The Abiding Believer Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD, USA

www.mycrossway.org

View this and other messages at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/channels/8118

I was looking at a recent Axiom/Momentive Poll where they asked Americans how they felt going into 2022. Over 51% said that they described their outlook of the New Year as “fearful” and that fear is driven primarily by economic concerns and fear over the ongoing COVID-19 “plan-demic.” Coupled with all of this is fear over the current political climate that is driving both of these issues. The top 5 words respondents used to describe 2021 were: exhausting, worrisome, chaotic, hectic, and hellish.”

We are living in unprecedented times and this poll describes the kind of world the Lord will find when he calls his church home with the Rapture. The day is closer than most want to believe. Even more concerning is the state of the church. As we have just studied in the 7 Churches of Revelation many in the church will fall away from the true gospel to compromise with the world - or doctrine of demons.

Early the other morning, I was walking our dog, Tarzan, around the neighborhood, when I heard the Holy Spirit say that “it is time for people to get their house in order.”

When Jesus said that he is the true vine (John 15:1), he was making it clear that there is no other vine and no other hope. When you are alive on the vine of Christ, the entire meaning of life is transformed. How you live, how you work, your marriage, how your raise your children, everything is different from the rest of the world and looks different from the rest of the world.

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 ESV)

Last week, we started our study of John 15 and we examined the identity of those in Jesus’ parable of the vine. First Jesus identified himself as the true vine. The reality of this is that he is the only vine. We try to find our fulfillment in life through all types of vines. Money, relationships, work, power, addictions, you name it. The sad reality of all these things is that they will take life from you, no matter how much they promise something more. The only source of real meaning in life is the one who gives us life and that is the Lord Jesus Christ,

Second, Jesus identifies God the Father as the Vinedresser. The vinedresser is the owner of the vineyard. He is responsible for tending to the vine, keeping the vine healthy. He prunes the vine, keeps the branches off the ground, and cuts away the dead branches to make room for the fruit of the branches that are alive.

Then there are the branches. Man, al of man, are the branches on the vine. The question is are the branches receiving life on the vine or are they dead. Those who do not receive life from the Lord Jesus Christ are branches that are dead. They will one day be cut off from the vine by the Vinedresser and thrown into the fire. The remainder of the branches are those that are alive on the vine. They receive their life from the vine, meaning Jesus. They are the believers and they have one job: to bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. The way we do that is through abiding.