STAYING CONNECTED
Text: John 15:1-8
Introduction
1. Today we begin a year of rest and reflection.
A. Resting from outreach.
B. Reflecting on our ministry.
2. We will be seeking God for...
A. A New Vision: What does the Lord want our church to look like
B. A New Focus: Who does the Lord want us to reach?
C. A New Way Of Doing Ministry: Everything will be centered on our new vision/focus.
3. The key to hearing from God in this next year is going to be staying connected to Jesus. We need to make sure that we are...
A. Staying Connected To The Grapevine
B. Producing Fruit
C. Prayer And The Word Are The Keys
4. Stand with me this morning as we read John 15:1-8.
Proposition: In order to hear from the Father we must stay connected to Jesus.
Transition: The first thing that we must make sure we are doing is...
I. Staying Connected To The Grapevine (1-4).
A. The True Grapevine
1. Due to the recent storm we had some of us were forced to do without two things that we think we cannot live without: electricity and the internet!
A. Come on now, let's be honest most of us in here were like, "No! I can't do this! I need power! I need Wi-Fi! I need to be connected!"
B. Let's be totally transparent here; things that 25 years ago we didn't know existed, and now we cannot go without for a few hours.
C. Isn't it sad that we don't feel that way when we lose connection with Jesus?
2. That's the whole point of this passage, when we lose connection with Jesus, we are totally helpless. In v. 1 Jesus says, "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener."
A. Jesus often used images in his teaching that were familiar to his audience.
B. For example, he often used terms like sheep, shepherd, bread and light. He did this because he lived in an agricultural society where most of the people were farmers and shepherds so these terms were have created mental images they could relate to.
C. Here he uses another image that would have been familiar to them grapes and vineyards.
D. The vine and the vineyard were old and sacred images in Judaism (as did most Mediterranean societies).
E. The vine represented the covenant people of God, planted and tended by him so that Israel would produce fruit (Burge, John, 416).
F. Another key is that both Jesus and the Father are connected. Throughout John's Gospel Jesus and the Father are always seen as working in harmony.
G. So when he says that Jesus spoke of himself as the true grapevine he immediately goes on to the idea that the Father is the "gardener." (Morris, The Gospel According to John, 593).
H. The point that Jesus is trying to make in this entire section is that if we want to bear spiritual fruit, we have to stay connected to him. The Father does whatever is necessary for the fruit to grow.
3. Now what Jesus says in v. 2 can be a little hard for us to take. "He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more."
A. In this verse we see that the Father's role is for us to produce more fruit.
B. Jesus tells us here that the Father does two things to help us produce more fruit.
C. First, he cuts off every branch that doesn't bear fruit. These branches are those believers who either never grow or stop growing.
D. He is referring to those believers who have no spiritual life growing in them that comes from faith and love for Jesus.
E. What the Father does with these people is that he cuts them off. In other words, they are separated from a life-giving relationship with Jesus.
F. While this may seem harsh, we need to keep in mind that the Father only does this to those who choose to be cut off by either their action (sin) or their lack of action (they stop seeking God daily in prayer, Scripture reading, and in attending church).
G. The reason that the Father cuts them off is they are hindering the branches that are growing fruit.
H. The second thing that the Father does is prune the branches that are bearing fruit.
I. In a vineyard fruitfulness is not simply desirable; it is absolutely necessary; that is the whole point of the vineyard; it is what the vineyard is for.
J. Pruning is resorted to to ensure that this takes place.
K. Left to itself a vine will produce a good deal of unproductive growth (Morris, 594).
L. So the Father prunes away those things from our life that keep us from growing.
M. This is what happens when the Holy Spirit taps us on the shoulders and points out those things in our lives that need to change. The Father does this so that we can grow even more.
3. Now Jesus says something really important, "You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you."
A. We shouldn't think that we are being singled out for criticism.
B. We are already clean because of the message that Jesus has given to us. He is not reprimanding us but encouraging us.
C. Romans 15:4 (NLT2)
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
D. He is pointing out the way in which they may continue to progress spiritually (Morris, 595).
E. "Purified" does not mean perfection. God's Word exposes sin, and the life of Christ in believers brings growth and holiness.
4. Next Jesus makes it clear the necessity of staying connected to him. In v. 4 he says, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me."
A. After we accept Christ and are forgiven, we receive the gift of eternal life, which is centered on a personal relationship with Jesus and includes the power of the Holy Spirit to help us continue in that relationship.
B. Then we must accept the responsibility to stay spiritually connected and dependent upon Jesus.
C. The word "remain" means to "continue," or "live."
D. Just as the branch has life only as long as it is connected to the vine, so we can only have spiritual life as long as we are continually connected to Jesus and his life flows into us through an active relationship with him.
B. Continue To Follow
1. Illustration: Mark Batterson said in his book: "All In," wrote, "Most people in most churches think they are following Jesus, but I'm not so sure. They may think they are following Jesus, but the reality is this: they have invited Jesus to follow them."
Too many times I want Jesus to follow me, to serve my purposes, to do my will. But, I want you to join me in saying: "God, I want you to revive my life. I want to follow you. Help me to get out of the way. Navigate my life into following your will."
2. For us to be productive spiritually, either as individuals or as a church, requires CONTINUING to follow Jesus!
A. Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT2)
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.
7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
B. In order four us to bear fruit we need to seek a vision that is not our vision, not my vision, but God's vision.
C. In order for us to grow we need to seek a focus that is not our focus, not my focus, but God's focus.
D. In order for us to hear the vision, see the vision and put the vision into motion we need to continue to follow Jesus.
E. Continuing to follow Jesus means giving our hearts to prayer. Not lip service, but prayer service.
F. Continuing to follow Jesus means dedicated, daily devotion to the Word of God.
G. Continuing to follow Jesus means spending time fasting.
H. Continuing to follow Jesus means decreasing so he can increase.
Transition: The second thing that we must make sure we're doing is...
II. Producing Fruit (5-6).
A. Produce Much Fruit
1. Let's go back to this idea of being connected. Say you work in an office where your work is not only dependent upon the internet but also the business’s network. If both the internet and the network goes down guess how productive you're going to be that day?
2. The same is true when we are not connected to Jesus. When we stop being connected, we stop being productive.
3. In v. 5 Jesus says, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
A. In this verse Jesus makes it crystal clear that we are dependent upon him.
B. He says, "I am the vine; you are the branches."
C. Now a vine can grow new branches, but branches cannot grow a new vine.
D. In other words, we are totally dependent upon him, and without him we cannot grow or be productive.
E. He makes this clear by saying, "For apart from me you can do nothing."
F. When we separate ourselves from him it is impossible to make any progress either in our own spiritual lives or as a church (Morris, 595).
G. Jesus' emphasis here was not on our short comings, but to remind us of the incomparable power and ability that comes from our relationship with him (Barton, 440).
H. We need to notice that when we remain in him, not only will we produce fruit but "much fruit." When we remain in Jesus we are destined to win!
4. Now Jesus shows them the consequences of not remaining in him. In v. 6 he says, "Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned."
A. There is a stern warning here for us, but we must clear understand it's meaning.
B. Notice that Jesus doesn't say, "If I remain in you," but rather, "Anyone who does not remain in me."
C. Jesus would never abandon us, and we know that Scripture is clear on this that he "will never leave us or forsake us."
D. However, can we leave him? The answer to that is clearly, "yes!"
E. This is where the warning comes in to play. If we leave him, if we fail to remain in him, we will wither away and die spiritually.
F. When we stop praying, stop reading our Bibles, and stop coming to church we will wither away and die spiritually.
G. Jesus says when we do that, we will become useless and wither. And what happens to branches that wither away? They are thrown in the fire and burned.
H. Again, this is not because Jesus has abandoned us, but because we have abandoned him.
B. Everything Through Christ
1. Illustration: Hudson Taylor said:
"Many Christians estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with them."
2. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing, but with him we can do everything!
A. Philippians 4:13 (NLT2)
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
a. Any vision, focus or purpose apart from Christ is destined to fail.
b. Any grand strategy not centered on Christ will come to nothing.
c. Any program that is not connected to the true grapevine will wither and die.
d. Any vision connected to the vine will flourish.
e. Any focus that is given by seeking the heart of God will succeed beyond our wildest dreams.
f. When we are connected to Jesus there will be nothing we cannot accomplish.
g. When we are connected to Jesus there will be nothing that can stand in our way.
h. When we are connected to Jesus we will win Ohio for Jesus!
Transition: Now I realize this may sound redundant, but in cannot be stressed enough...
III. Prayer And The Word Are The Keys (6-7).
A. My Words Remain In You
1. In Hampton Court, there is a grapevine that is reported to be the oldest living vine. It is over 230 years old.
A. This grapevine has one root which is 3.6 metres (12 foot) round, and some of the branches are over 36.5 metres (120 foot) long.
B. Despite its age the vine still produces 500 to 700 bunches (weighing 220 - 320 kg / 485 - 705 lb) of grapes each year.
C. Although some of the branches are 120 feet from the main root, they still bear the sweet and delicious fruit because they are connected to the vine.
D. Each branch is connected directly to the stem and draws nourishment from it.
2. That's what happens when you stay connected to the true grapevine...you produce!
3. In v. 7 Jesus tells us what happens when we are devoted to the Word and to prayer. He says, "But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!"
A. In this verse Jesus moves from fruit bearing to prayer.
B. This whole section is about remaining in him. The key to answered prayer is remaining in Jesus.
C. Until now he has spoken of us remaining in him, but here he talks about him remaining in us.
D. The prayers of those truly remaining in Christ will be in line with everything that he stands for.
E. And if we are truly remaining in him it will be obvious because our actions will be in line with his Word.
F. We should not overlook the importance of "my words." The teaching of Jesus is important and not lightly to be passed over or ignored because it's easier (Morris, 596).
G. When we remain in him and his words remain is us, we will live as close to Jesus as we can.
H. The result will be that our prayers will be in live with God's will and the answers are sure to come.
4. Jesus concludes this section by talking about the goal for all Christians and all churches; making disciples. In v. 8 he says, "When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."
A. The Gospel of John is loaded with the concept that the Father gives glory to the Son.
B. This was demonstrated by the complete surrender of the Son to the Father's plan to redeem the lost through His sacrificial death.
C. Likewise, the Son brought glory to His Father by His words and His miracles. Most of all, the obedience of the Son exalted the Father.
D. Jesus informed His disciples that they, too, could bring glory to the Father by bearing fruit. By doing so, the world would know that they were His true disciples.
E. The fruit produced by disciples is the result of their faithfully living out the Gospel.
F. True disciples of Jesus produce fruit, and then they go and make other disciples that produce fruit. And they go and make disciples that produce fruit. And so, on and so on.
G. So, if we want to grow as a church, we have to bear fruit by remaining in Jesus, and then make disciples that follow our lead.
B. Ask Anything You Want
1. Acts 2:42 (NLT2)
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
2. Illustration: When it says they "devoted themselves" it means they were steadfast or single minded in purpose or desire. They wanted it and they were going after it, so to speak.
In 2008 Sanya Richards-Ross competed in the 400 Meter in Beijing. She started the race strong and built a substantial lead before locking up on the home stretch. She finished third for the Bronze. In 2012 she competed and won the gold medal in the 400 Meter in London with a time of 49.55 seconds. Four years, Sanya Richards-Ross waited. Four years she waited with the hunger pangs of unfinished business and the sense of an uncompleted mission. When they introduced her before the 400 meters in London, she blew a kiss to the camera, went out and got the gold medal she had worked tirelessly for since Beijing.
Just as Sanya Richards-Ross was devoted to her pursuit of Olympic Gold... those early Christians modeled devotion to Christ and the process of becoming Christian. They were intentional and disciplined about the process of becoming devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
3. We will hear from God and stay connected to Jesus by being devoted.
A. We will hear from God by being devoted to His Word.
B. Not just on Sunday, and not just on Wednesday nights, but every day. Totally committed and devoted to reading and studying the Word of God.
C. We will hear from God by being committed to prayer.
D. There's no better way to stay connected to Jesus than by being devoted to prayer.
E. Prayer in the morning, prayer at noontime and prayer in the evening.
F. Remember what Jesus said, "But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!"
G. If we do these things God will speak to us and he will give us a new vision, a new focus and a new determination.
H. That vision and focus will transform this church, transform this community and it will transform this world!
Conclusion
1. The key to hearing from God in this next year is going to be staying connected to Jesus. We need to make sure that we are...
A. Staying Connected To The Grapevine
B. Producing Fruit
C. Prayer And The Word Are The Keys
2. THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER...
A. STAYING CONNECTED TO JESUS WILL OPEN UP THE COMMUNICATION LINES TO HEAVEN AND GOD WILL SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR TO US.
B. STAYING CONNECTED TO JESUS WILL CAUSE US TO PRODUCE MUCH FRUIT AND THERE WON'T BE ANYTHING WE CAN'T ACCOMPLISH.
C. STAYING CONNECTED TO JESUS WE ENABLE US TO SEE MIRACULOUS ANSWERS TO PRAYER.
