January 24 , 2021
Morning Service

The last time we met our message was “Introducing Jesus.”  The challenge was given as we begin our study in Matthew that we open ourselves up and get to know Jesus in a much more intimate way.  I want us to walk with Him along with the apostles and watch, listen and learn from each item we read and share together.  Allow Him to complete us.  Asking the questions; “what does this show me about me?  What does this show me about Jesus?”  In my studies, I ran across John chapter 15 and I feel Jesus defines what a relationship with Him should be like.  He explains it so well through something that we all can understand and it is up to us apply it to our own lives.  Let’s let His words guide us to the truth.

Joh 15:1-11 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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  (3)  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  (4)  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  (5)  "I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  (6)  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  (7)  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  (8)  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.  (9)  "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.  (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.  (11)  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

            Again we are trying to define what a relationship with Jesus will look like.  Here Jesus uses something we can all relate to, a vining plant.  He was probably referring to a grapevine that all of these men would be very familiar with.  “I am the vine and you are the branches” statement sets the tone for us.  A branch’s survival depends upon its connection to the vine.  All life giving nourishment comes from that relationship.  If that link is broken, not only does the branch not produce fruit, but it withers away and dies.  The branch is not created to live on or by its own power, but it needs the Vine to survive and to flourish.  Jesus calls this connection “abiding in Me.”  Abide is defined as living or dwelling in.  Jesus asks us to live and dwell within Him.  Though the branch and the vine are two parts of the plant, they are united as one.  The branch relies totally upon the Vine for everything it needs in this life to survive and also to produce much fruit.  That is life giving relationship Jesus wants us to have with Him.  Verse 5 sums this thought up: “I am the vine and you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” When we live in Christ, dwell with Him, abide with Him we are made alive and given the nourishment to be fruitful, but without Him we “can do nothing.”  He is our source of life, He completes us. 

            Jesus then goes a bit deeper for us explaining how we are to “abide in Him.” In verse 9 He commands us to “abide in My love.”  Love is the whole basis for our relationship with Jesus.  He loved us and gave Himself for us and now we return that love to Him by following Him, dwelling with Him, and abiding with Him.  He has become our all in all, our everything, and our Vine; our source of life, fruitfulness, and joy.  Verse 10 tells us that the proof of abiding in Him is that we walk in obedience to His commands.  In chapter 14:15, Jesus spelled it out very simply for us like this:

 Joh 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

            Simple right?  If you love Jesus, dwell with Him, and abide in Him you will seek to be obedient to His commands.  Which means you will diligently seek Him by faith putting great effort into being a faithful follower who not only “talks the talk but walks the walk!”  We will hear and obey; applying His words to our lives.  It is in living that kind of fruitful life that we glorify God our Father (verse 8) and our joy is made full (verse 11).  We all want to be pleasing to God, show Him our love and appreciation for all that He does for us, and have a fulfilling life full of joy.  It can be done by following Jesus, abiding in Him, every day of our lives and doing the best we can to be faithful to Him.  A key part of our journey is each other; we are
better together.”  Jesus continues by explaining what the relationship we as brothers and sisters in Christ are to share.

 

Joh 15:12-17

            Jesus defines love for us here.  It is a sacrificial giving of ourselves to others; “laying down your life for your friends.”  Jesus is prophesying here about what he is about to do.  He laid down His life for us upon the cross paying the price for our sins with His blood; fulfilling His own words.  We are no longer servants of God, but friends and children.  The command is for us to love one another in that same manner; “love one another as I have loved you.”  This does not come easily, but the Holy Spirit within in you will empower you to do it if you yield your will to His.  We abide in Christ by loving one another.  Jesus now explains to us the relationship we will have with the world around us.

 

Joh 15:18-25 

            We have not experienced this type of hatred and persecution, yet.  The apostles were all martyred for their faith except John.  They experienced this hatred and persecution first hand all because they were “abiding in Jesus.”  When we accept Jesus as our Savior and begin to follow Him, we create an enemy for ourselves.  The spirit of evil and Satan will fight against us, hating us, and trying to destroy us to the very end.  We are not necessarily the target of this hatred, but it is the One that we abide with that he hates.  As time rolls closer and closer to the end times, this hatred will increase as will the persecution.  Our enemy is like a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.”  (I Pet. 5:9) As we choose to follow, dwell with and abide in Christ we must be prepared not only to be blessed, but also persecuted.  In verse 20, Jesus tells those He has called to follow straight up what is coming.  “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”  This pertains to each of us who are following Jesus.  It is the spiritual battle that we all need to be prepared for and not caught unaware when it occurs.  Build your foundation in Him strong as it will be tested.  Jesus close this chapter with a comforting truth.  We will not fight this battle alone.

 

Joh 15:26-27 "         The Holy Spirit is given to each of us sometime in at the point of our conversion.  The Spirit dwells within us helping us, guiding us and empowering us to stay true to our calling to “Follow Me.”  The Spirit within you empowers you to do things you could never do on your own.  Love your enemies, pray for those who despitefully use and persecute you, and even face death without any fear are examples of what we now are able to do.  He will give us the words to say to share our faith and grant us a peace that passes all understanding.  The Holy Spirit is Jesus abiding in us and we in Him.

 

Col 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

Heavenly Father open our hearts to allow the Spirit to abide in us guiding us, teaching us and empowering us to follow You faithfully.