"I AM" the True Vine (3)
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Introduction
Introduction
Tonight, I am looking to conclude our series on the “I AM” Sayings of Christ in John’s Gospel. The AWANA Award Ceremony is next week. For that reason, I will not be in here. Instead, I will be with the AWANA clubbers and their families. However, we will have our regular prayer meeting next week as usual. I have asked Jerry to go ahead with leading in here. He will be preaching and teaching next week as well as throughout the month of May. I will be back for June and my plan is to start a new series on the Name of God. In fact, I have already begun my preparation for that series. I will be giving each of you a chart that will list all the Names of God of which you can fill in as we progress through the study. The chart looks like this.
Show them the chart and explain how it works.
I am looking forward to that series. I hope you will be as well.
For now, we turn our attention to John 15 once again.
Last week, we spent time considering the last part of verse 1 as well as verse 2.
Tonight, we will look at the remaining verses which are verses 4-6.
Take your Bibles and let’s read the text once again.
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth 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 abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide 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.
If you recall, we focused on the fact that God the Father is the “husbandman.” It is He who faithfully watches over and protects the Vine as well as Its’ branches.
We then considered the Fruitless Branch mentioned in verse.
Fruitless Branches are Still Branches
Fruitless Branches are Still Branches
John 15:2 (KJV 1900)
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Fruitless Branches are LIFTED UP by the Husbandman
Fruitless Branches are LIFTED UP by the Husbandman
John 15:2 (KJV 1900)
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Fruitless and Fruitful Branches Require DAILY CLEANSING
Fruitless and Fruitful Branches Require DAILY CLEANSING
John 15:2 (KJV 1900)
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
I am not sure if I finished this point.
Now for us to fully understand all that Christ is saying we must look to the rest of the verse. What does he say? “Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring more fruit.”
Many often relate the word “purging” to “pruning.” However, the actual meaning of the word “purgeth” is to cleanse. In fact, look at verse 3 for a second.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Do you see the word “clean?” In Greek, both words are the same. Thus, in verse 2, when Christ speaks of purging, He talking about cleansing. Christ use of this word goes right along with the customs of His day. Many husbandmen (caretakers) of vineyards in Palestine often washed the vines with water. In doing so, they washed off the deposits of insects, moss, and other parasites infesting the vine.
Here is the point!
God, who is the Husbandman, uses His Word (water) to cleanse the branches as noted in verse 3. What is the goal of our daily cleansing in His Word? The goal is to make us bear more fruit. Remember it the Word (the Lord Jesus Christ) by which every believer is born. We are made clean.
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
However, after our spiritual birth and cleansing, we are constantly exposed to defilement from without and within. Thus, we are in need of being “cleansed” daily. This is where God’s Word comes into play for us as believers.
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Our daily cleansing through His Word in conjunction with God’s lifting us up becomes the means by which remain fruitful for Him. Yes, God uses trials to help us along. He also uses His Word to point out our flaws and encourage complete obedience to Him in all situations even the tough ones. We have the responsibility to hear and humbly obey Him.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I might learn thy statutes.
Thus, the “taketh away” and the “purgeth” are His means of helping us not be fruitless, but fruitful for Him.
This is something that God teaches us throughout the New Testament.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Most of you have been with me in our study of James. Remember the words of James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
These verses work in perfect coordination with the words of our text. It is God’s process making us fruitful for Him.
Now let’s consider the next three verses.
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 abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide 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.
The RIGHT CONDITIONS for Fruit Bearing
The RIGHT CONDITIONS for Fruit Bearing
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.
Notice the fundamental principle given for spiritual FRUIT BEARING. Christ says, “Abide in me, and I in you.”
It is important to understand that there is difference between the thought “to be” in Christ verse “to abide” in Christ. The two must never be confused or confounded. A person must FIRST be “in Christ” before they can “abide in Him.” To be “in Christ” is something that comes only through Divine spiritual resurrection.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This is spiritual birth or spiritual resurrection. It what we know as being “born again.”
However, once a person is made spiritually alive IN Christ Jesus, they are encouraged to “abide” in Him. The word “abide” has the idea “to continue, to dwell, to remain” in Christ. We are to maintain each day our fellowship with God in Christ. The word “abide” call us to vigilance. We must intentionally seek to walk with Him each day and, at the same time, carefully watch out for anything that would derail our fellowship with Him. It is the essence of a daily active faith that is completely dependent upon the Vine for life and growth. Christ gave a similar analogy in John 6:56
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Here again we have an understanding of continued faith that is exercised in Christ as the crucified and living Savior. It is from Him that we derive life and daily sustenance. Perhaps you remember the words of Christ in John 6:35
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Now go back to the beginning of verse 4 again.
John 15:4 (KJV 1900)
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.
Just as there is a difference between being “in Christ” and “abiding” in Christ, so there is difference between Christ “being in us” and His abiding in us. One is a matter of grace and the other is a matter of responsibility. One is perpetual and the other may be interrupted. “Abiding in Him” is that happy conscious fellowship that we enjoy with Him. In a similar fashion, His abiding in us means the happy recognition of His presence, His goodness, His grace, and His power.
Thus, the proper conditions for fruit bearing is to having daily fellowship with Him. A fellowship that can only come by first accepting in faith all that He has already done for us (His death, burial, and resurrection). Doing so places us “in Him” or in the “vine” according to our text. However, fruit bearing comes also by daily maintaining our fellowship with Him as we pursue a daily walk with Him realizing each day how much we need His presence and His power.
Now, look again at verse 4.
John 15:4 (KJV 1900)
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.
Christ reiterates the necessary condition for spiritual fruit bearing. It is Him. He is the Vine. Without Him, no person can bear spiritual fruit. We must be “in Him” and we must “abide in Him.” In others words, it is an absolute necessity to maintain daily fellowship with Him. The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the source of all fruit, He is also the power which produces fruit in and through us. Thus, if there is any outwards signs of spiritual fruit in a person’s life, we must recognize that it is Christ who is producing it and not we ourselves.
Here is one last thought to consider in light of this verse. There is direct correlation between a believer is barren and their daily walk with Christ. A person who make walking with the Lord a priority is a person who is not spiritually barren. Think about this way. Whatever you put in is what you will get out. If you as believer, fill your life with the things of this world and not the things of Christ, you will produce worldly fruit. What we need in this world today is more believer who maintain a daily walk with God and not with the world.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be fat and flourishing;
Now look at verse 5.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Here we find this thought.
An ESSENTIAL CO-DEPENDENCY is Required for Fruit Bearing
An ESSENTIAL CO-DEPENDENCY is Required for Fruit Bearing
Christ gives us a statement of assurance. We are His branches. He is the Vine. Those who “abide” (continue, remain) in Him and He in them will bring forth much fruit. It is a fact. There is no question. God will do great things those who choose to make living with and for Christ the top priority each day.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
This is the motto of a fruitful believer. Such a believer understands the importance of their dependency upon Christ.
John 15:5 (KJV 1900)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The words “without me” literally mean to be severed from Him. In the context, Christ is not saying that a believer can lose his or her salvation. Once a person is saved, it can never be broken.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Again, the context is our fellowship with Him (abiding). Our daily fellowship and dependency upon Him can, however, be interrupted.
What interrupts our daily walk with Him? What causes us to think we can live without Him?
The abbreviated answer is self. Too often, we think we can do things our own without Him. We think we got this. We can handle this situation or that. Thus, we do not need Him. Yet, Christ clearly stated, “…without me ye can do nothing.” No matter how small or how insignificant a matter may be, we cannot handle it without Him.
“Nothing that is spiritually good; no, not any thing at all, be it little or great, easy or difficult to be performed; cannot think a good thought, speak a good word, or do a good action; can neither begin one, nor when it is begun, perfect it.” - John Gill
Remember our righteousness (which includes our righteous attempts) are as filthy rags. Truly, we can nothing spiritual without Him.
Additionally, we often under estimate God’s enemy, Satan. He is very subtle. He is very good at convincing us that we can accomplish righteousness on our own. Satan works hard at trying to separate believers from the Object of their faith. And, once we become occupied with self, Satan succeeds. He uses everything that is in this world as an attraction for believer. Such attractions are there divert our attention away from Christ. Thus, Satan works hard persuading believers to live for themselves instead of “abiding” in the Vine who is the true source of life and sustenance.
A thought that leads us to verse 6.
6 If a man abide 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.
The TRAGIC CONSEQUENCE of the UNFRUITFUL BRANCH
The TRAGIC CONSEQUENCE of the UNFRUITFUL BRANCH
The word “man” is to be taken as “person.” Thus, “If a person (the context is a believer) abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered...” Thus, the simple interpretation is if any believer continues out of fellowship with Christ, he is “cast forth.” Note specifically, “he is cast forth as a branch.” Remember the overall context. God expects branches (aka believers) to be fruitful. Fruitfulness comes by “abiding” in the Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. A branch (aka a believer) who willfully lives for himself and does not “abide” or remain in fellowship with Christ is “cast forth.” Without a doubt, the reason that God allows believers to remain in this world is so they may glorify Him and be a witness to the gospel. An effective witness for Christ is a believer who is producing fruit as they remain in daily fellowship with Him. By the way, it is the only way to be fruitful as it is Christ who produces the fruit in them. However, a believer who consistently refuses to “abide” in Christ and continues to live for themselves is a branch that must “cast forth.” They no longer are serving their purpose. Instead, they become a burden to the gospel of Christ. They have essentially become “salt” that has lost its “savor.”
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Note the words of Christ in Luke 8:18
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
And then note 2 John 8
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
What then did Christ mean when He said, “Men gather them, and cast into the fire, and they are burned?”
First, you will note that Christ used plural pronouns here. He did not say, “men gather him, and cast into the fire, and he is burned.” Had Christ said so we would have understood that He was speaking of an unbeliever.
6 If a man abide 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.
The words “them” and “they” give us some insight here. It is not the person who is cast forth and burned. It is their fruit. Here is another passage that sheds some light.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The story of Lot is a great example. Remember that Lot fell out of fellowship with the Lord. He pitched his tent toward Sodom and Gomorrah. Soon, he is sitting in the gates of these wicked cities. He ceased to bear fruit for God’s glory. In the end, God burned his dead works as He reigned down fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, God spared Lot.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What we have then is a very solemn and serious warning that we all must consider this evening. Am I living a life that makes “abiding” in Chris the top priority each day? Am I a fruitful believer realizing that is Christ who works through me? Am I producing fruit which will remain or fruit that will be “cast forth” and “burned up?” How you answer depends on your daily walk in Christ! If you are neglecting that walk, then I encourage you to repent and ask God’s forgiveness. If not, then be careful. Stay focused on the fact that Christ, the great “I AM,” is the Vine. You are His branch. Abide in Him and He will cause you to “bear much fruit.”