WEDNESDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 15:1-6: It was arranged that they should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.

Gospel: John 15:1-8: Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bear fruit in plenty

The Relationship of Jesus to the People of the World, Jn 15:1-8

Jesus was facing the most terrible scene in all human history. All most all rejected him including his own disciple Judas betrayed him, Peter denied him three times and other disciples were to flee and desert him. Now Jesus  teaches us how to have a good relationship with God, Jesus and the world. In this passage Jesus saw a graphic lesson that the disciples needed to learn, the great lesson of “The Vine and the Branches”-the relationship of Jesus to the people of the world.

1. Jesus, the Vine; God, the Vinedresser; and man, the branch (v.1)

2. Unfruitful branches: Are taken away (v.2)

3. Fruitful branches (v.2-4)

a. Are pruned

b. The purpose for pruning

c. How branches are pruned

          1) By the Word

          2) By abiding, remaining

4. Unattached Branches (v.4-6)

a. Are by themselves: Not abiding or remaining, not attached

b. Cannot bear fruit

c. Do not understand the nature of bearing fruit in life: Can do nothing apart from Christ

d. Are doomed, gathered, thrown away, burned

5. Attached branches: Results and Promises (v.7-8)

a. Receive nourishment-answered prayers

b. Glorify God

c. Prove their attachment-discipleship

Thought: Bearing fruit means:

# righteousness (Rom 6:22, Phil 1:11, Col 1:10)

# godly character (Gal 5:22-23): the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

# converts (Rom 1:13): to turn their heart, mind and all works to God

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