In This World		“Disciples Bear Fruit”			John 15

Intro:	Quote John 15: 1-8

t/s – My testimony of Discipleship… David James… John 15
	From formal, external, religion to vital, personal, relationship

John 15: 1-8
Review:  Farewell Discourse… Peace – Settled Heart
		Love Obeys; and, The Holy Spirit, Our Helper…

Context:  “Get Up; Let’s go from Here…” 
•	Depart Upper room and walk to Gethsemane (18)
•	Somewhere in between… Temple Entrance?
•	Josephus and Tacitus… huge gold grapevine carved into the structure of the Temple entrance.  Trunk was taller than a man’s head… branches with fruit...
•	“Vine” as image for Israel in OT  (Psalm 80; Is. 5; Jer. 2; Ezek. 15; Hos. 10)  God had planted; protected; prospered….  To Bear Fruit… His Glory!
•	Always… Always a message of Judgment!!

t/s – I Imagine Jesus, in the light of the Passover moon; standing under 	that gold Vine at the temple entrance…

John 15: 1-8

Disciples Bear Fruit
Exp – “Fruit” is used six times in our eight verses… 
	Fruit…. More Fruit… Much Fruit
•	For a grape vine, fruit is obvious; Grapes.  The Fruit is the purpose of the Plant!
•	Disciples bear Fruit == Obedience (10); Joy (11) Love (12) 				and Witness (“Go” 16 and 27)

ILL – Garden and fruit trees… leaves; stalk; … Fruit!

App– God’s purpose for Israel… Chose; planted, protected… Produce
	Disciples; The People of God in Christ, Produce!
Disciples Bear Fruit.
ILL – Rorschach Test… Ambiguous Ink Blot… 
	Your gut level response exposes your inner condition!

Some of you Hear a Warning
Exp = Certain words ring in your ears…  take away; Dead, dry, 	fruitless and fire… This teaching makes you uneasy, uncertain.
•	Sends you searching the rows of your life… Any sign of Fruit?!
	Vs. 8 = Fruitfulness is the infallible mark of Christianity!
		No Fruit = No evidence… No proof… (hard to convict)

	Matthew 7: 17ff -  I read, you listen!

ILL – Context is Judas… formally, externally,… a Disciple!
	No Obedience; No Love; No Joy… Cut off!

App – Do the words of Jesus scare you?  As you look honestly
	at your life, your relationships… can you find fruit?
	Does it seem like Jesus is Warning you?  Pointing His finger?
	If the shoe fits…	
	Wait:  Are you saying I am not saved?!  I am saying Not Right!

Disciples Bear Fruit.

Others Hear a Promise
Exp – If you Abide in Me, You will bear much Fruit.
	“Abide” = Living in vital connection with Jesus.
			Word (3, 7)	
			Asking; Prayer (7)
			Pruned by the Father… take away unproductive
	
	Psalm 100 – Tree… the Fruit comes from the Root.

ILL – I remember 7th grade football… Fear… Never get on field.
	What if I am not good enough to contribute… worthless?

	People want to contribute; to matter; to make a difference.
	(Fools seeks power, prominence, possessions… )
App – Hear the Good News Promise:  
	If you are His Disciple; You will Bear Fruit!

	Anxiety over Career; Location; Major…  Impact.

	Promise = Abide in Jesus and Bear Fruit.

Conclusion:

What is the Chief End of Man?

Question #1 in the Westminster Shorter Catechism…  

First of all… What are we trying to accomplish…
		ILL – the Object of the Game!

The Chief end of man is to glorify God; and to enjoy Him forever.