Bible Text: John 15:5-6 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: John, The Effective Christian

Recap of 1/13/13 (John 15:5-6):
1.  In John 15 Jesus urges His disciples to be fruitful, productive by abiding in Him.  The words fruit (or fruitful) and abiding (or remaining) are key words in this passage.  Fruitfulness is the normal Christian life. To abide in Jesus is to have a close intimate relationship with Him.  As Oswald Chambers has said: “The dominant trait of a true saint is a personal, passionate, and overwhelming devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Devotions for a Deeper Life)
 
2.  Several scholars point out that three vital relationships can be discerned in this passage:  a relationship with Jesus (vv. 1-11); a relationship with others in Christ (vv. 12-17); and a relationship with the world (15:17-16:4).
 
3.  Fruitfulness or fruit-bearing will be seen in the Christian life in practical holiness (the “beauty and character of God displayed on our daily lives”) and Christian character (Galatians 5:22.23; 2 Peter 1:5-8).  The outworking of that fruit will be seen in sharing our material blessings with other, in doing good works as a response to salvation (not to earn salvation), praising and thankfulness to God, and witnessing to others.
 
4.  “The closer you walk with Him and stay near Him, the more evident will be the luscious fruits.  …You won’t be looking at yourself and saying, ‘I wonder if I have any fruit?’ You won’t even be thinking about the fruit.  You won’t be thinking about anything else but Him.  If your life is controlled by Him, you will automatically bear fruit on the job, in the factory, in the office, in the shop, washing your dishes at home, taking care of the children.” (Dr. John Mitchell)