WEBVTT

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 And so much joy this morning. Let's just take a moment and praise God and thank Him. Lord, thank you. Thank you for the joy of being together this morning. The joy of worshiping you, of being gathered together as your people. Lord, would you come? Would you rest on us? Would you pour your spirit out on us?

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 Not my words, but your words, Lord. Come Holy Spirit. Amen.

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 Mary Mitchell Slessor was a missionary to Nigeria. She was born in Scotland and grew up in a poor family with an alcoholic father.

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 But despite her dark childhood, her mother had this really strong faith. And she became a Christian at a young age. She talked about how her mother's faith in the church was a ray of light for her, despite the pain of what she was going through.

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 By the time she was 14, her father and two brothers had died. And she worked 12-hour days to care for her family, to bring an income for her mother and two younger sisters.

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 Because of her work, she wasn't really able to be educated. She had some schooling here and there, but she managed to teach herself how to read.

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 And the things she loved to read the most were her mother's monthly missionary magazines.

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 This was like a thing in the mid-1800s in Scotland, in the Presbyterian Church. There was like missionary monthly.

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 And Mary loved these magazines.

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 And so she decided she was like, I want to share the gospel.

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 I want to talk about Jesus with people.

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 So she started out by doing that in her neighborhood, by teaching Sunday school through the church.

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 But eventually, she felt this call to go to Nigeria as a missionary, as a single woman in the 1870s.

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 And once she got there, the thing that was really remarkable about Mary Slessor is that she didn't live in a missionary compound.

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 That was pretty typical of the time, that the missionaries kind of lived apart from the people they were doing ministry among.

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 But she decided to embed herself with the people and lived life with them day in and day out.

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 She adopted their culture, their dress, their food.

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 She learned their language.

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 And there had been many male missionaries killed in this area.

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 The people that she was ministering to were known for being really violent.

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 But she was able to go into this place and minister because she was a woman.

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 And because she was so deeply abiding with these people, they recognized her as a friend and confidant.

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 She was able to start speaking boldly against tribal religious practices that involved human sacrifice and infanticide.

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 Several tribes in this area practiced infanticide of twins because they believed that twins were offspring of demonic spirits.

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 So when twins were born, they would be abandoned and the mothers would be ostracized or killed.

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 Over the course of her ministry, Mary adopted these children and saved hundreds of them from death.

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 Placing them in various mission compounds throughout Nigeria.

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 But she adopted eight children and raised them herself as a single mother.

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 And the people she lived with recognized her presence as so remarkable that she was eventually named vice consul of the court in Okoyang where she lived.

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 And I think Mary's story takes this idea that we read about this morning in John 15 of abiding and bearing lasting fruit and flushes it out really beautifully.

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 So as we look at this passage together, we're going to look at three main actions that Jesus talks about.

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 We're going to talk about this concept of grafting, being grafted into the vine, abiding in the vine, and bearing fruit.

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 First, we're going to talk about grafting.

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 And a big part of this grafting is the vine analogy.

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 Verse 1, Jesus says,

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 So why this analogy of the vine?

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 Well, because in the Old Testament, Israel is the vine planted by the Lord.

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 There are several passages that talk about this.

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 But almost all of them also refer to Israel as a vine that was rotten.

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 That her fruit was wild.

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 That the vine was out of control.

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 Ezekiel 15 lines up really well with what we read this morning.

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 Let me just read this quickly.

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 Therefore, this is what the sovereign Lord says.

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 As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire,

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 so will I treat my people living in Jerusalem.

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 I will set my face against them.

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 Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them.

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 And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord.

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 I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful.

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 It's safe to say that Israel the vine was in bad shape.

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 She was desolate and burned and exiled because of her rebellion and her apostasy and sin.

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 But this is the framework that Jesus is using when he starts talking about himself being the vine.

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 I am the true vine, he says.

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 There are two implications here.

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 Jesus is the fulfillment of all the law and the prophets.

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 By saying he is the true vine, he's not only stopping Israel's downward slide and wildness,

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 he's reversing it so that all creation can be restored.

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 And throughout the Gospels, we see him doing this.

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 The places where sin and disease and death and decay are reigning,

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 Jesus came and he corrected those things.

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 Jesus triumphs where Israel failed.

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 And secondly, when Jesus says,

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 if anyone abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit,

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 this is an offer that's available to all people, not just the Jews.

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 All people, all of us,

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 now have the opportunity to be grafted into Jesus,

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 to be attached to him as the vine,

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 to be branches, to abide,

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 and to bear good fruit.

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 So the second part of grafting is how.

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 How do we get grafted onto the vine?

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 How do we become branches?

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 And the answer is all throughout John's Gospel.

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 We respond to Jesus' words.

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 We believe in him.

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 We receive him.

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 And he gives us the right to become children of God.

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 And this is what he means when he tells the disciples in verse 3,

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 already you are clean because of the word I've spoken to you.

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 The disciples have been grafted in

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 because they've responded to Jesus as the word of God,

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 not because they're Jewish

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 or because of any merit or skill set of their own.

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 In fact, you guys, the disciples were not,

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 they were not the best and the brightest.

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 If you've read the Gospels, you know this, right?

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 It's almost tragicomic sometimes

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 when you're reading the Gospels

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 and you're just thinking,

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 wow, how did you miss this, right?

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 But it's all of us.

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 And if you're going to choose people

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 to be the representative for a religion,

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 these guys really made no sense.

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 But that's something that really sets Christianity apart, y'all.

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 Every other religion has some sort of merit piece built in.

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 You do certain works.

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 You behave a certain way.

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 That makes you worthy of salvation.

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 You level up.

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 But with Christianity,

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 salvation rests on the worth and merit of Jesus Christ.

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 Our salvation isn't based on our quality,

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 but the quality of our Savior.

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 So let's move from grafting to the second action here,

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 abiding.

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 Abiding.

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 John uses this Greek word for abiding,

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 meno,

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 11 times in this passage.

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 So that's a good one to look into.

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 And what he means here by this word

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 is really kind of multi-layered.

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 Abiding means that Jesus dwells intimately with us.

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 He makes his home in us

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 and we make our home in him.

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 There's a two-way relationship there.

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 And this intimate dwelling,

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 this homemaking,

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 is what enables us to endure,

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 to persevere,

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 to continue,

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 to rest in him in our faith.

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 That's the other part of abiding.

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 And the beauty of Jesus' incarnation

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 was that he showed us what this looked like

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 in his relationship with the Father.

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 He even tells us,

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 everything the Father has given me,

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 I give to you.

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 You can almost hear him in this passage

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 responding to questions that might come up.

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 Like,

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 Jesus,

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 how am I supposed to love you

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 and keep your commands?

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 How do I do this?

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 And he says,

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 just as I have loved my Father

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 and kept his commands,

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 I've shown you the way,

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 right?

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 And he sends his Holy Spirit

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 to work

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 to make all of this possible in us,

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 to help us remember

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 all that he said,

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 to guide us into all truth.

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 Now, I think a lot of us have questions, right?

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 We're thinking,

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 how do we learn to distinguish God's voice

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 from just all the other clamor, right?

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 That's a great question.

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 We think,

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 is that me or is that God?

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 I want to hear from God.

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 And friends,

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 I think a lot of learning to hear God,

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 to abide in him,

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 means assuming a posture,

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 a posture of humility

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 and submission and attentiveness

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 that recognizes we are branches

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 dependent on the vine

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 for our entire life.

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 So do we expect to hear from God?

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 Do we want to hear from God?

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 Do we have conversations with God?

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 In my own life,

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 I would say the days

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 where I feel most attentive to the Lord

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 are the days

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 where I wake up in the morning

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 in a posture of prayer,

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 where I wake up

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 and I immediately recognize

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 I'm totally dependent on you, Lord.

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 Would you teach me today to abide?

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 Would I hear with your ears

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 and see with your eyes?

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 Would I know your heart and your mind?

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 And then throughout the day,

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 we can kind of check in with him, right?

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 We can,

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 as things come up,

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 what do you think about that, Lord?

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 What do you think about this situation?

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 How can you love this person through me?

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 What does this mean?

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 And he wants to be known.

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 He wants to talk to us.

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 He wants to be part of this with us.

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 And this is something

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 that we're going to continue

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 to just talk about

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 more and more

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 at Church of the Advent.

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 Just this ongoing relationship

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 and hearing from the Holy Spirit.

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 Now, as part of this concept

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 of grafting and abiding,

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 we also have to talk about verse six.

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 These challenging verses

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 that say we can be thrown away and burned.

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 This is one of those verses

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 in the Gospels

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 where you're going along

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 and like maybe you're starting

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 to feel some warm fuzzies

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 about Jesus

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 and then all of a sudden

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 it's like, right?

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 It's like a record scratch.

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 If anyone does not abide in me,

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 he's thrown away like a branch

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 and withers

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 and the branches are gathered,

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 thrown into the fire

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 and burned.

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 And, I mean, it says it.

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 And the thing is,

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 the disciples probably

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 would have felt less jarred by this.

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 And John's Jewish readers

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 would have felt less jarred by this

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 because they would have connected

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 what Jesus is saying here

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 with that passage in Ezekiel

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 and some of these other

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 Old Testament passages

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 that they were steeped in.

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 And by making this clear connection,

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 again, Jesus is underscoring this fact.

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 I learned this term,

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 foot stomping.

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 He's helping his disciples

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 and other Jews understand

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 that belief in him

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 grafts them in,

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 not their status as Jews.

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 And this was an important point

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 to make to people

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 that had always assumed like,

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 oh, being Jewish means that

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 I'm in, right?

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 So like we said earlier,

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 Jesus is expanding the status

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 of his chosen people to everyone,

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 not just Jews.

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 But I think there's an additional

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 explanation here for us

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 that we need to,

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 that we really need to consider,

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 hinging on those two words,

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 if anyone.

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 So he says that a couple times,

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 if anyone abides in me, right?

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 He also says,

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 if anyone does not abide in me, right?

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 So just as Jesus is offering

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 salvation to all,

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 he's also being really clear

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 that he's the only way.

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 Remember, Christianity

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 is exclusive in its savior,

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 but it's inclusive

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 in its salvation.

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 All are invited,

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 but not everyone

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 receives the offer.

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 And then there are also some

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 who do receive it initially,

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 but then they fall away.

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 Like Jesus says

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 in the parable of the sower,

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 they receive the word with joy,

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 but then the cares of the world

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 choke it, right?

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 They don't persevere.

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 And I think this is

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 an important point

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 about abiding.

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 Abiding doesn't only mean

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 a one-time decision.

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 It means an ongoing posture,

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 like we said,

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 of persevering in the faith,

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 continuing in the teachings

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 of Jesus and the apostles,

00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.840
 and remembering

00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:18.759
 that everything he said is true.

00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:22.100
 And Paul says this so beautifully

00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.259
 in Colossians 2.

00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.700
 Therefore,

00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:26.360
 as you have received

00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:28.220
 Christ Jesus the Lord,

00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.620
 so walk in him,

00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:31.840
 rooted and built up in him,

00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:33.519
 and established in the faith,

00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.860
 just as you were taught,

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.240
 abounding in thanksgiving.

00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:42.420
 Okay, so what does abiding

00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:44.420
 look like practically for us?

00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:46.940
 You can't just sit there saying,

00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.800
 abide, abide.

00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:52.560
 Okay, now abide harder, right?

00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.759
 It doesn't work that way.

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:55.319
 But this is where we,

00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:56.379
 as Anglicans,

00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:58.319
 have some beautiful tools

00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:59.559
 to help us abide.

00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:01.600
 We have the Book of Common Prayer,

00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:04.439
 full of Scripture-based liturgy

00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:06.559
 that helps embed the Word of God

00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.500
 deep into us

00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.700
 as we recite the creeds

00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.799
 and we say the collects

00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:10.799
 and prayers together,

00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.179
 day after day,

00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.519
 week after week.

00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:16.679
 And we have the sacraments,

00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.840
 especially the Eucharist.

00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:19.960
 Friends,

00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.000
 it's no accident

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.340
 that this whole conversation

00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:24.000
 came on the same night

00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.200
 Jesus instituted the Eucharist.

00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.399
 The Eucharist is a tangible means

00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.120
 of grace

00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.639
 that fuses the spiritual

00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.360
 and the physical.

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.740
 And this is why we come to church

00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.159
 each week with excitement,

00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.840
 knowing that when we come

00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:38.879
 to the Lord's table,

00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:40.279
 we are encountering

00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.820
 the risen Christ there.

00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.500
 And the church fathers

00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.759
 considered the Eucharist

00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:48.259
 central to life in Christ.

00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:51.059
 One of my favorite Eucharist quotes

00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:52.179
 is by Irenaeus.

00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.139
 Just as the bread

00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.639
 is transformed spiritually

00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:57.279
 by the prayers of the Eucharist,

00:15:57.939 --> 00:16:00.240
 so are our bodies transformed

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.220
 when they receive communion.

00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:06.480
 And all of this leads us

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.500
 to our last point.

00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.720
 We know that we are connected

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.799
 to the vine and abiding in Christ

00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:15.240
 when we bear lasting fruit.

00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:18.100
 That's the transformation.

00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.060
 And all of that

00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:21.159
 comes through the Spirit.

00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.580
 Let's consider three aspects

00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.419
 of bearing fruit.

00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.500
 First,

00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.620
 what does fruit look like?

00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:32.060
 Fruit looks like transformed lives

00:16:32.060 --> 00:16:32.820
 and communities.

00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:35.100
 It looks like that transformation

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.279
 that Irenaeus wrote about.

00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.580
 We see all throughout

00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.799
 the Gospels and Epistles

00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.620
 in the New Testament

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:42.419
 that the clearest marker of faith,

00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:43.899
 of abiding love,

00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:46.319
 of abiding in the love of Christ

00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.840
 is measurable fruit.

00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.299
 Individuals and communities

00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.319
 transformed

00:16:51.319 --> 00:16:53.500
 in the love of Christ,

00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:55.319
 marked by love and joy

00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.980
 and peace and patience,

00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.720
 kindness, goodness,

00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.559
 gentleness,

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.240
 self-control,

00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.199
 compassion,

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:02.899
 courage,

00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:03.279
 faith,

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.860
 and hope.

00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.900
 And one of the things

00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.839
 we've been praying about

00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.779
 and talking about

00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.279
 as a staff at Church of the Advent,

00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:10.160
 and I know many of you

00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.779
 are sharing in this prayer with us,

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.879
 is that our church community

00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:15.399
 would be a community

00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:16.859
 marked by that transformation

00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:19.460
 and that we would be able

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.700
 to work on behalf

00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.720
 of the common good

00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.359
 of everyone around us,

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.599
 whether they share our faith or not.

00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.099
 We just heard

00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.500
 from Travis and T.R. Barnwell

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.019
 this morning,

00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:30.180
 missionaries to Thailand,

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.940
 and they're doing this

00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.500
 in a community

00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.940
 that's largely Buddhist

00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:35.460
 in Chiang Mai.

00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.180
 What does it look like

00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.200
 for us to do this?

00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.220
 We want,

00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.400
 if our church

00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.019
 were to suddenly

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:45.579
 cease to exist in D.C.,

00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.779
 that the city would be,

00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.920
 that people would notice

00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:49.200
 that there would be a loss,

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.140
 that there would be a grief

00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:50.920
 because of that,

00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:53.000
 because we're a community

00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.319
 marked by Christ's love.

00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.100
 And coming back

00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.079
 to Mary Slessor,

00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.079
 there were many instances

00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.700
 where people didn't

00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.819
 actually believe

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.559
 and receive,

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.619
 she didn't have

00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:06.440
 a noticeable convert necessarily,

00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.539
 but they loved her

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:10.179
 because Jesus worked

00:18:10.179 --> 00:18:11.779
 so tangibly through her.

00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:12.639
 In fact,

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.279
 she was called

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.159
 everybody's mother.

00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.720
 They called her Ma.

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.480
 And as branches

00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.700
 connected to the vine,

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.099
 Jesus works through us

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.000
 in the same way

00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.779
 to care for our friends,

00:18:23.919 --> 00:18:24.619
 our workplaces,

00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:25.440
 our neighborhoods.

00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:28.940
 And let me just emphasize again

00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:30.539
 that abiding in Christ

00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:32.879
 comes ahead of these things,

00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.640
 trying to do these things

00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.920
 without abiding.

00:18:36.260 --> 00:18:37.120
 It's like putting

00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:38.400
 cut flowers in a vase.

00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:39.740
 It might look okay

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.820
 for a little while,

00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:42.420
 but eventually

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.560
 they wither and they die.

00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.580
 And that's what it means

00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:46.640
 to try to do these works

00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.740
 apart from Christ.

00:18:48.300 --> 00:18:49.600
 It becomes a kind of striving,

00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.860
 of white knuckling.

00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:54.160
 The speaker on our clergy retreat

00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.100
 last week

00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:56.540
 that Thomas and I were at,

00:18:56.780 --> 00:18:57.460
 Steve Nicholson,

00:18:57.580 --> 00:18:57.880
 said,

00:18:57.880 --> 00:19:00.320
 if we're ever going

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:01.320
 to make it to the end,

00:19:02.040 --> 00:19:03.140
 we have to stop

00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.860
 trying to make things happen.

00:19:06.280 --> 00:19:07.740
 God is the one

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.840
 who makes things happen.

00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.340
 And this illustrates

00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.480
 our second point

00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.680
 about bearing fruit.

00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:14.880
 Ultimately,

00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.320
 God is the one

00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:16.980
 who determines

00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.580
 the amount

00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.620
 and kind of fruit

00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.100
 we bear.

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.860
 He's the vine dresser.

00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:22.380
 We don't look around

00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.340
 at other people

00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:24.500
 and what they're doing

00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.060
 to determine

00:19:25.060 --> 00:19:25.560
 the measure

00:19:25.560 --> 00:19:26.140
 and value

00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:26.759
 of our fruit

00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.660
 because our value

00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:29.340
 rests in the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.560
 And honestly,

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.580
 this fruit

00:19:32.580 --> 00:19:34.500
 most clearly glorifies God

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.160
 when it's something

00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:36.100
 we could never

00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.460
 do on our own.

00:19:38.820 --> 00:19:39.860
 It's like Paul writes

00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.660
 to the Corinthians,

00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:43.040
 I resolved to know nothing

00:19:43.040 --> 00:19:44.200
 while I was with you

00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.320
 except Jesus Christ

00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.160
 and him crucified.

00:19:46.820 --> 00:19:47.800
 I came to you

00:19:47.800 --> 00:19:48.759
 in weakness

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:50.140
 with great fear

00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.720
 and trembling.

00:19:51.800 --> 00:19:52.540
 My message

00:19:52.540 --> 00:19:53.300
 and my preaching

00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:54.460
 were not with wise

00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.680
 and persuasive words

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.799
 but with a demonstration

00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:58.580
 of the Spirit's power

00:19:58.580 --> 00:20:00.500
 so that your faith

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.480
 might not rest

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.460
 on human wisdom

00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:04.640
 but on God's power.

00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:05.840
 Y'all,

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.880
 we don't want to be,

00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.299
 we don't want people

00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.039
 saying,

00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:10.440
 oh, you're so great.

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.120
 Like, Hillary,

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:11.880
 you're so great.

00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.539
 Like, no,

00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.340
 we want people saying

00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.680
 Jesus Christ is great.

00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:16.320
 We want the fruit

00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:17.140
 to point people

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.440
 to the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:18.539
 Christ.

00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:22.900
 Again,

00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.840
 Mary Slessor

00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:25.940
 in this violent region,

00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.160
 she often

00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:29.860
 was in danger

00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.380
 of death

00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:32.680
 but people started

00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.680
 noticing her wisdom

00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.180
 because of the Holy Spirit

00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.960
 and they would call her

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.880
 into these conflicts

00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:38.400
 and she would pray

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.460
 for the peace of Christ

00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.539
 as she entered in

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.740
 and she would say,

00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:42.059
 Lord,

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.019
 this task

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.720
 is impossible

00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.460
 for me

00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.980
 but not for thee.

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.860
 and again and again

00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.779
 the Lord used her.

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.380
 Third and lastly,

00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.339
 bearing fruit

00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.220
 requires pruning

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:57.360
 and pruning hurts.

00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.279
 In a physical vineyard,

00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.539
 pruning is done

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.559
 for three reasons.

00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:04.539
 To protect against disease,

00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.039
 to allow branches

00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.120
 to bear more fruit

00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:08.940
 and to help produce

00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:10.099
 the greatest quality

00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.980
 of fruit.

00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.579
 And I think this is true

00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:15.140
 for us metaphorically too.

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.680
 I think we tend

00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.579
 to think of pruning

00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.779
 when we read this passage

00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.539
 as like,

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.180
 oh,

00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.940
 these are some

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:23.120
 maybe not great behaviors

00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.680
 that the Lord

00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.819
 is asking me to give up.

00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.700
 And it can be that.

00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.799
 But like I said,

00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:29.940
 in a physical vineyard,

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.839
 it can also mean

00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.860
 pruning good fruit.

00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.019
 It might mean

00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.720
 some good things

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.259
 in our lives

00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.099
 get pruned too

00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:36.940
 because God

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.539
 in his goodness

00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.759
 knows how he wants

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.559
 to use us.

00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.360
 He's a good

00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:42.019
 and loving

00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.940
 vine dresser.

00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:46.440
 And as Jesus

00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.519
 went back to the Father,

00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.500
 as he was resurrected

00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.240
 and ascended

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.160
 back to the Father,

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:52.019
 we are the means

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.480
 that he works through

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.440
 to bear fruit.

00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.840
 And sometimes

00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:57.720
 the pruning feels

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.759
 like a measured process.

00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.100
 It's like a little clip here,

00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:00.980
 a little clip there.

00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:01.900
 You know,

00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.840
 we think it's like

00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:03.680
 kind of gentle,

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.559
 maybe.

00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.500
 And we think

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:06.960
 we're listening

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.000
 to the Lord's invitation.

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.279
 We're approaching work

00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.920
 or relationships

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.820
 or school differently.

00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.859
 And that's true.

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.039
 That's true sometimes.

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.099
 But there's another way

00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.299
 that branches get pruned.

00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:19.000
 And sometimes

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.099
 that's by disaster.

00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.960
 Sometimes that's

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.819
 by a hailstorm,

00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.259
 lightning,

00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:26.299
 drought,

00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:27.339
 storms.

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:31.240
 But an experienced

00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.159
 vine dresser

00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:34.200
 knows how to use

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.899
 those things

00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.559
 for the good

00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.059
 of the vine.

00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:38.519
 And it's the same way

00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.839
 in our lives.

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:42.119
 these big things

00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.779
 that happen.

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.619
 Death,

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.899
 maybe a cancer diagnosis,

00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.799
 betrayal,

00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:50.599
 infertility,

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.500
 unwanted singleness,

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.740
 failed marriage.

00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:57.159
 This is when we want

00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:58.299
 to scream at God, right?

00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:58.859
 We want to say,

00:22:58.959 --> 00:22:59.679
 this isn't pruning.

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.339
 This feels like

00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.279
 an amputation.

00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:05.039
 And friends,

00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:05.940
 I want you to hear me

00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.460
 on this.

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.519
 God does not

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.940
 will suffering

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:11.019
 to happen to you,

00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.740
 but he can wield it

00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:15.059
 for our good

00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.379
 and for his glory.

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.039
 He can wield it

00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.420
 because he's the

00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.460
 master vine dresser,

00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.500
 because he loves us

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.319
 and he's for us.

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.879
 And he wants,

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.859
 he wants people to know

00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.700
 that we're his disciples.

00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:30.279
 He wants to bring

00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.340
 glory to himself.

00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:35.039
 He uses big

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.860
 and small things

00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:36.460
 to refine

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.460
 and strengthen us.

00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.440
 Another way

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.259
 we could think about

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.200
 this kind of pruning

00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.980
 is the concept

00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.100
 of the fiery trial

00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.360
 that Peter writes

00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:45.180
 about in his letters.

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.840
 He writes that

00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.700
 these trials

00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:49.039
 prove the tested

00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.700
 genuineness

00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.420
 of our faith.

00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.019
 More precious

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.860
 than gold

00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.980
 that perishes

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.940
 though it is tested

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.640
 by fire

00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:57.380
 may be found

00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:57.960
 to result

00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.799
 in praise

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.519
 and glory

00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.259
 and honor

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.700
 at the revelation

00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.860
 of Jesus Christ.

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.039
 Again,

00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:05.720
 we want people

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.860
 to see not us

00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.420
 but Jesus.

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.039
 Yet not I

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.880
 but through Christ

00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.259
 and me.

00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.200
 We sing that.

00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.539
 And that happens

00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.740
 through this pruning process.

00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.819
 What I haven't told you yet

00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.759
 about Mary Schlesser

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.759
 was that when she arrived

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.279
 in Nigeria,

00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.240
 she was 28

00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.779
 and she almost

00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.360
 immediately

00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:25.779
 contracted malaria.

00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:27.500
 and she ministered

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:29.099
 with regular bouts

00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.879
 of fever

00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.639
 from malaria

00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.940
 for 40 years.

00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.220
 By the end of her life

00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.460
 she was so weak

00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.720
 that she had to be pushed

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.319
 from village

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:37.940
 to village

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.639
 in a cart.

00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.980
 But she abided

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.579
 in Christ.

00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:43.000
 She continued the work

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.799
 that God had called her

00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.220
 to do.

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.839
 And hundreds

00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.119
 of men

00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:47.619
 and women

00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.160
 and children

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.859
 were saved

00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.299
 physically

00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.119
 and spiritually

00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:51.940
 as she ministered

00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.399
 both in word

00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.000
 and indeed.

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.400
 And I can say

00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.240
 that the hardest things

00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.960
 in my life

00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.680
 and I know probably

00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.360
 a lot of you

00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.800
 resonate with this

00:25:01.800 --> 00:25:02.900
 the times when

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.880
 I have cried out

00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.420
 to the Lord

00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.120
 for mercy

00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.240
 and I have begged

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.720
 for him

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.880
 to make it stop

00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:09.759
 have also been

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.519
 the times

00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:14.160
 when I've learned

00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.120
 what abiding means.

00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.519
 Because those times

00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:17.920
 have a way

00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.940
 of loosening our hold

00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.500
 on the things

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.960
 that we familiarly use.

00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.259
 Right?

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.259
 The familiar means

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.799
 of comfort

00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.599
 and they bring us

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.559
 into deeper places

00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.220
 of oneness

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.900
 with Christ.

00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.839
 When we're weak

00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:31.039
 and we have no choice

00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.680
 but to depend on him

00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:35.839
 weakness is the way.

00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.000
 Philosopher

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.339
 Nicholas Wolterstorff

00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:42.879
 wrote a memoir

00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:45.359
 about his 25 year old son's

00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.079
 death in a mountain

00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.859
 climbing accident.

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.539
 It's called

00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.440
 Lament for a Son.

00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.299
 If you haven't read it

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.140
 it's a beautiful

00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.359
 exploration of grief.

00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.680
 And he writes

00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:55.319
 suffering is the shout

00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.059
 of no

00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:58.119
 by one's whole existence

00:25:58.119 --> 00:26:00.079
 to that over which

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.879
 one suffers.

00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.400
 The shout of no

00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.799
 by nerves

00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.460
 and gut

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.400
 and gland

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.039
 and heart

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.720
 to pain

00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.940
 to death

00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.720
 to injustice

00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.519
 to depression

00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.700
 to hunger

00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.700
 to humiliation

00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.559
 to bondage

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.480
 to abandonment.

00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:16.680
 and sometimes

00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.339
 when the cry

00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.160
 is intense

00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:20.920
 there emerges

00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.700
 a radiance

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.500
 which elsewhere

00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.700
 seldom appears.

00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.140
 A glow

00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:26.039
 of courage

00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.440
 of love

00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.940
 of insight

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:30.539
 of selflessness

00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.339
 of faith.

00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:34.000
 And in that radiance

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.559
 we see best

00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.319
 what humanity

00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.360
 was meant to be.

00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:40.379
 This radiance

00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.439
 is what it means

00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:42.159
 to bear fruit

00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:43.079
 for God's kingdom.

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.659
 It means to be

00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.139
 the person

00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.959
 he created you

00:26:45.959 --> 00:26:46.439
 to be

00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:47.279
 to be

00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.000
 his disciple

00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.419
 to be radiant

00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:49.359
!

00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.719
 with his glory

00:26:50.719 --> 00:26:52.799
 and to know

00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.740
 the completeness

00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.559
 of his joy

00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:56.039
 as Jesus says

00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.799
 in verse 11.

00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.479
 Let's bring this

00:27:00.479 --> 00:27:01.099
 to a close

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.879
 with three final

00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.399
 thoughts.

00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:06.200
 If you're hearing

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.700
 this

00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.600
 and you're realizing

00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:09.240
 I'm actually

00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.019
 not connected

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.620
 to Jesus

00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:12.600
 I've never been

00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.820
 grafted into the vine

00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:15.519
 but I want to be

00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:17.380
 you can pray

00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:17.960
 right where you're

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.280
 sitting

00:27:18.280 --> 00:27:19.820
 Lord Jesus

00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:21.380
 I turn my life

00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:22.100
 over to you

00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:24.160
 please graft me in

00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.420
 would you come

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.240
 abide in me

00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:28.200
 help me abide

00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:28.680
 in you

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:31.400
 and if you do this

00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:31.759
 or if you have

00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.220
 questions

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.799
 about it

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:34.079
 Pastor Thomas

00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.779
 and I would love

00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.240
 love love

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.000
 to talk to you

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.839
 after this service.

00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.660
 If you have

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:40.319
 already received

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.720
 Christ

00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.579
 if you're grafted

00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.240
 into the vine

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.799
 what would it

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.220
 look like

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.700
 for you to

00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.299
 abide more

00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:45.640
 deeply

00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.420
 in him?

00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:47.759
 Remember

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.480
 abiding is a

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.940
 posture

00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.019
 it's an orientation

00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:52.180
 it's a participation

00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:53.559
 in the life

00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.160
 of Christ

00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.279
 it's not

00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.059
 checking boxes

00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:59.220
 and like I said

00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.620
 I gave you

00:27:59.620 --> 00:27:59.940
 a couple

00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.799
 things about

00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.039
 the book

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.420
 of common

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:01.799
 prayer

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:01.859
 prayer

00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.659
 and I just

00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:02.940
 want to

00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.559
 reemphasize

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.359
 the Eucharist

00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:05.180
 I want to

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.819
 reemphasize

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.519
 coming and

00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.279
 receiving the

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.839
 life of the

00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.519
 Lord at his

00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.899
 table

00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:10.019
 that's abiding

00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:13.139
 it looks like

00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.240
 patterning our

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.859
 lives after

00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.220
 Jesus

00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.879
 remember he

00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.339
 showed us

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.720
 how to do

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.139
 this

00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:19.619
 and y'all

00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.379
 it looks like

00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.659
 praying audacious

00:28:21.659 --> 00:28:22.259
 prayers

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.440
 because

00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:25.359
 in verse 7

00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:26.139
 Jesus says

00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:26.960
 if you abide

00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.539
 in me

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.440
 and my

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:28.700
 words

00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.059
 abide

00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.500
 in you

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.279
 ask

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.680
 whatever

00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:30.920
 you

00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.180
 wish

00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.379
 and it

00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:31.460
 will

00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:31.579
 be

00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:31.740
 done

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.240
 for you

00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:34.019
 so that

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.339
 means we

00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:34.740
 can know

00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.119
 the heart

00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:35.519
 and mind

00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.119
 of Christ

00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:36.440
 as we

00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:36.920
 abide in

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.200
 him

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.619
 so that

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:38.980
 means we

00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.680
 ask what

00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.180
 do you want

00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.539
 me to pray

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:40.779
 for

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.099
 Lord

00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.359
 what do

00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:42.879
 you see

00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.839
 and then we

00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.579
 pray in agreement

00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.139
 with him

00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:47.319
 no matter how

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.079
 big and

00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.839
 unlikely the

00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:49.480
 request might

00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:49.859
 seem

00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:51.259
 remember

00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.619
 what's

00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.059
 impossible

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.659
 for me

00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:53.779
 is not

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.299
 impossible

00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.899
 for thee

00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:58.159
 and when

00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:58.819
 we abide

00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.500
 in Christ

00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.679
 a natural

00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.259
 result

00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.039
 is that we

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.639
 more easily

00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.139
 and naturally

00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:03.699
 abide with

00:29:03.699 --> 00:29:04.099
 others

00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:05.679
 ask the

00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:05.919
 Lord

00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.399
 as part

00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:06.679
 of this

00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:07.099
 audacious

00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.599
 prayer

00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.979
 as you

00:29:08.979 --> 00:29:09.479
 abide in

00:29:09.479 --> 00:29:09.740
 me

00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.240
 and I

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.699
 in you

00:29:10.699 --> 00:29:12.099
 who are

00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.619
 you calling

00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:12.959
 me

00:29:12.959 --> 00:29:13.619
 to abide

00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.000
 with

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:17.979
 lastly

00:29:17.979 --> 00:29:18.359
 if you're

00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.879
 in a season

00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:19.459
 of pruning

00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.920
 consider

00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.940
 what if

00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.380
 the hardest

00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:23.860
 thing

00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.259
 in your

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.700
 life

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.140
 is the

00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.440
 thing

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.000
 that God

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.700
 could use

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:28.059
 to produce

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.539
 the most

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.100
 fruit for

00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.620
 his kingdom

00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:31.600
 and friends

00:29:31.600 --> 00:29:32.019
 I'm not

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.519
 saying this

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.840
 lightly

00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:34.380
 I know

00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:34.779
 that some

00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.039
 of you

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.360
 guys

00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:36.460
 are being

00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.140
 really

00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.579
 pruned

00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:37.940
 and it

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.799
 hurts

00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.259
 and it's

00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.680
 hard

00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:41.079
 I know

00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:42.319
 and Jesus

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.880
 knows

00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:45.440
 if you're

00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:45.860
 suffering

00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:47.100
 know that

00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.840
 Jesus sees

00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.140
 you

00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.319
 he

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.720
 loves

00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.059
 you

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.759
 he

00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.179
 suffers

00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:52.480
 with

00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:52.759
 you

00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:54.480
 that he

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:54.859
 suffered

00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.240
 for

00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:55.579
 you

00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:58.200
 but also

00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.919
 know this

00:29:58.919 --> 00:30:00.639
 that suffering

00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:01.299
 with him

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.839
 and for him

00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.679
 is also a

00:30:03.679 --> 00:30:04.079
 part of

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.500
 abiding

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:06.440
 and that as

00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:06.980
 we share

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.380
 in his

00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:07.759
 suffering

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.700
 we also

00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.119
 share

00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.519
 in his

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:10.900
 joy

00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:13.319
 his true

00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.119
 complete

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:15.339
 and lasting

00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:15.779
 joy

00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:18.039
 abide in

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.319
 him

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.400
 friends

00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:25.220
 let's pray

00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.220


00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:40.800
 lord thank you

00:30:40.800 --> 00:30:41.680
 that we are

00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.320
 connected to

00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:42.620
 you

00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:44.019
 that you

00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.300
 are the

00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:44.700
 vine

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.540
 and that we

00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:45.780
 are the

00:30:45.780 --> 00:30:46.160
 branches

00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:50.820
 would our

00:30:50.820 --> 00:30:51.500
 posture be

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:51.860
 one

00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:53.500
 of joyful

00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.019
 submission

00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.700
 to you

00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:57.840
 thank you

00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.180
 that you

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.880
 are always

00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.420
 working

00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:01.600
 for our

00:31:01.600 --> 00:31:01.960
 good

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.900
 and for

00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.580
 your glory

00:31:03.580 --> 00:31:05.660
 lord thank you

00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.000
 that you

00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.660
 are mighty

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:08.380
 that you

00:31:08.380 --> 00:31:08.860
 are good

00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:09.500
 and that you

00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.340
 are powerful

00:31:10.340 --> 00:31:11.000
 and that you

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.840
 can do more

00:31:11.840 --> 00:31:12.500
 than we can

00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.440
 ask or think

00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.140
 or imagine

00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:19.059
 we love

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.380
 you

00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:22.960
 and if

00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:23.160
 there's

00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.440
 anybody

00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:23.960
 here

00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.019
 who does

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.340
 not

00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:25.759
 personally

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.400
 know you

00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.559
 lord I

00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.140
 pray that

00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:28.380
 you would

00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.100
 reveal yourself

00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:29.519
 to these

00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:29.880
 people

00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:32.620
 that they

00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.200
 would receive

00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:33.519
 you

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:35.220
 that they

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.660
 would trust

00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.259
 you with

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.799
 their lives

00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:40.599
 we pray

00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:41.099
 these things

00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.399
 in the name

00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:41.639
 of the

00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:41.960
 father

00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.500
 and the

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:42.740
 son

00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.059
 and the

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.220
 holy

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.680
 spirit

00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.859
 amen