SF332 - THE DECLARATION OF DEPENDANCE (John 15 1-7)

SF332

THE DECLARATION OF DEPENDANCE

JOHN 15:1‑7

INTRODUCTION

The Declaration of Independence

We hold these Truths to be self‑evident, that all men are created equal....We, therefore, the representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in  General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States.... And for the support of this Declaration, with ta firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Being Independent is something that has always been admired in America.

Some of our greatest heroes were held in high esteem because of their independence.

Ø       Men like

Ø       Lewis and Clark

Ø        Admiral Robert Bird

Ø        J.C. Penney

Ø        Henry Ford

Ø       Lee Ioacco.

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However, you will not live long until you discover that even the greatest and bravest among us need strength that goes beyond themselves. 

Indeed our Founding Fathers recognized this.  Listen to what Samuel Adams said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence

"We have this day restored the Sovereign, to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and...from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come."

We all are dependant on something.

Ø       Some have chosen chemical substances.

Ø       Others relationships.

Ø       Others occupations.

Ø       Some even food.

Jesus in our text calls us to declare our own Declaration of Dependance on Him.

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1A. JESUS SETS FORTH THE NATURE OF THIS DECLARATION

1B. The Identity Of The Vine (v.1)

1C. Speaks to exclusive nature of the vine

Ø       Jesus alone is our source

2C. Speaks of the divine nature of the vine

Ø       Only God could make this claim

Ø       Only the great I AM could be the source of all life.

3C. Speaks of an intimacy with the vine

Ø       We are literally connected to Jesus.

4C. Speaks of the authenticity of the vine

Ø       The OT symbol for Israel was a vine.

Ø       Israel failed to fulfill it's mission as God's vine

Jer 2:21 (NIV)<R>I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?

Ø       Jesus fulfills where Israel failed.

Ø       He is true in that only He can give eternal life.

2B. The Identity Of The Branches (v.5)

Ø       The believer is a shoot or a branch of the vine.

Ø       The emphasis is on the vine.

Ø       We must choose to remain in the vine.

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3B. The Identity Of The Gardener (v.1)

Ø       The Father is the gardener

Ø       Notice his work

1C. The task of removal (v.2)

Ø       Not genuine Christians

Ø       Superficial followers ‑ Judas

Ø       (Done in Feb/Mar)

Ø       These are branches that will never be fruitful

2C. The task of improvement (v.2b)

Ø       Pruning produces strength and more fruit

Ø       (done in Aug)

Heb 12:6 (NIV<R> because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

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2A. JESUS SETS FORTH THE CONDITIONS OF THIS DECLARATION

1B. There Is A Command To Obey

"Remain in me" = Be at home in Christ

1C. We must be "in Christ"

2C. We must choose to remain / abide

Ø       It is an act of the will.

2B. There Is A Concept to Understand

"No branch can bear fruit by itself"

John 5:19 (NIV)<R>Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Ø       There is no success apart from abiding in Christ.

3B. There Is A Concern To Remember

"he will bear much fruit"

1C. A Quality of character

Gal 5:22‑23 (NIV)<R>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law.

2C. A life of praise to God

Heb 13:15 (NIV)<R>Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise‑‑the fruit of lips that confess his name.

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3C. The extension of eternal life

John 4:36 (NIV)<R>Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

4B. There Is A Consequence To Enjoy (v.7)

Ø       Blending of wills

Ø       Our prayers will reflect back to Him His will and word.

Ø       These prayers are always answered.

APPLICATION

You are depending on something today.

Ø       Yourself

Ø       Your strength

Ø       Your intelligence

Ø       Your wealth

Ø       Your goodness

Without the vine there is no life

Are you in the vine?