Week 8 - I AM Statements of Jesus The Vine

Transcription

1 Week 8 - I AM Statements of Jesus The Vine I. Introduction and Review of I AM Statements: A. Prayer B. Question: 1. Have you ever tried to use an appliance and gotten frustrated it didn t work only to realize it wasn t plugged in? C. Review: 1. The Great I AM - Forde 2. I am the door of the sheep - John 10:7, 9 - Chris 3. I am the way, the truth, and the life - John 14:6 - Mark 4. I am the light of the world - John 8:12, 9:5 - Bryan 5. I am the good shepherd - John 10: 11, 14 - Chris 6. I am the bread of life - John 6:35, 48, 51 - Forde 7. I am the resurrection and the life - John 11:25 - Mark 8. I am the true vine - John 15:1 - Bryan 9. Jesus says I AM the bread...he doesn t say He will show you where sustainable bread is...he says he IS the bread 10. Jesus says I AM the resurrection and the life...i m either it for you or you have nothing 11. Over and over Jesus has conveyed that he is not number 1 on a list 12. He says continually I am it. 13. If you don t have me, you have nothing we will see that again today when he says apart from me you can do nothing D. Read Passage: John 15: Where are we going? - Abiding and Pruning 2. Unlike I AM the light of the world, this is probably a little less widely known outside the church. However, inside the church, I think it s safe to say that at least John 15:5 is common E. Context 1. John 15 is a parable so a few words of caution before we move forward a) Ryle - It s a parable. The general lesson of each parable is the main thing to be noticed b) Ryle - Minor details must not be tortured, strained, and pressed to an excess, in order to extract a meaning from them 2. A little about the illustration...what is the vine Jesus is referring to? (1) Some think that He drew the figure from a vine trained over the walls and windows of the upper chamber which He and His disciples were leaving (2) Some think that He drew it from the famous golden vine, which ornamented the principal gate of the temple

2 (3) Some think that He drew it from the vines which He saw by the way side as He walked to the garden of Gethsemane (4) Some refer it to the fruit of the vine at the Lord s Supper (5) Is it likely Jesus was referring to OT where the Jewish Church is compared to a vine? (a) Psalm 80:8; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; Hosea 10:1)... (b) Meaning then that Jesus, and NOT decaying Jewish Church, am the true source of spiritual life. (i) This to Jewish minds would be a very useful lesson (6) Calvin says On that point, however, I will not enter into a debate with any person b) OT references (1) This recurring metaphor for God s people is that they are the vine (a) Psalm 80 - you brought a vine out of Egypt...drove out the nations and planted it...why then have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pluck its fruit? (2) God s chosen people were to fill the earth with fruit (a) Isaiah 27 nation to blossom and fill world with fruit 3. Setting a) Middle of farewell discourse (1) On their way from the Last Supper to Garden of Gethsemane b) Shifted from allaying disciples fears to telling them how to carry on without him, how they will live. (1) This is vital information (2) Jesus is trying to relay to the disciples how they are to live, to work, to carry on the work of the kingdom without Him after He s gone. II. Abiding - The purpose and application of the vine A. What do you think it means to abide? When you hear that word, what comes to mind? If you re abiding in something, is your connection a loose one? 1. Definition from Ryle - To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him, - to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best Friend.

3 2. To have His words abiding in us, is to keep His sayings and precepts continually before our memories, minds, and to make them the guide of our actions, and the rule of our daily conduct and behavior 3. Dictionary Definition - to bear patiently; to endure without yielding; to wait for; to accept without objection 4. The Big Lebowski a) OT prophets predict Messiah in two categories (1) Suffering Servant (2) Son of David (3) So different that many believed prophets spoke of two different messiahs - one to suffer for Israel, bearing its sins and one to redeem and rule it b) The Dude is the Suffering Servant in The Big Lebowski. The Dude Abides. (1) Looks like Jesus (a) The Dude wears sandals and sports long hair, a beard, and a bathrobe (b) Carpenter s uniform (2) The Dude s purpose on earth - to suffer on behalf of others (3) Subject of endless abuse for things he didn t do but never strikes back (4) Entire life turned upside down because of the foolishness and deceptions of others (5) Narrator: The Dude Abides. I don t know about you but I take comfort in that. It s good knowing he s out there, The Dude Taking it easy for all us sinners. B. Why does Jesus use the illustration of a vine and branches to discuss abiding? 1. Jesus is saying: I am the true source of all your life and spiritual vigour; and you are as entirely dependent on Me 2. There is as close a union between you and Me as between a vine and its branches. 3. Union with Christ a) Union between Christ and believers is very close... as close as branches growing out of a central root, a central vine b) Branches only get life from vine itself. Life itself is only to be found in HIM. Union IN Christ. c) Living, organic union between the two (1) Whatever happens to the vine, happens to the branches. (2) Example of cutting off the vines at the base of our tree d) This is why Paul can say that as Christ was crucified so we were also crucified...so as Christ was raised to new life so are we raised to new life... Paul talks about this in Romans

4 (1) Romans 6:1-14 (a) Verse 2 - All baptized into Christ were baptized into His death (b) Verse 4 - Just as Christ raised from dead...we have walk in newness of life (c) Verse 5 - United in a death like his, we will be united in resurrection like his (d) Verse 6 - We were crucified with him e) Calvin- the general meaning of this comparison is, that we are, by nature, barren and dry, except in so far as we have been ingrafted into Christ, and draw from him a power which is new, and which does not proceed from ourselves f) Main point is what is true of Christ is true of us because we are united with Him C. How does Jesus call us to abide in Him? 1. Primarily through Obedience to His commandments. Abide also means to obey we say I will abide by your rules a) One mark of being true branches is - to do the things which He commands us. b) He began with absolute surrender of His life for us. He asks the same of us. c) Look at vers 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. D. What does it look like to abide? 1. What is your approach toward sin? Do you strive to put sin to death? a) Mortification of sin - Romans 12:11-13 b) The process of mortification goes deeper than merely resisting sinful behavior declaring war, which we must do c) Romans 8:12 - changing one s motivation to sin by remembering to apply the gospel. (1) What is the therefore there for? (or the So then?) (a) Referring to statement before where Paul says we have been redeemed by Christ s righteousness and someday be totally delivered from all evil and pain in the bodily resurrection. d) Paul is saying that sin can only be cut off at the root if we expose ourselves constantly to the unimaginable love of Christ for us...to the Gospel...to what Christ has done and will do for us (1) That exposure stimulates a wave of gratitude and a feeling of indebtedness. e) How do we remember? How do we expose ourselves to this? (1) Do you meditate on God s Word?

5 (2) Do you trust in His promises? (3) Do you recognize Him daily as the sustainer of all things in your life? (4) Do you repent? 1 John 1:10...calling God a liar f) Look at verse 9 - Jesus says the same thing here - abide in my love 2. The presence of Joy in your life a) If you bathe yourself in the remembrance of the grace of God, that will loosen, weaken and kill sin at the motivational level.mortification withers sin s power over you by focusing on Christ s redemption in a way that softens your heart with gratitude and love; which brings you to hate the sin for itself, so it loses its power of attraction over you b) The Christian who is careful over his words and tempers and works, will generally be the most happy Christian. (1) Joy and peace in believing will never accompany an inconsistent life. c) Jesus says this in verse 11! These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 3. In Summary - We are inherently dependent on something else. We draw life from something. We have to, it's in our nature. You cannot change yourself or live on your own. Only way for branch to grow and draw life is if it s connected to life source. a) You cannot draw life from yourself b) What gets you out of bed? What motivates you? What gets you going? c) Are you playing dress up everyday? At end of day, is your heart dying? d) Life is only in Jesus. This is what makes a Christian a Christian. Not the life he lives but rather the source from which he gets life itself E. What happens when we abide in Him? 1. We will bear fruit a) Verse 5 - Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit b) What is fruit? (1) Fruit = repentance toward God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, holiness of life and conduct - these are what NT call fruit c) Please note here: (1) Verse 7 - If you abide in me, and my words abide in you

6 (a) This means, If my doctrine and teaching abide fresh in your memories, and is continually influencing your lives. (b) Our Lord guards us against supposing that a mere indolent abiding in Him, with a dreamy, mystical kind of religion, is what He means. (c) His words must be burning like fire within us, and constantly actuating our characters and lives. (d) The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He shall show them His covenant. (Psalm 25:14) 2. Our prayers will be answered - Whatever we ask of Jesus will be granted a) Look at verse 7 If my words abide in you (1)...But here he limits the wishes of his people to the rule of praying in a right manner, and that rule subjects, to the good pleasure of God, all our affections. (2) He means that his people will or desire not riches, or honours, or any thing of that nature, which the flesh foolishly desires (3) But the vital sap of the Holy Spirit, which enables them to bear fruit. b) ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (1) This is a distinct promise of power and success in prayer. And what does it turn upon? We must abide in Christ and Christ s words must abide in us c) Christians shall not pray in vain. Whatever they ask they shall obtain, so long as they ask things according to God s mind. d) No work shall be found too hard, and no difficulty insurmountable. Asking they shall receive, and seeking they shall find. (1) John Knox...Mary Queen of Scots said she feared his prayers more than an army of twenty thousand men. e) Why is there so little power of prayer like this in our time? (1) Simply because there is so little close communion with Christ, and so little strict conformity to His will. (2) Men do not abide in Christ and therefore pray in vain. (3) Christ s words do not abide in them, as their standard of practice, and therefore their prayers seem not to be heard (4)...He that would have answers to his prayers, must carefully remember Christ s directions. We must keep up intimate friendship with the great Advocate in heaven, if our petitions are to prosper.

7 III. 3. Assurance a) Look at verse 8 - By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples (1) The meaning of this promise seems to be that fruitfulness in Christian practice will not only bring glory to God, but will supply the best evidence to our own hearts that we are real disciples of Christ. b) Prove to be my disciples (1) Assurance of our own interest in Christ, and of our consequent eternal safety, is one of the highest privileges in religion. (2) To be always doubting and fearing is miserable work. Nothing is worse than suspense in any matter of importance, and above all in the matters of our souls. (3) Strive to bear much fruit in his life, his habits, his temper, his words, and his works. (a) So doing he shall feel the witness of the Spirit in his heart, and give abundant proof that he is a living branch of the true Vine. (b) He shall find inward evidence in his own soul that he is a child of God, and shall supply the world with outward evidence that cannot be disputed. (c) He shall leave no room for doubt that he is a disciple. (d) Romans 8:16 - For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba! Father! 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God c) Why so many professing Christians have little comfort in their religion, and go fearing and doubting along the road to heaven? (1) The question receives a solution in the saying of our Lord we are now considering. Men are content with a little Christianity, and little fruit of the Spirit, and do not labor to be holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:15) (2) They must not wonder if they enjoy a little peace, feel little hope, and leave behind them little evidence. The fault lies with themselves. God has linked together holiness and happiness; and what God has joined together we must think to put asunder. Pruning - The purpose and application of the vinedresser A. Who does the pruning? 1. The Father

8 B. What does the Father prune? 1. Those who bear fruit a) Look at second half of verse 2 - every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit b) What part of something do you prune? That which sticks out. This cannot feel good. But Jesus does this for our good. If there is any aspect that is not life giving, that is dead, the Father will cut it out. 2. Those that don t bear fruit a) Look at verse 2 - Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away b) Look at verse 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. c) He cuts out those having Branch in me but not bearing fruit d) Means nothing more than a professing member of my Church, a man joined to company of my people, but not joined to Me. e) Somebody OF the vine but not IN the vine (1) Example in my yard of vine going up a tree 50 feet that looks healthy for some time after being cut at root but ends up withering (2) Those claiming to be Christian but other than label, Jesus has nothing to do with your life (3) Those that lack grace in their hearts, no faith, no inward work of the Holy Spirit (4) Like Christmas tree, having all trappings and throwing ornaments on. But we think change comes from outside, in. You bear fruit for fruit s sake because you think that s what defines you 3. What about when Jesus says in Chapter 10 none can snatch them out of my father s hand...meaning you cannot lose salvation? a) Jesus is talking to disciples. What is a dead branch on the vine? For these men, this would mean a descendant from Abraham, a Jew by blood, who didn t accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. b) One who would say I don t know what to think of this guy Jesus but I m a Jew so it s ok C. How does the Father prune? 1. In both, vine dresser still uses a knife. Bearing fruit involves knife. He cleans those don t bear fruit and prunes those that do bear fruit so that they will bear more fruit. D. Why does the Father prune? 1. Take example of Winemakers...they are farmers. They spend their lives trying to control a plant that does not want to be controlled a) Grape plants are vines, if you let it go, it will climb a tree

9 2. Jesus is saying My Father takes the same tender interest in you that the vine-dresser does in the branch of the vine; and is continually watching over your health, fruitfulness, and fertility. a) Think not for a moment that my Father is not as deeply interested in your spiritual prosperity as I am myself. 3. God will often increase the holiness of true Christians by His providential dealings with them..trial is instrument by which our Father in heaven makes Christians more holy a) That we, having a root in him, are dressed and pruned by the Father 4. Romans 8:13 - but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live....this is war. Just as the Father prunes, so we must also see sin in the same light a) If you let the remaining sinful nature alone - if you allow it to prosper and grow - there will be terrible trouble. Instead, you must by the Spirit attack and out it to death. The more you put to death the sinful nature, the more you will enjoy the spiritual life that the Holy Spirit gives - life and peace