Abiding in Christ (Nursing Home)

About Me:

Josiah

Pastor of GC—OVERLOOK/SHAMOKIN...

HUSBAND—FATHER (3 GIRLS)

------------------------------------

II. Opening Prayer

----------------------

III. Songs: (D) — Play in “E”

What a Friend — D (p. 16)

Amazing Grace— D (p. 14)

Near the Cross— D-Open (p. 53)

——————————————————————————————

——————————————————————————————

IV. Message (John 15)

**Turn to John 15...**

Background:

Chronology: Eve of Jesus’ death. (( John 13-19 all 24 hour period. ))

Possible still in Upper Room

Possibly en route to Garden of Gethsemane…

——————————————————————————————

Text:

John 15:1–8 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

The last of Jesus’ seven famous “I AM” Statements…revealing who He is.

——————————————

Focus: Here, JESUS SHOWCASES—HE FULFILLED ISRAEL’S ROLE as GOD’S SERVANT

Background: ISRAEL LIKENED to FRUITLESS VINEYARD—CONTINUAL DISOBEDIENCE…

————————————————————————————

Key Point: JESUS SUCCEEDS/OBEYS… WHERE EVERY OTHER SERVANT of GOD FAILED…

Takeaway: COVENANT W/ GOD = ESTABLISHED UPON “CHRIST the VINE” — NOT ISRAEL the VINEYARD

ESTABLISHED THROUGH ALLEGIANCE to CHRIST (FAITH),, NOT ETHNIC BACKGROUND.

************

Transition ➡ JESUS CONTINUES METAPHOR & INCLUDES the DISCIPLES:

——————————————————————————————

Verse 2

John 15:1–8 ESV

2 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.

Two Types of Branches:

Fruitless

Fruitful

FRUITLESS = TAKEN AWAY, REMOVED…

Reference: Some Scholars Conclude: Reference to JUDAS,, WHO HAD ALREADY LEFT to BETRAY JESUS!

John–Acts 15:1–8. Abiding in Christ

it would seem we should think of Judas as a branch that did not abide in the vine. Given the way Jesus refers to Judas in 17:12,

————————————————————————————

The Fruitful/Connected Branch— GOD PRUNES//CLEANSES

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. καθαίρω

to remove superfluous [unnecessary] growth from a plant

Exhortation: GOD WORKS in OUR LIVES— TO MAKE US BETTER, MORE FRUITFUL!

GOD CUTS OFF the USELESS PARTS,, to HELP US BEAR MORE FRUIT

Background: INTERESTING, “PRUNES” CAN MEAN CLEANSES…

************

Transition ➡ this in Mind, John has a PLAY on WORDS…

——————————————————————————————

Verse 3

John 15:1–8 ESV

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

INTERESTING—CLEAN = CONNECTED to “PRUNES” from V2

Background: JESUS SPEAKING to 11 DISCIPLES, NOT JUDAS

THROUGH HIS WORD/TEACHING— THEY ARE MADE CLEAN… THEY ARE RIGHT W/ HIM.

Exhort: CLEANNESS COMES THROUGH CHRIST—NOT PERSONAL EFFORT.

************

Transition ➡ To the CONNECTED DISCIPLES, JESUS ISSUES a COMMAND:

——————————————————————————————

Verses 4-5

John 15:1–8 ESV

4 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. 5 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.

Jesus Teaches: ABIDE/REMAIN/STAY IN ME!

SPEAKS of CONTINUAL LOYALTY//ALLEGIANCE to CHRIST & OBEDIENCE to HIS WORD

MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP

————————————————————————————

Indicative & Imperative:

Essential Note: JESUS’ DISCIPLES “ALREADY CLEAN” — NOW COMMISSIONED to REMAIN.

GRACE PRECEDES WORKS

THE CLEAN DISCIPLE is COMMANDED to ABIDE

He initiates the work, we follow.

——————————————

Essential Takeaway: FRUITFULNESS DEPENDS ENTIRELY on CONNECTEDNESS

Illustration: APART from CHRIST—WE’RE DEAD STICKS—of NO USE!

(V5) Contrast: THOSE “IN CHRIST” WILL BEAR FRUIT.

TRANSFORMED LIFE…

GOOD WORKS…

THE ABIDING ONE = ONE WHO BEARS MUCH FRUIT.

John–Acts 15:1–8. Abiding in Christ

Whereas vines need sunlight, pollination, water, and soil, the people of God need Jesus

————————————————————————————

All Coming from Jesus:

Our life-source, our Christian fruitfulness, everything hinges upon our relationship to Jesus Christ.

Quote, Tim Keller: Pride is that which claims to be the author of that which is really a gift.

EVERYTHING GOOD in ME = RESULT of GOD’S GRACIOUS KINDNESS…

BREATH in MY LUNGS

GIFTS/TALENTS/ABILITIES

——————————————

(V5b) APART from CHRIST — CAN DO NOTHING!! (OF ETERNAL VALUE)

WITHOUT CHRIST—GOOD DEEDS LEAD to PRIDE

ALL BURNED UP

************

Transition ➡ THOSE WHO DON’T ABIDE = UNFRUITFUL

UNFRUITFUL LEADS to JUDGMENT

READ: V.6

——————————————————————————————

Verse 6:

John 15:1–8 ESV

6 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.

NOT ONLY OUR EARTHLY FRUITFULNESS,

… BUT OUR ETERNITY HINGES UPON JESUS CHRIST.

NOT CONNECTED? NO USE BUT for KINDLING!

➡No Christ, no life.

➡➡No life, no fruit.

➡➡➡No fruit, no purpose.

************

Transition ➡ AGAIN,, THERE’S a CONTRAST

ADDITIONAL BENEFIT to the ABIDING ONE:

READ V.7

——————————————————————————————

Verse 7:

John 15:1–8 ESV

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

#1 ABIDING in CHRIST PRODUCES FRUIT

#2 ABIDING in CHRIST PRODUCES ANSWERED PRAYER.

WHY?

Answer: ABIDING in CHRIST… & HIS WORDS ABIDING IN US… CHANGES OUR DESIRES.

Psalm 37:4 ESV

4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

IF WE’RE REALLY SPIRITUAL—WE’LL DESIRE GOD’S WILL...ASK DIFFERENT THINGS.

HEAVENLY VERSUS EARTHLY…

Example: NEW CAR — LUSTFUL DESIRE?? or HONEST NEED??

———————————————

➡IF WE’RE SEEKING GOD’S GLORY…

➡IF WE’RE BUILDING HIS KINGDOM…

➡➡ WE CAN TRUST HE WILL WORK to ANSWER OUR PRAYERS.

———————————————

Testimony: Children’s Bible

WON’T BE FAMOUS

WON’T BE RICH

BUT STRIVING to HELP FAMILIES…

——————————————————————————————

Challenge: WHEN YOU WANT WHAT GOD WANTS—THEN WE CAN REST ASSURED HE ANSWERS

SOMETIMES WE DON’T HAVE BECAUSE WE DON’T ASK! (JAMES 4:2)

SOMETIMES WE ASK & DON’T RECEIVE—BECAUSE of BAD MOTIVES (JAMES 4:3).

**OR HE SAYS NO BECAUSE HE HAS a DIFFERENT PURPOSE**

Dependence?? — 2 COR. 12…

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

************

Transition ➡ CONCLUDING THOUGHT…

——————————————————————————————

Verse 8:

John 15:1–8 ESV

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

➡ Command: ABIDE in CHRIST

➡➡ Result: BEAR FRUIT

➡➡➡ Goal: GLORY of GOD.

——————————————

CHRISTIAN MISSION— GLORIFY GOD — NOT SELF…

EASY to BE DISTRACTED W/ ME...MYSELF… I…

BUT GOD HAS ME HERE for HIM.

You were made to bring God glory…

… and you do that by bearing fruit.

Personal Transformation: Fruit of the Spirit

LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL

Public Testimony: Good Works

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

PERSONAL TRANFORMATION & PUBLIC WITNESS — HINGES UPON CONNNECTEDNESS to CHRIST…

************************

Takeaways:

The Believer must abide (remain) in Christ to be fruitful.

Examples: Prayer, Study showcase our dependence,, remind us what we’re here for…

Those in Christ will by nature bear fruit—because they are connected to Him.

The believer’s fruit is intended for the glory of God.

————————————————————————————

V. Closing Prayer

——————————————

VI. Closing Song:

Glory to His Name — F (p. 3)

——————————————

VII. Prayer Requests