Abiding and Producing

Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 2 views
Notes
Transcript

Preliminary:

Invite to Genesis 49. We will also be looking at a couple of verses in John 15.
Thanks...
Gen. 49.

Introduction:

Jacob now an aged man, according to Gen 47:28 he was 147 years old.
A patriarch he gathers his sons around him, not for a feast or a celebration, but for a prophetic declaration.
Jacob, aged and nearing the end of his days, calls his twelve sons close. Each carries their own life’s story, their own failings and triumphs, but this day is about the future.
Genesis 49 is not only a blessing; it’s a revelation—a window into what each of these men will become, a glimpse of the tribes that will rise from them, shaping the destiny of a nation.
One by one, Jacob addresses his sons, using words that weigh heavy, laced with both praise and admonishment, affirmation and challenge.
To Reuben, the firstborn, he speaks of strength yet highlights instability,
To Simeon and Levi, he points out their anger, warning that it will divide and scatter them.
Judah is compared to a lion, a symbol of royalty, setting the stage for the kingship and ultimately, the Messiah, that would come from his lineage.
But then, the interaction between Jacob and Joseph—his beloved son—is unlike any other.
Joseph, the son of Rachel, the son for whom Jacob endured years of labor and heartache, is given a blessing that overflows with imagery, purpose, and promise.
We can read what he says in Gen 49:22 - 26
Genesis 49:22–26 KJV 1900
22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, Even a fruitful bough by a well; Whose branches run over the wall: 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, And shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow abode in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) 25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: 26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
I can almost hear his cracked aged voice as it softens coming to Joseph, yet vibrant and full of life as he speaks to Joseph, who had suffered betrayal by his brothers but still rose to become a ruler in Egypt.
"Joseph.... Now Joseph is a fruitful bough," I hear him say
"a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall” (Genesis 49:22).
Here, Jacob acknowledges not only Joseph’s prosperity but his resilience.
Joseph’s life, like that bough, had spread beyond its barriers.
Thrown into a pit,
sold as a slave, accused and imprisoned,
Joseph had every reason to wither. But his faith and God’s provision kept him rooted by streams of life-giving water, his branches growing strong enough to bless even those beyond his walls—those outside his suffering.
And then Jacob speaks of the attacks Joseph faced: Genesis 49:23–24 “The archers have sorely grieved him, And shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow abode in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)”.
Joseph’s strength wasn’t the absence of struggle; it was his ability to endure it. In his words, Jacob points to God as the "Mighty One or the Mighty God of Jacob," the "Shepherd, the STONE or ROCK of Israel" (Genesis 49:24), reminding Joseph that it was God who protected him through every trial.
The blessing crescendos, as Jacob declares that Joseph will be blessed with Genesis 49:25 “25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:”
Jacob prophesies that Joseph’s life will be marked not just by survival but by abundance—a life overflowing, so rich that even his sufferings are repurposed into blessing for others.
This interaction with Joseph is a profound moment. It’s a reminder that in God's hands, our struggles do not diminish our calling; they refine it. Joseph’s life, like a tree growing over a wall, shows us how trials can push us beyond what we thought was possible, expanding our capacity to bless and be blessed. As we open today’s message, I invite you to reflect on this powerful moment between Jacob and Joseph. Let’s remember that in the presence of God, we are called not only to survive our trials but to transform them into blessings that reach beyond our walls, drawing others to the God who sustained us.
I don’t know if Jesus even had this Old Testament scripture in mind but he too calls his 12 disciples around him in the "Farewell Discourse" (John 13–17)
He teaches, he models, he prophecies, he prays, and while Jacob just
Genesis 49:33 KJV 1900
33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
Jesus is arrested and taken to the cross and suffers at the hands of evil men and because of our sins before he gives up the ghost.
But one of the great teachings that parallels the story of Jacob and Joseph more than the farewell talk is Jesus’ teaching found in John 15.
Lets read some of that - John 15:1-8
John 15:1–8 KJV 1900
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
As we read it becomes crystal clear that our ability to produce lasting fruit is rooted in our relationship with God, our source of life.
It is not a relationship of convenience or passive belief; it is an active engagement of abiding in Him amid the seasons of life.
We live in a world that constantly seeks quick results and superficial success. However, the Scriptures remind us that lasting impact, rooted in God’s glory, comes from a deep, abiding connection with Him.
As we delve into this passage I want us to notice first we need to be...

1. Abiding in God as Our Source

Notice first in this the word abiding: I would ask us this morning are we
“Abiding or Just Visiting?”
"We visit a lot of places temporarily—but Jesus calls us to 'abide' in Him.
The summer of 2023 we went out to Palmdale Camp as the Bible teacher. Along the way we stopped at several places one of which was the Grand Canyon.
It was overwhelming, it was awe inspiring, it was like nothing I had ever seen before in my life. I was raised in MO with it hills and valleys, and cliffs and drop-offs but nothing like this.
The pictures I took just can’t express the magnitude, the immensity, the dizzying effect.
I remember just going off by myself a moment there was a little alcove and I looked out over the canyon - moved to tears - the beauty, the ruggedness, sheer wonder of it all. And we just looked at the South Rim.
But I will be perfectly candid and honest with you this morning - as much as I enjoyed seeing it all and being moved by it -
I knew in the back of my mind - there was a bed in Wichita, KS that was my bed. That was my home. I was just visiting. I was just stopping by - I was going to California and stopping by the Grand Canyon - but I was headed back home. That is where I live
While perhaps a poor example - I wanted to illustrate the difference between just visiting with God on Sunday morning, or Easter and Christmas - and really and truly making your home in Him.
What’s the difference between just visiting with God occasionally and truly making your home in Him?"
To Abide (μένω): This verb appears repeatedly (vv. 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10) and means "to remain, to dwell, to stay connected." The imperative forms emphasize continuous, mutual communion with Christ, conveying an ongoing, active choice to live in Him.
Not just visiting or being a tourist - but living, dwelling, staying connected to Him
In Genesis 49:22, we read about Joseph—a man whose life exemplified fruitfulness. He was described as a "fruitful vine near a spring." This imagery is powerful; the spring represents a vital source of nourishment and life. Without the spring, the vine would wither and bear no fruit.
When we think about our relationship with God, we must recognize Him as our spring—the ultimate source of life. In John 15:1, Jesus declares, “I am the true vine.” By identifying Himself as the vine, Jesus positions us as branches, indicating that our life, vitality, and fruitfulness stem from Him.

A. The Significance of Abiding

To abide means to remain, to stay connected, to dwell in the presence of God. In our busy lives, we often run from task to task, expecting to produce significant results without investing the necessary time in our relationship with the Lord. But true fruitfulness flows from an intentional choice to abide in Him.
Jesus tells us, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” This is a divine promise! What does it look like to abide in Christ daily? It involves prayer, studying the Word, meditating on His truths, and fostering a relationship that is both intimate and interactive.

2.

3. Relying Fully on Christ

In our quest for true fruitfulness, we must lean into Christ—our ultimate source of strength. John 15:5 echoes this truth: “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” This is both a sobering and liberating statement. It reminds us that while we are called to bear fruit, we cannot do so in our own strength.

A. The Danger of Self-Reliance

In our culture, self-reliance is often celebrated. We are urged to be independent, to forge our own paths, and to manifest our desires. However, the Christian life stands in stark contrast. It calls us to surrender our will and acknowledge our dependence on Christ.
Self-reliance can lead to burnout and disillusionment. It builds a façade of productivity while neglecting the inner transformation that comes from Christ alone. We must let go of our ambition and trust in His ability to produce lasting fruit through us.

B. The Promise of Abiding

When we rely fully on Christ, we tap into a promise that is life-changing. WE WILL BEAR FRUIT
Genesis 49:22 depicts Joseph as a fruitful branch by a spring, symbolizing a life sustained by an unending source. Similarly, John 15:1–8 speaks of Jesus as the "true vine" and His followers as branches, teaching that fruitfulness comes only from abiding in Him. Just as Joseph’s fruitfulness is dependent on proximity to the spring, believers’ fruitfulness in John 15 is dependent on abiding in Jesus.
Jesus’ teaching in John 15 asserts that bearing fruit is the defining mark of those connected to Him.
I realize each of us are different - it is interesting to watch baby animals. We had a cat show up at our house in Independence and it didn’t take us long to figure out she was expecting and sure enough she began to give birth a couple of weeks ago.
It has been an interesting study to watch those little kittens who’s eyes and ears were closed, who couldn’t really get around much on their own to now their eyes are wide open and their curiosity is growing, their ears can hear the slightest of noises, and they are beginning to eat canned soft food
But in all of that growth there is an interesting dynamic - there is one little one who often gets pushed away by the bigger ones - I don’t think it is always intentional - they are just more determined to get to the food - now it obviously is getting plenty because it is developing fine - but I’m afraid sometimes as Christians we do that with our source
As little ones - the kittens could only eat what momma cat gave them - but if we let things push us away we loose the food and nutrients we need
In one parable Jesus talked about the cares of life choking out the Word of God
We can let all kinds of things push away from our source and if we aren’t abiding at the source we aren’t producing fruit
But if we are connected to the source WE WILL PRODUCE FRUIT
Jesus equates the fruit in this teaching to love - love to God shown in obedience and love to others
If we are connected to Christ as the tree and we the branches - there will be things that try to push us away from our source - but we can be like Joseph
Did you catch that metaphor in his story - he was like a bough or the limb of a fruit tree that when it came up against a wall - it just grew over it - it over came it and still had a bountiful harvest of fruit

Expanding Influence Beyond Boundaries

Genesis 49:22 speaks of Joseph’s branches extending “over the wall,” indicating a blessing that transcends limitations. In John 15, Jesus encourages His disciples to abide in Him, and as they do, they bear fruit that remains (v. 16), suggesting an influence that endures and impacts others.
We will have walls that try to stunt our fruit and growth - but if we are connected to Christ we will just grow right over the top of that thing and abound in fruit
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.