WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:06.640 The reading today is taken from John chapter 15 verses 1 to 17. 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:12.220 I am the true vine and my father is the vine dresser. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:17.080 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away. 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:23.420 And every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:28.760 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:32.179 Abide in me and I in you. 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:37.920 As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:41.540 neither can you unless you abide in me. 00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:45.799 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:52.920 Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. 00:00:53.540 --> 00:00:56.299 For apart from me you can do nothing. 00:00:56.299 --> 00:01:03.759 If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers. 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:08.640 And the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:13.900 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:18.359 ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. 00:01:19.880 --> 00:01:27.180 By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 00:01:28.600 --> 00:01:32.780 As the father has loved me, so have I loved you. 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:34.960 Abide in my love. 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:39.639 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, 00:01:39.919 --> 00:01:44.139 just as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love. 00:01:45.099 --> 00:01:49.719 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, 00:01:50.119 --> 00:01:52.079 and that your joy may be full. 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:59.359 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:05.819 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:09.800 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:12.800 No longer do I call you servants, 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:16.120 for the servant does not know what his master is doing. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.659 But I have called you friends, 00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:23.180 for all that I have heard from my father I have made known to you. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:27.360 You did not choose me, but I chose you, 00:02:27.700 --> 00:02:28.879 and appointed you, 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:31.300 that you should go and bear fruit, 00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:33.560 and that your fruit should abide, 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:36.900 so that whatever you ask the father in my name, 00:02:37.439 --> 00:02:38.620 he may give it to you. 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:41.439 These things I command you, 00:02:41.860 --> 00:02:43.939 so that you will love one another. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:45.360 This is God's word. 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:47.120 Thank you. 00:02:50.259 --> 00:02:51.300 Thanks, Kev. 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:53.939 Thank you. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:55.800 Okay. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:57.640 Good morning, Watermark. 00:02:58.180 --> 00:02:58.800 Good morning. 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:01.480 My name is Dan, if you don't know me. 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:04.540 I serve as an elder here at Watermark Church, 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:07.819 and today is my first ever sermon. 00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:14.759 Thank you. 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:16.120 For a long time now, 00:03:16.179 --> 00:03:18.840 I've been able to evade the clutches of Kevin and Niels, 00:03:19.340 --> 00:03:22.179 under the pretext of work and other commitments, 00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:24.479 but I'm actually on a sabbatical at the moment, 00:03:24.579 --> 00:03:27.079 so that was a harder story to sell this time around. 00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:31.740 You may have heard this passage spoken previously at Watermark as well, 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:32.580 more than once. 00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:35.420 Whether you're a Christian or not, 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:37.860 this message is for you today. 00:03:38.640 --> 00:03:41.700 It gives us God's very wisdom for a fruitful life, 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:43.000 for the good life. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:46.120 It is worth repeating over and over, 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:47.939 and so we'll look at it again today. 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:50.139 It is such an honor, 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:52.340 and it's so humbling as I look out over this community 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:55.240 who's had such a big impact in my life over so many years, 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:57.879 to be able to bring God's word to us today. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:03.280 As we prepare to take a deeper look at today's passage, 00:04:03.799 --> 00:04:05.159 I wonder if you've ever had, 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:06.139 or currently have, 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:08.319 a mentor, 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:11.419 or someone in your life that you really look up to. 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:13.120 It could be a parent, 00:04:13.299 --> 00:04:13.780 or a mentor, 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:14.599 or a friend, 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.659 someone with whom you've had a deeply personal relationship with, 00:04:19.659 --> 00:04:21.639 someone you turn to whenever you're in need, 00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:23.500 whether that be for advice, 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:24.240 perspective, 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:25.159 comfort, 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:25.980 and other things. 00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:28.780 Or maybe you are that parent, 00:04:28.880 --> 00:04:29.340 or mentor, 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:30.360 for someone else, 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:31.900 that you really care deeply about. 00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:34.120 Think of that person. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:37.700 Now let's take it a step further, 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:39.840 and apologies if this is hard for some people, 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.700 but I want you to picture yourself with that person, 00:04:43.340 --> 00:04:44.320 and for whatever reason, 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:45.900 you'll never see them in the flesh again. 00:04:47.080 --> 00:04:48.760 And the words they share with you, 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:50.840 or the words you share with them, 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:54.660 will be the last words that are shared face to face. 00:04:55.939 --> 00:04:58.700 I actually had that experience last year with a mentor of mine. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:03.320 These are the kind of words that hold great weight in our life. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:04.720 We want remembered, 00:05:05.640 --> 00:05:06.500 written down even, 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:09.240 held onto in the future ups and downs of life. 00:05:10.780 --> 00:05:13.300 That's the scene we find ourselves in today's passage. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:13.980 Jesus, 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:14.879 Jesus, 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:16.360 the very Son of God, 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:18.699 is having supper with His disciples, 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:19.699 His students, 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:21.800 for the Jewish feast of the Passover. 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:24.560 Jesus is their rabbi, 00:05:24.900 --> 00:05:25.480 their teacher, 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:28.560 and the disciples have spent all their time with Him, 00:05:29.060 --> 00:05:29.460 living, 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:30.360 learning, 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:31.139 traveling, 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:32.259 participating. 00:05:33.220 --> 00:05:34.060 Among other things, 00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:36.699 they have heard Jesus make enormous claims about Himself, 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.139 being equal to God, 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:39.979 and they've seen Him back it up, 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:41.560 by doing many miraculous signs, 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:42.560 that no one else could do. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:46.060 The disciples had given up, 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:46.979 the last years, 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:49.419 the last couple of years of their lives, 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:51.120 and their livelihoods, 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.139 in order to do this, 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:52.759 to follow Him. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:56.120 If there was ever a significant person, 00:05:56.259 --> 00:05:57.180 in anyone's life, 00:05:57.860 --> 00:05:58.860 it would have been Jesus, 00:05:58.980 --> 00:05:59.659 to His disciples. 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:02.199 Jesus knows, 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:03.860 He is not going to be with His disciples, 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:04.500 much longer. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:06.620 He is preparing them, 00:06:07.019 --> 00:06:08.639 for when He will no longer be with them. 00:06:09.719 --> 00:06:10.439 And these words, 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:11.399 that we're looking at today, 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:12.899 are some of the final words, 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:13.980 that He will share with them, 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:15.939 and in many ways to us. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.879 What is Jesus actually urging, 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:20.199 His disciples to do, 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:21.839 in this most important conversation? 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:23.379 And why? 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:24.360 And how? 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:27.319 And how does that relate to us today? 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:30.279 As we dive into the text, 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:32.360 let me pray for us in that first. 00:06:36.779 --> 00:06:37.759 Father, we want, 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:40.099 Your name to be glorified today. 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:41.939 We want to encounter You, 00:06:42.379 --> 00:06:43.339 and Your Son Jesus, 00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:45.279 in a personal and a powerful way. 00:06:46.099 --> 00:06:47.279 I pray that Your Holy Spirit, 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:48.079 would be at work, 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:49.959 through my words, 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:51.579 in the hearts of everyone here today, 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:52.699 that we would be able to see, 00:06:52.800 --> 00:06:53.599 the glory of Jesus, 00:06:54.060 --> 00:06:54.759 the true vine, 00:06:55.099 --> 00:06:56.240 and what it means to bear fruit, 00:06:56.339 --> 00:06:56.879 in our lives. 00:06:57.759 --> 00:06:58.039 Amen. 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:03.019 There are two main, 00:07:03.099 --> 00:07:04.300 interlinked ideas here, 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:05.599 that provide the focus, 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:06.599 of Jesus' words. 00:07:07.539 --> 00:07:07.939 Remaining, 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:09.479 and bearing fruit. 00:07:10.599 --> 00:07:11.860 Jesus wants His disciples, 00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:12.879 to remain in Him, 00:07:13.419 --> 00:07:14.039 so that, 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:15.159 they will bear fruit. 00:07:15.160 --> 00:07:17.600 Verse 4 says, 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:18.880 Remain in me, 00:07:19.200 --> 00:07:20.500 as I remain in you, 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:22.140 as I also remain in you. 00:07:22.960 --> 00:07:24.200 What does this mean exactly? 00:07:25.080 --> 00:07:26.580 The original Greek word, 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:27.140 for remain, 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:28.440 is mena, 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:29.480 or mina, 00:07:29.640 --> 00:07:30.180 I'm not quite sure, 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:30.960 how to pronounce it. 00:07:31.760 --> 00:07:32.560 And the translation, 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:33.680 is quite literal, 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:35.040 as we might understand it, 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:35.520 in English. 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:37.440 Other similar words, 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:38.020 could be, 00:07:38.340 --> 00:07:38.820 abide, 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:40.040 await, 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:41.220 continue, 00:07:41.900 --> 00:07:42.400 endure, 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:43.280 stay. 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:45.139 It is a verb, 00:07:45.559 --> 00:07:46.759 which means a doing word, 00:07:47.299 --> 00:07:48.000 which implies, 00:07:48.139 --> 00:07:48.839 there is an action, 00:07:49.039 --> 00:07:50.000 or an effort involved. 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:52.419 We are to make effort, 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:53.719 to maintain a vital, 00:07:54.059 --> 00:07:54.479 active, 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:55.479 constant connection, 00:07:55.599 --> 00:07:56.000 with Jesus. 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.579 It is a picture of love, 00:07:58.739 --> 00:07:59.319 of trust, 00:07:59.419 --> 00:07:59.939 of obedience. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:02.239 We need to be connected, 00:08:02.359 --> 00:08:02.919 with Christ. 00:08:03.299 --> 00:08:04.199 This is what it remains, 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.259 this is what it means, 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:06.079 to remain in Jesus. 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:08.000 We are not, 00:08:08.159 --> 00:08:09.019 first and foremost, 00:08:09.239 --> 00:08:09.919 to make effort, 00:08:10.039 --> 00:08:11.459 to do the right Christian things, 00:08:12.099 --> 00:08:13.000 like live honestly, 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:14.359 work diligently, 00:08:15.039 --> 00:08:15.859 give to charity. 00:08:16.719 --> 00:08:17.359 Though these are, 00:08:17.559 --> 00:08:18.179 really good things. 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:20.319 We are first and foremost, 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:21.439 to make effort, 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:22.559 to remain in Jesus. 00:08:23.059 --> 00:08:24.219 We need to be connected, 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:24.839 to Christ. 00:08:26.059 --> 00:08:27.379 Let me just take a quick, 00:08:27.459 --> 00:08:28.559 but important detour, 00:08:28.919 --> 00:08:30.019 before we go any further. 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:32.299 I've just spoken about, 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:32.879 the effort, 00:08:33.339 --> 00:08:34.799 involved in remaining in Jesus. 00:08:36.339 --> 00:08:37.259 The first thing, 00:08:37.459 --> 00:08:39.159 we may be thinking here, 00:08:39.199 --> 00:08:39.740 in Hong Kong, 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:40.679 is great. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:41.980 Another message, 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:43.039 with a bunch of things, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:43.899 that I have to do. 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:45.399 I've already got, 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.300 so much to do. 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:48.659 But let's look at verse 3, 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:50.180 if you have the, 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:51.519 the passage in front of you. 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:53.039 Verse 3 says, 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:54.860 you are already clean, 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:55.899 because of the word, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:56.980 I have spoken to you. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:08:59.779 You see what Jesus, 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:00.420 is saying here? 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:01.680 The disciples, 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:02.879 are already clean, 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.500 because of his words. 00:09:04.899 --> 00:09:05.580 Because they have, 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:06.379 trusted in him, 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:07.440 and in his teaching. 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:09.340 For us as Christians, 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:10.440 as we'll see later, 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:12.580 Jesus is also the word. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:14.460 And he has made us, 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.300 who trust in him, 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:16.040 clean, 00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:16.800 through his death, 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:17.379 and resurrection. 00:09:18.800 --> 00:09:19.860 Everything we do, 00:09:19.940 --> 00:09:21.100 is merely a response, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:21.720 to what Jesus, 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:22.940 has already done for us. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.879 This is what allows us, 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:25.680 to remain in Jesus, 00:09:25.800 --> 00:09:26.440 to start with. 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.700 So today's message, 00:09:28.780 --> 00:09:29.480 is not a message, 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:30.460 of having to do, 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:31.320 a bunch of things, 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:32.800 having to earn anything, 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:33.720 through our own efforts. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:35.180 This is a message, 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:35.920 of rest, 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:36.879 of respite, 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.019 of peace, 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:38.899 in an otherwise, 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:39.779 chaotic world. 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:40.960 Remain, 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:41.799 in Jesus. 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:43.439 Got it? 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.100 Alright. 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:45.120 Thanks for listening, 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:45.580 to the sermon. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:48.039 Of course, 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:48.860 that's not it. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.340 The next question, 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:50.919 from here, 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:51.480 has to be, 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:51.820 why? 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:53.460 Why is remaining, 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:54.080 so important? 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:55.000 Why is Jesus, 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:56.080 urging his disciples, 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.439 to remain in him? 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.320 And why do we need, 00:09:58.399 --> 00:09:59.179 to hear it again today? 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:01.100 Maybe, 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:01.919 we've been a Christian, 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:02.419 for a while, 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:03.240 and we have an idea, 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:03.960 of what it means, 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:04.799 to remain already. 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:06.200 But to be honest, 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:07.000 it's just hard, 00:10:07.140 --> 00:10:08.520 in 2024 Hong Kong, 00:10:08.900 --> 00:10:09.879 with all it's competing, 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:10.379 pressures, 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:11.280 and struggles, 00:10:11.560 --> 00:10:12.240 responsibilities, 00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:13.320 expectations. 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.100 You're tired, 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:16.660 and you're just not feeling it. 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.280 Why do we need, 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:18.759 to do it? 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:20.640 Well the answer, 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.000 is fruitfulness, 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:23.900 and revealing God, 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:24.800 through that fruitfulness. 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:27.300 God's chosen method, 00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:28.379 of revealing himself, 00:10:28.560 --> 00:10:29.080 to the world, 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.420 has always been, 00:10:30.420 --> 00:10:31.160 through his people. 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:32.560 And his desire, 00:10:32.560 --> 00:10:33.360 for his people, 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:34.520 has always, 00:10:34.520 --> 00:10:35.360 been fruitfulness. 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.360 Remain in Jesus, 00:10:38.680 --> 00:10:39.759 so that we bear fruit. 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:41.020 You may get sick, 00:10:41.040 --> 00:10:41.580 of that statement, 00:10:41.660 --> 00:10:43.580 by the end of the sermon, 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:44.780 I'll be repeating that a lot. 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.920 As we'll see later on, 00:10:47.140 --> 00:10:47.980 this fruitfulness, 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:51.060 is a deeply attractive picture, 00:10:51.400 --> 00:10:52.160 of a life, 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:53.320 able to flourish, 00:10:53.540 --> 00:10:55.200 in the midst of all circumstances. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:57.340 Even 2024 Hong Kong. 00:10:58.200 --> 00:10:59.240 Right from the start, 00:10:59.320 --> 00:10:59.960 in verse 1, 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:00.580 Jesus says, 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:02.160 I am the true vine, 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.320 and my father, 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:04.140 is the gardener. 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:06.500 This particular statement, 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:07.639 has a powerful link, 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:08.679 back to the Old Testament. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:10.259 In the Old Testament, 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:11.759 the picture of the vineyard, 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:13.240 was used to symbolize, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.179 the nation of Israel. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.980 God's chosen covenant people, 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:18.580 who were to bear fruit. 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.659 Isaiah chapter 5, 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:21.419 illustrates this, 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.159 in some detail. 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:23.899 I'll be reading the text, 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:24.279 in yellow. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.460 My loved one, 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:27.259 had a vineyard, 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:28.659 on a fertile hillside. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.360 He dug it up, 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:31.819 cleared it of stones, 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.900 and planted it, 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:34.080 with the choicest vines. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.820 What more, 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:36.700 could have been done, 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:37.540 for my vineyard, 00:11:37.640 --> 00:11:38.660 than I have done for it? 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:39.480 This is God speaking. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.960 When I looked for good grapes, 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:43.820 why did it only yield bad? 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:46.240 Now I will tell you, 00:11:46.280 --> 00:11:47.120 what I am going to do, 00:11:47.180 --> 00:11:47.720 to my vineyard. 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:49.740 I will take away its hedge, 00:11:50.060 --> 00:11:51.080 and it will be destroyed. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:52.879 The vineyard, 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:53.920 of the Lord Almighty, 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:55.460 is the nation of Israel, 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.080 and the people of Judah, 00:11:57.540 --> 00:11:58.300 are the vines, 00:11:58.440 --> 00:11:59.240 he delighted in. 00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:01.039 You see, 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:01.779 God's intention, 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:02.820 was that the Israelites, 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:03.820 his vineyard, 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:05.759 by their remaining in God, 00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:07.139 would in turn, 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:08.139 bear good fruit. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:09.759 However, 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.659 as we may know, 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:11.820 the Israelites, 00:12:12.060 --> 00:12:12.940 did not remain in God. 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:14.180 They responded, 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:15.039 in unfaithfulness, 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.379 in abandonment, 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.399 of God and his commands. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:18.960 And because of this, 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.639 they yielded bad fruit, 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.120 and judgment ensued. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.299 Jesus, 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.039 by saying, 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:27.320 he is the true vine, 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:28.600 is claiming, 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:30.100 that unlike the Israelites, 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:32.300 he was the only person, 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:33.800 who perfectly remained in God. 00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:35.240 Therefore, 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.200 for his disciples, 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.120 and us, 00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:39.700 it is only by remaining in Jesus, 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:41.040 that we can bear, 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:41.780 good fruit. 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.879 That we can enjoy a life, 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:46.300 characterized by fruitfulness. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:48.480 Now, 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:49.660 it should also be noted, 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.820 that in verse 5, 00:12:51.780 --> 00:12:53.700 what is also said in verse 5, 00:12:53.780 --> 00:12:54.240 is quote, 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.700 apart from me, 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:56.900 you can do nothing. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:12:59.480 Jesus is making, 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.920 an exclusive statement here, 00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:03.040 about himself. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.740 If we desire, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.759 a truly fruitful life, 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:08.520 the only way, 00:13:08.640 --> 00:13:09.700 to experience that, 00:13:10.040 --> 00:13:11.240 is through remaining in Jesus. 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:13.980 And guess what? 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.120 We will experience, 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.620 ever increasing fruitfulness. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.120 Verse 2 says, 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:19.540 God the Father will prune us, 00:13:19.900 --> 00:13:20.840 so that we bear, 00:13:20.900 --> 00:13:21.580 even more fruit. 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:23.740 And even further, 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:25.840 this increasing fruitfulness, 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.520 is what God uses, 00:13:27.660 --> 00:13:29.160 to reveal himself to others, 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.720 and to bring himself glory. 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.639 This is what we see, 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.540 in today's passage. 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:35.200 Verse 8 says, 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.660 this is to my Father's glory, 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:39.460 that you bear much fruit, 00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:40.660 showing yourselves, 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.580 to be my disciples. 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:45.340 What is this fruit, 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:46.020 exactly? 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.520 Be useful to know that. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:49.819 Well, 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.620 the passage touches, 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.659 on two types of fruit. 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:55.000 The first type, 00:13:55.079 --> 00:13:56.759 we see in the first set of verses, 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.779 in verses 2, 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.259 4, 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:58.699 5, 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.159 and 8. 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:01.539 It is a direct result, 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:03.139 of the individual branches, 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:03.860 or disciples, 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:05.179 remaining in the vine. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.299 Jesus here, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.299 is not talking only, 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:09.480 about specific things, 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:10.939 like fruits of the Spirit. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:11.720 Although, 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:12.620 it would include that. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.559 It is more than that. 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:16.000 It is the godly, 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:17.179 it is the output, 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:18.699 of a godly character, 00:14:18.959 --> 00:14:19.479 in life, 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.959 over a long period of time. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.000 He is not promising, 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.159 that life will suddenly, 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.039 become easy. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:27.459 That we will experience, 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.979 financial prosperity, 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.699 or relational peace, 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.299 or even good health, 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.500 and the like. 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:35.459 But he is promising, 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:37.059 a holistic picture, 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:37.859 of our lives, 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.899 that more and more, 00:14:39.979 --> 00:14:40.459 reflects, 00:14:40.619 --> 00:14:41.779 a deep life-giving, 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.879 relationship with Jesus. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.759 In all circumstances, 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.100 even for us, 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:47.439 in 2024 Hong Kong. 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.779 To give an illustration, 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:51.320 of this, 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:53.080 I think of a time, 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:53.840 in my old CG. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.379 We had, 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:57.100 two members in our CG, 00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.000 and they had recently, 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:59.419 been made redundant. 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:00.279 Their companies, 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.080 were restructuring, 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.419 they were let go. 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.860 Both of these, 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.279 people were well tenured, 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:07.980 in their careers, 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.159 so they couldn't easily, 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:09.700 just bounce, 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.539 to another job. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.539 Both had significant, 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:13.839 financial responsibilities, 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.699 to their families. 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.279 The first, 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:21.000 the first member, 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.299 sorry, 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:23.120 was very negatively impacted. 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.719 Their attendance, 00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:26.099 became even more sporadic. 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:28.059 Their social media posts, 00:15:28.099 --> 00:15:28.939 became more desperate. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.139 Their awareness, 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:32.559 or concern for anything, 00:15:32.719 --> 00:15:33.759 apart from their own, 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.439 predicament, 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.120 and situation, 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.099 completely disappeared. 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:38.820 The second member, 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.420 on the other hand, 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.100 was so different. 00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:41.860 I still vividly, 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.500 remember them, 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.659 sharing in our CG. 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:47.340 I can still, 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:48.620 hear how the situation, 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.860 was a real struggle. 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.720 But instead of, 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.840 feelings of despair, 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:54.159 and hopelessness, 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:54.680 dominating, 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:57.000 there was, 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:58.360 what I heard, 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:58.980 and saw, 00:15:59.399 --> 00:15:59.840 was someone, 00:15:59.920 --> 00:16:00.580 who still had, 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.779 an obvious contentment, 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.399 and joy, 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.300 in the midst, 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.099 of the situation. 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.519 The person, 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.459 was still giving glory, 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:06.899 to God. 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.740 They were growing, 00:16:08.859 --> 00:16:09.719 in godly character, 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.059 flourishing even. 00:16:12.079 --> 00:16:13.199 It was so inspiring, 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.279 to see God at work. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.279 Now while these situations, 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.399 are never black and white, 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.559 or apples to apples, 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:20.819 and it's ultimately, 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:21.939 not for us to judge, 00:16:23.099 --> 00:16:23.719 who do you think, 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.699 was more obviously, 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.919 bearing the good fruit, 00:16:26.599 --> 00:16:27.099 indicating, 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.000 remaining in Jesus? 00:16:28.979 --> 00:16:29.979 The second member, 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:30.479 of course. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:33.100 It doesn't have to be, 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.000 about huge, 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:34.580 amazing, 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.740 miraculous displays, 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.320 of fruitfulness. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.000 It can just be, 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.860 trusting in God, 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:40.159 when you don't have a job. 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.220 Some of you, 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.000 may now be asking, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.259 what if there is, 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.080 a lack of fruitfulness, 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:46.720 in my life? 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.620 What if that picture, 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.460 of the second member, 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.680 is not really, 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.240 what I see, 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.180 at the moment? 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.120 After all, 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.659 verse 6, 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.539 is a strong warning, 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.340 that fruitfulness, 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.200 renders us, 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:58.259 like, 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.080 a quote, 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.180 like a branch, 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.359 that is thrown away, 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:02.079 and withers. 00:17:02.699 --> 00:17:03.559 Such branches, 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.440 are picked up, 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.859 thrown into the fire, 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.859 and burned. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:09.419 There is a real seriousness, 00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:10.319 here that we need, 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.159 to take note of. 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:14.279 The context, 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:14.819 of the passage, 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:16.099 makes it clear, 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.440 that this warning, 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.220 is leveled, 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.859 towards people, 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.440 who think, 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.259 they are Christians, 00:17:20.919 --> 00:17:21.519 but perhaps, 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.279 never have been. 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.099 That might be, 00:17:24.179 --> 00:17:24.879 a little bit confusing, 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.700 let me unpack that, 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.619 a little bit for us. 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.119 The ultimate example, 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:29.480 of that, 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:29.860 would have been, 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.880 the disciple Judas. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:33.079 By all accounts, 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.279 to onlookers, 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.279 as one of the 12 disciples, 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.099 living and learning, 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.059 from Jesus, 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.900 Judas may have looked, 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.860 like a model Christian. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.279 But as we eventually see, 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.660 he never was. 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:47.400 The fruit of his life, 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:49.099 ultimately testified to that. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.519 For a relatively, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.500 meager payout, 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.680 Judas would betray Jesus, 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.960 over to the authorities, 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:57.039 and to death. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.819 It is possible, 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:01.059 that there are people here, 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.480 or that we know of, 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.340 that look like Christians. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:06.000 They appear, 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:07.400 to be doing the right things, 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.779 attending church, 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.720 and other activities. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.340 But they have, 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.660 a consistent lack, 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:14.100 of any godly fruit, 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.819 in their lives, 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.319 over a long period of time. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:18.759 I'm not making, 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.019 a black and white statement here. 00:18:20.419 --> 00:18:21.519 It is not for us, 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.720 to ultimately judge. 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.859 God is the judge. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.960 But we can't escape the test, 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.159 and the consequences, 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.339 are really serious. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.359 Are we warning ourselves, 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.099 and others, 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.159 when we see this pattern, 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.919 in our lives, 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.000 in other people's lives? 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:37.659 Do we really love them that way? 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.819 To also be clear, 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:42.279 this is absolutely, 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.799 not directed at Christians, 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.919 who know, 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.659 and realize, 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.500 they are going through, 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.960 dry periods in their faith. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.679 And there is a struggle there. 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.399 Or those who are, 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.419 genuinely struggling, 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.419 or have doubts, 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.240 in their faith. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.079 Jesus loves you. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.679 He is urging you, 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.879 with outstretched arms, 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.859 to remain in him, 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.179 the true vine. 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.399 He does not pick up, 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:04.720 and throw away people like that. 00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:08.259 That's the first type of fruit. 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:10.599 The second type of fruit, 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.579 is seen later on, 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.500 in verse 16, 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.379 which says, 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:15.160 you did not choose me, 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.500 but I chose you, 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.440 and appointed you, 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.799 so that you might go, 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.599 and bear fruit, 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.000 fruit that will last. 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.740 Jesus says, 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.420 that he chose, 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.660 and appointed his disciples, 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.119 so that they would go, 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.259 and bear fruit, 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.579 fruit that would last. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.299 Jesus here, 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:31.480 is talking about mission, 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.539 and evangelism. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.000 Specifically, 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.519 this new fruit, 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.140 this fruit, 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.099 is new Christians, 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.079 who result from, 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:38.839 sharing the gospel, 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.439 with others. 00:19:40.699 --> 00:19:41.460 After all, 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.179 this is part of, 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.819 what the disciples, 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.639 were to go and do, 00:19:43.699 --> 00:19:44.699 once Jesus was gone. 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:47.299 If we are also, 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.379 disciples of Jesus, 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.079 we cannot escape, 00:19:50.199 --> 00:19:51.299 this call on our lives, 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.480 to go and share, 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.419 the gospel with others. 00:19:54.199 --> 00:19:54.919 You'll notice, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.099 that Jesus is not, 00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:56.859 promising here, 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.859 that when we do this, 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.460 new Christians will result, 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:02.000 but we can step, 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.759 into this calling, 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.619 and we must step, 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.319 into this calling, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.599 knowing that he, 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.460 the true vine, 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.220 is with us, 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.699 the branches, 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.039 every step of the way. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.639 You may now be, 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.519 also be thinking, 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:16.839 this is all well, 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.519 good in theory, 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:17.819 Dan, 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:19.099 remain in Jesus, 00:20:19.439 --> 00:20:19.980 bear fruit, 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.879 but how can we, 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.599 remain in Jesus? 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.319 How can we maintain, 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.179 this vital connection, 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:25.659 with it? 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.799 What does it look like? 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:27.599 How can we apply, 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.519 this to our lives? 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.139 There are many, 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.839 many ways, 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.859 that we can do this. 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.879 One of those ways, 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:37.079 is the Holy Spirit. 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.259 Jesus talks about that, 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.919 before and after this passage. 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:41.839 And it, 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.839 and the Holy Spirit, 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:44.159 is actually what enables us, 00:20:44.219 --> 00:20:44.939 to do these things, 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.559 that I'm going to, 00:20:45.659 --> 00:20:47.240 talk about it now. 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.599 But we are going to look, 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.559 at three main ways, 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.659 from the passage today. 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.719 Remain in word, 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.359 remain in prayer, 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:56.959 remain in love, 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.799 remain in word. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:01.960 In verse seven, 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.440 we see that for the disciples, 00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:03.879 again, 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:05.619 part of remaining in Jesus, 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.960 involves having his words, 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.599 remain in them. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.419 If you remain in me, 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:11.480 and my words remain in you, 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.419 is what it says. 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.200 If we know a little bit, 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.159 about the book of John, 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.659 we know that, 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:19.659 we know that the linkage, 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:20.500 between Jesus, 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.819 and this idea of the word, 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:23.139 is very important. 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.319 Right at the very start, 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:25.819 of the book, 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.180 we see Jesus, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.980 describe himself, 00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:29.599 described as the word. 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.819 Chapter one, 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:31.759 verse one says, 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.119 in the beginning, 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.059 was the word. 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.859 The word was with God, 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.559 the word was God. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.779 He was with God, 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.319 in the beginning. 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.839 That is why, 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.659 Jesus can say, 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.299 in verse seven, 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:44.319 that remaining in him, 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.680 must involve, 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.859 remaining in his words. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.379 He is the word. 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.379 They are the same thing. 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.759 Watermark family, 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.680 are we remaining in Jesus, 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.500 maintaining that vital, 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.359 connection with him, 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.519 by spending time, 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.059 in his word? 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.819 Do we enjoy, 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.539 reading our bible? 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.299 Do we revere it, 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.940 as the very wisdom of God, 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.940 for a fruitful life, 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.159 from God himself? 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:10.000 Jesus is urging us today, 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.480 to remain in his word. 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.740 Number two, 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.339 remain in prayer. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.339 Closely linked, 00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:20.319 to remaining in Jesus, 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.079 is prayer. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.720 We see prayer, 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.759 mentioned in verses seven, 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.259 and sixteen. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.440 Verse seven, 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.000 as we've read, 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.080 if you remain in me, 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.200 and my words remain in you, 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:30.080 ask whatever you wish, 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.080 and it will be given to you, 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.740 and it will be done for you. 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.600 Verse 16 again, 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.240 you did not choose me, 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:38.120 but I chose you, 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.880 and appointed you, 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.720 so that you might go, 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.360 and bear fruit, 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.400 fruit that will last, 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.840 and so that, 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:44.559 whatever you ask in my name, 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.820 the father will give you. 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:48.240 In both verses, 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:49.220 Jesus alludes, 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.019 to us receiving, 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.980 whatever we ask for. 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:53.299 That is an astonishing promise. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.259 Is Jesus really saying, 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.620 that all Christians prayers, 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.360 will come true? 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.019 That would be great. 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.339 Well, 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.680 yes and no. 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.880 Jesus is not a vending machine, 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.960 if that's what we're thinking. 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:07.059 We input our payment of prayer, 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:09.759 back comes the prayer item, 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.519 that we prayed for. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.860 Jesus is saying, 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.680 to the disciples, 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.620 and also to us, 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.860 that if we remain, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.920 in Jesus' words, 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:19.200 our prayers, 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.700 are going to naturally align, 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:21.860 with Jesus' desires. 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.539 And those prayers, 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.240 would be more and more linked, 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.840 to his desire, 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.120 for the promised fruitfulness, 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.500 we spoke about earlier. 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.240 For example, 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:34.060 taking the CG example, 00:23:34.060 --> 00:23:34.980 that I shared earlier. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.840 If we're in a situation, 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:38.080 of unemployment right now, 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:41.080 we may start to pray more, 00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:42.560 for godly character, 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:44.259 in the midst of the unemployment, 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:46.539 rather than only solving, 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.860 the unemployment situation. 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:50.100 Don't get me wrong, 00:23:50.300 --> 00:23:51.759 God cares about both things, 00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:52.759 the material, 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.580 and the spiritual. 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.080 But it's so obvious, 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.759 that he cares about the spiritual more. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:59.120 It is so easy for us, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.360 in 2024 Hong Kong, 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.740 to only focus, 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.560 on the physical, 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.320 on the material. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.640 If we remain in Jesus, 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.360 through prayer, 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.580 the promise, 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.120 is the fruitfulness, 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.440 of godly character, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.400 and an increasing desire, 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.320 to pray for that more. 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:18.019 I'm aware at this point, 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.319 that this may sound, 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.599 a little bit like Sunday school. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.939 Read your bible, 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:22.799 pray, 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:23.779 we know. 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.319 But to illustrate, 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:27.779 from a more everyday perspective, 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.779 do we remain, 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:31.159 in a relationship with someone, 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.240 for example, 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.000 our spouse, 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.259 our children, 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.740 our family members, 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.399 our friends, 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:38.940 if we ignore them, 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.759 if we don't listen to them, 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.240 if we don't hear, 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.140 what they have to say, 00:24:43.780 --> 00:24:44.600 if we don't communicate, 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.460 with them in any way? 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:47.220 Of course not. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.900 How can we then, 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.200 expect to remain in Jesus, 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:52.019 if we are not reading our bible? 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.340 If we are not praying? 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.420 It just doesn't make sense. 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.940 Of course, 00:24:59.080 --> 00:24:59.640 this desire, 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.740 comes from the heart. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:03.080 But if we are finding this hard, 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.580 there are also practical tools, 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.519 that we can be exploring, 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.480 to help us in this. 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.279 The bible reading plan, 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:08.919 we put together, 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.659 the corporate prayer evenings, 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.379 that we have, 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:12.819 and many others. 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:14.319 Come speak to us, 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.539 if you are finding this hard, 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.699 and you don't know where to start. 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:18.539 It is of utmost importance. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.819 Number three, 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.119 remain in love. 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:25.519 Depending on your translation, 00:25:26.419 --> 00:25:26.839 love, 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.619 or loved, 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.619 appears at least nine times, 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:31.139 in the second half of this passage. 00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:32.879 Verses nine and ten, 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.720 if you look with me. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:35.500 As the father has loved me, 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.900 so have I loved you. 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.600 Now remain in my love. 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.420 If you keep my commands, 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:42.420 you will remain in my love, 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:44.759 just as I have kept my father's commands, 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.420 and remain in his love. 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.200 Verses twelve and thirteen, 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:50.220 my command is this, 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.460 love each other, 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.539 as I have loved you. 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.900 Greater love has no wonderness, 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.360 to lay down one's life, 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.100 for one's friends. 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.640 Verse seventeen, 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.019 this is my command, 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.880 love each other. 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:06.600 Jesus demonstrated his love for his father, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.940 by obeying his father in all things, 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:11.740 even in obedience to becoming human, 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:14.240 and suffering a humiliating death, 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.240 on the cross. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:18.579 For us to remain in Jesus' love, 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.000 therefore, 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.819 is similarly through obedience, 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.839 to his commands. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:25.199 And what is this command? 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:27.119 Love one another. 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:28.319 You see, 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.599 love is the beginning, 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.759 and the end. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:33.119 We could spend a full sermon series, 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.159 on this wonderful thing. 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.899 But Watermark family, 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.980 do you see Jesus' love for you? 00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:40.000 In his word, 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.139 in his life, 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.319 in the cross, 00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:43.259 through prayer? 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:45.339 Do our lives, 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.960 as a result, 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.980 reflect obedience, 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.539 loving obedience to Jesus? 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:50.019 To love, 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.240 self-sacrificially, 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.259 in the same way? 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:54.859 If we ask those around us, 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.879 as a church, 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.819 and as individuals, 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.140 who know us, 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.660 what would they say? 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:03.160 Jesus is urging his disciples, 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.279 and us, 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:06.000 to remain in his love, 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:07.059 through obedience, 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.200 to his commands. 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:13.700 And what about our efforts, 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.539 in bearing fruit? 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:16.240 How do we do that? 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.779 We've talked about, 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.360 how to remain, 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.799 but not really about, 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.600 how to bear fruit. 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.259 That's because, 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:22.880 fruitfulness, 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.860 is the promised result of, 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.600 not conditioned for, 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.120 remaining in Jesus. 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:30.220 We don't try, 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:31.259 and bear more fruit. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:33.240 We don't try, 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.660 and become more kind, 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.400 or humble, 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.319 or gentle, 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.120 or loving. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:39.639 In response, 00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:41.519 to being in Jesus already, 00:27:42.239 --> 00:27:43.059 we make effort, 00:27:43.239 --> 00:27:44.359 to remain in Jesus, 00:27:44.679 --> 00:27:45.399 through word, 00:27:45.739 --> 00:27:46.519 through prayer, 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:48.159 through loving obedience, 00:27:48.459 --> 00:27:49.619 by the power of the spirit. 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:50.959 We look, 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:52.579 to remain in Jesus. 00:27:53.739 --> 00:27:54.699 And in so doing, 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.219 Jesus promises us, 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.019 that we will, 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.879 bear fruit. 00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.619 I can share, 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.719 from personal experience, 00:28:01.919 --> 00:28:02.719 that this promise, 00:28:02.979 --> 00:28:03.579 is so true. 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.679 Earlier this year, 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:07.000 I decided to go on sabbatical, 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.719 for a few months. 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.739 I'm in the middle, 00:28:08.739 --> 00:28:09.339 of that now. 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:11.439 If there is one, 00:28:11.439 --> 00:28:12.419 area of my life, 00:28:12.479 --> 00:28:13.559 that I've always found, 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.719 it hard to remain in Jesus, 00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:16.239 is my work. 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.839 In my previous job, 00:28:19.879 --> 00:28:20.500 over time, 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.719 I had gotten to a point, 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.719 where it was the number one, 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.839 priority in my life, 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.219 not too long ago. 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.919 It wasn't purely, 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:29.559 that I was working long hours, 00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:30.879 though I was. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:32.840 It was that work, 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:33.720 was meeting me, 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:35.400 deep-seated desires, 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.140 like value, 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.220 control, 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.480 security, 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.640 identity, 00:28:41.280 --> 00:28:42.520 to the point, 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.760 where in many ways, 00:28:43.800 --> 00:28:44.760 it had taken over, 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:45.500 Jesus, 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.680 as the true vine, 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.320 in my life. 00:28:48.580 --> 00:28:49.640 But instead of being, 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.280 life-giving, 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.940 and bearing good fruit, 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:53.760 it was life-taking, 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:55.360 and the fruit was so bad. 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:58.839 My relationships with God, 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.959 with my wife, 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.779 with my kids, 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.639 family, 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.279 friends, 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.259 the church community, 00:29:03.719 --> 00:29:04.539 were all suffering. 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.099 Emotional, 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.359 and physical health too. 00:29:08.979 --> 00:29:10.299 And this is with the title, 00:29:10.459 --> 00:29:11.439 of elder at church. 00:29:11.959 --> 00:29:13.119 I'm supposed to have it, 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.639 all together, 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.019 right? 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.179 Wrong. 00:29:16.439 --> 00:29:17.219 I always had, 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.219 a justifying reason, 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.500 why I had to work harder, 00:29:19.719 --> 00:29:20.159 longer, 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:20.719 more. 00:29:21.939 --> 00:29:22.859 And it was God, 00:29:22.959 --> 00:29:23.379 not me, 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.259 who broke through, 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.879 in a couple of, 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.640 powerful events, 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.480 earlier this year, 00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:27.880 to shake me out of it. 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.260 I won't go into, 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.120 the exact detail. 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.460 But part of it, 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.620 was God's word. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.100 It was a scripture, 00:29:36.800 --> 00:29:38.220 that really convicted me. 00:29:38.780 --> 00:29:39.680 It catalyzed me, 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.640 to take this decision, 00:29:40.780 --> 00:29:41.640 to take a sabbatical. 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.940 I'm also aware, 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.760 of how lucky I am, 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.660 to be able to do this. 00:29:46.260 --> 00:29:47.060 I'm not saying, 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.840 the sabbaticals, 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:48.920 are the way we should all go, 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:50.180 if work is getting overwhelming. 00:29:51.020 --> 00:29:52.240 But I can say, 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.140 hand on heart, 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.500 making the decision, 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.599 to remain in Jesus, 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.180 this way, 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:58.079 has truly been fruitful, 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.059 and life giving. 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.460 I can see the start, 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.119 of new fruit, 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.599 being born in my own life, 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:05.140 that has never been there before. 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.960 In my character, 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.420 my relationship, 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.779 and understanding of Jesus, 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:12.039 and other close relationships, 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.720 especially my wife. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.519 Jesus, 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.660 is faithful, 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.000 to his promise, 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.900 of fruitfulness. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:23.540 Let's come into lands. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.019 The big idea today, 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.340 has been to remain in Jesus, 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:30.019 so that we bear fruit. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.320 Remain in Jesus, 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.800 the true vine, 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.200 so that you would be, 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.300 the fruitful branch, 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.540 that is further pruned, 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.519 to give more fruit, 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.400 bringing God, 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.140 the Father glory. 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.120 Don't we want this? 00:30:42.560 --> 00:30:43.580 Don't we want this, 00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:44.700 truly fruitful life? 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.600 Don't we want the good life? 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:48.679 The idea, 00:30:48.939 --> 00:30:49.719 is so important, 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.819 that Jesus, 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.059 in this pivotal moment, 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.619 of history, 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.779 in the history of the world, 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:56.059 sought to highlight it. 00:30:57.199 --> 00:30:57.819 The disciples, 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.459 were the men, 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.379 who were to continue, 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.759 and establish his church, 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:01.919 after he left. 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:04.179 In the face of stiff, 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:05.599 and often times deadly, 00:31:05.719 --> 00:31:06.199 opposition, 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.119 they would not, 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.659 have been able, 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.659 to carry on this mission, 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:11.000 without remaining in Jesus. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.639 And the same goes for us, 00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:14.500 as Christians today. 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:17.660 We are so prone, 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:19.019 in the performance oriented, 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.039 culture of Hong Kong, 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.720 to think that we need, 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.880 to remain in other things, 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.599 for life, 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.579 and for fruitfulness. 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.119 Work, 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.039 education, 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.160 family, 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.019 finances. 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:31.660 The Bible doesn't say, 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:32.920 don't be good at these things. 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.720 The Bible says, 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:36.680 that if we trust in those things, 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.599 above all, 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.619 in the context of eternity, 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:41.279 those are worthless. 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.500 Apart from Jesus, 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:45.339 we can do nothing. 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.480 Whether you've been a Christian, 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.720 recently, 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.180 or for your whole life, 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.480 remain in him, 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.799 so that you will bear fruit. 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.299 In Jesus. 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.779 If you are not a Christian today, 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.700 I wonder if anything has resonated. 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:01.400 If anything has spoken to you. 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.299 Whether it be, 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.819 the exclusive claim of Jesus, 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:06.119 as the one and only true vine. 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.319 Whether it be, 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.579 his promise of fruitfulness, 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.519 if you remain in him. 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.579 Or judgment, 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.440 if you don't. 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.139 Or something else. 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.940 If that is you, 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.539 Jesus is extending, 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:19.960 an invitation to you today. 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:22.299 No matter how far off you feel. 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:24.359 To trust in his claims. 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:25.799 Connect yourself, 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.740 to the true vine. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.759 And experience this life, 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.799 of eternal fruitfulness. 00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:32.119 Come and speak to me, 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.000 or anyone else, 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.940 you know who is a Christian. 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:36.319 Don't let another day pass, 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.400 without doing so. 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:40.180 And let me pray for us all in this. 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:49.360 Father, thank you, 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.540 so much for your son Jesus. 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.500 For this true vine, 00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:55.100 that gives us, 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.320 rest, 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.519 and respite, 00:32:58.180 --> 00:33:00.259 in the chaos of 2024 Hong Kong, 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:01.380 or wherever we may be. 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:03.260 This true vine, 00:33:03.360 --> 00:33:04.740 that gives us life, 00:33:05.300 --> 00:33:06.720 that allows us to bear fruit, 00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:08.480 in the midst of life's ups and downs. 00:33:09.300 --> 00:33:10.720 By the power of your Holy Spirit, 00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:11.180 would you, 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.500 convict us, 00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:13.780 to read our Bible more, 00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:14.720 to pray more, 00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:15.880 to desire the things, 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.960 that you desire more. 00:33:18.080 --> 00:33:19.040 Help that promise, 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:20.480 of a truly fruitful life, 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.620 sink deep in our hearts. 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:24.520 That we would hold on to it. 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.440 In Jesus name. 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.140 Amen. 00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:27.240 Amen.