Famous Last Words. A Study of John Daniel Sutherland

Transcription

1 Famous Last Words A Study of John Daniel Sutherland danielsutherland50@gmail.com

2 Love one another; as I have loved you. One way I want you to love another is by serving each other. I am going to prepare a place for you and we will be together again for ever. Understand and never compromise on the fact of My Deity. I want you to live a life of great impact do the things I did and pray in My name as you do them. I am leaving, but the Spirit of God will come and help you, teach you and encourage you. Obey my words; those who obey will enjoy close fellowship with God. I am giving you peace that lasts, peace that will transform you.

3 John 15:1-11: A Solemn Walk: Abiding in Christ I. Pictures of the union of Christ and His church II. The Significance of the Vine in the Old Testament III.The Passage A. The Deity of Christ B. Identifying the players in the metaphor C. Main point of the metaphor: abiding in Him produces a life of fruit (love, peace and joy)

4 I. The Union of Christ and His Church Union of Christ and His Church Scriptures A Foundation and a Building 1 Corin. 3:11; Eph. 2:20-22 A Vine and the Branches John 15:1-17; Romans 6:5 The Head and the Body 1 Corin. 6:15-19; 12:12; Eph. 1:22-3; 4:15-16 The Husband and the Wife Rom. 7:4; Eph. 5:31-2; Rev. 19:7 Adam and His Descendants Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Corin. 15:22, 45-49

5 II. The Vine and the Old Testament A. To the Jewish People On the temple there was a golden vine with grape clusters hanging from it, a marvel of size and ancestry. Josephus Printed a vine on their coins (AD 66-70)

6 B. Old Testament references Isaiah 5:1-7, 27:2-6 Psalm 80:8-10 Jeremiah 2:21, 6:9, 12:10-13 Ezekiel 15:1-8; 17:5-10; 19:10-14 Hosea 10:1-2; 14:7

7 Beale and Carson: In contrast to Israel s failure, Jesus claims to be the true vine, bringing forth the fruit Israel failed to produce. [J]esus embodies God s true intentions for Israel: Jesus is the channel through which God s blessings flow.

8 III. John 15:1-11 A. I am this is the 7 th of 7 I am claims The Bread of life (John 6:35) The Light of the World (John 8:12) The Door (John 10:7, 9) The Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14) The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) The Way (John 14:5-6)

9 B. Identifying the Players in the Metaphor The Vine The Vinedresser/Gardener The Branches

10 Theory 1: The unfruitful branches are believers who fall away - Verse 2: Every branch in Me Verse 5: I am the vine, you are the branches. - Verse 2: He takes away could also be interpreted He lifts up

11 Theory 2: The unfruitful branches are people who never believed - Branches cut off and burned pictures judgment and eternal rejection. See, e.g., Ezekiel 15:6-8 - The transforming life of Christ has never pulsated within them. MacArthur

12 Theory 3: Neither It is unwise to build a theological doctrine on a parable or allegory. Jesus was teaching one main truth the fruitful life of the believer and we must not press the details too much. Wiersbe.

13 The fruitful branches: God removes all things in the believer s life that would hinder fruit-bearing; i.e., he chastises to cut away sin and hindrances that would drain spiritual life just as the farmer removes anything on the branches that keep them from bearing maximum fruit. MacArthur. Hebrews 12:1-11

14 C. Abiding in Christ - Greek: to remain or stay around. - The vine metaphor illustrates the closely knit relationship that Jesus desires with his disciples the illustration of the vine and its branches focuses on the organic, vital connection that Jesus has with his followers, a connection that will be made possible in the future through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Beale and Carson.

15 Remember that in Greek this the same root as the word in John 14:2 rooms (or, durable dwellings ) and John 15:16 where Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will indwell all believers. Jesus is calling us to abide with Him daily, to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit who abides with us, and to know that we will abide with Him in the next life.

16 How do we abide? - Implant His words in our lives. (v. 7). - Enjoy His love. (v. 9). - Live a life of obedience. (v. 10).

17 What is the fruit that we should experience? -Answered prayer (v. 7) Because [true believers are committed] to God s word, they are devoted to His will, thus their prayers are fruitful which puts God s glory on display as He answers. MacArthur. -Joy (v. 11). See also Galatians 5:22-25.