ABIDE IN CHRIST

Wentzville | Matt Hess
February 1, 2026

“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)

1. Provides LIFE.  

  

a. Life from the Savior 

 
“I am the true vine…” John 15:1 
 
“In Him was life…” John 1:4 
 
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the….Life.” John 14:6 
 
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 
   

b. Care by the Father 

 
“…and my Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1 
  
“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 
 
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Hebrews 12:11 
 

c. The Word CLEANSES our Life. 

 
“Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 
 
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:7 
 
“…Cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” Ephesians 5:26 
 
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 

2. Produces FRUIT.  

 

 a. CONNECTION is Essential. 

 
“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 
 
“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 
 
“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him.” Colossians 2:6-7 
 

b. 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 
 
“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 
 
“They went out from us, but they were not of us.” 1 John 2:19 
 

 c. 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 
  
“…Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit…” John 15:5 
 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 
 
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 

3. Promises JOY.   

 
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9 
 
“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 
  
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11 
 
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11