09-23-2018 – The Vine and the Branches

This is the bulletin insert. Sermon notes are available for download as well.

09-23-2018

The Vine and the Branches

John 15:1-11

Read John 15:1-2... The last of the I AM statements in John (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 14:6)
Jesus is the Light and Life from God (cf. John 1:1-4). OT analogy (Psalm 80:8; Jeremiah 2:21); NT reality,
believers depend on the Lord (cf. 2Peter 1:3-4).
Jesus is the vine, the Light (cf. John 1:9), the bread (cf. John 6:32), the way to God (cf. John 14:6).
The Father prunes us, that we grow spiritually. We might consider this painful (see Hebrew 12:7-11).
Read John 15:3-5... The Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) is, “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
See John 13:10... You are saved, but you need daily cleansing [pruning, tending] for that which is dirty.
Psalm 119:67, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” 71, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”
The true fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.”
Paul prayed for the Colossians to be continually (Colossians 1:10) “bearing fruit in every good work,” for we are (Ephesians 2:10) “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Read John 15:6... Those who do not produce fruit, are cut and thrown into the fire. These are not believers (cf. Romans 11:29) but unbelievers (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). Matthew 13:49-50, “At the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Read John 15:7... Jesus says, “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
See John 14:13-14. This is to pray the will of God, aligning with the Word of God, exemplified in the character and nature of God.
Jesus gave us an example of how we are to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, in total submission to God.
Read John 15:8... The intended result of our prayers should be to honor God, do good works, bear much fruit.
Read John 15:9-10... Those who belong to God obey His Word, showing their love for Christ, experiencing His love (see John 14:13-15, 21, 23). Love for God cannot be separated from our desire to obey God’s Word.
Read John 15:11... Knowing God’s love should compel us to show our love for God, and in doing so, the joy that comes from God is experienced deep inside our hearts. Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The joy of God comes to those who love and obey God’s Word. When we are disobedient and self-centered, we sacrifice our joy.
David committed murder and adultery in order to feed his own passions, sacrificing his joy (Psalm 51:10-13), “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.”