John 15:1-11 (Abide!)
John Ch.13-17 Chronicle the final night in the life of our
Lord prior to the cross
A)Jesus spends
his final night the same way that we might if we knew we were going to die the next day.
B)He spends
His time with those whom He loved- He spends His
time pouring into them.
1) Sharing the most important things on His heart !
2) Famous last words: Holy of Holies of the NT
Ch.13-14 take place in the upper room Passover feast Washing
feet talks about love / leaving
A)The end of
B) Now they
are on the move heading to the garden of
1) Traveled from the upper room up across the
C) Along the
way: It seems that they walked by a Vineyard Jesus seizes the opportunity
1) Teaching
Visual picture. { I am so glad the Lord is into pictures { Learn that way.
D) Parents
follow Jesus example Look for opportunities to teach Kids Nature /
situations
There is a question that plagues more
Christians perhaps than any other and it is this:
A)What is involved in having a vital relationship with Jesus Christ?
B) We talk about knowing Christ, being in Christ, walking with Christ,
and loving Him.
1)But what does that union really involve?
2) How can we describe the
union that a believer experiences between himself and Christ?
C)Here in
D) A Vine and the Branches
Now the picture of Gods people as a Vineyard was common to
OT
A)Isaiah 5:7 /
Psalm 80:8-19 /
B)Key Terms:
1) Jesus/True(genuine)Vine [orig. I am the vine, the
True one!]{He is the genuine & only source of life all other vines are
imitations};
C) Father/vinedresser(Gardner; who
works w/the branches doing all the cultivating, spading, & pruning,
D) Believers/fruit bearing branches;
1) 4-kinds of
branches: Those
that
do not bear fruit(2a); bear fruit(2b); more fruit(2c); much fruit(5,8)
So Jesus is the vine and we are the branches connected to
Him In Him receive life
A)Resources / Nutrients Everything needed for life
and godliness comes thru Him
B) The Fathers
role is that of the Vinedresser the Gardener who works the Vineyard
1) Branches
that dont bear fruit He takes away
C) Branches
that do He prunes Cut back
1) Grew up
with a Grape Vine in back yard
Time for
grapes Huge Wild
D) My Dad
would Prune it First time I thought man He killed it Nothing left
1) Began to
grow again Harvest time came sure enough: More Fruit { Denise tree in
That is what the Father does as well He seeks to prune our
lives { Cut back V.3 already clean/ saved
A)Sometimes
the Father cuts back things from my life that are lawful for me.
B) In other
words there is nothing black and white in the word says dont do this
1) It is lawful it is permitted but for me at
that time it is no useful not right for calling
2) Not right
for what He is seeking to accomplish in my life at that time. So He says needs
to go
C) Sometimes
that can be frustrating: I look at someone else think Lord why do they get to
do that
1) Why is it ok for them and not for me?
2) He responds
It just isnt right now are you going to trust me ? Let me work in your
life. Yes
Now in V.4 Jesus
tells us the Key to this whole process Word ABIDE used 10 times v.4-10
4
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.
5
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing
Now Jesus reveals the Key to fruit bearing Abide: Stay
connected Remain
A)Attitude of
Dependency Believing my very source of life comes from Him
B) Now the allegory breaks down a bit Because in a real
vine - the branch doesnt have a choice
1) It is
connected whether it wants to be or not. There is no will involved.
C) But if it
had a choice if it could speak the Vine would realize: My life support comes from this Vine
1) As long as
I am connected all the life and nutrients of the Vine are being pumped into
me
The difference with us is that we do have a choice
We do have a will!
A)And there is
a lot that we can do apart from Christ
I can work / surf / cook / Love /
B) But what I
cant do this is what we must understand I cant bear fruit
1) I cant
produce anything apart from JESUS that has
any eternal redeeming value.
C) I have
tried to many times: Oh I have had seasons trying to serve in the flesh my
energy
1) Result:
Fruit isnt real / doesnt last / I wear out
D) I dont always believe what Jesus says here in v.5 apart
from me you can do nothing!
1) Sure I can
I have tried love my wife / parent my kids do ministry frustrating
E) Flip side:
So the heart of Abiding is one that realizes and believes
This is my life support
A)Opposite of
being SUPERFICIAL
Aa)Stay connected to Jesus
attached to Jesus
Receiving
nutrients from Jesus
B) To not do
so is my doom my end !
1) Longer we
walk with the Lord more we are involved in service More we realize this
C) Get married:
Serve sacrifice Help
1) Kids
Parents more serving and sacrificing I need more of Jesus
V.6
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and
they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
A)Now who is this talking
about who is the anyone who does not abide! Judas ? not a true follower {
ulterior motives ?
B)
Talking about someone who pretends to follow Jesus but really isnt saved?
1)
Is it talking about someone who is saved leaving their salvation.
C) What
is the fire? Is it hell is it a lot trials saved but thru fire?
1)
Some suggest Parables are not meant to build theology but simply illustrate a
pt.
D) So what is this talking about?
Many opinions too be honest I am not sure!
But
I dont lose any sleep over v.6 because I am not interested in finding out what
this means personally
A)I plan to abide- I dont
want to live my life in the grey area
B) Because whatever this is
talking about it doesnt sound pretty.
C) Now as we come to v.7-10
Jesus gives us some insight into what is involved abiding & what are the
results
#1
Abiding means continuing in the Word. V.7
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in
you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you
bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
A)Abiding means
continuing in the word. The most settled Christians are those whom the word
has a deep and influential place in their lives
B)
I encourage you to make this year where Gods word has a Premier place in your
life
1) Make it the most
influential thing More than TV magazines / news shows the word
C) The results: Effective
prayer life!
1) You will ask
done for
you.
Why
does abiding in the word affect your prayer life?
A)Because when you are
abiding in the word you are hearing the heart of Jesus
B) Your heart becomes even
more connected to his heart
1) Like good friends are
in a good marriage { start to think alike!
C) You start to think like
Jesus the things that He would pray for you you are praying for yourself
1)
You are asking according to His heart / His nature
As
it is revealed to you in the word.
It results
in Abundant life V.8 Jesus said You will bear much fruit and in this the
father is glorified
A)Chief
motive of the Christian the glory of God.
B) Lord
in all of this that is my desire I want to glorify you.
1) So
abiding in the word giving it premier place affects my prayers / produces
fruit { No straining !
Result: Proof of being disciple. V.8 ;
so you will be My disciples.
A)Jesus
said You will know them by their fruit!
B) What
is the fruit that is produced put simply it is Christ likeness!
C)
Love is: When we become transparent, & Jesus shows through very Apparent!
Joy is: An attitude cultivated when the heart smiles!
Peace is: Enjoyment of Godliness & Contentment!
Patience is: The discipline to stop & pray before any
decision. Not feeling the worlds pressure to hurry through life.
Kindness: What is shown even to those who bend us the wrong way!
Goodness is: So general a
term it spans every area of our life, in which we strive for the highest
Good in all things.
Faithfulness is: Trustworthy in words spoken & deeds
promised.
Gentleness is: Not weak but meek; like a strong father picking up
his new-born for the1st time.
Self-Control is: learning to say no to me!
#2 Abiding means : Staying in His love! V.9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you;
abide in My love.
A)Now
this is an amazing verse Jesus says as the father loves me I have loved
you.
B) As the father Loved Jesus: This is my beloved son
. Well
pleased JC heart toward us.
1) Pure
love / flawless
2)
Perfect love no limitations
3) Rich
love abundant
C) Love
that knows no bounds
1) Paul
prayed for Ephesians Know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
D) That
is our ever growing need as Christians to grow in our understanding of that
love.
1) The
more we discover it the more we want to
just bask in it
E) More DETERMINED we are to abide in it!
1) Not
going anywhere else staying right here
To Abide in Jesus is to abide in His love.
A)Important
because His Love becomes the chief motivator for living / serving / worship
etc
B)
Basking in the Love of God !
1)
Means Confidence Kids who know they are loved
Kids
who get affirmed touched { do better in life
2) Same
thing is true of the believer
V.10 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.
A) #3
Abiding means keeping the commandments!
B) All the commandments summed up in these two
1) Love
the Lord w/ all
..
2) Love
each other!
C) This
is really the by product of the first two as I abide in His love and grow in
my understanding of it
1)
Becomes richer for me
D) Result
is I want to continue in the word I want to keep the commandments
V.11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy
may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
A)I
love this Gods heart for the Christian: He wants us to be full of Joy!
B)
Christian life is a Joyful life not a Drudgery !
1) Fun
/ exciting possibilities are endless
C) My Join in you! Neh
Mourning over the law
The Joy of the Lord is your strength
The
Lords rejoicing over you is your source of strength.
D) Car laws Gas / key ignition / oil
1) God
laws You want to live a life full of Joy
Abide
in me / My word / My love / Keep commands
Next Defines Love!
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I
have loved you. 13 Greater love has no
one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I
command you.
1. Explained Jesus said in verse 12, "Love one another, as
I loved you."
A)Now, you can't love to
the point of redeeming the whole world, but you can love with a sacrificial
kind of love that gives.
B)God isn't expecting
you to love with a dimension of love equal to Christ's.
1) He is expecting your
love to have a sacrificial nature like Christ did.
2. Exercised
a)Sacrificial love is
important to our testimony. Jesus told His disciples, "By this shall all
men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John
13:35).
We show the world who we
are by reaching into the heart and soul of someone and giving of our time,
wealth, encouragement, & empathy--whatever the needs may be.
The fullest kind of love
is described in verse 13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends."
1 Jn.3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we
also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The cross is a tree set on fire with
invisible flame, that illuminates all the world
The flame is love.
3) Exhorted v.14
We are his friends if we do what He commanded!
Now
this is why what we were talking about on Sunday is so important { HS
A)See
in each one of these Chapters Jesus is saying some difficult things
B) But
He follows each one of these teachings up by talking about the HS
C) Why?
Not leave you orphans realizes we need Help! Sends the Helper the HS who
will abide with us forever.
D)
Jesus is telling His disciples just as I have been with you now the HS shall
be in you.
1)
provide Help to you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what
his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard
from My Father I have made known to you.
A slave(servant)
in Greek law was defined as a living tool!
Because He is Lord & Master He should call us slaves, but its because He is Lord & Master He
can call us Friend!
If you visit
(Barclay, backed by Kittles) This phrase I have called you friends is lit up by a custom which was obtained at the courts of
the Roman Emperors & the Eastern kings.
At these courts there was a very select
group of men who were called The friends of the king, or the friends of the
Emperor. - At all times they had access to the king. They even
had the right to come into his bedchamber at the beginning of the day. -
The friends of the king were those who had the closest & the most
intimate connection w/him, & who had the right to come to him at any
time.
This sheds light on when the Jews said to Pilate If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend.[which was a threat of Impeachment by the people]; or when Jesus said to Judas
"Friend, why have you come?"
Not an acquaintance but a friend!
Acquaintances are people who know us on
the outside, on the surface.
Friends are people who know us on
the inside, our joys, hurts, failures, the secret plans of our lives.
Look how Jesus let these 11 into His life. Sharing
his future secrets w/them. Sharing His own struggles, pains, & emotion
w/them.
Jesus
says You are my friends{ In the OT that title was reserved for Abraham
A)In
the NT it is given to each of us!
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you
ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Sometimes
people will say: I found the Lord Well he has never been lost We were lost
He found us
A)All
drafted no one enlisted
B)
Gayle Irwin the only thing I dont understand about God is why He chose me !
C) Paul
spent his life trying to understand that one
Why for
what reason apprehended me
1)
Love
that phrase being apprehended by God
D) Pursuing
heart of God! Not a policeman to bust us but a father to bless us.
One of
the blessings is He allows us to be used by Him
Chose
us to bear fruit
A)Ephesians
2:10 His workmanship
good works
B) V.17
Jesus comes right back to the subject of Love
17 These things I command you, that you love
one another.
C) 11
times in 3 Chapters think He is trying to tell us something
Now
this is very enlightening in light of what He says next- Starts talking about
how the World hates us
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated
you. 19 If you were of the world, the
world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you
out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
So on
the heels of talking about loving one another He starts talking about how the
world is going to Hate us Dont be surprised by that
A)Connection
between this and the exhortation to love
B) The
world is out to get the Christian The world is against us so all we have is
each other.
C) Now
here in
1) So
Here in the
D) But
you go somewhere like the
1)
Suddenly it really doesnt matter if you are Pre/ Post trib
/ Calvinist of Armenian
E) All
these petty little things we divide over She hurt my feelings not talking
to her
1) He
gets on my nerves avoiding him
F) All that
gets thrown out the winding in the face of Persecution
1) No
enemies in a fox whole.
G)
Countries have Pentecostals burying Baptist
1) Not
really concerned about Stocks / Chargers / Padres { Trying to stay alive
The world dislikes those
who are different! (example) Almost 2 centuries ago,
a man invented the 1st umbrella & tried it out on a walk through
the streets of
It is said that
if a hen w/a different marking is put into a hen run where all the hens
are the same, the other hens will peck her to death.
Jesus says
Hated me / hate you -
A)John
3 Darkness hates the light exposes their evil deeds
B) I do
think this is going to grow here in the
1)
Harder to be a Christian but more defined
C) Last
days
20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than
his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.{ We should expect it }
If they kept My
word, they will keep yours also.
However
there will be some who believe not all are going to be hostile
21 But all these
things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who
sent Me.
The
reason for their hostility they dont know God they have rejected God
Running from God
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now
they have no excuse for their sin.
The
world is without excuse no one will be able to say I didnt know -
23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they
would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My
Father. 25 But this happened that the
word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a
cause.'
Quoting
from Psalm 35 where the Psalmist is writing about being wrongfully accused
A)Enemies
who wink with one eye pretending to be a friend planning your demise behind
your back
B)
Expect persecution
Make a
Stand for Christ expect ridicule
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the
Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of
Me. 27 And you also will bear witness,
because you have been with Me from the beginning.