Gospel of John - John 15:1-16:4

Homiletics                                             Study of John

Lesson     20                                         Passage: John 15:1-16:4

Content (List of Topics or Events)

True vine and Branches – Those who remain in the vine will bear much fruit (John 15:1-8) a. True vine and the gardener prunes for fruit (1-2) b. Followers are clean and must remain in Jesus to bear fruit (3-4)   c. Fruit bearing branches remain in Jesus  (5) d. Branches that do not remain are worthless gathered and discarded (6) e. Remaining in Jesus brings glory to Father and shows that we are His disciples (7-8)

Remain in Love – Complete Joy results and world’s hate rooted in sin (John 15:9-25) a. We are loved as the Father has loved Jesus – Remain (9) b. Keep commands as Jesus has kept Father’s; it brings Joy all around (10-11)   c. Chosen friends love so much for each other that would die for each other (12-17) d. Keep in mind the world hates followers just as much as it hated Jesus  (18-20) e. Persecutors are guilty of sin and hate God (21-25)

Spirit of Truth – Testifies of time with Jesus and our testimony brings persecution (John 15:26-16:4) a. Advocate sent from Father testifies of Jesus (26-27) b. No Surprises – Jews in name will throw you out and kill you (16:1-2) c. Persecutors don’t know Jesus or the Father. (3) d. Jesus warns of persecutors at His departure (4)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
True vine and Branches – Those who remain in the vine will bear much fruit	John 15:1-8
Remain in Love – Complete Joy results and world’s hate rooted in sin	John 15:9-25
Spirit of Truth – Testifies of time with Jesus and our testimony brings persecution	John 15:26-16:4

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Fruit and love come from branches remaining in true vine.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that the gardener cultivates those who remain connected to the true vine resulting in sacrificial love.

Specific Application Questions

1.	What is that something in your life that needs to be pruned away so that you can be more fruitful?
2.	Love is demonstrated by keeping His commands; as God’s friend, how can you be more loving?
3.	Where are you failing to testify in the Spirit of Truth?
4.

Principles to Remember

1.	Fruit for the Kingdom comes through our connection to the true vine.
2.	Love brought through Jesus is sacrificial
3.	Faithful service in all circumstances comes through walking through the Spirit
4.

Characteristic of God

True Vine

Theme: 

Fruit that will last is from God.