“Pictures of the Church: Fruitful Branches in a Vine” (John 15:1-8)
1. The Gardner’s Goal (vs. 1-3) 
 a) Jesus & His disciples were walking towards the Garden of Gethsemane. Maybe pass a vineyard or the 
     great golden vine in front of the temple prompted Jesus appropriate comments.
 b) “I AM” (6:35,8:12,10:7,11,11:25-26,14:6) “true vine”- Israel was God’s vineyard/vine (Isaiah 5:1-7, 
     Ps. 80:8-14) but often bore bad fruit. Jesus was the real, genuine vine without such imperfections. 
 c) God, the Father is the vinedresser/gardener that cares for His vineyard. Tenney “dead wood can harbor 
     disease and decay. An untrimmed vine will develop long rambling branches that produce little fruit 
     because most of the strength of the vine is given to growing wood.”  That leaves His dis
 d) “Every branch in Me” indicates a person who has a relationship with Jesus, and yet is not bearing fruit. 
     “takes away”- many take it as taken away to be burned, and interpret it as a Christian who has lost his 
     salvation or a professing follower of Jesus with no personal relationship (but “in Me” indicates a 
     relationship). The verb can mean “lifted up” (without being taken away) with the idea of lifting an 
     attached branch from the ground so it can be in a position to be fruitful.
 e) “every branch/bears fruit”- cleanses/prunes, removing the extra useless wood that keeps a branch from 
     bearing even more fruit. This can seem severe & be painful, but the Gardener knows what He is doing 
     to maximize fruitfulness. This is His goal He wants from His people.
 f) “already clean”- (same root as “prunes” v2). There is a washing & cleansing which comes from 
     believing in Christ’s word/Gospel. We cannot clean up our life on our own.
2. The Branches Role (vs. 4-7)
 a) “abide/remain” (10X in vs. 4-10) describes our role. As a branch must remain attached to the vine to 
     receive its life giving sap to be able to bear fruit, we must stay in a close relationship with Christ. “I 
     AM/you are” (emphatic). Jesus is the vine (not some other person/source). His followers are the 
     branches. An unconnected branch cannot bear any fruit. Those who cultivate a strong relationship with 
     Him will bear much fruit.
 b) “fruit” includes: character development (love & joy are mentioned in v9-11, Gal. 5:22-23); evangelism 
     & helping others grow spiritually (4:36, Rom. 1:13); a godly lifestyle (Matt. 7:16-20, Romans 6:22). It 
     implies positive change within, without and through an individual.
 c) The branch that does not abide in Him (Judas), was thrown away, dries up & is eventually cast into the 
     fire. Vine branches were worth little even for a fire. This is a warning about hell for those pretentious 
     disciples, who have no real relationship/attachment to Jesus.
 d) Jesus developed the concept of abiding with us abiding in Him & His words (??µata- His teaching 
     including specific statements) abiding in us. We can ask whatever we wish & it will be done for us 
     (14:13-14), because what He has said is directing our prayers. There is a strong bond between Christ 
     presence & His words. A sincere branch will give much attention to the Bible & allow it to direct 
     his/her desires and prayers.
3. The Ultimate Goal (vs. 8)
 a) Fruitful branches bring much glory to their Heavenly Father because they are demonstrating what a 
     great vinedresser/gardener He is.
 b) “prove”- showing in an increasing way by our fruitfulness that we are followers of Jesus.
 c) Branches purpose are to be very productive showing how rich the vine is & how wise the gardener is. 
     The purpose & goal of our existence is to be very productive for the Father, and Son who have 
     given & done so much for us. Apart from this we will be unproductive & miss out on the goal of why 
     He created & re-creates people.