Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Upper Room Discourse
May 1, 2005 John
chapters 14-16
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
or ARE YOU AN ABIDING CHRISTIAN?
John 15:1-8
Conclusion
I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit,
He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may
bear more fruit. You are already clean
because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither
can you, unless you abide in Me. I am
the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears
much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown
away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the
fire, and they are burned. If you abide
in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done
for you. By this is My Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
LET’S IDENTIFY OUR
RESPONSIBILITY AS BRANCHES-
ABIDING: THE CONDITION FOR
FRUIT BEARING – vs. 4-6
Abiding
is Essential to Fruit Bearing – vs. 4, 5.
There is no way a believer can bear fruit in and of himself. The abiding factor must be in effect. The
Greek word for abide means “to dwell or to live or to remain.” Note there is a dual abiding: “If you abide in me and I in you” (John
14:20). Some illustration might suffice
to show the meaning of dual abiding: The iron is in the fire and the fire is in
the iron. The bottle is in the water and
water is in the water. The bird is in the air and the air is in the bird. The
sponge is in the water and the water is in the sponge.
Without
Christ we can do nothing of spiritual value.
Someone has defined nothing as a zero with the rim rubbed out. Abiding is essential in order for the
indwelling Christ to express Himself through us.
A Solemn Warning to Those
Who Play on the Edge of Christianity - v.6.
There
are some in the area of professing Christendom who make a verbal
profession. However in their life there
is no evidence that a change has occurred.
Verse 6 is an indication of false testimony. The one who does not continually abide in
Christ is a “Judas branch” – he is cast forth and dries up and is thrown into
the fire and burned. The word “cast
forth” is a different word from “lift up” in verse 2. The ensuing context indicates rejection
(Luke 3:9,16,17; Matthew 7:15-23).
Those who play at Christianity is in danger of peril.
Let’s
Identify The Results of Bearing Fruit the Confirmation – Although the Holy Spirit is not
mentioned specifically, it is quite evident that He is involved – the following
passages should be considered John 14:16,17; Galatians 5:22,23. The Holy Spirit is the life of the branch. Note
In Paul’s epistolary greetings the mention of the Holy Spirit is absent. However His presence is strongly
implied.
Abiding
qualifies us for an effective prayer life - v.7. Strategy praying. If this dual abiding is taking place we can
ask whatever we want (in the will of God) and it shall be given to us. This truth should be studied in connection
with I John 5:14,15.
The
Father is Glorified - Matthew 5:16. If the branches
bear much fruit, this exalts the Father.
When genuine fruit is borne, credit is given to the Father in heaven.
Discipleship
is Affirmed
- John 8:31. There is only one way to
affirm true discipleship. “If you abide
or continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.” Continuing in the study and application of
God’s Word is certain evidence of true discipleship.
THE BOTTOM LINE
In
this passage there is fruit, more fruit and much fruit (Matthew 13:23).
Fruit
hundred fold- sixty fold – thirty fold.
Not all believers bear the same degree of fruitfulness. God is in the process of working on each one
of us where we are – but His aim and desire is always to bring us to the
place where we bear much fruit.
Note: While the fruit in this passage is primarily
character fruit, character fruit eventuates in convert fruit – (John 15:16, I
Peter 3:15). God bless and yours for
much fruit,