Ever Increasing Fruit Series

Life on the Vine: Increasing Fruitfulness

January 30, 2022

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

John 15:1-11

Introduction

Over the last several years, I’ve been amazed at how our world has changed. Christianity is under assault and that is true, even in our home of America. Christians are being persecuted; the Bible is being marginalized, put out of the public square. It was Christians -Puritans- that established the Plymouth Colony in 1620. We celebrate the root of that colony with Thanksgiving. Throughout our history, we have witnessed tremendous moves of God -Great Awakenings and revivals spread as the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread through our land. Most Ivy League universities were at one-time Christian institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. There is no argument that throughout our history, we have had blemishes and periods where Christ was not exemplified. Slavery, the Salem Witch Trials, and the like certainly do not reflect a Christian value. But our early country was not Muslim, Hindu, or even atheist. It was Christian.

But today our faith is being assaulted and a major part of that was carried in by COVID-19 regulations and power grabs. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an opportunity for religious liberty opponents to expand their assault against Christians.

During the shutdowns we saw tremendous attempts to marginalize our freedom of worship:

• In Nevada, a church was only allowed to have 50 people in attendance while casinos operated at 50% capacity

• In California, churches were ordered closed, while strip clubs remained open. Some churches were fined massive fines for defying this order

• In Canada, pastors are being arrested and imprisoned without due process for abiding by their faith

• Across the US, those who opposed forced vaccinations for religious reasons are being denied exemption.

They are losing their jobs for opposing the immoral forced vaccinations of people.

The constant social and governmental attack against the Bible and the increasing assault on Christians worldwide proves the period the world is living in; we are in the End Times.

Christianity is in decline in America. It’s in decline because Christianity was not instituted by our Lord Jesus to be popular with the world, but a paradox of the world

There is a continuous satanic agenda against the sanctity of marriage and life while groups like Planned Parenthood fight for legalized abortion

Curiously, while the church and the Bible are being marginalized, it is interesting that it’s become popular among worldly people to claim to be Christians. There are plenty of celebrity pastors to accommodate the people who look to Christianity as some sort of social event, especially prominent people. Let me be clear to you, spiritually and culturally, it is actually dangerous to be a true Christian... but cool to be a false one. That takes us to our text in John 15.

John 15 is part of a discourse of Jesus to the remaining 11 disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. They have left the upper room and they are on the way to Gethsemane. Just a short time before, Judas had left to go betray Jesus. In fact, it is likely that as Jesus is speaking these words, Judas is accepting the 30 pieces of silver for Jesus’ betrayal. The contrast between Judas – the false follower– and the eleven who were genuine is a distinction our Lord brings into very bold and clear terms through John 15.

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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 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. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I 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 be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:1–11)