Connected - Friends

Connected - Friends

(Sermon series from John 15)

(From 11/05/17 sermon - John Kuhne)

I. OPEN

See if there is anyone who wants to share a short testimony, or if there are there specific praise updates or victories that someone might want to share.

II. PRAY

III. READ TOGETHER

John 15:1-15 - (Our emphasis for this week is found in v 16-17) 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 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. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another .”

*Be sure to take time to slowly walk through this passage, preferably having a Bible teacher provide context and overview.

Q - Sermon takeaways from those who were in attendance? (Spend time receiving reflections from those who were in the service.)

IV. REFLECT

John Kuhne brought our study of John 15 and the Vine and the Branches to a close this past Sunday. We were reminded of the necessity to remain in The Vine and that if we do that we will bear fruit. Fruit is necessary because it reflects the heart of God. It is what the world looks at in our lives as they determine what they think about Christianity. Fruit is also what the Lord looks at to ensure that we are indeed abiding in The Vine. John said we are to “just be fruity everywhere and at all times.”

Read John 17:20-23

Q - What fruit do you see in these verses that can/be should be a testament to God’s workings in the life of His church? What does/should this oneness look like? What should it NOT look like? Discuss.

John cut open a pomegranate for us today to show that inside of each seed are additional seeds that are able to reproduce more fruits. If we are attempting to produce fruits of the Spirit apart from The Vine, it may for that moment look like true fruit. But, fruit that is produced from a branch that is abiding in The Vine will always have additional seeds within it...and, therefore, additional fruits will be produced. We can’t conjure up fruit; we can simply abide in The Vine. It is He who produces the fruit within us. Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Read 1 Peter 1:23-25 - Wrap your mind around the concept of the Word of God being “imperishable.” It produces fruit over and over and over again. It’s seeds within seeds. Q - Why is it so important that being in the Word be such a crucial part of our “abiding in The Vine?” Discuss.

V. FURTHER APPLICATION - FRUITS OF THE ORCHARD

What “fruits” are missing from the orchard of your life?

Read James 3:7; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 1:11; Hebrews 13:13

What are some changes you need to make in your life situation so that these fruits might flourish?

VI. BE ON_MISSION

As this sermon series comes to a close, what are the 1-3 specific things that you will commit to in your attempt to be a Christian who abides in The Vine and produces fruit that bring glory to

Christ?

VII. LOOKING AHEAD

We will begin a new series on Christian Stewardship next week. Be prayerful.