Branches Of Christ

(John 15:1-6)

I. Denominations are seen as “Branches” of the church by their members

A. Three Questions to discuss:

1. Who, or what, are Christ’s “branches”?

2. How do they, or it, become branches?

3. What could happen to the branches?

II. Who or What is Jesus calling Branches?

A. Jesus compares himself to a vine (John 15:1)

1. From the vine the branches receive life

2. Therefore, without Jesus, the branches cannot exist

B. Who is Jesus addressing? [churches or individuals?]

1. Jesus is talking to people as individuals

a. “He that abideth in me…” (vs. 5)

b. “If a man abide not in me…” (vs. 6)

C. Jesus was not talking to, or about, denominations, but rather individuals

1. Isn’t is strange that the people today who cry for a “Personal Savior” apply some of Jesus’ most personal instructions to groups?

III. How Do they Become Branches?

A. By “abiding in Jesus” (vs. 4-6) Jesus is the vine Must be “in” Christ [the vine] (2 Corinthians 5:17) Obeying the Gospel (Romans 6:17; 1 Peter 4:17)

2. A branch is only a branch as long as it abides in, or depends upon, the vine

3. As soon as the branch no longer abides in, or draws life from, the vine, it is just a dead stick!

B. How Do We Abide in Jesus?

1. By keeping his commandments (vs. 10)

a. It is interesting that to abide in the love of Christ we must obey Him. We can only abide in Christ by giving Him our own loving faithfulness.

b. Walking in the light (1 John 1:5-11) (1) (2)

IV. What Can Happen to the Branches?

A. IF they do not abide in (or obey) Jesus… (c.f. Hebrews 5:6-9)

1. They will be cast into the fire (hell) and be burned (vs. 6) (c.f. Luke 16) NOTE: We do not burn healthy, live branches. We only burn wood that has been cut for awhile. Jesus will not cast into Hell those that abide in Him; only those that (by their decision) have left the vine, withered, and died.

2. Without the vine, they can do nothing (vs. 5)

B. IF they do abide in the Vine…

1. Their prayers can be answered (vs. 7) (c.f. Isaiah 59:1-2)

2. They will receive the joy of the Lord (vs. 11)

a. To the point of being filled with joy

3. They are cleansed through His word (vs. 3) (c.f. 1 Peter 1:22-23)

4. They bear fruit for the vine, and thereby glorify God (vs. 8)

5. They will continue in the love of Christ (vs. 9)

a. Jesus’ love was that He gave His life for us

b. If we continue in His love, it will be fulfilled with our eternal salvation in heaven Are you a “branch” of Christ, added to the body of Christ by God, Abiding in Him? (Acts 2)