Show Don't Tell: John 15:1-17

Instead of saying "Jesus is the vine and we are the branches," see the pruning knife. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Even fruitful branches get cut—not cut off, but cut back. "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." The severed branch withers immediately. "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." Then: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love... My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." Friends, not servants—servants don't know the master's business.