John 15:1-8. The Importance of Fruitfulness

Our daily paper inundates us every day with suggestions for holidays in exotic places - a cruise around South America, a visit to the Galapagos islands, or safaris in Africa. The problem is that they all seem so expensive and therefore unachievable. In these studies we are investigating the brochure for the Christian life. John is showing us who Jesus claimed to be and reasons why we should go his way. They also teach us all Jesus claimed he would do for those who follow him, which means those who obey him.

In John’s gospel there are seven distinct times Jesus says, ‘I am’, and these summarise who Jesus claimed to be and what he will do for those who put their faith in him. This present one is no exception.

Jesus’ Claims

The New Testament is blatantly clear about who Jesus claimed to be. In this passage we again have some of these stupendous claims,

“I am the true vine . . .” John 15:1

This reinforces the many previous claims of Jesus,

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“Trust in God, trust also in me.” John 14:1

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words.” John 12:48

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord, . . . I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” John 11:26-27

“I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

The real Jesus is very different from the Jesus in Dennis Potter’s play, ‘The Son of Man’. His Jesus doesn’t know who he is or where he is going. In contrast the real Jesus puts himself right at the centre of everything. Jesus was shortly to say,

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love . . .” John 15:10a

He follows this with a claim no Christian could dare claim even for one day, as none of us have kept God’s commandments perfectly even for a short time.

“ . . . just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10b

Jesus unashamedly says that he has always done what is pleasing in God’s sight. Imagine the reaction there would be if a political or religious leader said something similar today. There would be uproar from his enemies. It is striking that no-one was able to attack Jesus about any aspect of his personal life! Yet he goes on to put himself in the centre and says,

“If you obey my commands . . .” John 15:10

A Christian follows not just God’s commands but those of the Lord Jesus – because they are the same. Jesus is telling people what to believe and what to do. He is saying that if we want to be godly we must follow him. Whoever has made such a claim when clearly sane?

‘I am the true vine’

In the Old Testament the vine was used as a picture of Israel. During the time of the Maccabees, when rebel warriors who defeated the Seleucids and ruled Israel between 167 to 37BC, coins were minted that showed a bunch of grapes as a picture representing the Israeli nation. The Old Testament prophets often referred to Israel as a vineyard or vine.

Isaiah, prophesying seven hundred years before Christ, wrote,

“I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes . . .” Isaiah 5:1-2

God’s people were privileged, cared for and protected. God was looking for fruit from them, and what was the result?

“ . . . it yielded only bad fruit.” Isaiah 5:2

Isaiah goes on to say how God reacted,

“What more could I have done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it only yield bad?” Isaiah 5:4

God continues to say that as a result of Israel’s unfruitfulness he will lay the vineyard to waste. No wine would come from this vineyard until Jesus came and said to his disciples in the upper room,

“I am the true vine.” John 15:1

This sentence itself is strange. If in the Old Testament the Israelites were vines in the vineyard that God had made, why did Jesus not say instead,

“The old people of God are finished but I have now introduced a new people whom I have set on a new path. You will lead them and become my new Israel.”

For many people today, churches act as a stumbling block for many people wanting to find God. In spite of many exceptions where there is real life, overall churches are discouraging. It is often hard to see much joy, power or attractiveness so people wonder why they should join. When I was at school, religion seemed to be a dry ethical business that was, to be honest, for a teenager, utterly tedious. I refused to be confirmed as most of my classmates were. However when I went to university some friends there encouraged me not to look at the churches and their failings but to look at Jesus instead. He is the vine, not the church.

Jesus is surely saying, ‘Don’t look at the old vine and its failings, don’t even look at the failing churches in the future but look to me.’ Institutions all become imperfect, dry rot will enter in, but God’s people have a higher association that is with Jesus himself. If we want to learn how to live we must look to Jesus and obey him. When Jesus made his seven ‘I am’ statements he was really saying ‘look to me and look only to me’. The church must rest on Jesus and what he said.

Martin Luther was a remarkable Christian who sought to bring the church back to its origins, back to the Jesus Christ revealed by his apostles in the Scriptures. Some people have said that the true church is only found in Peter and his descendants. Luther repeatedly reminded people how fallible human church leaders were, saying instead,

“Where Christ is, there is the Church.”

He appealed to all, ‘Return to Christ and to the Scriptures and new life will begin’. Try to prop up decaying and fine-tweak institutions and nothing will happen. Go back to Christ, to living as he wants and spiritual fruit will come.

Who is a Christian?

This passage also gives us a very clear picture about who is really saved.

a. A Christian has a living union with Christ

When I was working as a surgeon I amputated many legs. As soon as the limb was disconnected it was useless, just as a disconnected branch will die. A true Christian has a living relationship with the Lord Jesus. Trying to follow a Christian ethic or being an admirer of the Christian story is no substitute for a living relationship with him. There are church leaders, preachers and miracle workers to whom Jesus will say at the final judgment,

“I never knew you. Away from me you evil doers.” Matthew 7:23

In contrast any person who has come humbly to Jesus and accepted him as his Lord and Saviour finds that real life begins to flow through him, just as the sap of the vine invigorates its branches. Become disobedient and that joy and peace that comes from our relationship with Christ quickly disappears.

Any person can have transient religious feelings. At Christmas time the spirit of Christ does come closer to people, transiently. We give presents, we have family members around and we try hard to enjoy each others company, but too often this is ephemeral or short lasting. A local pub put up a telling sign,

“Christmas spirit served here!”

The Christian good news, that all churches should proclaim, is that God, by his Spirit wants to transform every life by a process that continues over the years, through life’s disappointments and successes. Jesus enters our lives and then remains with us. A Christian remains in close communion with the Lord Jesus.

b. A Christian will bear fruit

A major purpose of this passage is remind all Christians that we have been chosen to bear fruit for Jesus. Look again at verses one and two where the requirement for fruit is emphasised. Look at verse 8

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be my disciple.” John 15:8

The purpose of the vine is to bear fruit, and this is also the purpose of all Christians. If we are not bearing fruit we will, like Isaiah’s vineyard, be removed from God’s presence.

“ . . . my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit.” John 15:1-2

This is a solemn warning; we must regularly examine ourselves to see if we are producing fruit for Christ. What is this fruit? An apple contains seeds that can grow into another apple tree, which will itself produce more apples. So the fruit of being a Christian is to become like Christ, both in character and in purpose. Unless we live closely with the Lord Jesus we will never change and become more like him. And the absence of fruit means we will be removed form God’s presence and his people. The Christian life has been compared to a seedling as it begins to grow from a seed. A root is essential and that represents the intimate involvement with the word of God, through which all Christians obtain their nourishment and teaching. The two little leaflets or cotyledons represent the two aspects of the fruit God wants to see developing in us all. One is a Christ-like character. Paul was later to write,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22

The other characteristic is a longing to win others for Christ. These characteristics must be developing and growing in all of God’s true people.

The focus of these chapters, that describe Jesus’ final teaching to his disciples, is to prepare them for a life of effective mission, sharing the gospel with others throughout the world. This aspect of fruitfulness does appear to be the emphasis here for the following reasons. Jesus said,

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit.” John 15:8

Just as the fruit of a vine is another grape, so Christians need to go out into the world to make disciples for Christ,

“You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” John 15:16

John is using the same meaning of fruitful that is seen right at the beginning of the Bible.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.’’’ Genesis 1:28

This fruit that Jesus expects to see requires us to go out into society for Christ. A little later Jesus explains how this new fruit will be gathered,

“ . . . the spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify . . .” John 15:26-27

As we begin, perhaps nervously, to represent the Lord Jesus in our families and amongst our friends and work colleagues, we need to remember,

“Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4

Jesus is to become the focus of all we are, we are to depend on him.

As we become older and the problems of effective evangelism become all too obvious, we can lose heart. Then we need to remember what Paul learned,

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

How we need to keep reminding ourselves of these truths. We can become despondent as we see numbers fall and enthusiasm dwindle. With Christ anything is possible, without him nothing will work. This is why personal and corporate prayer is vital for our ministry.

George Burton was not the typical Christian. In his book, ‘Contradictions’ his old character is laid bare. This is no Victorian Christian biography in which all warts are carefully airbrushed out. George was, by nature a selfish, mean man. He was jealous, fearful, very vain and very rude. He was a big, arrogant man. But he became a Christian and brought many lads in Canning Town to a real faith in Christ. This is so encouraging. It reminds us that God can use anybody to bear fruit for himself, so long as we abide I in him,

“If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” John 15:5

This is so encouraging. The Lord doesn’t look at our past, that has all been forgiven by Christ who died to cover our sins. What matters is the present as that will affect the future.

“If a man remains in me . . .”

That is today’s decision. To remain in Christ means to remain obedient to his wishes. God’s enemies are disobedient to Christ. The world wants to go its own way, not God’s,

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” John 14:23

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. . .” John 15:9

There is therefore no place for drunkenness, sexual immorality or dishonesty amongst God’s people. However, the good news is that our past can be forgiven by God, and that means forgotten, when we return to walk with the Lord. Our failures are not the end of the road because of the character of God who is so gracious. Moses was told of the character of God and this is frequently repeated in Scripture,

“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” Exodus 34:6

c. The Christian life is far from easy

Christians live under the loving judgment of God.

“ . . . while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2

We are pruned by circumstances that we do not enjoy, illness, family problems, redundancy and troubled relationships. Pruning shears are sharp and being pruned is not pleasant. It is however vital for us to be pruned by God if we are to mature as Christians. How important it is to remember that our Lord is in control of all that happens to us.

Those who have an easy life do not seem to either mature in their Christian character or become effective and productive in winning others for Christ. Maturity needs hard work to overcome the difficulties of life. In Peter’s last letter, written from Rome shortly before his execution, he reminds his fellow Christians how they can escape the lures of this world and become more productive Christians,

“He has given us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:4

This change requires commitment and hard work,

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

This is a lifetime’s work.

“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8

What better ambition could there be, with all its eternal benefits, than to train my life in these spiritual gifts so that I can be effective and productive for God? If I don’t set my sights on this goal then I am blind,

“But if anyone does not have them, he is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sin.” 2 Peter 1:9

If we have experienced the Lord pricking our consciences, if we have lost the peace God wants to fill our hearts with, then be sure that the Lord is pruning us so that we become more godly and therefore more useful for him. He prunes us so that we can produce more fruit.

Effective pruning does need to be radical, as any rose bush that flowers effectively in the summer will tell you. It is firm pruning that produces good fruit and a beautiful display.

So often it seems that there are many in the world who are clearly ungodly and yet for whom everything seems to go well. They become rich and have romances that make others jealous. They seem to get their own way in everything . But judgment will come. Sometimes it will come in this life as Saddam Hussein, and some famous people have recently found to their cost, but it will eventually come to all who retain responsibility for their own sin. King David recognised the attractiveness of sin, he nearly succumbed to its lure, but then he realised that it will eventually have to be paid for,

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued with human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace.” Psalm 73:2-6

David came to realise there were two reasons for not thinking like this.

“If I had said, ‘I will speak thus,’ I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” Psalm 73:15-17

God allows adverse circumstances to come our way so that we can be pruned to become more like Christ. The Bible does warn the pagan for whom nothing seems to go wrong, who get their own way all the time, and who are success personified. They don’t seem to be affected by the secateurs of God’s judgment – at present. Surely Jesus wants to remind us all that it is far better to face the pruning judgment of God now than to wait and face it in that eternal judgment.

d. Christians need each other

Just as we are bound to Christ, so we are bound to others who are also in the vine of Christ. No Christian who tries to go it alone is effective for Christ; they will not produce any fruit for him. How we need each other. We do need to spend time alone each day in God’s word, talking with our Lord and Saviour, but we also need to be in a close fellowship of a Bible centred church and home group so that we can be encouraged and can encourage others. No group is perfect. Bishop J.C.Ryle once said,

“If you spend five years looking for a perfect church and then join it, it will, ipse facto, then cease to be a perfect church.”

We are all so self centred. We naturally think of ourselves at the centre of life, the ‘I am’ is what matters, but it is not until we come face to face with the great ‘I am’ that we can see ourselves in our true light. How we need the Lord Jesus.

Herbert Read, in his great book, ‘The Philosophy of Modern Art’, tells how Paul Gauguin deliberately deserted his wife and four children to go and live in Tahiti for twenty years. He had nothing to do with them whilst there. After twenty years he had a letter from his wife in Paris saying that their daughter Aline had died from pneumonia. He wrote back,

“I have lost my daughter. I no longer love God.”

On receiving this letter, she is reported to have said,

“His ferocious egotism revolts me every time I think of it.”

All he did was to think of himself. Yet so many modern people also have ‘I’ at the centre. That is what makes life so ugly. This is why family life today is so fractured and divorces and separations are so common. The only way to be released from the ‘I’ that we all hate in our own lives is to submit to the ‘I am’ of Christ. Those who refuse to accept the ‘I am’ of the New Testament will have to live forever with the ‘I’ that lives in each of us. What an awful fate!

Summary

All Christians have been called to ‘bear fruit’ for the Lord Jesus, for God. If this is not our ambition we need to ask ourselves whether we are really Christians. A patient of mine was wearing a beautiful silver cross. I asked her if this meant that she was a Christian,

“Yes, I am,’ but then she hesitated and added, ‘It depends what you mean by a Christian.”

We were in a busy clinic so I simply replied,

“Surely it is someone who has sold out to the Lord Jesus.”

To this she replied,

“Oh, then I’m not.”

I couldn’t think what to say so just replied,

“Oh dear! I am sorry.”

BVP