Abide and Believe

INTRODUCTION:

Jesus continues His final instructions to the Disciples-

Now using another illustration they would be familiar with- That of the Vineyard.

The comparison of the Vine and the Branches is the example of how Christ sees the relationship between Himself and- Not just the Disciples- But of all those that would become followers in the future.

The key part is the need for Jesus’ believers, as the branches, to remain in close contact with Him- The One True Vine.

It is the only way for us to experience true Spiritual Life and bear any resemblance to Him as we mature in faith.

Our strength and true purpose in life comes from our commitment to growing deeper in our relationship with Him.

This passage give us a practical model of growing our faith to maturity, so that we can overcome the adversity and hard times of live-

While also not allowing our Spiritual life to become stagnate and stale.

In a broader sense, this passage also presents Christ as the fulfillment of the OT imagery of Israel as the vine.

Jesus is making access to that Spiritual vine- That direct connection to God the Father- available for all believers of all ethnic backgrounds, by way of the New Covenant relationship through faith in Christ.

Thus connecting the OT precepts of the Law to the continued living reality of the soon-to-be-resurrected Messiah of all of humanity.

In ancient Israel, vineyards were a vital part of their economy and culture. The relationship between the vine and branches was crucial; branches needed the vine to thrive.

Similarly, Jesus taught that we can do nothing apart from Him, exemplifying how our spiritual lives depend entirely on Him.

Just as branches draw nourishment from the vine, our lives must be connected to Christ to bear fruit for His kingdom.

What does Jesus mean when He identifies Himself as the 'true vine'?

Lets examine...

1. The True Vine

John 15:1–8 ESV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Imagine the scene of Jesus speaking to His disciples in a vineyard, drawing on the lively imagery surrounding them.

They could feel the tangy sweetness of the grapes and see the healthy green vines.

His words, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches,’ would resonate deeply as they understood that just like those branches connected and flourished together, their lives, too, were to intertwine with Him in faith, love, and spirit.

All good things come from God- Exceedingly so in Spiritual matter.

All Spiritual nourishment comes from God- Through Jesus Christ as the Vine flowing to us- The Branches- by the power and infilling of the Holy Spirit in all Christ followers.

This only works if we allow ourselves to submit totally and completely to Dependence of Christ in every aspect of our lives.

This submission to Christ is vital if we are to be continually fruitful in our Spiritual walk.

How can you intentionally abide in Christ in your daily life?

How does understanding your identity as a branch in the vine influence your spiritual growth?

2. His Divine Love

John 15:9–13 ESV

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Throughout the Old Testament, the image of the vine is used to symbolize Israel.

However, Jesus redefined this symbol in John 15, making it clear that He is the true vine. This connection signifies that through faith in Him, we can grow and flourish spiritually.

As branches, we are called to abide in Him, emphasizing that our strength and vitality come solely from our relationship with Jesus, the true source of our life.

To abide in His love is to mirror the same love that Christs modeled for His Disciples and all His followers- Then and Now.

That is- Holding to a steady, consistent relationship with Christ, spotlighted by obedience and self-sacrificing love.

It is a beautiful thing to have as a foundation, the abiding love that comes from a joy filled life, lived out daily with Christ’s purpose as our guide.

It is a true miracle to watch as we apply Gods Love into every corner of our lives.

Our Daily Challenges

Our Daily Relationship Connections

Every Act of Kindness that Echo’s the Love of Christ to everyone we meet.

The ancient Hebrews understood that a branch separated from its vine quickly dies.

This metaphoric truth underlines our relationship with Jesus as the source of our life.

The emotional tie here is profound: as parents nurture their children with love, guidance, and nourishment, so does Jesus nurture us through His love.

To blossom and bear the fruit of our faith, we must remain steadfast in our connection with Him, much like branches drawing from that vital vine.

So far we have examined:

The True Vine & His Divine Love

What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a closer relationship with Christ?

We’ll explore that next

3. An Intimate Friendship

John 15:14–17 ESV

You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Wow- Jesus call His Disciples- His Students- His Friends.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

In biblical times, vine dressers took great care of their vineyards. They pruned branches to encourage growth and remove the unhealthy ones.

This reflects God’s work in our lives; He prunes us—not to harm us, but to help us grow and bear more fruit.

Jesus is the vine, and our dependence on Him ensures we have what we need to flourish spiritually, reinforcing the importance of remaining connected to Him.

And he does this because he loves us and wants to see us grow and be fruitful just as Jesus was- And all for the Glory of the Father.

He is our Saviour, He is our Heavenly Lord- He is also our friend.

But with this closeness comes great responsibility-

We, too often, take for granted, our intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

Jesus’ parable about the vine and branches was addressed to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion.

He emphasized their reliance on Him in challenging times.

Just like the branches that cannot survive without the vine, Christ was teaching them the necessity of staying connected to Him for guidance and strength, especially during trials.

This powerful imagery reminds us of our dependence on Jesus in our own spiritual journey.

We need to keep in focus that, yes, Jesus loves us enough to meet us where we are at in our sin-

But He also loves us so much, that He doesn’t leave us there.

We need to take the initiative to live in obedience to Him.

We need to submit to the pruning that He intends for us

We can draw hope and inspiration from God’s promise to the exiled Israelites in

Jeremiah 29:11-14.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.

To prosper does not equate to material wealth, worldly fame or Celebrity.

To prosper in the our relationship with God is to gain a deeper appreciation for for all He has done for us.

The Blessings of health, family and strong friendships and steady mentors to guide us.

And the greatest blessing of all-

Our Eternal presence with God through the Sacrificial Death of Jesus Christ.

So how do we do that?

4. Confronting Challenges

John 15:18–16:4 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 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. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you...”

There is no doubt that in various parts of the world, Christians, today are facing opposition and a variety of levels of persecution.

This last part of this passage is meant to provide a comfort and support for any believer being harassed in any way for their faith in Christ.

The world has hated Christ long before any of us alive today ever existed.

The world hates Christians because the world hates God.

This is the warning Jesus gave the Disciples and by extension, us as well.

With the power of the Holy Spirit as our comforter, we can overcome the world.

Relying on our own strength will not work, as Satan has control over the evil in this world.

We cannot combat Satan on our own- But by the Holy Spirit and with Jesus making intercession before God’s Holy Throne, we will prevail.

In biblical times, the act of pruning was essential for a fruitful vineyard. The gardener would meticulously cut away dead branches to promote new growth. Jesus' statement about Him being the vine and us the branches serves as a reminder that sometimes God will prune our lives. Though painful, this process leads to renewal and greater fruitfulness, pushing us to rely more on Him, much like branches depending on the vine for life and purpose.

For those around the world facing difficult times-

I encourage you to hold fast to what you know is Truth.

Jesus has overcome the world and so will you. If not in this life, then in Eternity.