary:

This morning, we wrapped up our series on the "I Am" statements, and next week we'll be starting a Lenten series. We've been diving into John, and today we focused on John 15, specifically verses 1-11. Now, I know what many of you might be thinking: "John 15? Oh, 'I'm the vine, I'm the branches.' I know that one." And you're right, it's a very familiar passage. But sometimes, when we think we know something, it can be a challenge to find new depth or fresh engagement. The passage itself presents a bit of a "problem" in verse 11, where Jesus says, "These things have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full." Think about the context: Jesus is speaking to his disciples, who are about to lose his physical presence. They're filled with anxiety, having just heard about betrayal, denial, and being handed over. Sure, he's promised the Holy Spirit, but they're about to be left without their master, their teacher, their savior—the bread of life, the good shepherd, the gate. Yet, he has the audacity to tell them that his joy will be in them, and their joy will be full. This joy stems from his "outrageous statements" of exclusive divinity, declaring, "I am he. I'm not one of them." So, I want you to ask yourself: "Am I joyful? Do the people I work with wonder why I seem to have a stable sense of peace and joy?" This text is actually the reason we have the vine woven into our building's wainscoting—it symbolizes that our union with the vine is how we receive his joy. Let's look at John 15:1-11 together. Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that doesn't 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. 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. 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. If anyone does not abide in me, he's thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 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. 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've kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I've spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full." The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. This is the word of God. Thanks be to God. Now, think about the disciples' anxiety. It reminds me of a time I left my middle school boys alone for a couple of hours, only to return to a house overrun with kids I'd never seen before! The disciples must have felt a similar panic, thinking, "Not yet, Jesus! Remember when you walked on water? Remember when we couldn't cast out a demon? Will we ever be happy again?" It's like the Apostle Paul asking the Galatian church, "What's happened to your joy? Where's it gone?" The sermon in a sentence this morning is this: Abiding in the true vine will give the Christian, the disciple, all that they require for a joyous life. Jesus instructs them about their future, their identity, his role, and the Spirit's role, all to comfort and encourage them.

1. God's Work in the Disciples: He starts by reminding them that their very existence is God's work. Your identity is defined by your relationship to Jesus—who you know and who you belong to. Jesus is the *true* vine, setting himself apart from every false notion or god. Israel was meant to be a flourishing vine, but they failed. Jesus, the true Israel, will not fail. And you, disciples, are his branches. You are vitally important for bearing fruit through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. You are clean because of his word. This is our union with Christ, a wonder we often fail to fully appreciate.

2. The Father, the Farmer: The Father is the vine dresser, working alongside the Son and Spirit. He "takes away" branches that don't bear fruit. This is a warning: some may appear grafted in, pointing to a baptism or a past prayer, but if their life isn't fruitful, the Father will deal with it. This isn't works righteousness, but a serious caution. However, for those who *do* produce fruit, he "prunes" them to bear *more* fruit. This is where hope lies: our Father is concerned about our sanctification. He uses suffering and struggle as pruning to make us more fruitful.

3. Instructions to the Disciples: Jesus gives two simple instructions:

• Abide in me: This isn't a mystical experience but an active, purposeful obedience. Remain in him. It's like asking yourself, "Have I been outside? Have I eaten well? Have I connected with encouraging people?" Or have you just "doom scrolled" for hours? Abiding means fellowship, prayer, spending time with your heavenly Father. This isn't legalism; it's discipleship. 
• Bear fruit: You are to be a fruitful people. Where is the fruit of your salvation? This isn't about guilt, but about the natural outcome of abiding. The joy Jesus speaks of is an indwelling certainty and security that allows us to look with optimism to the future, knowing our God is in control. Even "though he slay me... yet will I praise him."

4. God's Glory Through Disciples: God is glorified through his disciples. The saving of sinners is part of a larger theme: Jesus came to bring glory to the Father and obey his will. Through him, we join in this ministry. "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." Our gospel is that in Christ, you are loved more than you can imagine, and through Christ, you realize you are more sinful than you ever dared think. This root feeds the branches, giving you security. If someone points out that your life doesn't look like Jesus, you don't despair; you say, "Thank you, Father, prune this from me."

Our catechisms teach us that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. We often forget this, thinking God's chief end is to glorify *us*. But our children are taught from a young age: "Who made you? God. What else did God make? All things. Why did God make you and all things? For his own glory." How can you glorify God? By loving him and doing what he commands. Why ought you to glorify God? Because he made you and takes care of you. So, Christian, what has happened to your joy? If you wrestle with a melancholic demeanor, ask yourself, "Have I plugged into the wrong vine?" Ask the Holy Spirit, "Will you prune me? Will you wash and cleanse? Will you redirect me?" A good step is to start your day with those catechism questions. "Father, let me start my day with this view that I was made to give you glory." Be willing to let others look at the fruit on your branches and see the fruit of God's Spirit in you. Our desire to glorify the Father means we must trust and obey him. Our third membership vow here is to "endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ" in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit. This is our public declaration: "I long to glorify my Father. The love of Christ poured out to me is my food, my sustenance." Everything comes from the love of God the Father, through Jesus the Son. His love for the Father and his love for us nourishes us, his disciples. We flourish, are pruned, and are marked by the love of God. We obey him, which in turn gives us a greater love for God and observable fruit. Jesus, days from being crucified, knew his disciples would scatter, betray, and deny him. Would there ever be joy in them again? Oh, yes! Such abundant joy. Read the book of Acts, and you'll find these men, who seemed to mess everything up, were filled with abundant joy. They even praised God for being found worthy of suffering for him. That's the joy and glory God can give you and me as we abide in him. So, I encourage you, abide in the true vine. Let his words abide in you, and experience the fullness of his joy.