John 15:1-17 “God’s Tape Measure”
Introduction:
1.Every person has been placed here on earth for two reasons.
a)To know God in your heart personally.
b)To obey God with your life.
2.Salvation’s path goes like this:
a)A union, a communion, and a reunion.
3.God’s measuring rod that signifies this union.
(James 2:26 KJV) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
T/S Three truths that gives evidences that God’s measuring rod for salvation is obedience.
[I] Define fruit bearing(v.15)
1. Fruit bearing is being obedient to God’s commands.
(John 15:10 KJV) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
(John 15:12-14 KJV) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
[II] The result of the failure to bear fruit (be obedient)is a lost joy.
1.Many saints lose joy, happiness, obedience.
(John 15:11 KJV) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
a) Many get saved but never get busy.
2.Notice the necessary connection in being obedient, bearing fruit.
a) From verse 4- 10, “Abide” is used 9 times.
“Abide” (GW) = continue, remain, stay, terry.
3.What does abiding mean? (3 things)
FIRST: It means a constant studying of God’s Word.
(John 15:7 NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
a) The Word has the power to change us.
Notice the phrase, “ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” When we abide in God’s Word, our earthly lusts turn into spiritual desires.
(Mat 4:3-4 KJV) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
SECOND: It means doing the work of God.
a) Doing God’s works brings glory to Him.
(John 15:8 KJV) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
(Mat 5:14-16 KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(John 17:1 KJV) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
(1 Cor 6:19-20 KJV) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
THIRD: It means being in the will of God.
(John 15:1 KJV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
a) “Husbandman” (GW) = a land-worker.
b) A lesson in growing grapes.
Each vine has many branches. Foliage sprouts on the branch. Foliage blossoms, and the blossom turns into grapes (fruit)The husbandman must cut away any non-producing foliage.
c) God’s will for our lives is to cut away those things in our lives that hinder growth.
(Mat 7:21 KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[III] Fruitlessness demonstrates Two things.
1. It demonstrates lostness:
a) This text does not indicate a losing salvation:
There is a change of pronouns the fist person to the third person. From “I”, “you” , “me”, to “any man” , “Them” , “They.”
(John 15:6 KJV) 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.
(1 John 2:19 KJV) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
b)Before one can abide there must be an initial abode.
c)Notice the lost persons’ out come:
“…cast them into the fire…”
(Mat 13:41-42 KJV) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
(Mark 9:43 KJV) And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
(Rev 20:14-15 KJV) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
2.It demonstrates a need for repentances:
(John 15:2 KJV) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
a)“He purgeth” to prune, to cleanse.It means to remove that which hinders growth.
b)“Taketh away” = carry, lift up, loose,
The vine dresser would prop up grapes from the dirt to aid them in growing, and to prevent from rotting.
Conclusion:
As we enter decision time let me purpose some questions to you. Is the abundance of your life one that bears fruit? What is in your life that is hindering obedience to God? Lastly, Are you going through a hardship and you need the assistance of God to life up your weary heard? Do you need to come before God in a time of repentance?
