The True Vine

The Great I Am

How much would you need to be truly happy?

The problem with pursuing “the feeling” of happiness—feelings eventually fade.

Jesus offers a better way!

John 15:1-11 (ESV)

15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

We don’t RUN after HAPPINESS—we ABIDE in HAPPINESS.

Abide (menō) – to consistently remain in place with the expectation of something to come.

Three Places to ABIDE: In Him, In His Word, In His Love

1. (IN HIM) FIND THE RIGHT ROOT, YOU PRODUCE THE RIGHT FRUIT

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (v. 5)

Two choices, two outcomes:

• Abide in Him → bear much fruit (continual increase)

• Apart from Him → forfeit fruit (fear, self-effort, lust)

• You’ll never fully flourish until you are fully planted.

2. (IN HIS WORD) ANCHORING TO HIS WORD ASSURES HIS PROMISES

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (v. 7)

10 Great and Precious Promises:

1. Healing – Isaiah 53:5

2. Peace – Philippians 4:6-7

3. Love & Unity – 1 Peter 4:8

4. Strength – Isaiah 40:31

5. God’s Presence – Isaiah 41:10

6. Provision – Philippians 4:19

7. Wisdom – James 1:5

8. Protection – Psalm 27:1

9. Victory Over Sin – 1 Corinthians 10:13

10. Hope – Jeremiah 29:11

3. (IN HIS LOVE) LIVING IN HIS LOVE BRINGS THE FULLNESS OF LIFE

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (v. 9-10)

What was the Father’s command?

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31, ESV)

Three Things That Provide Long-Term Happiness:

• “Love Yourself” – Personal Health

• “Love Your Neighbor” – Close Relationships

• “Love Your God” – Strong Faith

This Week:

1. Start each day in Him (Give Him 15)

2. Search out your promise (Get Back On Plan)

3. Strengthen your “Heart” (Invest in Others)