​

Ask God: Our text for this message is from the Gospel of John, Chapter 15. Jesus explains that love, joy, and peace come by abiding in Him and the Word abiding in them. He calls this the fruit of the Spirit which comes by closely remaining in the presence of God. Since we all want love, joy and peace in our lives, let us seek the fruit.

Good Evening Reader,

I am happy to announce we have launched our updated website. Go to www.AskGodFor.com to see the site. It is hot off the press. This change was necessary to expand our services and reach. I will be sending out updates as we move forward.

It is exciting to be able to reach more hungry Christian.

May God blessed you and keep you.

All Glory to God.

Elvin

Abide in Christ and Produce Much Fruit

The Way of Love, Joy, and Peace in Your Life

Jesus Teaches What Abiding in Christ Means

Just imagine John, who had lived a long life for the Lord, thinking about what he could say to encourage and benefit believers. After long thought and guidance from the Holy Spirit, he decided to write his book confirming who Jesus is. So, he writes the Gospel of John as a foundation for believers to stand on in both good and challenging times of their lives.

John not only documents who Jesus is but also tells believers how to produce the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. By growing the fruit of the Spirit, they find love, joy, and peace.

Jesus taught His followers that the Christian life is not sustained by their effort, but by dwelling and abiding in a daily relationship with Christ. Abiding in Christ is being attached to the Vine, and continuous fellowship with Christ means receiving direction and strength.

Just as a branch on a vine must stay connected to the vine to receive nourishment, believers must remain connected to Jesus through prayer and obedience to His Word. This connection produces spiritual growth in a believer. Love, joy, and peace are the products of abiding in Jesus. (John 15:9–11).

When Christians neglect their relationship with Christ, spiritual dryness follows. Jesus prepares His followers for living their daily lives by explaining how to produce spiritual fruit. Spiritual fruit comes by depending on Him and not by self-reliance.

Abiding in Christ anchors believers during trials and allows the Holy Spirit to produce lasting fruit. A fruitful Christian life always begins with abiding in Jesus.

John Understood What Followers of Jesus Needed to Know

After a long life walking with Jesus and shepherding believers through all seasons, both good times and challenging times. John knew what followers of Christ needed to understand.

He wrote so they would know with certainty who Jesus is—the eternal Son of God who gives life to all who believe (John 20:31). John wanted believers to understand that faith rooted in truth is the source of spiritual fruit.

He emphasized abiding in Christ because endurance matters more than beginnings. In John 15:4, he wrote, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” Jesus wanted His followers to understand that their growth comes from bearing fruit and bearing fruit comes from abiding in Him. They were to love Him as He loved the Father.

So, John set out to establish that Jesus is the Son of God and is God.

John Established Who Jesus Is

John carefully and deliberately laid the foundation for who Jesus is, from before creation to the present. He presents the following truths.

First: Jesus at Creation (John 1:1–3)

John begins where no other Gospel does—before time itself. He declares that Jesus is the eternal Word who existed “in the beginning,” was “with God,” and “was God” (John 1:1).

Verse 10 states that “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him.” John establishes Jesus not as a created being, but as the Creator. This grounds faith in divine authority rather than human opinion and makes clear that Jesus is fully God.

Second: Seven Signs Performed by Jesus

John selects seven specific miracles, which he calls “signs.” These were not merely acts of power but visible proofs pointing to Jesus’ divine identity. From turning water into wine (John 2) to raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11), each sign reveals an aspect of who Jesus is and what He came to do.

These signs demonstrate His authority over nature, sickness, sin, scarcity, chaos, blindness, and death itself. John is intentional—he does not record every miracle, but only those that build faith and lead the reader toward belief that Jesus was the son of God.

“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30,31).

The signs show that Jesus is not reacting to circumstances; He commands them.

For believers, these signs assure them that our faith rests on observable acts of God. They remind mature Christians that Jesus is still sovereign over every impossible situation we face today.

Finally: Seven “I Am” Statements

John records seven “I Am” statements to explain the meaning behind Jesus’ power. By using the divine name “I Am,” which Moses used in Exodus 3:14, Jesus unmistakably identifies Himself as God. Each statement meets a deep human need: Bread of Life, Light of the World, Door, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, Way, Truth and Life, and the True Vine.

These are not metaphors only—they are invitations to a relationship. John wants believers to understand that Jesus does not merely give life, guidance, and truth; He is life, guidance, and truth.

For seasoned believers, these statements teach dependence. Christ is not a supplement to life; He is the source. Knowing Jesus rightly shapes how we live, love, endure hardship, and remain faithful during our lives.

Believe in Jesus for Eternal Life

John explains that eternal life is received through believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He records Jesus’ words plainly: “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Eternal life is not earned by works or religion, but granted through faith in Christ alone (John 5:24). John teaches that eternal life begins now, not later, as believers abide in Christ and know God personally (John 17:3).

Believers know that faith in Jesus brings life and a loving relationship with God.

What must a believer do to grow spiritually?

In John 15, Jesus teaches that commitment to Him is not proven by words alone, but by a life that abides in Him. To remain committed, followers of Jesus must stay continually connected to Christ, just as a branch remains attached to the vine to receive nourishment.

Jesus commands believers to abide in His word and obey His commands, especially the command to love one another (John 15:4, 10, 12). Commitment means daily dependence—seeking Christ in prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus warns that fruitlessness comes from separation, not from lack of effort: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). A committed Christian life bears fruit that glorifies the Father and gives Him the glory (John 15:8). Let us hold to true commitment and walk in faith and obedience.

Jesus Warns of Persecution

Like a loving leader, Jesus prepares His followers for the reality that commitment to Him will bring opposition. He warns that the world will hate and persecute them because it first hated Him (John 16:1–3).

This persecution comes not only from hostile people, but also from spiritual forces opposed to God’s truth, for “the ruler of this world” seeks to deceive and destroy (John 16:11).

Yet Jesus does not leave His followers fearful or alone. He promises the Holy Spirit to guide and remind them of the truth (John 16:13). Though trials will come, Jesus offers assurance: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The invaluable Holy Spirit

Jesus teaches that the coming of the Holy Spirit is an excellent advantage for believers. The Spirit convicts the world of sin and opens hearts to the truth (John 16:8).

For followers of Christ, the Holy Spirit becomes the constant Helper. He guides believers in all truth and reminds believers of Jesus’ words (John 16:13,14).

In times of persecution, the Spirit brings Christians strength and peace. He comforts believers in their relationship with God and empowers them to live fruitful lives. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s presence is no longer beside believers, but within them, enabling faithful living.

Summary

John understood the trials and challenges believers would face. He determined that all should be taught that Jesus is God, who is the source of life. Belief in Christ brings eternal life. All believers have the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen them in all things. Commit to staying connected to Christ and live faithfully until He returns.

Elvin

Ask God For

Christian faith

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin@AskGodFor.com and let me know what you think of the lessons.

Go to: www.AskGodFor.com

To See More Living Life Lessons

​

​