Parable of the Vine and Branches. Parts I and II

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Parable of the Vine and Branches Parts I and II John 15:1-17

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2 Text: John 15:1-17, Parable of the Vine and Branches Part I 1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father s commandments, and abide in his love. 11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 3 12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17. These things I command you, that ye love one another. Introduction: I. This is a continuation of Jesus final speech/discourse to the disciples. II. This speech was one of the events which occurred in the upper room including the institution of the Lord s Supper and washing the disciples feet. Commentary: John 15:1, I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. I. Jesus said he is the true vine and the Father is the husbandman. II. This parable seems to be suggested by: A. Isaiah 5 where justice and righteousness are the fruits expected.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 4 B. It also reminds us of Jeremiah 2:21 I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine? III. Jesus here declared that he is the one true vine from which life comes for the branches. the husbandman/gardener is God the Father. John 15:2, He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. I. The husbandman (God) cuts off every branch that does not bear fruit so that it will not sap energy from the vine. A. Judas was a branch which once abode in the vine, bore no fruit, and was cut off. B. Christians can fall from grace, be lost and severed from Christ by seeking to be justified by their own rule-keeping. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4) II. God prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will be able to bear even more fruit. A. Even the best Christian needs pruning from time to time. B. Peter is an example of a vine which was pruned following his denials.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 5 John 15:3, Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. I. The apostles had already been pruned through the gospel/word Jesus had spoken. II. Romans 1:16, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. III. Matthew 3:8, Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. IV. Matthew 7:16-20, By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. V. Matthew 12:33, Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. John 15:4, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I. Christians are to abide in Christ and Christ is to abide in Christians just as a branch and a vine are part and parcel of each other. II. This verse begins and ends with Abide in me... A. No person can bear fruit without a life giving relationship with the vine.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 6 B. Abiding in Christ is indispensable for human salvation. John 15:5, I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. I. Christians are to bear much fruit; but it is God working through us. II. Galatians 5:22, 23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. John 15:6, If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. I. Jesus said that if a person (a branch) did not abide in him, he would be cut off from the vine, would wither, be gathered up, cast into the fire, and burned. There is no way to sustain life apart from our power source. II. This appears to be clear evidence that a person who has a saving relationship with Christ (the vine) can, because of being non-productive and otherwise sinning, lose his salvation and be lost eternally. A. This should serve as a warning to Jesus' disciples not to presume that the power comes from themselves. B. Judas appears to be an example of one who left the vine.. Some would assert that he was never saved to start with. C. However, this verse talks of branches once in the vine that were subsequently cut off and thrown away to be burned.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 7 D. Revelation 14:13, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. John 15:7, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. I. Jesus promised his disciples that if they would abide in him and if they kept his word in them, they could ask whatsoever they would in keeping with his teachings and it would be done for them. II. We too must learn to ask in harmony with the word of the Lord, if we would be mature, and pleasing to God. John 15:8, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. I. In order for the Father to be glorified, Christians must bear much fruit. In this way they would evidence their discipleship. II. The great urgency of Christianity is to take the gospel throughout the world, making of those who hear the gospel, Christians in word and in deed. III. While Christians bear many different kinds of fruit in service to others in the name of Christ, God is glorified. Our attitude and treatment of each other is a primary factor in persuading the world that the teaching is from God. John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." IV. Conversions of sinners is the primary thrust of Jesus teaching at this point.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 8 John 15:9, As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love. I. Jesus stated that he had loved the disciples in that same way that the Father had loved him. II. Jesus then commanded the disciples to abide in my love. If it had not been possible for them to cease abiding in his love, there would have been no point in Christ s making this statement. It is very possible for a person to cease loving the Lord, and abiding in that love. John 15:10, If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father s commandments, and abide in his love. I. The way we can be assured that we are abiding in the love of Christ is to keep the Lord s commandments. Jesus kept the Father s commandments and, in that way, abode in his Father s love. II. John 14:15, If you love me, you will be keeping my commandments. III. If Christians love Christ, they will keep his commandments. A failure to obey the Lord s will is a clear proof that Christ is not loved. John 15:11, These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. I. Jesus was showing the disciples the way to eternal joy. A. Everybody appears to be looking for happiness. Jesus here gives the key to joy in this world and in the world to come.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 9 B. As noted earlier, Galatians 5:22 says that the fruit of the Holy Spirit includes love, joy, peace C. Joy can best be described as a condition of spiritual serenity rather than a temporary emotional state of euphoria. D. Such things as fun, pleasure and delight are on a lower level than the joy promised by the Lord. These things are also generally transient and short lived. John 15:12, This is my commandment, That you (continue to) love one another, as I have loved you. I. Jesus commanded his disciples to continue (present tense, continued action) to love one another even as he had loved them. II. John 13:34, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. III. The new commandment is that Christians would love each other and the world to the extent, and in the manner that Jesus loved his disciples and the world in general. IV. This is indeed a new and most difficult commandment! John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. I. The greatest love any man can show is that he would lay down his life for his friends. Jesus did this. We are to be willing to do it. II. In the news on various occasions we see examples of people attempting to help others and, in the process, losing their own lives.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 10 A. Sometimes this occurs on the highway when a person attempts to rescue a person involved in an accident and is himself struck by another oncoming car. B. Sometimes it occurs in robberies and other criminal acts when a good man tries to intervene. C. Sometimes it happens in regard to hunting accidents or boating or swimming accidents. John 15:14, 15, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. I. Jesus shared with these disciples what the father told him. II. We too can be Jesus' friends by continuing to obey his commands. III. When we continue to obey his commands very sincerely, he no longer regards us as servants, but as special friends. IV. Servants in a household simply are given instructions and are not privy to decision making and knowledge of the family affairs and business. John 15:16, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. I. Jesus stated clearly that the disciples did not choose him, but that he chose them and appointed them to go into the world and continue to bear fruit in his name. This fruit would be enduring fruit.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 11 II. In that task of declaring the gospel to all the world and converting people to Christianity, whatsoever they should ask of the father in keeping with the authority of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, would be granted to them. III. The call of the apostles to Christian discipleship was supernatural. They had been God-appointed to this ambassadorial task. They were commissioned to teach all nations what Jesus had taught them. IV. Matthew 28:18-20, Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Jesus 15:17, These things I command you, that ye love one another. I. Jesus again stresses the urgent command, Love one another. II. There had been some minimal friction among the apostles. Jesus urged them to love one another and declare the gospel with unity and power. III. This directive is of crucial importance in our day as well as in the first century. A united front will produce success. Missionaries from various churches preaching different things simply confuse the hearers. Conclusion: I. Perhaps nothing in the landscape of Israel was more familiar to the Jews of Jesus day than vineyards. They could be seen almost everywhere.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 12 II. Vineyards were prominent in the history of Israel. A. The twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the promised land spoke of clusters of grapes so large that it would take two men to carry them. Numbers 13:23. B. The vine was prominent in Jewish architecture and was to be found over the front of the temple in Jerusalem. C. The vine was prominent in Old Testament scripture and was used to depict the nation of Israel as cared for by Jehovah, the husbandman, the farmer. III. It is not at all unusual for Jesus, as we have studied, to refer to his disciples as branches, to himself as the vine, and to his Father as the husbandman under whose care the vine and branches exist. IV. All earthly joys and relationships are temporary. Jesus assures his disciples of fruit that will remain, will last eternally. Our relationship with Jesus, with one another as Christian disciples, and with the Father lasts forever. V. It is of the greatest urgency that we abide in Christ and that he abides in us!

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 13 Text: John 15:1-17, Parable of the Vine and Branches Part II 1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father s commandments, and abide in his love. 11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 14 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17. These things I command you, that ye love one another. Commentary: John 15:1, I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. I. In this parable, vineyards being numerous in Palestine, Jesus likens himself to the true vine and his Father to the husbandman, vineyard owner. II. John presents Jesus in this Gospel seven times as saying, I am... A. John 6:35, And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. B. John 8:12, Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. C. John 10:9, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 15 D. John 10:11, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. E. John 11:25, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: F. John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. G. John 15:1, 5, I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. III. The true vine is to be contrasted with the strange, degenerate vine of Jeremiah 2:21, Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? A. The husbandman, God the Father, will reject and destroy the degenerate vine (apostate Israel) and... B. preserve Christ, the pure Israel of God, and his faithful followers who will share his purity. IV. Jesus related this parable in the upper room after having instituted the Lord s Supper. A. The fruit of the vine of the communion supper may have led to the telling of this parable. B. Luke 22:18, For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 16 John 15:2, Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. I. Jesus further stated that: A. every branch in me that beareth not fruit, the husbandman takes away and destroys. B. every branch that bears fruit is cleansed (pruned) by the husbandman so that it will bear more fruit. Note: That very night Judas revealed himself to be an unfaithful branch and was taken away. Peter was shown by his denials of Christ to be a branch needing cleansing of disease, sin. C. It is vital that we remain in Christ. 1. Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: D. All Christians need pruning from time to time to rid ourselves of shortcomings. John 15:3, Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. I. Jesus said the apostles, except for Judas, had already been cleansed, pruned by the word, the gospel he had preached to them. A. The apostles had been pruned of pride, secularism, self-trust and vain ambitions. B. They would continue to need further cleansing, pruning as all of us do.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 17 C. Cleansing was, is through the word, gospel. 1. Ephesians 6:17, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 2. Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 3. 1 Corinthians 1:18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 4. 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24, But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. John 15:4, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I. Faithful disciples abide in Christ and Christ abides in them. A. Jesus illustrates this inter-connection with a vine and its branches, the life giving sap moving from the vine to the branches. II. Branches cannot bear fruit unless they abide in the vine, have a life sustaining connection with the vine. III. Disciples cannot bear fruit disconnected from Christ. We can do nothing of ourselves.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 18 John 15:5, I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. I. Again Jesus by repetition emphasizes the main points of this parable: A. I (Jesus) am the vine. B. You (apostles and, by extrapolation, all faithful Christians) are the branches. C. He (the individual) who abides in Christ and in whom Christ abides bears much fruit. 1. Each individual is a branch. 2. Apart from Jesus individuals can do nothing, certainly cannot save themselves or others. John 15:6, If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. I. If a man (a person) does not continue to abide in Christ, falls from grace, II. He is cast forth as a branch, cut off from Christ and is withered. III. The dead, lifeless, non-productive branches are then gathered up, cast into the fire and burned (as in hell). A. Angels do the gathering. 1. Matthew 13:41, 49, The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; So shall it be at

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 19 the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. IV. Salvation hinges on two things; A. being in Christ. B. staying in Christ. Revelation 14:13, And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. C. As long as a person is in Christ and stays there, his salvation is secure. D. Christians can decide to leave Christ. Branches, by ceasing to bear fruit, are cut off and cast away. E. Romans 8:35-39, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 15:7, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. I. Condition: If you abide in me and my words abide in you...

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 20 A. Being in Christ and having his words abiding in us are synonymous expressions. II. Promise: Ask whatsoever you will (in keeping with God s will) and it will be done for you. A. God hears his faithful children... B. and grants, as a loving father, their requests. John 15:8, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. I. The heavenly Father is glorified by Christians bearing much fruit. A. It is well to glorify God by the words of our mouths. B. However, bearing much fruit is the way Jesus says we are to glorify the Father. II. By bearing much fruit we become and remain disciples of Christ. III. Fruit includes: A. practice of the graces and virtues of Christian living. 1. Galatians 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, B. Producing more Christians. Soul winning is vital to our salvation.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 21 John 15:9, As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. I. As the Father loved Jesus, Jesus loved the disciples. A. To the extent, in the same way that the Father loved Jesus, Jesus loved the disciples. II. Jesus urged the disciples to abide in his love. A. This infers that disciples can choose to abide or not to abide in the love of Christ. B. This is the will, the command of Jesus to his disciples then and now. John 15:10, If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father s commandments, and abide in his love. I. How do we abide in the love of Jesus?... by keeping his commandments! A. Love as used here is not an emotion. B. Love is revealed by a life of obedient action. C. John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments. II. In the same way Jesus abode in the Father s love by keeping his commandments.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 22 John 15:11, These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. I. Jesus told the apostles: A. I have spoken these things to you... 1. that my joy may be in you. 2. that your joy may be full. B. Joy is a reference to spiritual serenity, a much higher level than emotional ecstasy, fun, pleasure, delight, happiness and gladness. (Coffman) C. Jesus spoke repeatedly in the upper room of the coming Holy Spirit who brings, through the words spoken by our Savior, lasting joy. 1. Galatians 5:22, 23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 2. John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 15:12, 13, This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. I. Jesus commanded the apostles (and all Christians of all ages):

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 23 A. Love one another. 1. John 13:34, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 2. Leviticus 19:18, Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord. 3. Romans 13:9, 10, For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. B. even, to the extent and in the same way, as I have loved you. C. The greatest love of all is that which leads one person to die, sacrifice his life for his friends, others. 1. This is exactly what Jesus did on the cross. 2. John 10:11, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 15:14, 15, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. I. Jesus further told the apostles (and us):

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 24 A. If you want to be my friends you must, not should, do what I command you. 1. Matthew 12:50, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. B. In other words, if we don t keep Jesus commands we are not, under these conditions cannot be Jesus friends! C. To receive God s blessings we must keep his commands, all his commands. 1. We are not permitted, if we are to be Jesus friends, to pick and choose which commands we are going to obey. D. Although the apostles (and all other Christians) are his servants, slaves, he elevates us to the level of friends. 1. Romans 1:1, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2. The Lord treats his servants far better than any other Master treats his slaves. E. As friends we know what the Lord does and are instructed in all things Jesus heard from God the Father. 1. John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 2. John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 25 teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 15:16, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. I. The apostles did not choose Jesus. II. Jesus chose the disciples and... A. appointed them to be apostles. B. appointed them to bear lasting fruit. III. Under these conditions the apostles could pray to the Father and be given whatever they ask (that is, in keeping with the Father s will, it must be understood). John 15:17, These things I command you, that ye love one another. I. What Jesus commanded the apostles was designed to lead the apostles to love one another. A. Love among his disciples was of prime importance to Jesus. B. It is equally important to Jesus now for those who wear his name to love each other. C. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 26 mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. D. Matthew 22:35-40, Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 27 Parable of the Vine and Branches Parts I and II Questions 1. While still in the, Jesus related the parable of the and the. 2. Jesus said, I am the, and my is the. He cuts off every in me that no, while every that does bear he so that it will be even more. 3. Does this mean that saved people can again be lost if they do not bear fruit? Explain. 4. What had made the disciples clean?

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 28 5. Can we save ourselves? What does John 15:4, 5, say about this? 6. Our prayers will be answered provided we in and his remains in us. 7. What is God s glory? 8. How do we remain in Jesus love? 9. My is this: each other as I have you. 10. How did Jesus love the disciples?

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 29 11. How can we be Jesus friends? 12. Jesus chose the to bear that will. 13. This is Jesus command: each other. How can we show our love for each other? 14. How do we fail to show our love for each other? 15. Full joy is a reference to which is higher level of joy than,,,, and. (Coffman)