[0:00] This message was recorded at Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. This is the next message in our series on the book of John, entitled, Jesus is God.
[0:15] Amen. No true words could be said that there is nothing that compares to knowing Jesus. And I pray that you know that tonight. I know many people that have went looking for something in comparison to Jesus.
[0:27] And I know many people that have said that they know something greater than Jesus. But I've never known anybody to come back and tell me that they have found anything that comes close to our Savior.
[0:38] And there's nothing. And that's wonderful. And as believers tonight, and I see by your testimony coming here to study the Word of God, you say that you desire to know our Heavenly Father in a greater way.
[0:50] And He lays out for us the Bible and tells us how we can go about that. In John 14, as we've been looking at, and now we're going to move on to 15. We had several sermons in John chapter number 14. You could never say enough.
[1:01] We could be there for a lifetime and still be learning wonderful truths. But He tells us that you've known me, but as I go to the Father, you're going to still continue to know more about me by watching the Holy Spirit work in and through your lives.
[1:15] And then today we have the opportunity to know our Heavenly Father in a greater and growing way through His wonderful Word and spending time in it.
[1:26] And so as we started out earlier today, I wanted you to read some verses. And I'm going to read more verses today. I'm probably going to read more verses tonight in this sermon than I used in all of my preaching as a teenager.
[1:36] And that's a problem, Brother Gibby. All right? So we're going to look at so many verses because His words are so perfect and they're so wonderful. And as Jesus speaks, God speaks. And so as I began to write the outline and look at it and I began to look at His words, Pastor Frick, I just took more and more of my words off the outline.
[1:55] And I put more and more of His words on there. Because nothing I can say tonight comes in comparison to what God says. And that's so important because you and I, we want to bear fruit.
[2:06] We want to bear much fruit is what John chapter number 15 says that we're able to do because He does that through our lives. And He says He is glorified. If you can say anything and He'll be glorified in, I want to do that.
[2:18] And if He says by bearing fruit, you will be glorified, I as a believer and you as a believer say, I want to know how to do that. And He tells us in John chapter number 14 how we can bear fruit.
[2:30] And the only way that we're going to bear fruit and as believers, we want to obey and to follow in what He's doing. So you could follow with me. I gave them the verses and you won't have time to keep up with them unless you are the Bible drill champion of your district.
[2:45] You probably won't be able to keep up with me, but you're going to be able to follow me on the screen. And after I read several scripture references here in several verses, and then I'll get to John chapter number 15 and read that for us tonight.
[2:58] I'll start in Psalms 1. Blessed is the man that walketh in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor siteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight, it's in the law of the Lord, and he doth meditate day and night.
[3:11] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but they are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
[3:25] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment. Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
[3:38] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ have crucified the flesh with affections and lust.
[3:50] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. And as he spake these words, many believed on him.
[4:03] Then said Jesus to the Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
[4:13] Verily, verily, I say, He that believeth on me, the works that I shall do, he do also, and greater works than these shall he do. Because I go unto my Father, and whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do.
[4:26] That the Father may be glorified in the Son. And if you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever.
[4:40] Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[4:53] I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you, yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more. But ye see me, because I live, and you shall live also.
[5:04] And that day you shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in me, and I in you. This book of my law shall not depart out of my mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.
[5:21] For then shalt thou make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. For all flesh is as grass, and the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower therefore falleth away.
[5:33] But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word by which the gospel is preached unto you. And be not conformed to this world, for ye be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
[5:51] Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy word is truth. I am the true vine, and my father is a husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away.
[6:05] And every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the word, which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you.
[6:16] As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, and the same bringeth forth much fruit.
[6:29] For within me you can do nothing. 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.
[6:40] And they are burned. And if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples.
[6:55] Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, so shall you be my disciples. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your wonderfully inspired, and preserved word tonight.
[7:06] Lord, we know that it is the only thing, that can work in our lives to bear fruit. That if our source, Lord, of anything, of any kind of energy, or any kind of resource, or any kind of peace, or anything outside of the true vine, Lord, we have fallen, after a counterfeit, Lord, and we will not bear the fruit, that you have told us, that we should bear them.
[7:27] Lord, I speak by heart, on behalf of my brothers, and sisters in here tonight, Lord, and we say, that we desire to glorify you, with our lives, and we desire to bear fruit, and much fruit, for your honor, and your glory.
[7:39] And I ask tonight, Lord, for an even greater love, for your word, and that tonight, as we leave here, we will see, that our love for the word, is indicative of our love for you, and that if we desire, to bear fruit, Lord, we must spend time, with you, in your word, in Jesus name I pray, amen.
[7:58] So as we look, at scripture tonight, I want to talk to you, first of all, about reasons, that you should spend time, in the word of God. And I know, that you've been taught many, and you know many, but I want us to look, at all, first of all, in John chapter number 15, and the fact, that it's in spending time, in the word, is how the Holy Spirit, works in and through our lives, the bear fruit.
[8:18] Ask you once again, why do we want to bear fruit? Is it because we, look better as bearing fruit? Is it because, trees look odd, if they don't bear fruit? We want to bear fruit. Know this with me tonight, we want to bear fruit, because bearing fruit, brings honor, and glory to God.
[8:33] Everything we do, we do because, it wants to bring honor, and glory to God. And when he says, in doing this, you bring glory to me, we want to be part, of doing that. So we're going to look tonight, primarily at John chapter number 14, and the bearing of fruit.
[8:48] Joshua 1.8, I've already read, in Psalm chapter number 1, we're told that we're supposed to meditate, day and night. And can I tell you, that you cannot meditate, day and night, upon something, that's not hid, in your heart.
[8:59] You don't have to know it, verbatim always, but those verses, that come to your mind, as you deal with things, they have to be in there, they have to have a place in you. And if you want to fulfill this command, to meditate on his word, day and night, it has to be hidden, in your heart.
[9:14] Number three, so as not to be conformed, to this world, but being transformed, by the renewing of your mind. Day in and day out, information is being pumped, into your mind, and it's affecting your heart, and it's trying to conform you, into the image of this world.
[9:29] And it's only the word of God, that is the voice of God, for us today. And it's in reading this, that our minds are transformed, as they should be, to know him, and to love him, and to have victory, in this world.
[9:43] It guards our mind, and it helps us more quickly, detect error. We live in a day, where people that are supposed, to be telling truth, are telling error, and they're preaching false. And wherever you go, people in authority, are telling you things, that may not be true.
[9:55] But it's by living, with the word, daily, that you're able to think, biblically, and to navigate, this world. It allows us, to hit the devil in the face, when he assaults me, and my family.
[10:08] Why in the world, would you walk through this world, without a sword? Satan is a roaring lion, he desires to take you, and he takes your family, and you should not leave, outside of your home, without your American Express, as they say.
[10:22] And you shouldn't go home, anywhere without it. You shouldn't go anywhere, without the word of God. It is needful, for the day that we live in. You need to have it, there for you, prepared. As you're dealing with temptation, you ought to be answering it.
[10:34] If God, in flesh, as Jesus, thought that he should answer Satan, with the word of God, temptation, then Trent Cornwell, needs to not say, any word to Satan, outside of the word, because I am an, unformidable foe, I cannot do anything, against him.
[10:50] He has power, over this world, and it's only because, the spirit of God, lives inside of me, that I'm able to overcome, the evil one. It allows the strongest, and sweetest words, when ministering, to someone, in need.
[11:04] I know you've been there, and I know you want to be there. When people are in need, and they're hurting, they don't want to hear from you. Do you think they want to hear from you? They think they want to hear from you, but they don't need to hear from you.
[11:17] They need to hear, from our heavenly father. And it's those verses, that are hidden in your heart, in your mind, that when they come out, of you, to them, can make an impact, and can make, a difference.
[11:30] And it provides me, an opportunity, to talk to Jesus, throughout today. Because as I walk through my day, and scripture memory, comes to me, and as I see something, that reminds me of scripture, and I think about the scripture, and it goes through my mind, that I'm able to hear from him, through his word, and I'm able to talk to him, in prayer.
[11:52] And so by hiding this word, in your heart, and studying it, and meditating upon it, you're able to have, an ongoing conversation, with him, throughout your day. Can you think of anything, more lovely, can you think of anything, more wonderful, than spending your day, walking around, speaking to the God, of the universe, and only through the word of God, do we hear, from him, today.
[12:14] So as we look here, we are the body vine. He says, I am the true vine, and my father, is a husbandman. We know that he is speaking, to the disciples here. They would have some understanding, of this imagery.
[12:26] They've been with Jesus. They've heard him speak in parables. They've heard, throughout the Old Testament, an understanding of the vine. And when he said, I am the true vine, he is saying, that all other vines, in this world, represent me.
[12:39] As we said, on Thursday night, as we were looking at the church, that when he created Adam, and Eve, and their relationship, he knew his relationship, to the church, and Adam and Eve, was made to model, what his relationship, with like the church, would look like.
[12:52] He does not react, to creation, but creation is made, in his image, so that when you see a vine, it is made, as a reflection, of the true vine. And so you ought to look at it, you ought to study it.
[13:04] People like Jonathan Edwards, would write entire books, they'd spend entire days, looking at insects, and they would, looking at plants, and they would look at that, and when you look, at a vine, when your brother Gibby, when you're fighting back, the kudzu, kill that stuff, okay?
[13:18] But as you kill that kudzu, take a moment, and look at the vine, and say, there's something I learned, in this vine, about my heavenly father, and if it was for the word of God, we wouldn't know that, but the word of God tells us, and so we ought to look at it, he is the true vine, which means, if anything else, in this world, is not sufficient source, for fruit bearing, they may help you work, on the trellis, but never on the fruit.
[13:41] Wonderful book, called the trellis, and the vine, and so many times, in my life, I have spent time, working on the trellis, of my life, the part that makes me, look better, the part that could look painted, but I don't work on the vine, I don't work on the fruit, I am not the vine, but I am a branch, that can bear fruit, but so many things, in this world, are telling you, how to do this, if I go to a Christian bookstore, you go to a Christian bookstore, many of the books, aren't going to talk to you, how you work, and your relationship, and grow in the word, they're going to tell you, how to resemble, a good Christian, in this day, they're going to tell you, many of these things, but that's trellis work, we want to be people, that are bearing fruit, you don't get it, any other place, selfish ambition, will not allow you, to produce fruit, in the ministry, hard work alone, will not allow you, to produce this, working on anything, in the flesh, will not allow you, the bare fruit, the fruit belongs to him, because he is the vine, and he is the husbandman, and there's no way, to recreate it, there's no way, to go into a lab, and recreate it, and there's no way, to go around him, and try to create it, and so many ministries, which means, so many individuals today, have tried to create something, that appears to be fruit, outside of the vine, but he says,
[14:51] I am the true vine, and he tells us, who the husbandman is, the father is the husband, in this story here, that we're being given, this speaks in reference, to him towards us, by no way, does this imply, that Jesus is inferior to God, because God being the husband, and him being the vine, but in the story, you need to see, well does your relationship, as a disciple, how do you abide in Jesus, and how does that, bear fruit in your lives, our father desires, that we bear fruit, every branch of me, that beareth not fruit, he taketh away, and every branch of me, that bear fruit, he purges, that is may bring forth, much more fruit, what is his plan in my life, is that he wants to bear fruit, in and through me, he knows what is best for us, Psalms 1 6, to the Lord knoweth, the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly, shall perish, he knows the way of the godly, he knows my way, as he knew that we needed, rain in Alpharetta, Georgia the night, he knows exactly, what I need, and the days that I don't want rain, he knows that I need it, on the days that I'm hoping, that it will be sunny, he says you need some more rain, and the days that I think, it should rain, he may decide it's sunny, because he knows, what I need, he knows what I need, to bear fruit, because our heavenly father, is the husbandman, he's not just the weather man, that tells the weather, he makes the weather, and go on in our lives, and he helps us, and guides us, through the Holy Spirit, and the bearing, of the fruit, he knows that we must be furged, from our lives, so we can bear, much fruit, the Holy Spirit convicts us, of sin, that he leads us, in the ways of peace, he guides us, and he points out, the Holy Spirit, as the comforter, in the time of need, and as the person, that convicts you, in the time of temptation, and the time of sin, as he's there with you, in my illustration, this morning, talking about the man, that was running, and his son beside him, comforting him, and encouraging him, saying I have you going, but the Holy Spirit, is also walking with you, and he says Trent, that is not where,
[16:50] I want you to go, Trent that is not, what I want you to look at, Trent this is not, what you should be thinking of, right now, Trent do not say that, Trent apologize, to that person, Trent remember your wife's birthday, I don't know about that one okay, but all those things, that are going on, the Holy Spirit's guiding, and sometimes, it's the father, we walk into his hands, and sometimes, he's pointing at sin, and he loves us, and he says, I need to prune this, I need to take this, out of your life, I know that you like this, I need to take this away, because this is keeping you, and fruit bearing, and I want you to bear fruit, because you're a tree, I've created, I'm watering, I'm watching you, and you want to bear fruit, to the honor and glory of God, and I want you to bear fruit, and he knows, what needs to be taken away, and James as we're told, it's the putting on, and taking off, that he knows that we need, and that we should receive the word, with meekness, which is able to change, which will engraft that into us, and so he knows, what we need, in our lives, he can identify, what needs to be purged, and he needs to be cast, and he also can identify, what needs to be cast, into the fire,
[17:54] I'll just touch on this, because John 15, so much can be talked about, the primary teaching here, Jesus speaking to the disciples, about fruit bearing, but if you notice, when we read, it said that the husbandman, was God, the heavenly father, and you did not see my name, in scripture, or in any scripture, and I am not the husbandman, and when he says, he knows what needs, to be purged, and taken away, and cast into the fire, many respectable men, wiser than me, have differing opinions, on what's happening here, we'll continue in John chapter number 15, but we move forward, as he knows, what's in our lives, that's wood, hay and stubble, and one day, that will be taken away, because it's something, that we've been working in, in the flesh, and it's taken away, very likely, is it a person like Judas, that looks like he's part of the vine, but he's really not in that, the Judas prince, that's taken away, that could be possible as well, but can I tell you, that is not me, and that is not you, we are fruit bearers, because of the word, and this is who Jesus, is speaking to, he's speaking to, his disciples, we bear fruit, because we abide, in the vine, he has made us clean, by his word, as in the washing of the feet, that was made, remember Peter said, if you're going to wash my feet, you might as well wash everything, because I need to be clean, and he says, no you don't need that, you've been made clean, and he's illustrating here, the sanctification, he reminds us of the power, of the word, in our lives, remember how can you hear, unless there's a preacher, how can you hear, there be a preacher, unless he's sent, and how can the preacher, know what to tell you, unless we have, the word of God, and that even as a child, from that a child, that has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise, unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus, it is the word of God, parents in here, that will make your children, one day wise, and to the point of salvation, where they will see, from this word, that they are sinners, in need of a loving savior, you know,
[19:46] I was so thankful, the other day, we were reading our story book, and we were going through, stories of the bible, and we got to Joseph, and we read the story, the Joseph, of the Thatcher, and Tinsley, Thatcher and Tinsley, always gets people, looking this way, okay, so Thatcher and Tinsley, and I read it to them, and Thatcher spoils, all the stories for Tinsley, she has no idea, what's going to happen, I could read it to her, and she still wouldn't know, what would happen, if I read it to her, again, but Thatcher knows, what's going to happen, and he looks at her, and he tells her, so this is what's going to happen, to Joseph, and he spoils the story for him, but I tell the story, and he says, Dad, they forgot to put him, in the pit, he's supposed to go, in the hole, I think he caught it, oh, Joseph is supposed to go, in the hole, because in the story book, they didn't put Joseph, in a hole, and my son burned the book, he just couldn't have it, okay, and he said that, they forgot that, why did that happen, is because a church, has decided, that it's important, to teach our kids, the word of God, and that somebody, sat down with him, in a nursery, and told him, the story, of Joseph, and he went to, children's church, even when he wasn't, supposed to, he snuck up there, and he went to, children's church, and they taught that, and as he grows, he will fall in love, with the person of this book, and he'll know, that he is God, and that God came, the earth, and he will love this book, because he will learn, the love of God, and I am so thankful, for that, and so he will be made, wise, on the salvation, as we study the word, and it convicts us in, and it shows us, and we must spend time, in the word, and we must spend, time with our children, in the word of God, at the come and see 5k, yesterday, did I mention, that I ran in a 5k, yesterday,
[21:20] I wasn't sure, if I mentioned that, earlier, I got in my notes, to mention it, one more time, tonight, but at the end of it, you know, you can work at running hard, but the real talent, is to get your name drawn, from the door prize, because you can't work on that, you're good at it, or you're not, and I won the door prize, and you can't practice, that kind of stuff, and so, I got a baseball, signed by Jack Leggett, really, nothing, okay, Jack Leggett, he is the head coach, of the Clemson baseball team, and they signed a football, and a basketball, and I got the baseball, and I liked it so much, that I brought it tonight, and I've misplaced it, before I even came up here, to show you, this baseball, but you know, this baseball, Mr. Leggett, I don't imagine, you're listening to this, because I haven't watched, any of your games, but if you do see this, I don't know you, okay, and since I don't know you, and I'm not a fan, of Clemson baseball, I like Clemson, because of my friends, over here, but I'm not a fan, of Clemson baseball, that baseball, has little to no value, in my life, I'm going to play baseball, with that baseball, or I'll take it up, to children's church, and make like, it's a big deal, and I'll give it to one of you, okay, but I'm going to play baseball, with this, because it doesn't have value, so the writing on it, that he did, means nothing to me, the baseball, has a two dollar value, because Jack Legget, has a two dollar value, in my life, it means nothing, to me, because I do not know him, so I do not love his word, and so I know a man, named Jesus, and I love his word, and I know my God, and I love his word, so these words, have incredible value, in my life, because I know, the heavenly father, that inspired these words, and I want to know them, and that is our hindrance, as we read this, it's not a discipline issue, it's a knowing, who wrote these words issue, and wanting to spend time, with him, and so that baseball, which was lost tonight, because of that value, but if it was a 1998,
[23:12] Mark McGuire, 70th home run baseball, worth 3.1 million dollars, I would have it in my pocket, and we would be in a bigger building, tonight, okay, but the value of the baseball, comes from who signed it, and the value to me, has to do with what I think, about that person, and I want my son, and I want your children, and daughters, and I want you, to love this word, because you love, and know him, so the natural conclusion, as we're talking him, Jesus is the vine, God is the husband, we are branches, that we are bearing fruit, and we desire to bear more fruit, so the next logical question is, what is fruit, and I'm so thankful, that that is answered, from the word of God, tonight for us, Galatians 5.19, verses 20 through 21, it tells us, what are the works of flesh, before I look at, what the fruit of the spirit is, let's look at, what the works of the flesh are, Paul is taught, as inspired by God here, he says, now the works of the flesh, are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, immolations, wrath, strife, seditions, and heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, rivaling, and such like, those there, are obviously, not the fruit, of the spirit, those things, in your lives, are not the work, of the Holy Spirit, working, in and through you, so what is it, when the Holy Spirit, works in and through you, what is the evidence, what is the fruit, of the spirit, that's next verses here, 22 and 23, but the fruit, of the spirit, is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such, there is, no law, it is not given my job tonight, to be a fruit inspector, as you see these things,
[25:03] I do not know, on these levels in your life, what's going on, but these things are evident, in the life of a believer, that they bear fruit, and they will grow, in us, through as we spend word, time in his word, my words abide, in you, in verses 7 and 8, John 15, 7 and 8, if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done, unto you, you know that abiding, is more than just simply memorizing, Satan knew scripture, the abiding is, is seen here, as in believing, the Jewish people, were taught in their day, in Deuteronomy 6, 4 through 9, we won't look at it tonight, but you could see this, I could take you, within a mile of here, you could go to the home, of a Jewish person, and you would see, in the door post, that they have the scripture, they have this scripture, Deuteronomy 4 here, in a little scroll, and it's there, in a box, and it's there, because they were told, that they're supposed to put it, in front of their children, at all times, it's supposed to be there, upon their door post, and upon, you'll see it in a picture, there'll be a box, upon the head, and upon their arms, and they carry this portion, of scripture, because they've taken, that keeping the word of God, in front of them, they took it literally, and they took that scripture, that says, keep the word of God, in front of them, and they put it on the door post, and they put it in front of them, but that is not abiding word, inside of you, memorizing is not abiding, believing is abiding,
[26:25] Jesus knew scripture, but it did, the Jews knew scripture, but it did not abide, in them, John 5 38, and you have not his word, abiding in you, for whom hath he sent him, you believe not, Jewish people, many of them may have, memorized all the way, Genesis, the Deuteronomy, the Pharisees, that would have been common, among those people, it wasn't that they didn't know Bible, it wasn't that they couldn't, memorize Bible, but it didn't abide in them, because they were not believers, of the Bible, and he says, this does not abide, in you, the words of Jesus, take root, and they bear fruit, in obedience, be, do, serve, train, we had on the wall, once here, till, it's not here, any longer, right Mr Robert, it's not there, any longer, but it was there, on the wall, and through John, we may come back to it, someday, but in the B level, of our lives, Ezra, he prepared his heart, to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach it, in Israel, the statutes and judgment, as the word is in our heart, it will grow, and we live out, we're abiding, we're believing, because it's abiding, we're believing, then we're obeying upon it, the word is at home, in our hearts, if you are allowing the word, to abide in your heart, it has a home there,
[27:35] John 8, 37, he says, I know that you're Abraham's seed, but you seek to kill me, because my word, has no place in you, he's telling the Jewish people here, he says, my word has no place in your heart, that as it's taught, and as it's preached, and as I'm speaking to you, you don't allow any place for it, in your heart, oh Christy, can I ask you today, is there any place, for the word in your heart, as it's preached, and as it's taught to you, does it take root, does it take home, in your heart, do you have a place for it, does it come in one side, and does it go out another, or when does it come, does it sit there, and do you meditate, and do you dwell upon it, and do you live it out, in your life, it has no place, in their heart, and does it have a place, in your heart, can I remind you, very quickly, of the history, of the word of God, in your life, as a believer, if you're a believer in here, let me remind you, of the history, of this word, in your life, 1 Peter 1 23, being born again, not of a corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth, and abideth forever, it was through this book, my, my, the Holy Spirit, used my sister, in showing me this book, as a nine year old boy, she showed me, the Bible, and in that,
[28:47] I was able to put my faith, and trust, in Jesus, and that the word of God, the incorruptible word of God, which liveth, and abideth forever, it showed me, my need of a savior, and that's my history, I love this book, because of it's history, in my life, sanctification, God's work, for the Holy Spirit, through the word, we've said, John 17, 17, sanctify them, through thy truth, thy word is truth, that the word of God, is being used, to sanctify, me, and the work, in your life, as well, truth changes, when it abides, in us, sanctify them, through thy truth, thy word, is truth, why does this happen, and why does this have the effect, why as a believer, does reading these words, why does the Holy Spirit, choose to use the word of God, in my life, let's look at a couple things, in John 6, 63, first of all, John 3, 34, it says, for he whom God has sent, speaketh the words of God, for God giveth not the spirit, by measure unto him, whom God sends, Jesus, he speaks the word of God, when Jesus spoke, it was the word of God, every time Jesus opened his mouth,
[29:52] God spoke, the words are given, our life, John 6, 63, it is the spirit, that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing, the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life, and just because it's bound, like any other book you can read, it is not a dead book, but these are living words, that bring life, and it over, it conquers the devil, our supernatural enemy, the whole world lies, in power of the evil one, and the world is absolutely defenseless, against him, he rules in this world, except where God restrains, and you have no idea, the mercy being given, on your behalf, that the Satan, is the prince of this world, and he has power, and it's the word of God, that allows us to overcome, the evil one, in John 2, 14, now the next question is, we know that when Jesus spoke, it's God's word, it's so powerful, why is it powerful, because it's life, why is it powerful, because it's God's word, and so the question is, why is this printed word, that I hold in my hand, so powerful to you, and I today, and God's written word, the Bible is eternally true, 1 Corinthians 2, 7, but we speak the wisdom of God, in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained, before the world, unto our glory, so these are the eternal wisdom of God, that this book, is not filled by truth, of any man, that this book, is filled with the wisdom, of God, for us, how does it bear fruit, how could it not bear fruit, how could God's word, abiding and taking place, in your home, and when it comes in, you say, please have a seat, here,
[31:24] I want to spend time with you, sit down Bible, I want to spend time with you, I want it to sit there, I want to read it, I want to meditate it on, throughout the day, how could the word of God, the living God, the eternal God, who spoke the world, into existence with his word, not bear fruit in your life, we don't ask, how does it happen, we ask, how could it not happen, in our lives, that it would cause us, to bear fruit, 2 Peter 1, verses 20 and 21, in reference to the inspiration, of the man, who wrote the Bible, knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture, is of any private interpretation, for the prophecy came not in old time, by the will of men, it's not man's idea, that this book is filled with, but holy men of God, spake as they were moved, by the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, moved upon these men, and they wrote down, the words of God, for us today, and it's those words, and my heart, that bears fruit, for the glory, of God, and just simply, carrying it with you, will not bear fruit, but it must be hidden, in your heart, and so can I challenge you tonight, the Spirit of God, uses the word of God, to bear fruit, in your life, for the glory, of God, love this word, love this word, because you love God, and you want him, to be glorified, love this word, because you want to bear fruit, love this word, because you know, that outside of the true vine, you can bear, no fruit, love this word, because if you appear, to be bearing fruit, and you're trying, to bear fruit, and it's not coming, from the word, abiding in your heart, then you are not, bearing fruit, and that it will not last, and is not eternal, and it is not true, now I give you, an opportunity tonight, as I begin to close, but my invitation, for you, will not be found, here at the altar,
[33:08] I'll give you an opportunity, to respond, but your invitation, is according, to the word of God, as I held up baseball, in my hand, if I met Mr. Jack Leggett, if I went to a Clemson game, if I make the team, I'm going to try out, next fall for it, if no, if any of those things happen, that baseball, that I've lost, and I'm sure, one of your kids took it, and I'm just joking, that baseball, that I lost, it could grow, in value to me, as the team, and as the coach, grows in value, to me, as the word of God, you say you love the father, and you do as a believer, it says, so we should love the word, because we want to honor him, and we want to bear fruit, in our lives, and so can I ask you, if it's either in your seat, or if it's here at the altar, or so if it's at your home, between you and God, would you make, a renewed decision, when it comes to this word of God, can you say, father, I want to bear fruit, for your honor, and your glory, and I want this word, to abide in my heart, so I can bear fruit, for your glory, and could you look at it differently, as you hold it in your hand, could it feel differently, the night, than it felt when you came in, could it feel differently, than it would, if it was left at home, could you hold it there, when you get it, and you find it, would you look at it, and pray to our heavenly father, and make a renewed decision, that you want to spend time, in it, so that it will be in you, so that you can bear fruit, toward the honor, and glory, of our God, heavenly father,
[34:31] I ask that you'll be with us, tonight Lord, as we hold, the wonderful word upon, in our laps, and in our hands tonight, and as we've read, so many scriptures, that these scriptures, will take root, and they will find place, in the hearts of believer, and they will help, bear fruit in our lives Lord, because we desire, to bear fruit, and more fruit, for your honor, and for your glory, and we know, that this is only done, by spending time with you, and in your word, help us Lord, make disciples, as disciples Lord, who love your word, and love what it tells us, and want to spend time, with you, this message, was recorded, at Vision Baptist Church, in Alfredo, Georgia, for more information, log on to, www.visionbaptist.com, where you can find, our service times, location, contact information, and more audio, and video recordings, at, on the way, and pre用 of the benefit, in the world, and of course, that will help, and money, and Auft, through the certificate, arrives, thinking, could find time, because happens, and many,