Abide in Christ

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
January 25, 2026

John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. 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. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:1-11 (ESV)

* Abiding in Christ…

1. Provides LIFE.

-> Life from the SAVIOR

“I am the true vine…” John 15:1 (ESV)

“In Him was life…” John 1:4 (NIV)

If Christ is not your source, He will never be your strength.

-> Care of the FATHER

“…and my Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1 (ESV)

“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.” John 15:1-2 (ESV)

-> Cleansing by the WORD

“Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 (ESV)

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (ESV)

“…Cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” Ephesians 5:26 (ESV)

2. Produces FRUIT.

“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.” John 15:4 (ESV) 

-> CONNECTION is Essential

“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.” John 15:5 (ESV)

-> DISCONNECTION is Fatal

“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.” John 15:6 (ESV)

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:19–20 (ESV)

You are saved by faith, but you are known by your fruit.

-> PRODUCTION is Inevitable.

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (ESV)

“…Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit…” John 15:5 (NIV)

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 (ESV)

3. Promises JOY.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9 (ESV)

“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.” John 15:10 (ESV)

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11 (ESV)

> Love is the relationship. Obedience is the response. Joy is the result.

> Love is the soil. Obedience is the fruit. Joy is the harvest.

Joy is not the reward for obeying Jesus; it’s the result of abiding in Jesus.