Abide In Me

Abide in Me! John 15:1-8 (Jesus speaking…) (From the KJV; except singular verbs fixed:) 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges 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 abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abides 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. (My own translation choices:) 1 I am the True Fruit-Vine, and My Father is the Cultivator. 2 Every branch in Me, not bearing fruit, He takes it away. And, every-one bearing fruit, He prunes, in-order-that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already, you are pruned by-means-of the Word that-which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, so-also-I in you. Even-as the branch is-not-able to-be-bearing fruit from itself, unless it may abide in the Fruit-Vine; so-in-this-way, neither can you except-that you may abide in Me. 5 I am the Fruit-Vine; you are the branches. The one-abiding in Me, so-also-I in him, this-one is-bearing much fruit; because-that apart-from Me, you are able to do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as the branch and is shriveled-up. And, they gather them and cast into a fire, and they are burned-up. 7 If you may abide in Me, and My words abide in you, then whatever you desire you will ask, and it will-come-to-be to you. 8 In this, My Father is glorified, in-order-that you may bear much fruit; and you will-come-to-be disciples to Me. (Notes on word choices used in the above right-side translation: The word for “vine” does mean only those vines which are fruit-bearing; and even may have been limited in meaning to “grapevines.” So, I chose “Fruit-Vine” and put the dash to show that it is one word. I capitalize it because it may be considered as a “title” for Jesus. The word for the KJV’s “husbandman” can refer to any type of “farmer.” Some translations use “vinedresser” or “vineyard keeper” in this passage because of the context. I have used “cultivator” in order to be more generic than “vinedresser” (et. al.). I very nearly decided to use simply: “farmer.” Perhaps, “cultivator” illustrates His main purpose, cultivation, a little better than does “farmer.” The word for “abide” in this passage could be translated as: abide, remain, continue, dwell, or stay. No one word will fully convey this; and since this meaning is crucial (as I contend) to the following message/sermon/teaching, I simply state that we should keep the idea of continuance, staying, remaining, etc. in mind! “Abide in me” means “keep remaining in me,” etc. The word for “fruit” can mean any “produce,” including vegetables. Since the context is the produce from a fruit-vine, I retained “fruit.” However, in the context of the life of the follower of Jesus, we should consider it as the “product” of the Spirit’s work in us. The verbs for “prune” and variations actually use the word for “cleanse,” but given the context, “pruning” is surely intended. KJV uses a form of prune in all but one use, at v. 3a “you are clean.” This is an adjective, but for consistency, let’s use “pruned.” All occurrences of “you” in this passage, are plural. Branches are basically “shoots” of vine. “The Word” in verse 3 is λόγος; while “My words” in verse 7 is ῥῆμα. I am tempted to translate v.7 with “my sayings.” The word for “desire” (v. 7) is “will.” It is stronger than a mere wish. The conjunction often translated “that” (at verses 2c and 8b), I translate “in-order-that” in order to more specifically denote “causality.” In both of these cases, the “in-order-that” is (ινα) is coupled with the subjunctive mood verb; which combination certainly denotes “causality” and “purpose.” In neither place does the clause imply “might or might not” but-rather “that it would.” Both verses speak of a “thing” which has the result: “in-order-that it may/would bear more/much fruit.”) Abide in Me! Do a word/grammar study of Jn 15:1-11; and a literal translation. Outline: Setting it Up: a. The Hour is Come b. I Must Go Away c. This is Life d. I will Come to you. (The solution). The Parable of Ongoing Spiritual Intimacy: 1. I am the Vine 2. You are the branches 3. Abide in Me (and I in you). 4. Bear Much Fruit 5. The Value of Pruning 6. Full Joy Add the setting of John 13-17... I go away... I will come to you. One of only 3 long discourses... Farewell Address: … Jesus deep, urgent concern for His followers after His physical departure. Review "I will come to you" and other "Jesus in us" verses. Jesus’ solution to “I go away” is “I will come to you” … i.e.: the Baptism of the Spirit. Add Jesus trying to get disciples to see beyond natural world to things of Kingdom (spiritual) John 4; parables' purpose ...meat to eat... lift up your eyes. Add summary of intimacy imagery from Scripture. Scriptures teach a “walk with God.” Add flesh spirit and led by spirit and walk in spirit passages. Add parts noted in photo captures from Glory-Parables ebook. Add summary of "in" passages ... we are in Him and He is in us. Double-IN. "I am the Vine." Key starting place. Add that "a deeper walk with God" is not just for super-christians or ministry leaders. Role of Spirit in maturing holiness (sanctification)! Abiding! Abiding lasts a while!! (More here… ) Some folks' idea of spirituality and Spirit leading is like the refueling jets (use photo here). But, it is like a vine and its branches (use photo here). Such is about flow... the flow of water/sap/nutrients is slow but ongoing and consistent. It is not about congregational governance, but about spiritual experience of intimacy with God's Spirit). Close walk, deeper life, prayer worship connection, fruit production (character, holiness, new souls) is the result. Walking in the Spirit! How? It is about how you worship. It is about how you read to learn. It is about how you pray. It is about how you listen & obey! Pruning = Reproof ... the unloved under-appreciated ministry of the Spirit. Take a look at other Logos parables resources... for Jn 15 ideas. Fruit Production: Full Joy…