Page 99 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

First, we may be inadequate, but the Holy Spirit will make us competent and courageous
(14:25 – 26).
Second, we may be fearful, but the peace of Jesus Christ is ours for the taking (14:27).
Third, circumstances may be dire, but victory has been assured (14:28 – 29).
Fourth, circumstances may be difficult, but courage can be found in obedience (14:30 – 31).

John 15:1-27 (HCSB)

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit
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He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are
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already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is
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unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. “I
am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you
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can do nothing without Me. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he
withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words
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remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you
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produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain
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in My love. If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands
and remain in His love. “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be
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complete.

Application of John 15:1 – 11
The Fruit of Abiding (Remaining in Me, HCSV)

If you have trusted in Christ, your eternal destiny has been set. You are chosen by God and
nothing will pluck you from His hand. Your position in Christ is secure; however, your
production is another matter. If you “abide/remain” in Christ – that is, obey Him, primarily by
loving others – you will enjoy four specific results.

First, prayers are answered. This is not to suggest that God will become our personal genie. The promise is
conditional. If we are connected to the vine and we are becoming more and more like Jesus, our prayers will not
be selfish, but the kind of request He would make. Jesus received everything He requested because He and the
Father are completely and consistently aligned in their thinking.

Second, God is glorified. As we model the character of Jesus, obeying His commands in the same way He obeyed
those of the Father, the triune God receives all the credit. He delights to see us reflecting His character, and He
looks for opportunities to pour out His blessings on His children in response.

Third, love is stimulated. Note the absence of struggle or exertion. As we abide in Christ, the character qualities
that honor the Lord began to emerge, like grapes naturally growing from a healthy, vine – connected branch.
Because God is love (1 John 4:8), others will notice this divine quality developing within us.
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Fourth, Joy will overflow. “Joy” doesn’t refer to superficial happiness or shallow cheerfulness. Joy is a deeply felt
contentment that transcends difficult circumstances and derives maximum enjoyment from every good
experience. Although it isn’t all about laughter, abiding in Christ inspires laughter like you’ve never experienced
before. Deep, contended joy comes from a place of complete security and confidence – even in the midst of
trials. As I once heard, “Joy is the flag that flies over the castle of our hearts, announcing that the king is in
residence.”

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