THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
John 15:1-8
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. A man was speeding down a Texas highway, feeling secure in a column of cars all traveling at the same speed. However, as they passed a speed trap, he got nailed with an infrared speed detector and was pulled over.
2. When the officer handed him the citation, the man asked, "Officer, I know I was speeding, but I don't think it's fair - there were plenty of other cars around me who were going just as fast, so why did I get the ticket?"
3. "Have you ever gone fishing where there were lots of fish?" the policeman asked. “Yeah."
4. The officer grinned and added, "Did you ever catch 'em all?"
B. A COMMON MODERN MALADY
1. Prof. JA Carlson, in Your Body, speaks of hunger. A bird can go 9 days without food. A man -- 12 days. A dog -- 20 days. A turtle -- 500 days. A snake -- 800 days. A fish -- 1000 days. Insects -- 1200 days! Food is necessary for all God's creatures.
2. But there's one place that there should not be starvation; among God's kids. God cares for his own, yet many Christians are starving and malnourished. Why?
a. Either they don't digest their food properly or
b. They only eat "Fast Food," = Junk Food.
3. We're in too much of a hurry. God’s remedy is the same for us in modern times as for the Christians who lived in the First Century. Our problem is the lack of proper food absorption; the answer to this problem is outlined by Christ in the following verses.
C. TEXT
1 I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the Vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 5I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
D. THESIS
1. The last verse records one of the most spectacular promises ever given to mankind by God – we can ask & receive from God ANYTHING we wish!, but it hinges on our learning to “abide” in Christ.
2. Let’s look into this most important subject of what it means to abide, the rewards for abiding, and how abiders’ prayers are so miraculously answered. Title: "The Vine and the Branches."
I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ABIDE?
A. PERSPECTIVE
1. Christians are people who are into vital contact with God because Jesus Christ is living in them. The word "vital" means "necessary to the maintenance of life." Jesus is our life!
2. "Vital" suggests "something that is necessary to a thing’s continued existence, such as air, food, and water are to living things." In such a way are we dependent on Christ.
3. Someone has said, "Man can live about 40 days without food, about three days without water, and about eight minutes without air." Spiritually, Jesus is our food (John 6:57), our water (John 4, He's our fountain of living waters), and our air -- His Spirit is the breath of our souls.
B. MEANING OF ABIDING
1. "ABIDE" MEANS –
a. ‘to stay in His presence, to remain;’
b. ‘to bear patiently’
c. ‘to remain stable, fixed in a state’
d. ‘to wait for’
2. CONCEPT OF ABIDING
a. To abide has to do with the concept of 'being' instead of 'doing'. Doing in relation to the Christian walk is: reading your Bible, going to church, praying, witnessing, doing good works, fleeing sin, etc. These are things we should be doing. However, if we are doing these things just because we are suppose to, or we are doing them in our own strength, we will not have victory or peace and miss out in having an intimate relationship with Christ.
b. To Abide in Christ is to be in the 'being' mode. Abiding in Christ is about having an intimate relationship with Him. The relationship is more important than the things we do or don't do. The more we are abiding in Him, the more we will hear His voice clearer and have more peace in our life. To abide is to experience His presence.
c. Abiding in Christ is a process. We don't get there over night. Abiding in Christ is just concentrating on the risen Person of Jesus; His innocence, his humility, His sacrificial and giving nature, His personal care for you, His indwelling
3. “MEDITATE" --
a. 1 Timothy 4:15 -- "meditate upon these things, give yourself wholly to them."
b. Gr. "meletao" -- "to take care of," by implication, "revolve" in the mind.
c. As of a precious jewel, we are to turn truths about Christ over and over in your mind and soul. Contemplate them. Feed on them. Draw the life out (nutrients) of them.
C. ILLUSTRATIONS
1. ISRAEL THE VINE. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was often likened to a vine. In Psalm 80:8 the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is described in terms of a vine being transplanted from the soil of Egypt to that of Canaan. In Isaiah 5 the nation Israel is likened to a vineyard that does not produce fruit. In Jeremiah 2:21 Israel is described as a vine that is sending out degenerate shoots. Over and over again Israel was referred to as a vine. The vine had become a symbol of the nation Israel. It was found on Jewish coins in the Maccabean period, and in the days which our Lord walked upon the earth there was a huge filigree of a vine adorning the entrance of the temple of Herod, evaluated by some (who likely were exaggerating) at a value of more than $12,000,000.
2. In John 15, Jesus points out there are “false vines.”Putting all one’s spiritual weight on family pedigree is a false vine. Jesus alone is the True Vine, and we are the branches! We are absolutely destitute without the life of Christ; without it, we perish. There must be a perpetual flow of His life into our subordinate lives.
3. ABSORBING CHRIST’S DIVINE LIFE: LIKE EATING
a. We gobble our food down, hardly tasting it. We do the same thing in our spiritual lives; we don't take the time to really absorb God's Word.
b. In contrast, some cultures eat their food for the taste, savoring the flavor. They might chew one mouthful for several minutes -- just to enjoy it!
4. HUMOR. Diet Joke.
a. A group of wealthy businessmen were dining at an expensive restaurant. Bill turn to Sam and casually mentions “Looks to me you are getting a little slimmer.”
b. “I should be!” Replied Sam. “I went on one of those high protein diets. Nothing but expensive meats and cheeses, and I can’t believe it, but in just two weeks I lost three hundred bucks!”
II. REWARDS OF ABIDING
A. PRAYER WILL BE AUTOMATIC
1. Verse seven; "You shall ask." Just as living plants bud and blossom, prayer is natural to the abider.
2. As it is natural for a). fires to send up flames and sparks, and b). stars to shine, so is it natural for abiders to pray, always.
B. LIBERTY IN PRAYER
1. Have you ever been on your knees and couldn't seem to pray? The waters were frozen up?
2. One who abides in Jesus has natural liberty when around the throne of God, as King’s kids do when they play around it.
C. SUCCESS IN PRAYER
1. Because you are in Christ and Christ is in you, you have the same mind and will as Christ/the Father.
2. Thus to Abiders God Promises:
a. "You shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." (7)
b. "Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
3. This is how Elijah and Joshua commanded things with certainty, because they abided in God.
D. PROMISES TO ANSWER
1. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” Mark 11:24.
2. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matt. 7:7-8.
3. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” John 15:7.
III. SECRET: THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER
A. WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS, THERE IS LIFE
1. ILLUS. As a pilot flew back from the Middle East, the aircraft flew high over the Egyptian desert where there was nothing but yellow sand and then there came into view the Nile River.
2. On either bank of the river there were broad bands of green vegetation. Wherever the river flowed, there was life. Anywhere else in that great expanse of desert, was only emptiness and death.
3. So it is when if we want to experience the Life of God; we must go where God’s River flows.
4. Jesus said, “He that believes on Me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38.
5. He told the woman at the well, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14.
B. LET THE SPIRIT MOVE YOU
1. A. J. Gordon, a healing evangelist and educator told of being out walking and looking across a field at a house.
2. There beside the house was what looked like a man pumping furiously at one of those hand pumps, at a tremendous rate.
3. He seemed absolutely tireless, pumping on and on, up and down, without ever slowing in the slightest, much less stopping. Gordon approached to see this remarkable sight.
4. As he got closer, he could see it was not a man at the pump, but a wooden figure painted to look like a man. The arm that was pumping was wired to the pump handle.
5. The water was pouring forth, not because the figure was pumping it. You see, it was an artesian well, and the water was pumping the man! (Ted Sunderland)
6. The transformation of our characters and the work we do for the Lord will only truly be done when it is the result of the Holy Spirit working through us, not our efforts to get results.
7. All we have to do is let the Holy Spirit flow through us and He will accomplish the work as we yield!
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: INTERTWINED
1. The Inside Passage of Alaska has the highest annual rainfall averages in the country. Ketchikan, for example, receives 150 inches of precipitation annually, close to three times Juneau's total, and ten times of what Anchorage receives. But no town gets more rain than Little Port Walter with averages of 220 inches! Rubber boots seems to be the most popular shoe, and they are worn so frequently that they're called "Alaska tennis shoes" and "Sitka slippers".
2. Snowfall isn't any better, ranging from 36.9 inches in Ketchikan to 122.6 inches in Haines. Someone in Juneau told me they got up to 150 mile an hour winds in the winter.
3. Let's imagine for a moment that you are a tree. (I could think of far worse comparisons!) The soil in most coastal areas is only two to six inches deep. Not much for even ideal climates, but combine this with heavy precipitation and strong winds, and one can only wonder how trees can survive in such hostile environments.
4. It is true that some fall down, especially in the wintertime, but many remain standing tall, facing the inclement weather with confidence. What is the secret to their success?
5. Their root systems are intertwined with one another. The more roots a tree has that are intertwined with other trees, the more the tree can resist the challenges of the weather. The weather does not phase them because there is confidence and strength in unity.
6. Same is true for us. If we face hostilities on our own, these turbulences will eventually tear us down. Only by being intertwined by faith with our families and friends, with fellow believers, and especially with our Forever Friend, can we stand tall and face the storms of our life. We can't make it on our own!
7. "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." - 1 John 1:3
B. ALTAR CALL
1. How many of you see the need of abiding? (Blessings, rewards) The key is TIME. You must take time to spend with Jesus!
2. How many are willing to set apart 30 minutes each day with Christ and His Word? Stand. Let's consecrate ourselves.
