Fruit That Lasts

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to follow a game plan on the field but struggle to stay consistent in your walk with Christ off the field? In sports, we talk about systems, schemes, and strategy. But in the Christian life, Jesus offers us something even more powerful than a playbook—He gives us relationship.

In John 15–17, Jesus is in His final hours before the cross. And what does He do? He doesn’t give His disciples a list of things to do—He gives them Himself. He shows them what it means to live relationally with God, with one another, and with the world. That’s our focus today.

I. REMAIN IN THE VINE (JOHN 15:1–8)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser… Abide in me, and I in you.” --John 15:1, 4 (ESV)

Jesus uses a sports-like illustration from agriculture: vines and branches. The point is this--no branch can produce fruit by itself. If it’s not connected to the vine, it’s dead. Athletes, you know that no matter how talented you are, you can’t win games on your own. You need your team, your coach, and your conditioning.

Same thing spiritually: We can’t produce godly fruit without abiding in Jesus.

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” --John 15:5

That’s not some things… that’s nothing.

So what does it mean to abide?
    •    Daily time in God’s Word (Colossians 3:16)
    •    Ongoing prayer and surrender (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
    •    Obedience to His commands (John 15:10)

Ask yourself: Am I abiding in Christ, or am I just visiting Him on game days?

II. FRIENDSHIP OVER FORMALITY (JOHN 15:12–17)
“No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.” --John 15:15

This is huge. Jesus didn’t just come to recruit followers—He came to build friendship with us. Think about that. The Son of God calls you His friend.

And how does He prove it?

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” --John 15:13

The cross is the ultimate sign of His friendship. He didn’t just play through pain—He died for your sin and rose again so you could live in relationship with Him.

Romans 5:8 says: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

That’s the gospel right there. You don’t earn friendship with Jesus—you receive it by faith.

III. EXPECT OPPOSITION (JOHN 15:18–25)
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” --John 15:18

Athletes, not everyone’s going to cheer for your team. When you live for Jesus, some people will mock you, exclude you, or question you. But take courage—Jesus faced the same.

“All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” --2 Timothy 3:12

When you stand up for truth, live clean in a dirty world, and give God the glory instead of yourself, you will be different. And that’s okay.

You’re not called to blend in—you’re called to stand out, stand up, and stand strong.

IV. YOU’RE NEVER ALONE (JOHN 16:7–15)
“It is to your advantage that I go away… the Helper will come to you.” --John 16:7

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit—the ultimate Coach and Comforter. You may feel alone in a locker room or on campus, but if you belong to Christ, you’re never alone.

The Spirit:
    •    Convicts us of sin (v. 8)
    •    Guides us into truth (v. 13)
    •    Glorifies Jesus (v. 14)

This is not about you grinding harder to be holy. It’s about letting the Spirit live in you and through you (Galatians 2:20).

V. JESUS PRAYS FOR YOU (JOHN 17:20–23)
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” --John 17:20

Get this: Jesus prayed for YOU.
When He was hours from crucifixion, He was thinking of future believers—athletes, students, coaches, fans. He prayed for unity, truth, and mission.

“That they may be one… so that the world may believe.” —John 17:21

You can’t do discipleship alone. God designed you for relationships with teammates who love Jesus. That’s how we grow. That’s how we impact the world.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says: “Two are better than one… if one falls, the other helps him up.”

Let me ask you…
    1.    Are you abiding in Jesus or just playing the part?
    2.    Are you living like a servant under pressure—or like a friend under grace?
    3.    Are you bold enough to live for Jesus even when it costs you?
    4.    Are you letting the Holy Spirit coach your life—or trying to do it alone?
    5.    Who are you discipling, mentoring, or encouraging in your faith?

A championship team doesn’t just happen. It takes investment--relationships. You can’t win if everyone’s out for themselves. And you can’t grow spiritually without relationships that go deep. Jesus modeled that with His 12 disciples. He spent three years investing deeply--life on life. That’s what relational disciple-making looks like.

You want to live like Jesus? Don’t just attend Bible study--live it out with others. Don’t just post Bible verses--pour into someone’s life.

If you don’t know Jesus, here’s the good news:
    •    You were created for a relationship with God (Genesis 1:27).
    •    Sin broke that relationship (Romans 3:23).
    •    Jesus came to restore it through the cross (Romans 5:8).
    •    When you believe in Him, you’re forgiven, saved, and given eternal life (John 3:16).

You don’t clean yourself up to come to God—you come just as you are, and He does the cleaning.

CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Jesus to not only save us but to show us how to live. Thank You for calling us not just servants, but friends. Help us to abide in You daily, to live by Your Spirit, and to walk in boldness even when the world pushes back. Show us who we can disciple, encourage, and walk with. Teach us to love like Jesus, speak like Jesus, and live like Jesus.
We give You all the glory. In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

Team—Jesus is the vine, you are the branches. Stay connected. Stay committed. Stay relational. Because fruit that lasts doesn’t come from hustle—it comes from Him. Let’s go live like Jesus, together.

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Based on "Live Like Jesus" Study by Dann Spader. Thank you Dann for your inspiration.

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