UNION OF VINE AND BRANCH

UNION OF VINE AND BRANCH OR INTERNAL LIFE

John 15:1 I am the True Vine and my Father is the Husbandman.                                                   

1.      Christ has chosen to be subject to the Father

2.      There is a false vine or tree and we are either connected to the false or the True Vine/Tree

3.      Gen 3 There were only two choices of Internal Life, Tree of Life or Satan’s option

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

1.      There are those that claim connection without fruit  

2.      Those with fruit are to expect pruning 

3.      The purpose of pruning is more fruit 

4.      The unproducing branch is removed

John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (Cleansing process)

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.

1.      True Union is required and evidenced by fruit

2.      True Union is achieved by abiding    (Stay connected)

3.      True Union is only available in the Son

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. (pleasing to God) 

1.      Christ identifies Himself as the True Vine 

2.      Christ identifies Believers as the branches those through whom He works

3.      Christ identifies abiding as the responsibility of the branch/believer 

4.      Christ identifies Union as the source of much fruit

5.      Christ identifies the futility (uselessness) of a life apart from Him (nothing lasting or eternal)

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

1.      The lack of Spiritual life withers a man

2.      The lack of Spiritual life condemns a man

3.      Union provides Internal Life (as well as Eternal Life)

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. (If we are in union then it is not me but We that are asking. He will give you the desires of your heart. Where did you get that desire? Answer, From Him

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples

1.       Immediate purpose to bear much fruit

2.      Overall purpose is to Glorify the Father

Description of a disciple. One who abides in Union with Christ, the source of Internal Life, which produces much fruit to the Glory of the Father

(KJV) nelvansnotes 2011 03 05