Abide

READ John 15:1-8

Growing up on a pecan orchard. Trimming and grafting.

Spiritual growth does not happen by accident.

The central theme of John 15-16 is the churches example to the world after Jesus would go away and eventually come again.

15:1-17 deals with the inner life of the Christian community.

V. 1 is interesting because of the reference Jesus made to himself as the true vine.

(Read Isaiah 5:1-7) Jesus didn’t pull thisi imagery out of thin air.

The nation of Israel had failed God as a people for generations.

Jesus, the son of God came as the authentic vine, obeying God’s will, and revealing his will.

True disciples are connected with Jesus in relationship.

How do believers grow spiritually with Jesus as the source?

1. Humbly receive the Lord’s Teaching.

God’s purpose for every believer is to increase in fruit bearing.

Grapevines are plentiful if pruned. Pruning may be painful, but will eventually produce faithfulness and a closer relationship with God.

Notice that I didn’t say perfect...

Branches are tender and flexible. When the gardener removes useless branches, the vine can produce nourishment to the areas that bear fruit.

To prune is to “clean” or “purify”.

I often talk to people who say they don’t read. This is simply untrue.

As a disciple, we have a responsibility to connect our life to the Word of God so that we can be useful to God’s kingdom.

We are blessed to have the scriptures and must never take them for granted.

When we place ourselves under the scripture and sound teaching, our life is in the pefect position to bear fruit. (Psalm 1:1—3)

2. Abide in Christ.

We cannot produce fruit unless we remain in Jesus.

“Remaining” or “Abiding” in Christ has to do with intimacy in Jesus. He is our source. Our sustenance.

Jesus rejected the fig tree when it didn’t bear fruit. (Mark 14:18-19)

We are called to bear fruit. Divine judgment for people that don’t.

The nature of abiding.

Not for one but for both. (Jesus connected to man in humanity.)

Content of relationship is love.

Atttachment is not an end in itself but carries a purpose to bear fruit.

Bond is based on the word of God, not emotion.

V. 7 was life-changing to me. Direction verse. Not simply a blessing.

When we abide with Christ, we don’t have to stress about decision-making.

We align our will with God’s.

Meditate on God’s word.

Roll it around in your mind to grasp what it means and how to apply it to specific circumstances.

Learn to be with him.

We can’t only show up on Sundays hoping for our life to change.

V. 8 - Jesus wants the opposite of destruction for his disciples: He wants them to make God’s greatness known.

I have 1 encouragement to you this week: Focus on (John 15:7) Let it wash upon you so you can learn to abide in Jesus.