John 15:1-21 After the Encounter - Staying connected

Electricity is amazing thing. When it works well, good things occur.

But if the equipment it is suppose to empower is broken, things go wrong. It no longer works right or produces what it was intended to produce.

I ran this equipment that ensured the tar on the pipe was sufficiently

Thick enough to protect the metal pipe from water. It ran a high voltage charge through a metal band around the pipe. The idea was if the hardened tar was not thick enough, the electricity would ark onto the pipe.

But the one day the equipment was broken. As I was running this device down the pipe, occasionally the electricity would stop flowing through the device and instead flow thru the handle into me. The spark would enter me instead of the pipe. Zap it would almost knock me off my feet. And it was random. I never knew when I was about to be shocked.  Finally, I just turned it off and cover many hours pretending my device was connected to the electricity.

You take this same electricity and put it in on a weed eater and it works great. It works great in my chain saw. My blower. My drill. Each different. But each designed and intended to be energized by this electricity.

So it is with the Christian life. We are intended to be connected with the Christ. We are intended to be energized to live out this life in Christ. Not just a quick flip of the switch and then turned off. We are intended to abide  / to reside / to live continually in Him. We connect with Christ at salvation, but then we live with Him – stay connected with Him, the rest of our lives. When we do, we function as He intended. We accomplish what He intended. Our lives bear the fruit that naturally comes forth.

(ESV) John 15 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

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.

John 14:1-21 After the Encounter – Staying connected

Page BreakStaying connected: Connect with the vine True branches must be connected Jn 15:5a, 6 Real vines are connected (ESV) John 15 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. A vine must be connected to the branch to have real life

Draws nutrients through the vine / life False vines are separated and burned (ESV) John 15 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. Judas left – looked like a vine but no fruit Sometimes we wonder why no growth / no fruit – perhaps it is not a grape vine but a kudzu – try as it will it will not produce grapes

Called for intimacy Jn 15:5b; Mk 3:14 A deep relationship – time / knowledge / relationship (ESV) John 15 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. All stems from our relationship with Him – know Him before we do for Him Doing alone doesn’t create intimacy – must be connected (ESV) Mark 3 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

Sent to bear fruit Jn 15:5c Has a purpose (ESV) John 15 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. Never private Reproduce after one’s kind

Show what you are

The internal nature results in external results

Grape branches connected in a healthy manner to the vine produce grapes.

Page Break Staying connected: Bearing fruit Transformed (internal) Jn 15:2, 5; Gal 5:22-23 (ESV) John 15 2 … every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 5 … he it is that bears much fruit, Demonstrate who you are by what you produce – life/character/apple trees produce apples

Fruit of the Spirit – spiritual transformation (ESV) Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; … Reproduce (external) Jn 15:2, 5; Rom 1:13 Produce others like you (ESV) John 15 2 … every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 5 … he it is that bears much fruit,

Produce like DNA plants Other disciples – evangelism and growth of others (NKJV) Romans  1 13  … I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. Grow in fruit bearing Jn 15:2, 5 (ESV) John 15 2 … every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 5 … he it is that bears much fruit,

Progress Further along today than yesterday A process Page Break Staying connected: Embracing the process

Pruning Jn 15:1-2 (ESV) John 15 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. Cut off the diseased Cut off the unnecessary Cut off the good to create focus

Dependence on Him Jn 15:4-5 (ESV) John 15 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. All comes from Him / cannot do it on our own / no faking it The Word of God Jn 15:3, 7, 10

Cleansed (ESV) John 15 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. … 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Obedience to the Word of God (ESV) John 15 10 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. Prayer Jn 15:7, 16

(ESV) John 15 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 16 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. Obedience to the Word of God is the means Engaging community Jn 15:12, 16-17 (ESV) John 15 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. …

16 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. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. Plurals Loving one another means and result of fruit bearing Page Break Staying connected: Beyond fruit bearing

Glory to the Father Jn 15:8 (ESV) John 15 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. Make the Father look good – displays His character / grace / power by producing what only He can do = transform/birth new lives Demonstrate you are a real disciple of Christ Personal satisfaction Jn 15:11

(ESV) John 15 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. Achieve your true purpose in life