Let's Stay Connected

LETS STAY CONNECTED!

Jesus is in his last days, and he’s giving his disciples instructions on how they can stay connected with him, even after he’s absent from the flesh. He’s about to depart and take on his eternal glory, and return to be with his Father for a period of time.

In the gospel according to St John Chapters 13 - 17, Jesus spends his last few days personally with his disciples, preparing them for the upcoming task of spreading the gospel.

Chapter 13; teaches us humbleness toward one another.

Chapter 14; teaches us that he will not leave us comfortless.

Chapter 16; teaches us about the promise of an eternal comforter.

Chapter 17; Christ prays for the entire church, present and future.

Agriculture was greatly depended on by the Israelites, because much of their theology were centered around agricultural concepts. They also considered themselves in partnership with God, each farmer was doing his best for his crops, yet knowing that its success or failure was in God’s hands. The Jewish involvement with the land was reflected in the teachings of Jesus Christ. His imagery and illustrations gave vivid pictures, such as a sower, with a pouch at his side, flinging seed across a newly plowed field. Jesus frequently used metaphors about rich ripe grapes and fruitful vines.

Chapter 15; Jesus makes a very bold statement. Comparing himself to the grapevine.

Scripture: ST John 15:1-8 I Am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Any branch in me that bears not fruit he take it away; and every branch that bears fruit he purges it, that it bring forth more fruit. Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken to you.

His proclamation

I Am; is a self nominated proclamation, that denotes the presence of the first person.

12 times in John alone, it is recorded Christ proclaiming openly his existence.

I Am the Messiah; 4:6

I Am the Bread of Life; 6:35

I Am from above; 8:23

I Am the Eternal One; 8:58

I Am the Light of the world; 9:5

I Am the door; 10:7

I Am the Good shepherd; 10:11, 14

I Am the Son of God; 10:36

I Am the Resurrection & Life; 11:25

I Am the Lord & Master 13:13

I Am the Way, Truth, & Life; 14:6

I Am the True Vine; 15:1

Also we all know that he spoke to John in a vision, making the ultimate proclamation in Rev. 1st chapter, Alpha & Omega, beginning & ending, First & last.

And even though he proclaimed his deity openly, we can only know that he is the great I Am, only through a divine relationship with him.

My Father is the husbandman. God is the gardener of the vineyard. Pruning would guarantee maximum yields of fruit. Jesus and the Father have an inseparable relationship, that they cannot be divided. When you have a true relationship with Jesus you cannot be disconnected, no matter how hard the enemy tries. Jesus said; no man can pluck you out of his hands; John 10:28.

Jesus proclaims his Lordship, but also proclaims God’s headship, 1Cor. 11:3, for the head Christ is God!

Your proclamation must depend on His connection

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without me, ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

The vine carries all the life providing nutrients that flows to the branches. Your strength to bear the fruit comes directly from the vine.

You can have good works, but if you are not connected to the vine which supplies the strength, your good works will only last but for a short time. Righteousness is being transformed beyond the conformity with moral law, Romans 12:2, be not conformed to this world but…

Jesus said; except our righteousness, exceed the righteousness of the Scribes & Pharisees, we won’t make it into the Kingdom of Heaven, Matt. 5:20.

When you have a connection with Jesus, your witness is so smooth, you won’t even break a sweat. You’ll just be a natural Christian. People can tell a fake, from a natural. Fake fruit, from real fruit!

Supernatural blessings come only through the connection

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.