Jesus is the True Vine John 15:1-17 SS Lesson for 02/18/2007

Transcription

1 Jesus is the True Vine John 15:1-17 SS Lesson for 02/18/2007 Devotional Scripture: Ps 80:9-19 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS CONNECTED TO THE VINE (JOHN 15:1-11) Connected to the Vine for continuous pruning (1-3) Definition and method of pruning God prunes by sanctifying me (1 Thess 5:23) God prunes by redeeming and purifying me (Titus 2:13-14) God prunes by disciplining me (Heb 12:10) God prunes by rebuking me (Rev 3:19) God prunes by grafting me into His vine (Rom 11:17-22) God prunes by making me a new creation (Eph 4:22-24) Connected to the Vine to bear fruit (4-8) The fruit God expects includes the manifestations of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) The fruit God expects includes righteousness (Phil 1:9-11) The fruit God expects includes good works (Col 1:10) The fruit God expects grows and matures (Matt 13:31-33) The fruit God expects must be productive (Luke 13:6-9) The fruit God expects comes from His Divine power (2 Peter 1:3-8) Connected to the Vine through abiding in love (9-11) Abiding in love by being rooted and established in God's love (Eph 3:16-19) Abiding in love through righteousness (Ps 36:10) Abiding in love through the full extent of Jesus' love (John 13:1) Abiding in love through obedience (John 14:21) Abiding in love through the mercy of God (Jude 1:21) CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER (JOHN 15:12-17) Connected to one another through love (12-13) Loving one another because it is the commandment of Jesus (John 13:34-35) Loving one another through being imitators of God (Eph 5:1-2) Loving one another through Jesus making love increase (1 Thess 3:12) Loving one another because it is taught by God to do so (1 Thess 4:9) Loving one another through obedience to the truth of God's word (1 Peter 1:22) Loving one another to cover sins (1 Peter 4:8) Connected to one another through friendship (14-15) Friendship with God first (James 2:23) Friendship that comforts during grief (Gen 38:12) Friendship that loves at all times (Prov 17:17) Friendship that never forsakes (Prov 27:10) Friendship that provides earnest counsel (Prov 27:9) Friendship that provides strength (Eccl 4:9-12) Connected to one another through choice (16-17) Choice of whom to emulate (Prov 3:31) Choice of leaders (Acts 15:22) Choice of Church workers (Acts 6:3) Jesus is the True Vine Page 1 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

2 Choice of marriage partners (2 Cor 6:14) Choice of friends (Prov 22:24) Choice of worldly associates (James 4:4) Choice of whom to approve (1 Cor 16:3) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR A command to remain in Jesus (John 15:1-4) A command to abide in Jesus' love (John 15:5-12) Friends of the Lord (John 15:13-17) Jesus is the True Vine Page 2 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

3 Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The lesson's outline came from NIV Standard Lesson Commentary. The lesson examines how Jesus is the true vine. The study's aim is to learn how to maintain an intimate, meaningful and loving relationship with Jesus and other Christians. The study's application is to cultivate the kind of relationship with Jesus that bears fruit in my life. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary The process of pruning is sometimes not a pleasant sight. What once were beautiful and full trees or plants are suddenly chopped down to almost nothing. At the college where I work, Crepe Myrtle trees go through this kind of pruning from time to time. And each time this happens a notice has to be issued to those unfamiliar with the process to explain that this is not a bad thing but a good thing. It is vital that the bad be cut out. It is also necessary that the whole tree or plant be thinned so that the beauty can continue to be displayed from year to year. We accumulate lots of spiritual (and material!) junk, don t we? Yet God, the master gardener, knows how to get the best fruit and the greatest growth from his spiritual garden. As plants in that garden of God, it should be our desire to be cleaned out, pruned, and cultivated by God so that we can be as productive and appealing as possible. This lesson will help you understand the work of the master gardener and the fruit he desires to produce in you. Whether we like it or not, there are many things a person can t do alone. You can t sing a duet alone; you can t run a relay race alone; you can t hold a conference alone; you can t do a group presentation alone; you can t play catch alone. As much as it may hurt our pride, there are some things that we can only do with the help and support of other people. In our passage today Jesus adds something else to the list of things that we can t do ourselves: Jesus insists that we can t please God alone. This is the case because we draw our strength for service from our connection to Christ. God also commands us to love other people. We can t love others as long as we are focused on going it alone. The three letters that John wrote (namely, 1, 2, and 3 John) reveal sobering news: the churches and people whom John addressed had experienced, or were just about to experience, serious internal crisis. John wrote his Gospel around A.D and the letters perhaps shortly thereafter. The 55 years or so since the death and resurrection of Christ allowed ample time for false doctrines and false Christs to spring up (compare 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). Church splits were occurring (3 John 9, 10). John s letters reveal that he wanted to correct these situations. A large part of the solution is found in John s Gospel. There John made sure to include Jesus teaching about the vine and branches. This reminded believers that they must remain connected to the true Christ and to one another if they wished to please God. From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator The time for Jesus' crucifixion was rapidly drawing near. He had just celebrated the Passover with His disciples in the upper room (John 13:1). Judas had been identified as the traitor of the Lord and had left the group. After the instructions in chapter 14, Jesus said, "Arise, let us go hence" (vs. 31), indicating that it was time to leave. He had just told them that the ruler of the world (referring to Satan), whom He had nothing to do with, was about to show up, and He would not be able to speak with them much longer (vs. 30). The teachings in chapters 13 through 17 are often referred to as the Upper Room Discourse. There is a disagreement among Bible scholars concerning when Jesus and the disciples actually left the upper room. Some think they left as soon as Jesus said they should go. If Jesus was going to leave, how could the disciples be certain they would stay true to Him in the future, when He was no longer there to give immediate guidance? The remainder of this discourse seems to address this concern in great detail. He included reassurance that the Holy Spirit was going to help them. Jesus is the True Vine Page 3 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

4 Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) Connected to the Vine (John 15:1-11) 1 "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. Connected to the Vine for continuous pruning (1-3) Definition and method of pruning To prune means to purge or cleanse, especially from filth and impurities. UBS defines pruning as consisting of cutting back individual branches so that the tree will produce better fruit. However, in many parts of the tropics, pruning is employed to reduce the number of branches, and thus give the remaining branches an opportunity to produce better fruit. Barnes comments on this pruning by stating that God removes or prunes in various ways: (1) by the discipline of the church, (2) by suffering them to fall into temptation, (3) by persecution and tribulation, by the deceitfulness of riches, and by the cares of the world (Matt 13:21-22), and (4) by death, for God has power thus at any moment to remove unprofitable branches from the church. God purifies all true Christians so that they may be more useful. He takes away that which hindered their usefulness; teaches them; quickens them; revives them; makes them more pure in motive and in life. This he does by the regular influences of his Spirit in sanctifying them, purifying their motives, teaching them the beauty of holiness, and inducing them to devote themselves more to him. God prunes by sanctifying me (1 Thess 5:23) 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God prunes by redeeming and purifying me (Titus 2:13-14) 13 while we wait for the blessed hope the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. God prunes by disciplining me (Heb 12:10) 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. Jesus is the True Vine Page 4 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

5 God prunes by rebuking me (Rev 3:19) 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. God prunes by grafting me into His vine (Rom 11:17-22) 17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. God prunes by making me a new creation (Eph 4:22-24) 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Connected to the Vine to bear fruit (4-8) The fruit God expects includes the manifestations of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. The fruit God expects includes righteousness (Phil 1:9-11) 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. The fruit God expects includes good works (Col 1:10) 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, The fruit God expects grows and matures (Matt 13:31-33) 31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." 33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." The fruit God expects must be productive (Luke 13:6-9) 6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8 "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'" The fruit God expects comes from His Divine power (2 Peter 1:3-8) 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and Jesus is the True Vine Page 5 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

6 escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, selfcontrol; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Connected to the Vine through abiding in love (9-11) Abiding in love by being rooted and established in God's love (Eph 3:16-19) 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Abiding in love through righteousness (Ps 36:10) 10 Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. Abiding in love through the full extent of Jesus' love (John 13:1) 1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. Abiding in love through obedience (John 14:21) 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." Abiding in love through the mercy of God (Jude 1:21) 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Connected to One Another (John 15:12-17) 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another. Connected to one another through love (12-13) Loving one another because it is the commandment of Jesus (John 13:34-35) 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Jesus is the True Vine Page 6 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

7 Loving one another through being imitators of God (Eph 5:1-2) 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Loving one another through Jesus making love increase (1 Thess 3:12) 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. Loving one another because it is taught by God to do so (1 Thess 4:9) 9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. Loving one another through obedience to the truth of God's word (1 Peter 1:22) 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. Loving one another to cover sins (1 Peter 4:8) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Connected to one another through friendship (14-15) Friendship with God first (James 2:23) 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. Friendship that comforts during grief (Gen 38:12) 12 After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him. Friendship that loves at all times (Prov 17:17) 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Friendship that never forsakes (Prov 27:10) 10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Friendship that provides earnest counsel (Prov 27:9) 9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Friendship that provides strength (Eccl 4:9-12) 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Jesus is the True Vine Page 7 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

8 Connected to one another through choice (16-17) Choice of whom to emulate (Prov 3:31) 31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, Choice of leaders (Acts 15:22) 22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. Choice of Church workers (Acts 6:3) 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them Choice of marriage partners (2 Cor 6:14) 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? Choice of friends (Prov 22:24) 24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, Choice of worldly associates (James 4:4) 4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Choice of whom to approve (1 Cor 16:3) 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Everyone knows that there are a lot of things we can t have access to unless we know people in high places. I am devoted fan of NASCAR, and recently I was able to secure a garage pass to a race in Indianapolis. This allowed me full access to all the behind-the-scenes areas at the race. These included the garages where the cars are serviced and the areas where the drivers and crews meet to discuss strategy. I saw many of my favorite drivers up close there, as well as some other celebrities who had come to the race. All this was possible solely because my cousin s husband works as a member of the crew on one of the NASCAR teams. Without his help I would have been watching from the stands or on television. Our passage today applies that principle to our spiritual lives. If we follow Jesus teaching, he treats us as friends, and with Jesus, you really do have a friend in high places! With him on our side, there is no limit to what we can do provided that we stay connected. How sad it is to see an unconnected Christian! Ironically, it seems sometimes that it is preachers who are in the most danger of losing their connection to the true vine. Preachers are under tremendous pressure to be involved in all the major and minor activities of the church. They scurry from one meeting to another, trying to keep all the programs going. Under all this time pressure, it s tempting for them to start cutting back on their prayer and devotional life. The cure for the Christian who is relying on his or her own strength to get things done is Zechariah 4:6: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. Jesus is the True Vine Page 8 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

9 Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator The point of what Jesus was saying in John 15:5 is that there needs to be a vital relationship between His disciples and Himself and it must be tended. Attention must be given to the relationship to result in a fruitful life. What is the "fruit" Jesus has in mind? We might not be too far off to at least begin in the Old Testament, for this is not something entirely new that Jesus was saying. Isaiah sang about God's love for His beloved people (Isa. 5:1-6). Israel was likened to a choice vine that the Lord planted in a place especially prepared for it. He gave the vine every opportunity to grow and bring forth good fruit. But the vine failed. What did God want from His people? The good fruit expected is mentioned in verse 7 as "judgment" and "righteousness." A more thorough study will find that these two items, sometimes translated "justice" and "righteousness," are found coupled in the same verse or context at least forty-six times in the Old Testament. That something is mentioned so many times surely says how important it is for God's people to note well what the Lord wants to see in them day to day. The duo is not found in the New Testament as it is in the Old, but the concept is certainly there. When answering the question as to which was the great commandment, Jesus responded that it was to love God and to love ones neighbor (Matt. 22:35-40). To love God with one's whole being is to live righteously and to love one's neighbors as oneself is to live with proper judgment toward them or to see that justice is done. If Christians, being the branches on the true Vine, are to live holy lives and deal justly with their fellow man, they need the Lord's help. We not only need to be attached to Christ; we must also have His life and wisdom and love flowing through us. This surely is one way to define the fruit Jesus says we should bear. One can look at Paul's comments in Galatians 5:22-23 and say that the Lord is looking for the fruit of the Spirit to be borne in the lives of His followers. That too requires an intimate relationship with Christ so that the Spirit is neither grieved (Eph. 4:30) nor quenched (1 Thess. 5:19). By examining the various segments of the fruit of the Spirit, one can see that when these are present in the believer's life, he will be living a holy life that is pleasing to God (righteousness) and at peace with his neighbors (justice). It may also be that there is other fruit the Lord is looking for in the lives of His disciples, such as winning souls and making disciples. Perhaps it is a combination of all of these. The main point, however, is what we stated at the beginning: Jesus is talking about having a relationship with Him that is ongoing, alive, and consciously maintained. We must always keep in mind that Jesus is the important one in our lives and ministry. We fail when we begin to believe we do not need Him. King Uzziah is an example of what not to do. As long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him. But when he was strong, his pride led to his destruction (2 Chron 26:5, 16). Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. Following Jesus is not an easy task, but through all the hardships, we can be certain that God's desire is to make us more fruitful (John 15:1-3) 2. The believer's fruitfulness is wholly dependent on his relationship with Christ (vs. 4-5) 3. Spiritual fruit is the mark of a true Christian (vs. 6-8) 4. Jesus' relationship to the Father is the model for our relationship to Christ (vs. 9-10) 5. The fruitful life is a joyful life (vs. 11) 6. True love is at the core of our relationship with God and with other Christians (vs ) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator It appears that Jesus was giving final instructions to the apostles before His death. His time with them in earthly form was about to end. How magnificent it must have been to sit and listen to Jesus, the master Teacher! Jesus used an example of a vine to get His point across to His disciples. The vine is very familiar to the Jews. Israel has been referred to as God's vine (Ps. 80:8). What is known to some as the Song of the Lord's Vineyard is found in Isaiah 5:1-7. A vine requires support and climbs by tendrils. Branches on the vine will produce either good fruit or bad fruit. Cultivation of the vine is needed to produce good fruit. Periodically, the vine must be pruned to produce more fruit. Pruning is cutting away dead portions and sometimes living portions of the branch to promote growth. Pruning also serves as a means to cleanse. Otherwise the branches may wither and become unfruitful. Unfruitful and withered branches do not serve their purpose. Therefore, they are gathered together and burned. Jesus is the True Vine Page 9 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007

10 A command to remain in Jesus (John 15:1-4) There are many leaders in the world today, and there have been throughout the ages. Not all leaders are righteous. They are called false leaders because they do not always speak the truth. False leaders do not have the best interests of their followers at heart. However, Jesus is a true and righteous Leader. He called Himself the true Vine. His Father is the husbandman, also known as a vinedresser. Believers are the branches of the true Vine. Jesus commanded His disciples to remain connected to Him, the true Vine. Believers today are also commanded to remain in Jesus Christ. We must also be fruitful. This is accomplished through the Holy Spirit. As long as the branch stays connected to the Vine, it remains healthy and produces fruit. We have a guarantee not to be plucked out of Jesus' hand (10:28). Unfruitful believers do not serve a meaningful purpose to the true Vine. There are (at least) two ways to become unfruitful in God's kingdom: not living a godly life and not sharing the gospel of Jesus. A command to abide in Jesus' love (John 15:5-12) There is no greater love than the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus loved us so much that He sacrificed His life for us. Believers are encouraged to abide in Jesus' love. Jesus' love for us is the same love His Father has for Him. That is great love! Believers are commanded to love one another. This was a new commandment given to the apostles by Jesus (John 13:34). It still applies to us. There are benefits for the believers who obey the commandments of Jesus. We will experience full joy. Jesus said His joy will remain in us. Full joy has lasting effects. It is not like joy from the world, which is only temporary. Full or complete joy comes from God. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh. 8:10). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22). The fruit of the Spirit should be evidenced in all believers. Friends of the Lord (John 15:13-17) Jesus called the apostles His friends. The requirement for their friendship was obedience to Him. Friends know all about one another. Jesus had shared with them all the things His Father had given Him. Therefore, He no longer called them servants. The servant does not know all that his master does. Are you a friend of the Lord? Will you remain in Christ? Jesus is the True Vine Page 10 of 10 SS Lesson for 02/25/2007