WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:05.919 Well, church, if you would, please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to John chapter 15. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:12.300 John chapter 15. Our passage this morning is John 15, verses 1 through 16. 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:16.219 And when you've found that, I ask if you would, if you're able, physically able, 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:22.480 would you stand for the reading of God's Word as I read John 15, verses 1 through 16 this morning? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Jesus says, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.480 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:10.079 Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:12.700 For apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:18.200 If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers. 00:01:18.740 --> 00:01:22.000 And the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:28.620 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. 00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:35.680 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:39.180 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. 00:01:39.820 --> 00:01:41.140 Abide in my love. 00:01:41.960 --> 00:01:44.640 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, 00:01:44.960 --> 00:01:48.600 just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:55.839 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:02.239 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:08.060 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:11.500 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:17.460 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:24.039 But I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:28.900 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:32.920 that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide, 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:39.060 so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:44.359 This is God's holy, perfect, inspired word. 00:02:44.939 --> 00:02:47.479 Let's bow once more and take a seat as we pray. 00:02:48.219 --> 00:02:52.479 Lord, I pray that you would speak through the preaching of your word this morning. 00:02:53.739 --> 00:02:55.060 God, give us ears to hear. 00:02:55.859 --> 00:02:58.479 And cause us to abide in you, we pray in Christ's name. 00:02:59.519 --> 00:02:59.799 Amen. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:02:59.920 Amen. 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:07.719 Well, I have had a stressful week this week, thanks to customer service. 00:03:09.480 --> 00:03:13.860 I'm sure that many of you have had the same experience with customer service that I have. 00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:18.560 It's always frustrating to me that when the internet goes out or the TV goes out, 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:21.360 give it some time, the power might go out this morning, I don't know. 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:25.780 They always ask the same question. 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:31.060 Now, of course, calling customer service is never your first result, right? 00:03:31.140 --> 00:03:34.699 You try everything you can in your own power to not call these people. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:37.219 You try to solve the problem by yourself. 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:41.879 Sometimes you have to put your pride on the side, pick up the phone, 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:43.319 and ask for a little bit of help. 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:49.240 But every time without fail, they always ask the same first question. 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:49.879 Do you know what it is? 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:52.759 Is it plugged in? 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:58.960 Is your device plugged in to a power source? 00:03:59.019 --> 00:04:03.819 And I don't know if they've ever had anybody say no yet, but every time they ask, 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:05.979 and I get it, right? 00:04:05.979 --> 00:04:10.299 Because if the device is not plugged in to the power source, 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:12.479 it doesn't matter what they do. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:15.259 It doesn't matter all the troubleshooting that they can go through. 00:04:15.339 --> 00:04:18.379 It doesn't matter what you do to fix the problem. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:21.860 If there is no connection to the source of power, 00:04:22.099 --> 00:04:25.379 you're not going to get the device to work. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:28.259 No connection, no life. 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:31.539 No connection, no power. 00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:36.540 Well, in a similar way, I'm afraid, many of us, many Christians, 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:42.800 go through their week, go through their life with very little spiritual power, 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:45.860 very little spiritual life. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:48.020 And oftentimes we wonder why. 00:04:49.140 --> 00:04:52.820 We've come to our gift number three this week. 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:55.379 We've seen that we've been given good gifts of peace, 00:04:55.540 --> 00:04:56.879 given good gifts of joy. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:00.160 We've been given gifts of comfort, gifts of assurance, 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:04.140 given the good gift of the Spirit of God dwelling within us, 00:05:04.200 --> 00:05:06.420 His power at work in us. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:11.120 Every believer has been given these good gifts from God Himself. 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:12.660 But let's be honest, 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:18.780 how many of us actually feel at peace this morning? 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:26.260 How many of us struggle to actually experience the good gifts that we have been given? 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:29.339 Well, this morning, as we look at John chapter 15, 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:39.860 I want us to see the secret to a faithful, fruitful, peaceful, joyful, genuine Christian life. 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:45.779 And the secret, Jesus tells us, is abide in Christ. 00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:49.959 Abide in Christ. 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:53.719 As we walk through this chapter this morning, John 15, 00:05:54.120 --> 00:06:02.359 we're going to see the picture, the point, and the produce of abiding in Christ this morning. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:06.159 The picture, the point, and the produce. 00:06:06.299 --> 00:06:09.579 First, we see the picture of abiding in Christ. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:13.699 Jesus, He speaks in a metaphor here in verses 1 through 3. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:19.180 And I want us to get the picture of what Jesus is describing to His disciples first. 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:24.740 We have to understand the picture that He's giving them before we can apply it to our lives. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:26.000 We're going to get to that application. 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:28.899 But first, I want us to see the picture here. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:31.060 Jesus gives us a metaphor. 00:06:32.099 --> 00:06:33.539 And He's prone to speaking this way. 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:35.300 We've seen all throughout the Gospel of John. 00:06:35.599 --> 00:06:37.699 He's given several I am statements. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:39.099 You remember these? 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:41.560 He said, I am the bread of life. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:43.980 I am the shepherd of the sheep. 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.800 I am the light of the world. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:48.680 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:54.680 Each one of these I am statements is declaring to us that He is the I am. 00:06:55.340 --> 00:06:59.500 That He is the Lord, God Himself in the flesh. 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:03.980 And each one of these I am statements, it gives us a metaphor, a picture, 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.720 to help us understand Him better. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:13.460 Well, here in John 15, this is the final I am statement in the Gospel of John. 00:07:14.220 --> 00:07:20.440 And it's the only one, the only one, that has an additional qualification with it. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:22.040 Look there at verse 1. 00:07:22.140 --> 00:07:28.540 He says, I am the true vine and my Father is the vine dresser. 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:35.780 I am the true vine and my Father is the vine dresser. 00:07:35.779 --> 00:07:36.679 What does this mean? 00:07:37.619 --> 00:07:45.819 When we hear this, our minds instantly go outside to a garden or to a farm. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:48.159 It goes to agriculture, to planting. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:49.119 And that's good. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:49.959 We'll get there. 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:54.019 But the disciples, when they hear this language, I am the true vine, 00:07:54.239 --> 00:07:57.779 their minds instantly go to the Old Testament. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:08:06.879 And all of the wealth of references all throughout the Old Testament where Israel is represented as a vine. 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:11.959 And a vineyard is used as a metaphor to describe Israel, the people of God. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:12.579 And guess what? 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:14.359 It is never good. 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:17.019 It is never pretty. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:23.979 When the Old Testament describes Israel as a vine, it produces wild, rebellious fruit. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:25.800 I'll give you one example. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:30.700 I want you to keep your finger here in John 15, but flip back to Psalm chapter 80. 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:32.820 The passage that we read this morning. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:36.940 If you have your Bible open, flip back to Psalm chapter 80. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.560 Because I want you to see this. 00:08:38.560 --> 00:08:44.600 This pieces together all the pieces that we need to see to understand what Jesus is saying in John chapter 15. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:49.440 First, we see clearly that Israel is the vine. 00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:52.540 Look there if you have your Bibles open to Psalm 80 at verse 8. 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:54.060 It says, 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:57.540 You, God, brought a vine out of Egypt. 00:08:58.300 --> 00:09:00.300 You drove out the nations and planted it. 00:09:00.380 --> 00:09:01.780 You cleared the ground for it. 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:04.880 It took deep root and it filled the land. 00:09:05.020 --> 00:09:06.560 You brought a vine out of Egypt. 00:09:06.680 --> 00:09:07.300 Who's the vine? 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:09.760 Who's the vine? 00:09:10.560 --> 00:09:11.300 It's Israel. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:13.940 You brought a vine out of Egypt. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:17.220 The Lord took Israel out of slavery in Egypt, 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:21.840 planted them like a vine in the new vineyard in the land of Canaan, 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:24.019 and they lived happily ever after, right? 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:24.860 That's what happened? 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:26.040 Wrong! 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:28.300 They rebelled. 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:29.500 They failed. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.600 They disobeyed. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:36.980 They were idolatrous over and over and over and over again and again and again and again. 00:09:37.420 --> 00:09:40.620 This vine produced wild fruit. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:46.700 So, Psalm 80 verses 12 and 13, we see this brought the judgment of God. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:47.620 It says, 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:52.600 You've broken down its walls so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit. 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:55.220 And the boar from the forest ravages it, 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:57.620 and all that move in the field feed on it. 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:03.120 This is a picture of the judgment of God against His people, Israel, 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:06.879 because they bore wild, idolatrous fruit. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:07.740 This is a problem. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:11.419 This is the problem that faced the people of God. 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:13.860 God had made promises to Israel. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:17.480 God promised Israel that they would be His chosen people. 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:21.180 He promised Israel that He would bless them. 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:23.600 He promised Israel He would protect them. 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:26.620 He promised that He would put them in their own land. 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:31.120 He promised them that He would be their God and that they would be His people. 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:37.159 But this big problem called sin keeps getting in the way. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:40.320 So, look at where the psalm ends. 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:42.740 Psalm 80 verse 14. 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:45.360 It ends with a prayer. 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:46.620 It says, 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:48.279 Turn again, O God of hosts. 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:49.919 Look down from heaven and see. 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:54.100 Have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted. 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:57.220 And for the Son whom you made strong for yourself. 00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:59.360 They have burned it with fire. 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.299 They have cut it down. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.620 May they perish at the rebuke of your face. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:04.139 But, listen to this. 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:08.779 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:13.500 The Son of Man whom you have made strong for yourself. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:16.659 Then, we shall not turn back from you. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:20.740 Give us life and we will call upon your name. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.519 Are you piecing it together here? 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:26.480 This is a prayer for restoration. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:38.200 We see here that the ultimate hope of Israel is for one individual shoot off of the vine of Israel. 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:46.220 One individual Son of Man to come and restore true worship for the people of God. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.560 That's the hope. 00:11:48.640 --> 00:11:51.140 And here, as we get back to John chapter 15. 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:53.420 Here, Jesus says, 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.759 I am that one. 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:00.620 I am the vine. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:04.320 Israel was the vine, but it was a rebellious vine. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:08.580 I am, Jesus says, I am the true vine. 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:12.320 I am the true Israel. 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:17.679 I am the one who will obey where Israel has rebelled. 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:22.060 I'm the one who will restore true worship for the people of God. 00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:27.440 All of the promises made to Israel are fulfilled in and through me. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:32.740 I am the fulfillment of everything that Israel was supposed to be. 00:12:34.280 --> 00:12:37.340 Church, this is good news for us. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:38.640 I hope you understand. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:45.980 Because what this means is that anyone who is in the vine can be connected, 00:12:46.140 --> 00:12:48.140 can be a part of the people of God. 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:53.620 Anyone who is connected to this true vine can receive, 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:59.460 be the beneficiaries of all of the promises of God in Christ Jesus. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:03.259 Because Jesus is the true Israel, 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:07.840 all of God's promises come to His people through Him. 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.399 So you want to go to the promised land? 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:10.740 Jesus says, 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:13.159 Come to me in my Father's house. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:14.700 There are many rooms. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:17.559 You want the presence of God to dwell with you? 00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:18.139 Jesus says, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:18.719 Come to me. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:19.619 I will ask the Father. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:22.179 He'll send the Spirit to dwell within you. 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.759 You want the protection? 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.559 You want the peace of God? 00:13:25.619 --> 00:13:27.059 The true shalom of God? 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:27.759 Jesus says, 00:13:28.099 --> 00:13:29.699 My peace I give to you. 00:13:30.099 --> 00:13:32.279 Not as the world gives do I give to you. 00:13:32.359 --> 00:13:33.179 You come to me. 00:13:33.579 --> 00:13:34.299 Come to me. 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.359 Come to me. 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:37.539 I am the true vine. 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:39.379 The true Israel. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:44.519 The only way to be included in the people of God 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:48.299 is to be connected to the true vine. 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:49.879 Jesus Christ. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:50.320 He says, 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.299 I am the vine. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.080 The true vine. 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.159 And you, believer, 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.980 are the branches. 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:58.240 Isn't this what John has been telling us all along? 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.679 If we've been paying attention, 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:03.120 isn't this what he's been saying all along? 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:06.060 That no one belongs to the people of God 00:14:06.060 --> 00:14:09.700 by virtue of their physical birth alone, 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:13.560 but only by spiritual rebirth 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:16.919 through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:20.419 He told us this all the way back in John chapter 1. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.240 It says, 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.440 He came to his own, 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.799 and his own people did not receive him. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:27.679 But to all who did receive him, 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:29.699 who believed in his name, 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:34.779 he gave the right to become children of God, 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:37.039 who were born not of blood, 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:39.079 nor of the will of the flesh, 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:41.019 nor of the will of man, 00:14:41.719 --> 00:14:43.120 but of God. 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:47.299 Church, we should rejoice in this. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.759 And we should praise God for this. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:53.699 This means that you, Gentile, 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:56.360 you, anyone in the entire world, 00:14:56.520 --> 00:14:58.379 anyone who comes to Christ 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:02.240 is now included to belong to the true vine. 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:04.480 And all of the nourishment, 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.900 all of the power, 00:15:06.140 --> 00:15:07.080 all of the benefits, 00:15:07.280 --> 00:15:08.080 all of the blessing, 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:11.060 all of the promises of God 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:14.040 come to you through Him. 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:15.220 That's the picture. 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:16.620 Now, second, 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:17.980 what's the point? 00:15:19.280 --> 00:15:20.020 What's the point? 00:15:21.020 --> 00:15:22.640 The point is, 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:26.059 make absolutely certain 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:29.120 that you are connected to that vine. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.960 That's the point. 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.539 It's very simple. 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:34.000 Jesus says, 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.939 I am the vine. 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:37.580 Make it absolutely certain in your heart 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:40.279 that you are connected to that vine. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:42.379 Make it the aim of your life 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:47.240 to connect yourself deeply to Jesus Christ. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.919 If all of the gifts of God, 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.120 all of the promises of God, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:53.480 all of the life-giving power of God 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:56.840 comes by virtue of being connected to the vine, 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:59.180 we had better make certain 00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:01.659 that we are actually connected. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.919 And not just once, 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.539 not just once at the beginning 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:07.080 of your relationship with the Lord, 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:10.919 but every moment of every day. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:14.240 Are you connected with Christ? 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:18.099 Jesus has a word for that connection. 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:18.979 What is it? 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.639 It's abide. 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.240 Abide. 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:25.959 Abide in me and I in you. 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:29.740 Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.879 unless it abides in the vine, 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.500 neither can you 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:36.379 unless you abide in me. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.580 I am the vine. 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.960 You are the branches. 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:41.799 Whoever abides in me and I in him, 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:44.259 he it is that bears much fruit. 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.980 For apart from me, 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:48.200 you can do nothing. 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.080 See, church, 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:53.860 there are only two options here 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:56.320 for everyone in the world. 00:16:57.080 --> 00:17:00.059 You either belong to the vine, 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:02.219 abide in him, 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.939 bear fruit in him, 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:06.159 and so prove to be his disciples. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.659 Or, he says, 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:10.039 you do not belong to the vine, 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:11.819 do not abide in him, 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:13.859 do not bear fruit for him, 00:17:13.919 --> 00:17:17.119 and so prove to not be his disciples. 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:20.139 And what happens for these over here? 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:21.099 He says, verse 6, 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:24.579 if anyone does not abide in me, 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:27.659 he is thrown away like a branch and withers. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.799 And the branches are gathered, 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.619 thrown into the fire, 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:33.200 and burned. 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:36.339 This is a heavy truth, church. 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.440 Jesus says, 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:42.859 this is the work of the vine dresser. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:44.679 Jesus says, 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:46.879 this is exactly the type of work 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:49.779 what the Father is doing right now. 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:52.259 The Father is the vine dresser. 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:55.159 He says the Father is clearing, 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:57.359 and he is pruning. 00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:59.019 It's his work. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.339 Why? 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:01.299 Because he's the vine dresser. 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:03.119 He's the only one who can see 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:06.699 with 100% certainty and clarity 00:18:06.699 --> 00:18:09.539 those who are actually abiding in the vine 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:11.240 and those who are not. 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:14.500 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.299 he takes away. 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:17.659 Every branch that does bear fruit, 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:20.979 he prunes that it may bear more fruit. 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:25.839 And Amanda and I went up to the mountains last year, 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.779 and we went blueberry picking, 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:31.559 something that we wanted to do while we were up there. 00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:32.759 We were out there maybe for an hour 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:35.059 before one of the workers came by, 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:35.440 and he said, 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.680 hey, let me show you something. 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.920 And he took us, 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.720 we followed him to this one bush 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:43.819 that we had walked past probably 50 times that morning. 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.919 Now he took us to this one bush, 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.220 and he said, 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.679 look at this, 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.259 this blueberry bush, 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:51.279 it produces pink lemonade blueberries. 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:53.299 Raise your hand if you've ever heard 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:54.480 of pink lemonade blueberries. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:57.839 I had never heard of pink lemonade blueberries. 00:18:58.379 --> 00:19:00.159 But once he showed them to me, 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:01.259 once he pointed them out to me, 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.759 I realized, 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.000 okay, 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:03.899 these are slightly different color. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.939 They got a little bit of yellow, 00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:07.480 maybe a little bit of purplish pink there. 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.639 They're a little bit smaller. 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.480 And he said, 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.059 taste one. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:12.399 So it had a different taste to it. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:15.960 I had walked by that bush probably 100 times 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:18.720 without knowing exactly what was going on in that bush, 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.419 but he knew. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:19.899 Why? 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.000 Well, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.480 he was the one that planted the bush. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:25.339 He was the one that cared for the bush. 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:28.460 He was the one that knew exactly what type of fruit 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.839 he was looking for it to produce. 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.759 He knew what the good fruit was, 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.819 what the bad fruit was, 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:34.399 where to point us to go 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.440 if he wanted this type of fruit, 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.200 that type of fruit. 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:37.339 Well, 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:37.940 Jesus says, 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:41.240 that's exactly what the Father is doing. 00:19:41.380 --> 00:19:43.539 The Father is the vine dresser. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:45.980 He's caring for the vine. 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:49.340 He's clearing out those that do not belong to the vine. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.039 And those that do bear fruit, 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.100 He's pruning. 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.480 And it might bear more fruit 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:56.820 for His glory. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.200 You know, 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:59.680 this is the Christian experience. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.700 If you're hearing this, 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.019 and you're like, 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:04.299 this doesn't really sound like me. 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:06.519 I want us to look here at this passage 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:09.079 because it gives us a full picture 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:11.539 of the entire Christian experience 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:13.200 from beginning to end. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.019 See, 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.960 the Christian life, 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:19.440 it begins with God's choosing. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.519 Verse 16. 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.039 He says, 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.299 You did not choose me, 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.659 but I chose you 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:26.059 and appointed you 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:28.440 that you should go and bear fruit. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.880 God's choosing 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:33.700 inevitably leads to cleansing. 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.680 Verse 3. 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.559 It says, 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.759 Already you are clean 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:38.400 because of the word 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:40.220 that I have spoken to you. 00:20:40.320 --> 00:20:42.259 That's hearing and believing. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.200 That's when, believer, 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:45.240 when you heard the word of Christ 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.620 and you believed it 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.340 and you loved it 00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:48.779 and you repented of your sin 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.059 and you trusted in Christ, 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.860 that's the cleansing power 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:53.620 of the word of God. 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.240 Faith comes through hearing 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:57.320 and hearing through the word of Christ. 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:59.599 And that initial cleansing 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.480 with the word, 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:02.240 it inevitably leads to 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:04.359 ongoing abiding. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.700 Those who are cleansed 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.379 with the word 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:09.439 abide in Christ. 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.119 Verse 4. 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.679 That ongoing abiding 00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:13.240 leads to fruit producing. 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:13.899 Verse 5. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:15.119 That fruit producing 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:16.500 leads to painful pruning. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.179 Verse 2. 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.220 And all of it, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.379 from beginning to end, 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.000 Jesus says, 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:22.960 all of it is God glorifying. 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:23.700 Verse 8. 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.859 By this my Father is glorified, 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.519 He says, 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.619 that you bear much fruit 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:30.539 and so prove to be 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.980 my disciples. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:35.000 Ask yourself, 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:36.440 as you read this passage, 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:38.839 does that sound like me? 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:43.400 Does that describe my experience? 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:45.900 Where in this paradigm am I? 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:48.660 Am I abiding in Christ? 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:51.099 Have I received the word of Christ 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.639 by faith? 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.759 Have I been cleansed 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.839 by the word of Christ? 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.240 Am I bearing fruit 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.519 for the glory of God? 00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:59.359 Does this sound like me? 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.599 See, the point of this metaphor, 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:02.240 the way that we know 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.039 whether or not 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.599 we belong to the vine 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:06.959 is if we are abiding 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:07.980 in the vine. 00:22:08.939 --> 00:22:09.359 And He says, 00:22:09.439 --> 00:22:09.959 one way, 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.720 one sure way, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.659 we see if we're abiding 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:12.199 in the vine 00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:14.740 is if we are bearing fruit. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:17.599 So the million dollar question 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:19.039 for us then has to be, 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:21.460 what does it mean to abide? 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:26.859 What does it mean to abide? 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.000 If Treg was here, 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.920 I wish he was here 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.380 because I think this is 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:31.579 his most quoted passage. 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.700 This is one of his greatest hits. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.460 If he were here 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:37.059 and he were explaining this passage, 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:39.099 I know he would use the word yield. 00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:40.960 He would say, 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.960 this means that you are 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.220 yielded to Christ. 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.539 You are yielded to Him 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:47.640 and to His desires for you. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:49.480 And I think that's a great answer, 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.340 but I would ask him, 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:51.920 well, how do you yield to Him, Treg? 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.360 And He's not here 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.200 to explain Himself. 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.720 So we'll look at the passage. 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.519 I wonder if you noticed 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.819 what I noticed here 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.880 as we read this passage. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.120 Jesus, 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:05.840 He changes language around. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:08.179 He flips the words around here. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.339 He tells His disciples 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.579 to abide in Him 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.619 in three different ways here. 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.419 Did you notice that? 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.399 Verses 4 and 5, 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:15.759 He says, 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.599 abide in me 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:18.199 and I in you. 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:20.059 But then verse 7, 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.500 He says, 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:22.480 abide in me 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:24.339 and my words 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.419 in you. 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:26.220 Verse 7. 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.039 And then He says, 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.699 abide in my love. 00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:30.799 Verse 9. 00:23:31.919 --> 00:23:32.740 So which is it? 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.640 Which is it? 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:37.759 Well, the answer is yes. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.759 And we shouldn't think of these 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.620 as three separate things 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:44.640 to put our roots down into 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.420 or three separate categories 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:49.000 to abide or to yield ourselves to. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.779 To abide in Christ 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:53.539 is to abide in His Word. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:57.359 It's His Word that makes us clean. 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:59.779 It's His Word that teaches 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.079 and corrects 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:02.240 and reproves 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.799 and rebukes 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.319 and trains 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.039 and encourages 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.299 and instructs 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.139 and assures us 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:07.619 of God's love for us in Christ. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.819 You cannot abide in Christ 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:12.759 apart from abiding 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.680 in His Word. 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.579 One way to assess 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:21.019 our abiding in Christ 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:23.579 is by asking ourselves, 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:26.160 are we abiding in His Word? 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:30.940 Do we hunger for His Word? 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:34.540 Do we love His Word? 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:37.080 I'm not saying just have a copy 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:38.120 on your shelf. 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:40.740 Not even just know it intellectually, 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:43.560 but do we possess His Word 00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.380 in our heart? 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:48.019 Are we feeding on it daily? 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:50.820 Do you love the Word of God? 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:53.480 I know there's nothing special 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.680 about a calendar year. 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.580 I realize that, 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.360 but this year's coming 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.019 to a close. 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.720 2024 is upon us. 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.240 It's a wonderful time 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.900 right now 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:02.700 to begin making a plan. 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.740 What is your plan 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.880 for abiding 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:07.400 in the Word of Christ 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.100 this year? 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.160 Do you have a plan? 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.320 What's your plan 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:13.240 for abiding 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.400 in the Word of Christ? 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.560 To abide in Christ 00:25:16.560 --> 00:25:18.440 is to abide in His Word. 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.539 And, he says, 00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:22.080 is to abide in His love. 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:25.939 Abide in His love. 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:28.159 Friend, how often do you meditate 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:30.240 on this one glorious, 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:33.179 simple, beautiful truth 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:35.379 that God loves you? 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:39.300 that God loves you? 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:42.940 How much anxiety 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:44.220 and stress 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.720 and turmoil 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.640 and anger 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:48.240 would melt away 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.940 in our hearts 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.120 if we simply meditated 00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:50.960 more deeply 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.740 on the fact 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.940 that God loves you? 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.600 God so loved the world 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:58.580 that He gave His only Son 00:25:58.580 --> 00:26:00.040 that whoever believes in Him 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:00.920 might not perish 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:02.280 but have eternal life. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.139 the eternal assurance 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.339 of the love of God 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:07.299 is seen in the cross of Christ 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:09.379 where He showed His love for us 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.920 by laying His life down 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.700 for His friends. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.779 Are you preaching the gospel 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:16.079 to yourself, church? 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.819 Not just hearing it here 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.379 when you come. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.579 I love that you come 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.759 and hear the gospel here. 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:24.139 We need this every day. 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:27.180 We need to assure ourselves 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:28.000 of the love of God 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.700 for us every day. 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:32.259 Tim Keller, 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.940 the famous pastor, 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.960 when he was still living with us, 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:36.920 he would say, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.980 the gospel is not just 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:39.440 the ABCs of Christianity. 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.480 It's the A to Z. 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.259 It's the whole thing. 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:44.299 We never move past 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.900 the glorious news 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.539 of the gospel 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.620 of Jesus Christ. 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.120 Church, 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.120 isn't this what we celebrate 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:51.000 at Christmas time? 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:53.220 That the love of God 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:55.200 is made manifest to us 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.120 in the person 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:58.059 of Jesus Christ 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.879 who came to live 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.099 and to die 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.139 and to rise 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:03.200 in the place of sinners. 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:03.899 For you, 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.619 those who deserve it the least, 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.899 He showered His love 00:27:08.899 --> 00:27:09.720 on you the most. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.740 Abide in His love for you 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.299 in the gospel. 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.419 You know, 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.200 there may be some here 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.740 this morning, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:20.319 I don't presume to know 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.839 the spiritual state 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.779 of everybody in the room. 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.519 There may be some 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.480 in the room this morning 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:26.179 that do not truly know 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.900 the love of God 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.460 in the gospel. 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.120 And if that's you, 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:31.820 friend, 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.640 what keeps you 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.820 from turning to Him now? 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.740 What keeps you 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.860 from trusting in Christ 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:37.840 right now, 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.200 from receiving His promise 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.340 that any who come to Him 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:41.640 will have everlasting life? 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:46.180 Abide in Christ. 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.100 That's the point 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:48.600 of this lesson. 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:48.960 Now, 00:27:49.560 --> 00:27:50.740 last question. 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.420 For those who know the Lord, 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.100 I want to get very practical 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.859 here in our last point. 00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:57.519 Very practical. 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.480 When you abide, 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:58.839 third, 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.759 what is the produce? 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.159 Not what does it produce? 00:28:03.219 --> 00:28:04.099 We're talking about fruit 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.639 this morning. 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.079 Okay? 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:06.319 What is the produce? 00:28:07.719 --> 00:28:08.799 I'm not a gardener. 00:28:09.399 --> 00:28:10.179 Y'all probably 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:11.179 have realized that by now. 00:28:11.219 --> 00:28:11.899 So I'm confident 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.719 that this illustration 00:28:12.719 --> 00:28:13.919 will make no sense 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:14.619 whatsoever 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:17.480 in a real life scenario. 00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:18.240 But just humor me 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.019 for a moment, okay? 00:28:19.939 --> 00:28:21.259 When you become 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.279 a Christian, 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:24.519 when you trust 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:26.099 in Jesus Christ alone 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.920 for your salvation, 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.059 when you receive 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.700 the Word, 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:30.059 the promise of Christ, 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.000 when you are now 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.299 connected truly 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.139 to the vine, 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.960 what happens 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:35.399 is you become 00:28:35.399 --> 00:28:37.779 an entirely new thing. 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.599 You are now 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:41.019 a new creation. 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.299 It's as if you have been 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.319 plucked up 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.539 out of the ground 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:47.000 and now you've been 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.940 transplanted 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.980 into something new. 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.819 You've been plucked 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.980 out of the soil 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.819 where you've had 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.899 your roots sunk 00:28:52.899 --> 00:28:53.980 down deep 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.939 into sin 00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:55.879 and into darkness 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:57.119 and to disbelief 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.200 and rebellion 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.799 to God 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.439 and now 00:28:59.439 --> 00:29:01.000 you are connected 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:02.099 to a vine 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.439 that is completely 00:29:03.439 --> 00:29:04.579 rooted in the will 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.059 of God. 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.679 And in your 00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:07.839 new life, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.700 now, 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:10.419 as you're connected 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.259 to the vine, 00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:13.099 you may see 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.879 some fruit 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.460 that does not belong. 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.559 You may see 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.059 some fruit 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.659 that looks a lot 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:20.000 like your old self, 00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:21.379 fruit of anger, 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.559 fruit of jealousy, 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.579 fruit of pride, 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.859 fruit of lust, 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.839 fruit of greed. 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:26.940 You may see 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.220 that fruit produced, 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.500 but if you are 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.399 actually connected 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:30.859 to Him, 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.419 guess what? 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:33.039 That is old fruit. 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.039 That is not truly 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.859 who you are. 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.679 That is old fruit 00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.619 that's coming 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:40.059 from those roots 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.379 that have been 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.279 sunk down deep 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.259 for so long 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.119 and you'll begin 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.720 to see 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.480 and to realize 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.139 and to understand 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:46.000 the difference 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.859 between the fruit 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.399 that comes from Christ 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.639 and the fruit 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.219 that belongs 00:29:50.219 --> 00:29:51.199 to your old nature. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.619 And you'll begin 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:54.000 to join the Lord 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.199 in that pruning work 00:29:55.199 --> 00:29:56.379 of cutting off 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:57.579 the old fruit 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:59.079 and producing 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.319 the new fruit. 00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:02.299 It's a lifelong journey 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.599 of abiding in Christ 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:05.299 and seeing fruit born 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.099 as you're connected 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.479 to the vine. 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:08.359 So the question 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.219 I want to ask is, 00:30:09.399 --> 00:30:10.859 what might that fruit 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:11.539 look like? 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:13.659 What might that fruit 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.799 look like? 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.899 And we could spend 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.460 all day 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.740 discussing the many, 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:19.259 many, many results, 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.339 glorious fruits 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.379 of being connected 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:21.919 to Christ, 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.379 but I see six 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.159 in this passage. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.740 We're going to work 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.680 through them quickly. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.619 Six fruits 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:28.500 of abiding in Christ. 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.639 And would you just, 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:31.159 as we walk through this, 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.960 would you consider 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.799 how you might ask 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.200 the Lord 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.220 to produce this 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.099 in you this year? 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.079 Number one, 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:39.759 the one who abides 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.759 in Christ 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:42.039 is marked 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:43.519 by a new aim 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.160 in life. 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:46.619 The one who abides 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.180 in Christ 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.859 is marked 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:49.799 by a new aim 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.839 in life. 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:52.940 What is the point 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.039 of your life? 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:58.720 What is the overarching goal, 00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:00.980 the overarching banner 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.539 that hangs across 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:04.180 and over every other 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.359 decision you make, 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.839 every other thing 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.720 that you do? 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:09.599 What is the point 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:11.200 of your life? 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.279 life, 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.980 before you were 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:13.620 in Christ, 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:15.420 it was entirely 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.519 driven by self. 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.500 Me. 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.200 Bring me glory. 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:21.240 Satisfy my desires. 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.500 Meet my needs. 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.860 If you are in Christ, 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.279 you have a new desire, 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.160 a new aim, 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:26.980 a new purpose. 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:27.539 What is it? 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:29.340 It's the glory of God. 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.220 To magnify 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:32.340 the glory of God 00:31:32.340 --> 00:31:33.640 in the gospel 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:34.880 of Jesus Christ. 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.299 He says, 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.420 by this my Father 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.600 is glorified 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:38.420 that you may bear 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.039 much fruit. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:39.800 Second, 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.080 the one who abides 00:31:42.080 --> 00:31:42.580 in Christ 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.160 is marked 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:44.880 by a new dependence 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:46.380 on God's strength. 00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:48.539 A new dependence 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:51.300 on God's strength. 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.980 If you abide in me 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.539 and my word 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.380 abides in you, 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:56.360 ask whatever you wish. 00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:58.019 You hear that? 00:31:58.920 --> 00:32:00.340 Ask whatever you wish 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.720 and it will be done 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.160 for you. 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.680 Ask. 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.279 He says in verse 7, 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.440 you did not choose me 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.460 but I chose you 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.700 and appointed you 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.340 that you should go 00:32:09.340 --> 00:32:09.980 and bear fruit 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.700 and that your fruit 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.559 should abide 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.680 so that 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:14.539 whatever you ask 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.759 the Father in my name, 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:17.440 He may give it to you. 00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:18.600 I mean, 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:20.080 that seems unthinkable 00:32:20.080 --> 00:32:21.059 that we should make 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:22.620 requests of God 00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:25.400 and that we can ask God 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.299 to act 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.940 and to move 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.700 and to respond 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:29.380 to our little needs 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.039 in our life. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.740 But Jesus says 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:34.320 this prayerful dependence 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.879 ought to characterize 00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:37.419 the life of one 00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:39.319 who is abiding in me. 00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:41.259 Do you want power 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.619 for the Christian life? 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.079 Do you feel like 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.139 you don't have that in you? 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.240 Ask. 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:47.240 Do you want 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.579 the peace of God 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:50.579 to rule over your life? 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.659 Just ask. 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.059 Do you want to feel 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.339 the joy of the Lord 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:56.960 working in and through you? 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:57.379 He says, 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:57.720 come, 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:59.059 come just ask. 00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.619 Just ask me. 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:03.279 Our dependence on Christ 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:05.419 is never more clear 00:33:05.419 --> 00:33:06.119 than when we are 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:07.279 on our knees 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:08.119 in prayer. 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.679 It's so simple. 00:33:11.679 --> 00:33:12.259 Church, 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:12.959 but how often 00:33:12.959 --> 00:33:13.659 is it neglected? 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:17.239 You can bear more fruit 00:33:17.239 --> 00:33:19.779 in one hour of prayer 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:22.219 than in a hundred hours 00:33:22.219 --> 00:33:23.199 of labor 00:33:23.199 --> 00:33:24.339 in your own strength. 00:33:25.739 --> 00:33:27.159 Do we actually believe that? 00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:30.279 What does our prayer life 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.960 say about whether 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.660 we believe that? 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:33.900 God, 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.420 make us like 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.180 Martin Luther, 00:33:35.580 --> 00:33:37.200 the great reformer 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.279 who famously said, 00:33:38.820 --> 00:33:39.400 I have so much 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.100 to do today 00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:41.140 that I shall spend 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.040 the first three hours 00:33:42.040 --> 00:33:42.860 of my day in prayer. 00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:46.120 Make us abide 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:49.320 in prayerful dependence. 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:50.120 Number three, 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.920 the one who abides 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.519 is marked by 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.519 a new desire 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.320 to obey. 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:57.519 A new desire 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.899 to obey. 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.779 Before you were 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.500 in Christ 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:02.439 serving yourself, 00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.899 serving your own desires, 00:34:04.099 --> 00:34:05.079 you didn't desire 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:06.059 to obey the Lord, 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:07.200 but now in Christ 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:08.239 you have this new desire 00:34:08.239 --> 00:34:09.119 to obey Him. 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.659 Where in the world 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.619 did that come from? 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.279 He says, 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:12.900 verse 10, 00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.480 if you keep 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.219 my commandments, 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.739 you will abide 00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.380 in my love 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:17.420 just as I have kept 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.319 my Father's commandments 00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:18.940 and abide 00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:20.319 in His love. 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:20.900 And what does that 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.980 obedience look like? 00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.059 Well, 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.539 he tells us 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:25.500 it looks like love. 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.820 This is my commandment, 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.779 that you love 00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:31.719 one another 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:34.420 as I have loved you. 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.519 Church, 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.360 that sounds simple. 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.759 That is the highest calling 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:39.380 in the world. 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:42.219 How has Christ loved you? 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.860 He gave everything 00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.920 for you. 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:48.700 He laid His life 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.880 down for you. 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:50.980 He suffered 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.800 and died 00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.639 for you. 00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:53.680 And now He says, 00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.119 believer, 00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:55.900 you go and do likewise 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:56.740 for one another. 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.820 Abide in Him 00:34:59.820 --> 00:35:00.659 and bear the fruit 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.840 of love. 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.500 And when we do, 00:35:02.579 --> 00:35:03.099 when our lives 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:03.780 are marked 00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:04.380 by this kind 00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.880 of self-sacrificial, 00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:07.019 other-centered, 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:08.700 God-glorifying love, 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.599 we can have, 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.280 number four, 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:12.880 a new assurance. 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:16.059 A new assurance. 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:18.099 The one who 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:19.260 abides in Christ 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:19.800 is marked 00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:22.240 by a deep-rooted 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:23.160 assurance 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:24.039 that they are 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.300 truly disciples 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:26.480 of Jesus Christ, 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.220 that they truly 00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:28.760 belong to the vine. 00:35:29.700 --> 00:35:30.240 Verse 8, 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:30.599 He says, 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.619 By this my Father 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.460 is glorified, 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.519 that you bear 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:34.260 much fruit 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:35.860 and so prove 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.780 to be 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:37.980 my disciples. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:39.960 What did He say 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:41.519 in chapter 13, 00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:41.900 rather? 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.440 What did He say? 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:42.780 Do you remember? 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.559 By this all people 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.039 will know 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:45.500 that you are 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:46.240 my disciples, 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:47.680 if you what? 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.579 If you have love 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.940 for one another. 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:51.360 Church, 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:52.860 our faith 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.880 is invisible. 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.200 We cannot see 00:35:56.200 --> 00:35:57.139 one another's faith. 00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:58.960 The roots of faith 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.639 are invisible, 00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:01.099 but the fruits 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:02.099 of faith 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:04.180 are made manifest 00:36:04.180 --> 00:36:05.519 in love 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.420 for one another. 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.180 And when we see 00:36:08.180 --> 00:36:08.940 an outflow 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:10.559 of love for Christ 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:11.660 and love for others, 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:13.279 we should be assured 00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:14.139 that we are 00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:15.279 disciples of Christ. 00:36:16.259 --> 00:36:16.859 And when we look 00:36:16.859 --> 00:36:17.399 at one another 00:36:17.399 --> 00:36:18.440 and we see the ways 00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:19.819 that we are growing 00:36:19.819 --> 00:36:20.879 in love for Christ 00:36:20.879 --> 00:36:21.899 and serving 00:36:21.899 --> 00:36:23.039 and loving one another, 00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:24.139 we can encourage 00:36:24.139 --> 00:36:24.699 one another. 00:36:24.839 --> 00:36:26.079 I see the grace 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.719 of God 00:36:26.719 --> 00:36:27.879 at work in you, 00:36:28.339 --> 00:36:28.559 brother. 00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:30.179 I see the love 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:30.639 of Christ 00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.639 coming through you, 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.379 sister. 00:36:34.139 --> 00:36:35.000 Number five, 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:35.539 the one 00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:37.619 who abides in Christ 00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:38.159 is marked 00:36:38.159 --> 00:36:40.000 by new joy. 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.880 New joy. 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.639 These things 00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.340 I have spoken 00:36:44.340 --> 00:36:44.960 to you 00:36:44.960 --> 00:36:46.639 that my joy 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.880 may be in you 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:49.659 and that your joy 00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:51.039 may be full. 00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.039 What could be 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.659 more joyful 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:54.139 than to know 00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:54.679 that your sins 00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:55.179 are forgiven? 00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:57.460 What could be 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.119 more joyful 00:36:58.119 --> 00:36:59.300 than to know 00:36:59.300 --> 00:37:00.500 that Christ 00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:01.099 himself 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.739 has come 00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:02.519 for you 00:37:02.519 --> 00:37:03.919 to reunite 00:37:03.919 --> 00:37:05.000 you with a God 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.879 that you don't 00:37:05.879 --> 00:37:06.719 deserve the time 00:37:06.719 --> 00:37:07.379 of day with 00:37:07.379 --> 00:37:08.379 but he has loved 00:37:08.379 --> 00:37:09.339 you enough 00:37:09.339 --> 00:37:10.219 to send his son 00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:11.139 to reunite 00:37:11.139 --> 00:37:12.259 himself with you 00:37:12.259 --> 00:37:12.979 through his blood? 00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.439 What could be 00:37:13.439 --> 00:37:14.219 more joyful 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:15.539 than to know 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.079 that you have 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:17.619 eternal security? 00:37:18.239 --> 00:37:18.559 That you've been 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.799 made children of God? 00:37:21.839 --> 00:37:22.379 We sing 00:37:22.379 --> 00:37:23.539 joy to the world, 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.579 the Lord is come. 00:37:26.059 --> 00:37:26.819 And the angels 00:37:26.819 --> 00:37:27.519 said, 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.199 do not fear, 00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:29.299 I bring you good news 00:37:29.299 --> 00:37:30.259 of great joy 00:37:30.259 --> 00:37:31.359 for all the peoples. 00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:33.479 The one who abides 00:37:33.479 --> 00:37:34.179 in Christ 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.419 ought to be marked 00:37:35.419 --> 00:37:37.500 by unshakable, 00:37:37.739 --> 00:37:38.819 supernatural, 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:40.959 palpable joy. 00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:43.439 Does this describe you? 00:37:45.399 --> 00:37:46.239 Does your heart 00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:48.399 rejoice in the Lord? 00:37:49.939 --> 00:37:51.099 If you want real, 00:37:51.379 --> 00:37:52.239 lasting joy, 00:37:52.439 --> 00:37:53.619 abide more deeply 00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.419 in Christ. 00:37:54.559 --> 00:37:55.099 And lastly, 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:55.799 number six, 00:37:57.279 --> 00:37:58.839 the one who abides 00:37:58.839 --> 00:37:59.739 is marked by 00:37:59.739 --> 00:38:01.339 new fellowship. 00:38:01.739 --> 00:38:05.000 new fellowship, 00:38:05.399 --> 00:38:05.979 friendship 00:38:05.979 --> 00:38:07.439 with God 00:38:07.439 --> 00:38:08.419 himself. 00:38:10.479 --> 00:38:11.519 Jesus assures 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:12.239 his disciples 00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:14.099 here in verse 13. 00:38:15.199 --> 00:38:16.899 He laid his life 00:38:16.899 --> 00:38:17.719 down as an act 00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:18.219 of love 00:38:18.219 --> 00:38:19.039 for his friends. 00:38:19.179 --> 00:38:19.439 He says, 00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:20.479 you are my friends 00:38:20.479 --> 00:38:20.959 if you do 00:38:20.959 --> 00:38:21.759 what I command you. 00:38:22.519 --> 00:38:23.399 No longer 00:38:23.399 --> 00:38:24.319 do I call you 00:38:24.319 --> 00:38:24.919 servants, 00:38:25.399 --> 00:38:26.199 for the servant 00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:26.899 does not know 00:38:26.899 --> 00:38:27.519 what his master 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:28.059 is doing. 00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:28.739 but I have 00:38:28.739 --> 00:38:29.400 called you 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.480 friends 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:31.699 for all that 00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:32.119 I have heard 00:38:32.119 --> 00:38:32.779 from my Father 00:38:32.779 --> 00:38:33.320 I have made 00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:34.259 known to you. 00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:36.579 Church, 00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:37.139 it is one thing 00:38:37.139 --> 00:38:37.779 to serve 00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:38.579 the Lord. 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:41.219 It is another thing 00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:42.480 entirely to be called 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:42.960 his friend. 00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:46.519 And Jesus says, 00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:48.619 I have come 00:38:48.619 --> 00:38:52.099 to befriend 00:38:52.099 --> 00:38:53.139 sinners. 00:38:54.679 --> 00:38:55.679 To abide 00:38:55.679 --> 00:38:56.460 in Christ 00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:58.659 is to know 00:38:58.659 --> 00:38:59.719 the Lord 00:38:59.719 --> 00:39:00.400 Jesus 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:01.380 not just as 00:39:01.380 --> 00:39:01.820 master 00:39:01.820 --> 00:39:02.659 but as friend. 00:39:03.940 --> 00:39:04.739 To abide 00:39:04.739 --> 00:39:05.139 in him 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:05.860 is to speak 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:06.380 to him, 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:07.420 to listen 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:07.980 to him, 00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:08.699 to follow 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:09.099 him, 00:39:09.219 --> 00:39:10.119 to long 00:39:10.119 --> 00:39:11.000 for relationship 00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:11.659 with him 00:39:11.659 --> 00:39:12.639 as your deepest 00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:13.819 and truest 00:39:13.819 --> 00:39:14.719 friend 00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:15.739 who loves 00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:16.079 you 00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:17.159 and has 00:39:17.159 --> 00:39:17.900 given himself 00:39:17.900 --> 00:39:18.920 for you. 00:39:21.179 --> 00:39:21.719 Church, 00:39:21.759 --> 00:39:22.159 if you feel 00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:22.679 yourself 00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:24.519 feeling 00:39:24.519 --> 00:39:26.299 spiritually dry 00:39:26.299 --> 00:39:27.239 this Christmas, 00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:29.119 if you are 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:29.699 struggling to 00:39:29.699 --> 00:39:30.460 find peace, 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.460 if you are 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:32.119 strung out 00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:32.699 and too 00:39:32.699 --> 00:39:33.119 busy, 00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:33.460 if you are 00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:34.000 stressed, 00:39:34.379 --> 00:39:34.659 if you are 00:39:34.659 --> 00:39:35.079 not seeing 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:35.599 the growth 00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:35.940 that you 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:36.359 hope to 00:39:36.359 --> 00:39:36.779 see in 00:39:36.779 --> 00:39:37.279 the Lord, 00:39:37.819 --> 00:39:38.359 start 00:39:38.359 --> 00:39:39.079 right 00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:40.019 here. 00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:41.679 Make 00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.379 sure 00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:43.460 that you 00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:43.680 are 00:39:43.680 --> 00:39:44.440 connected 00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:45.780 to the 00:39:45.780 --> 00:39:46.260 vine. 00:39:47.680 --> 00:39:47.940 Jesus 00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:48.500 invites 00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.300 you to 00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:49.640 come 00:39:49.640 --> 00:39:50.160 to lay 00:39:50.160 --> 00:39:50.599 aside 00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.119 the burden 00:39:51.119 --> 00:39:51.360 of 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:52.460 productivity, 00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:54.260 lay 00:39:54.260 --> 00:39:54.740 aside 00:39:54.740 --> 00:39:55.800 the stress 00:39:55.800 --> 00:39:56.180 of your 00:39:56.180 --> 00:39:56.760 busyness, 00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.480 lay aside 00:39:57.480 --> 00:39:58.099 the pressure 00:39:58.099 --> 00:39:59.140 of doing 00:39:59.140 --> 00:39:59.840 everything 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:00.200 in your 00:40:00.200 --> 00:40:01.079 own strength 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:01.900 to come 00:40:01.900 --> 00:40:02.519 to me 00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:03.640 and abide 00:40:03.640 --> 00:40:04.420 in me. 00:40:05.579 --> 00:40:06.200 Come 00:40:06.200 --> 00:40:06.720 to me, 00:40:06.980 --> 00:40:07.440 all who 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:07.960 are weary 00:40:07.960 --> 00:40:08.500 and heavy 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:08.940 laden, 00:40:09.660 --> 00:40:10.200 and I 00:40:10.200 --> 00:40:10.519 will give 00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:11.140 you rest. 00:40:12.380 --> 00:40:12.700 Let's 00:40:12.700 --> 00:40:12.920 pray. 00:40:14.760 --> 00:40:15.240 Lord, 00:40:16.240 --> 00:40:18.880 Jesus, 00:40:19.019 --> 00:40:19.220 what a 00:40:19.220 --> 00:40:19.720 promise. 00:40:21.820 --> 00:40:22.300 Again, 00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:23.039 we confess 00:40:23.039 --> 00:40:24.780 how easy 00:40:24.780 --> 00:40:25.519 it is for 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.000 us to 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:27.360 wonder 00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:28.420 from the 00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:28.980 source of 00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.579 joy and 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.019 source of 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:30.440 power, 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:30.980 source of 00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:31.539 strength, 00:40:31.680 --> 00:40:31.900 from your 00:40:31.900 --> 00:40:32.619 very presence, 00:40:32.760 --> 00:40:33.099 but Lord, 00:40:33.180 --> 00:40:33.559 we pray 00:40:33.559 --> 00:40:33.880 now, 00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:34.220 would you 00:40:34.220 --> 00:40:35.280 correct us 00:40:35.280 --> 00:40:35.579 in our 00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:35.980 hearts 00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:37.360 and draw 00:40:37.360 --> 00:40:37.820 us more 00:40:37.820 --> 00:40:38.160 deeply 00:40:38.160 --> 00:40:39.039 into communion 00:40:39.039 --> 00:40:39.579 with you. 00:40:39.579 --> 00:40:40.179 we thank 00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:40.440 you, 00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:41.319 Father, 00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:42.360 that you 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.579 sent 00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:43.119 Christ. 00:40:44.500 --> 00:40:44.880 The sinners 00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:45.440 like us 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:46.000 might even 00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:47.360 know you, 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:47.759 might even 00:40:47.759 --> 00:40:48.179 call you 00:40:48.179 --> 00:40:48.699 our friend. 00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:50.579 We thank 00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:51.440 you for 00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:51.779 your love 00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:52.139 for us 00:40:52.139 --> 00:40:52.360 in the 00:40:52.360 --> 00:40:52.860 gospel of 00:40:52.860 --> 00:40:53.480 Jesus Christ. 00:40:53.619 --> 00:40:53.840 We pray 00:40:53.840 --> 00:40:54.099 this in 00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:54.299 Jesus' 00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:54.619 name. 00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:55.759 Amen.