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December 27, 2007 |
Abide
John 15:1-11
1)
Intro: Psalm 80:8 You brought a vine out
of a)
Like the fig tree the grape vine was
symbolic for the nation of Israel b)
The evening before His crucifixion Jesus
taught His disciples about bearing fruit These passages of scripture are a part
of the Last Supper Discourse c)
14:31 “Arise let us go from here” d)
It is possible that Jesus gave this
teaching to His disciples on the way to the 2)
The True Vine a)
15:1 I AM the TRUE vine
and My Father is the vine dresser b)
10:9 I AM the gate whoever enters
through me will be saved c)
6:35 I AM the bread of life. He who
comes to me will never go hungry d)
8:12 I AM the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life e)
10:14 I AM the good shepherd I know
my sheep and my sheep know me f)
John 14:6 I AM the way and the truth and
the life no one comes to the Father but through me g)
John 8:58 I tell you the truth,
Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I AM!
3)
The Vine Dresser Prunes a)
15:2 every branch IN ME that DOES
NOT BEAR FRUIT He takes away and every branch that BEARS FRUIT He prunes it so
that it may bear more fruit b)
Two types of Christians i)
Dead wood (1)
The branch that is “In Me that does
not bear fruit” refers to a saved person (2)
He takes away = two possible meanings (3)
Refers to the physical death of the dead
wood Christian (4)
The dead wood Christian will not receive
prosperity, favor, blessing ii)
Live wood (1)
God tends, waters, and prunes us with
loving care (2)
The Father is an expert He knows what He
is doing (3)
He cleans us up 2)
Clean because of the Word a.
15:3 You are ALREADY CLEAN because of
the WORD which I have spoken to you b.
Positional sanctification = because of
Jesus you are 100% righteous c.
Progressive sanctification = The Lord is
changing your character now d.
The pruning process is accomplished by
the Word of God (read it) e.
It convicts us of our sin f.
It inspires holiness, through His mercy
and grace g.
Promotes growth supernaturally 3)
You must be connected a.
15:4-5 Abide in Me and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine so
neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine you are the
branches he who abides in me and I in him he bears much fruit for APART FROM
ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING b.
Abide in Him every day practice the
presence of Christ c.
Abide permanently in your relationship
with Jesus d.
You can’t do anything in your own
strength 4)
Judgment a.
15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me he
is thrown away as a branch b.
Great White Throne Judgment =
nonbelievers c.
There is a judgment coming and is should
deeply concern us that people will spend eternity in hell 5)
Prayer a.
15:7 If you abide in me and My words
abide in you ask what ever you wish and it shall be done for you b.
As long as you are seeking God’s will
for your life He will grant every request that will help you achieve your
destiny 6)
Obedience a.
15:10 If you keep my commandments you
will abide in my love b.
When you abide in his love it becomes
easy to produce fruit c.
The end result is COMPLETE JOY
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