Ethical Living

Text: "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. 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. 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. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15: 1-9 (ESV)

Text Background: Come with me for a minute this morning, and place yourself into the original setting of today's text. Time is ticking fast, as Christ is only hours from his arrest and persecution. Christ has gathered His trusted twelve disciples and instructed them to carry out His work after His Death and resurrection to Heaven. Christians know this setting as the Lord's Supper and Chris's teaching to His twelve disciples as "The farewell discourse." Christ's "farewell discourse" is recorded in the books of Luke and John. As each of the four Gospels show us a different Jesus, we can see the difference as we discover the Lukean Jesus as the Savior of the World - and the Jesus of John as the Son of God. So, as we discover this morning's text, I ask that you imagine you are hearing the Son of God, say the words repeatedly, "Abide in Me."

We can see through a look at the whole book of John that Christ is finalizing His training of his twelve disciples to carry on His work after His ministry has ended. Significantly, Christ assures His disciples that the Holy Spirit will be with them forever. (14:6) The parable teaches us that the nature of the union of the vine and the branch is a living one. No work of man can affect whether the branch leads to fruit or not. So, likewise, man's union with his Creator is no work of human wisdom or will- rather an act of God.

Consequently, today's text tells us that we have no control and must rest in the fact that Jesus is in control- and trust that he will help us when we get bad branches in our lives. The word "Abide in Him" is used in the context that we continually receive, believe, and trust that Jesus is everything that we need. Christ knows His followers are going to struggle when He is no longer with them on a daily basis. Today's text promotes how 1st Century Christians could embrace a divine perspective in light of their pain. Only Christ knows how this divine perspective will produce a deep sense of well-being and joy in knowing that our lives are unified with Him and his powerful sacrificial atonement for our sins through his death and resurrection.

This morning we will be looking at the Gospel text as we grasp that John tells us how "Ethical Living" allows us to take our daily Christian Walk following God's will. But as we start, I ask each of you, "What can you do to help you navigate the many obstacles of life to have that very close relationship with God? A life in which you continually receive, believe, and trust that his son- Jesus- is everything you need?

Transition Statement: Today's lives are no different from those of the 1st Century believers, other than modern advancements and our learning from the past. Contemporary life includes systems like the internet, cell phones, and tremendous advances in education that the 1st Century did not have. Today's society is highlighted by man's intellect and passion for solving modern concerns using these tools. However, the text of John communicates how we will not be successful unless we exercise "Ethical Living within Christ." This morning, I will narrate you through three ways that the text of John 15:1-8 shows how "Ethical Living" is impactful to our Christian Walk.

The first impact to our Christian Walk is seen through how" Ethical living is easier if we allow God to remove harmful things from our lives.

Explanation: This morning's text starts with "I am," a term used over 300 times throughout the bible. Turn with me for a minute to John 14:6, where it says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6-ESV) We can see through John 14:6 that Jesus declares himself as the vine. The selected passage of John uses figurative language to tell us how bad branches can inhibit growth; therefore, God must remove them so that the vine can continue to grow. John refers to the product of this growth as "fruit."

Now, let's look at how Scripture defines fruit by turning to Galatians 5:22-23, as it is written, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…"

John brings the passage into more precise focus when he tells us that the source of these bad branches exists in Humans when He says, "You are the branches" in verse 5. Furthermore, we can see how Christ tells us how harmful and useless things in our lives are holding the vine from growing- when he references how his teachings have made believers clean in verse 3.

Scripture emphasizes defining what is not good for us- and goes to great lengths to describe items like sin, evil and unhealthy living. Much like the passage this morning, Paul declares the importance of removing all that negativity when he says,

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming." (Colossians 3:5-6- ESV) In summary, John is telling us how Ethical living is made much easier when God removes unhealthy areas of our life.

Illustration: A workman on a road construction crew told this story of a time when he was working on a project deep in the mountain area of Pennsylvania. Every morning as he drove to work in his pickup, he would see a young boy at a fishing hole near the road. He would wave and speak to the boy each day. One day, however, as he drove slowly past the fishing spot and asked how the boy was doing, he got a strange reply: "The fish aren't bitin' today, but the worms sure are."

When he pulled into the local gas station down the road a few minutes later, he jokingly related the boy's comment to the attendant. For a moment, the man laughed, but then a look of horror crossed his face, and without another word, he ran to his truck, jumped in, and drove hurriedly away.

Later that day, the man on the construction crew found out what had happened. But unfortunately, the gas station attendant had arrived on the scene too late to save the boy, who had somehow mistaken a nest of baby rattlesnakes for earthworms and had been bitten to death.

Baby Rattlesnakes, you see, are born with their full venom. And so it is with many of the sins that tempt us. They may appear harmless, even colorful, yet they contain the full venom of Satan's poison and will destroy us if we handle them.

Argumentation: Much like the story of the baby rattlesnakes, even the smallest amount of unhealthiness can be prohibitive to our Christian Walk. Scripture tells us how impactful unhealthiness can be in our lives, as we may not even recognize that things are harmful to us. John introduces the perfect anecdote for unrecognizable and unhealthiness when He tells us to simply "Abide in Him." Trusting that God will work in our lives to remove the harmful branches within us.

Application: A. J. Jacobs, in his book, Living Biblically, describes his experiment to live a life in full adherence to the more than 700 laws within the Old Testament. Jacobs concludes how difficult it is to obey all of the Old Testament laws - and sets the stage for the atoning work of Christ. Even so, how many of you think you would have much success fulfilling the more than 700 laws established in the Old Testament? Don't you think it would be much easier to give everything to Christ and let Him guide you to a practical Christian Walk?

So, I ask you today, are you "abiding in Christ" so that he can remove that bad branch from your life? That one bad branch that does not produce any fruit will eventually wither you away? If you are struggling in your Christian Walk, could it just be that you have a bad branch, and could it simply be that you need to trust God to trim that branch to grow in your daily Christian Walk?

Transition: Now, let's look at the second point from today's passage. Have you ever been stuck? Have you ever felt like you were in a rut- and wondered where God was as you called out? Have you wondered if you were doing something wrong- possibly not praying the right way- perhaps not putting God's plan first- maybe not putting others before yourself? How many of you have wondered what you could change to fulfill God's will?

Even though we sometimes may seem confused about where we are in life, Ethical living assures that you are living according to God's will.

Explanation: This morning's text tells us that God's design for our lives is that we abide in Christ so that we can produce fruit. Scripture defines fruit as referring to when we are emulating God's character traits of Love, compassion, gentleness, and kindness. Scripture consistently reinforces the message of how unhealthiness will keep us from God. Consequently, when we live an unhealthy life, we are not showing that we live a life in His image.

We can see how we are called to live as Christians by looking at 1 John 2: 3-6: "We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in him. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

To reach God, the 1st Century Jews adhered to rigorous practices of offering sacrifices and purifying themselves so that they could be worthy of God's presence. Unlike Jews, Christians did not need to show that they were worthy of God's presence through their good works. Christians, who abide in Christ, have Him to ensure they are always worthy of God's presence.

On the Contrary, Jews believed they could reach God by proving worthy of His holiness. Jews thought they could simply give a purification offering so that a doorway would be opened to experience God and His character. Christians no longer need to try to appeal to and please God through their works. Christians simply need to abide in Christ to communion with God. Abiding in Him allows us to exemplify a Christian life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Illustration: A certain man used to come home dead drunk each night. He was always so intoxicated that he would fall into bed fully clothed, pass out, and then snore all night loudly. Finally, his wife was losing so much sleep because of his snoring that she went to a doctor and said, "Doctor, I can't stand it any longer. If you tell me how to keep him from snoring, I will pay you anything!"

So the doctor told her that whenever her husband passed out and started snoring, she was to take a ribbon and tie it around his nose, and his snoring would stop.cThat night, her husband came in, as usual, fell across the bed fully dressed, passed out, and started snoring. The wife got up, pulled a blue ribbon from her dresser, and tied it around his nose. Sure enough, the snoring stopped. The following day, the wife woke up refreshed from a solid night's sleep.

As he was awakening, she asked her husband, "Where were you last night?" The fully clothed husband looked in the mirror and saw the blue ribbon around his nose, replied, "I don't know, but wherever I was, I won first prize!"

This was the attitude of the early church that Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 5:1-2. Immorality was in their midst, yet they were puffed up with pride. They had become so arrogant, thinking themselves first in spirituality, that they had become oblivious to their condition.

Argumentation: Abiding in Christ means that we must live the way He did. Scripture shows us a Christ who was always humble and accepting God's will. Even this text- a prelude teaching before He willingly surrendered himself to a painful and crucifying death, shows how far He would go for His Father. Likewise, Christians are also called to Abide in Christ to be productive for Christ. Christians who fail to abide in Christ are useless and will become that bad, withering branch.

Application: The Christian walk can be challenging at times. Society has normalized even the most simple and seemingly, insignificant level of unhealthiness. However, Scripture reinforces one message throughout the bible- that unhealthiness, such as sin and failing to remain in Him, separates us from God.

Submitting completely to God can be scary, especially as we read throughout Scripture how Christians are continually persecuted. We can also see through many examples of this world where Christians are persecuted. However, we are told that when we are submissive to God, then not only is God with us- but we can be assured that God will fulfill all that we ask.

But the question still exists – Are you on the Christian Walk, with a whole heart to obey and trust God to prune the bad from your life so that you do not become a withered branch?

Transition: Society today is loaded with set standards of morality and its code of ethics. Laws are often created that reinforce this code and expectations of morality. Man continues to make and refine laws so that man lives within society's expectations of what is right and what is wrong.

But what about when man's law or lack of clarity conflicts with God's law? How can man resolve the tough questions that society struggles with? Consequently, man simply may never be able to resolve such struggles. Therefore, Christians must remember that Ethical living is impossible without Christ.

Explanation: Throughout Scripture, we are reminded of how important it is to attempt to live away from sin and other areas of unhealthiness. The Old Testament is an example of how we are called to make numerous types of sacrifices and offerings so that God can forgive us. Christians know that man and woman became knowledgeable of sin when Adam and Even took a bite of the forbidden fruit while in the Garden of Eden.

Let's look at 1 Corinthians 10:13 to see what Scripture says about the same temptation that Adam and Eve experienced.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is no common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.

We can see through Paul's teaching in Corinthians how alluring temptation is. But thankfully, Paul tells us how the solution to temptation is God. Today's biblical text defines this solution as "Abiding in Him."

lllustration: King and Country, a contemporary Christian worship band, sings a song, "Burn the Ship." Released in 2019, this song peaked at Number 3 on the Top Christian Song charts. The song tells the story of one of the lead vocalist's (Luke) wife's struggles with addiction. The wife's addiction grew worse once she had become pregnant with the couple's second child as the Doctor prescribed anti-nausea medication for her debilitating morning sickness.

Unfortunately, as the medicine failed to do much for her illness, the Doctors continued to increase her dosage- thus increasing her addiction appetite. The pills eventually led Luke's wife to significant anxiety issues and reoccurring suicidal thoughts.

The song's lyrics call her out to "burn the ship and cut the ties." The lyrics also tell her to "say a prayer and turn the tide, dry her tears up and wave goodbye." The refrain of the lyrics reinforces the message that "We can rise up from the dust and walk away. We can dance upon our heartache, so light a match, leave the past, burn the ships, and step into a new day."

Luke's wife found out how she- herself- was not able to defeat her addiction. Despite her efforts to "burn the ship and cut the ties" by throwing away the pills, she relapsed. Thankfully, Luke's wife finally got the needed help, but not until she reached out through prayer and began to Abide in Him.

Argumentation: Scripture warns us of the alluring power of sin. Scripture tells us how sin separates us from the person who God has designed us to be. Scripture reinforces God's frustration with us when we live a life without Him. Christians may know God's promise of wrath as the Day of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:1)

Not all sin and unhealthiness are easily conquered. In fact, we may not even know that we have any unhealthy areas in our lives. Scripture tells us to "Abide in Him" and trust in Him to prune any bad branches within us.

Application: Society offers tremendous technology and resources that tempt us to solve problems ourselves. Instead of "Abiding in Him," people chose to find their own remedies to unhealthy areas in their lives. We can see society's emphasis on addressing problems ourselves when we explore exhaustive lists of best-selling books and other gimmick areas- that reveal man focused on relentlessly figuring out his problems.

However, there are areas of our lives that we simply cannot solve ourselves. Technology, self-care books, and other areas of self-remedying cannot always identify and solve what is going on in our lives. Therefore, we must "Abide in Him" to provide the source of care for our lives. Allowing Him to identify those areas of our lives that are not good and productive shows how we are on a Christian Walk led by Christ.

So I ask you- how are you addressing problems and challenges in your life? Are you following man's remedy, or rather, are you leaning on God and trusting that He will guide you? Ethical living is simply impossible without God. But unfortunately, there are areas of our lives where we can either identify our own unhealthiness or are unable to purge unhealthiness from our lives.

Transition (Division Statement 3 to Conclusion): Most of us know plants will not grow when they get that bad branch. Figuratively speaking, that bad branch may cut the ability for the rest of the plant to grow. So, as Gardeners- we cut that harmful branch. Likewise, when we abide in Christ- God serves as our Gardener. Unlike an actual plant, we cannot always see those harmful branches in us.

Visualization: The imagery of a vine gives us a very vivid example of what occurs when a part of the vine has a bad branch. The vine not only fails to produce fruit but the vine also quickly withers and dies out. However, when the vine is pruned regularly, the vine will continue to grow and produce fruit. In this morning's text, the vine is seen as Christ, and Christians are the branches.

The Son of God saying "Abide in Me" offers a much different perspective than if Christ the Messiah was saying "Abide in Me."- as He has the power of His deity. The Son of God implies "Go forth- and Trust in Me," whereas the text from Luke implies "Comfort" and knowing that I am here.

Reiteration: This morning's text calls us to emulate the Walk that Christ has also made. The text signifies how Christ abides so deeply in God. So, likewise, Christ, "the Son of God," calls out to you this morning to "Abide in Him." He is telling you to Trust Him to purge any unhealthy areas in your life so that you can obey His will and emulate His character. Christ is telling you that that bad branch- those harmful things in your life- may be holding you back or may even be detrimental to your Christian Walk.

Unfortunately, we are naturally broken, so how can we possibly expect to live Ethically without Help. The good news is that Christ- the Son of God- is here for us. When we live in Christ, we remain purged of unhealthiness to model the lifestyle Christ calls us to. Therefore, Ethical Living is a sign of our Christian Walk. Ethical living demonstrates our good works for the Kingdom of God.

Action: Our call to "Abide in Christ" means that we must intentionally make an effort to allow Him to navigate our Christian Walk. "Abiding in Him" means allowing God to remove bad branches from our lives. "Abiding in Him" will enable us to live according to God's will, in which we continually receive, believe, and trust that Jesus is everything we need. "Abiding in Him" makes the often difficult Christian Walk possible.

Appeal: So, I ask this morning if you are living ethically so that you can walk a practical Christian Walk? Christ has called us to "Abide in Him" so that we can be assured we can walk the life that he has specifically called us to.