WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679 I'm going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 1 in the Scottish Psalter Psalm 1. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:11.939 ! We'll sing the whole of this Psalm together, page 200 of the Psalm books. 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:20.679 That man of perfect blessedness, who walketh not astray, and counsel of ungodly men, nor stands in sinners' way. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:27.699 And then verse 3, it says, He shall be like a tree that grows near, planted by a river, which in a season yields his fruit, 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:30.199 and his leaf fadeth never. 00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:35.579 This evening we're going to be thinking of the theme of abiding in Christ from John 15. 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:41.079 And this Psalm just outlines the fruitfulness of abiding with him. 00:00:41.179 --> 00:00:44.159 So Psalm 1, we'll stand to sing the whole of this Psalm. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:01:00.659 That man hath perfect blessedness, who walketh not astray, 00:01:00.659 --> 00:01:15.620 In counsel of ungodly men, nor stands in sinners' way. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:30.060 Nor sitteth in the scorers' ship, and which set his delight. 00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:44.420 Upon those all had meditated on his low day and night. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:58.519 He shall be like a tree that grows near, planted by a river, 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:12.060 Which in his season yields his fruit, and his leaf fadeth never. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:26.920 And all he does shall prosper well, the wicked are not so. 00:02:26.919 --> 00:02:40.759 But like they are, run through the chart, which wind drives through and fro. 00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:56.139 In judgment therefore shall not stand such as ungodly are, 00:02:56.139 --> 00:03:09.759 Nor in the assembly of the just shall with heaven appear. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:24.719 For why the way of godly men unto the Lord is known, 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:38.759 Whereas the way of wicked men shall quite be overthrown. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:46.459 Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. Let us pray. 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:55.260 Lord, our gracious God, as we continue in worship of you this day, we thank you for the beauty of it. 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:57.379 We thank you for the peace we enjoy. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:02.520 We thank you for the blessing of being able to worship you with praise on our lips, 00:04:02.700 --> 00:04:08.960 And a sense of rejoicing in our hearts that you are God, that you are with us, that you are for us. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:15.540 And we recognize, Lord, as your word teaches us, that apart from you, we can do nothing. 00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:21.639 And so help us this evening and each day to be a people seeking to abide in you, 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:25.459 And to know what it is to be fruitful through you, 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:30.439 Bearing fruit in our lives and in our congregation and our communities, 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:35.860 And seeing fruit being born throughout our land and throughout the nations of the world. 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:39.780 We thank you that you are God who is building his church. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:46.740 We thank you that in all that goes on around us, that we can be assured that you are the one who reigns on high. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:52.819 That you are the one who has every nation, every people in the hollow of your hand. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:55.580 Lord, you are mighty and powerful. 00:04:56.580 --> 00:04:58.439 You are full of grace and mercy. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:03.339 But we see, too, Lord, your wrath at times in our experience. 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:07.680 And it is something we should be so afraid of, so fearful of. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:10.660 When we think of the terrors of this world. 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:13.360 When we think of the horrors of war. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:17.860 And yet, O Lord, when we think of your abandoning your people. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:21.659 There is so much more to that, Lord, than we can even imagine. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:27.060 That we would know you with us, Lord, as our desire and our prayer. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:29.300 That your light would be with us. 00:05:29.420 --> 00:05:30.920 That your light would be upon us. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:34.500 And that you would light the world, O Lord, for your glory. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:40.680 For we see, O Lord, an evil around us in so many different ways and places. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:48.079 Even in this last week, O Lord, how we have seen troubles arise in nations of the world. 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:51.100 When we think of India and Pakistan and the events there. 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:53.740 And how quickly things can escalate. 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:56.459 We do pray, Lord, that a peace would come. 00:05:57.060 --> 00:06:00.439 As we think of the Middle East and the Ukraine and Russia. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:06.100 And so many other nations in the world where there is fear of war. 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:07.259 Or rumor of war. 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:08.879 Or war going on. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:13.120 We know, Lord, that it brings with it so much pain and suffering. 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:13.959 So much sorrow. 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:16.800 And we cannot enter into it. 00:06:16.840 --> 00:06:18.600 Perhaps ourselves, many of us. 00:06:18.600 --> 00:06:24.780 But, Lord, as we have remembered a day of peace coming to our land in the past. 00:06:25.140 --> 00:06:28.700 As we remembered 80 years since VE Day this week. 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:34.460 We do pray, Lord, that the days of peace and times of peace that were enjoyed then. 00:06:35.080 --> 00:06:38.080 That they would be enjoyed in many other lands today. 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:42.120 And above all, Lord, we pray for your peace. 00:06:42.859 --> 00:06:46.139 The peace of God that passes all understanding. 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:48.479 So that even in the midst of trouble. 00:06:48.919 --> 00:06:52.039 We can know that you are God who is able to help us. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:55.500 And able to watch over in a way that we cannot. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:59.300 And so we thank you, Lord, that you have your people today. 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:01.339 Praying all over the world. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:07.379 Praying for your goodness and mercy to be with us. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:11.620 And your, Lord, lasting peace to be over us. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:17.100 And we thank you that together we come with that prayer in mind as well. 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:19.540 To know peace in our own hearts. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:22.600 To know the peace and joy of salvation. 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:28.160 And to know the wonder of Christ as our Lord and as our God. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:33.980 To know the grace of God that is able to satisfy our every need. 00:07:34.660 --> 00:07:38.140 The grace that is always sufficient for every need that we have. 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:42.980 And we know, Lord, that every need is very personal to us. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:46.780 And can seem, sometimes in many ways, insignificant. 00:07:47.780 --> 00:07:50.540 And maybe even there's things that we don't feel like we can pray for. 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:54.960 When we think of other people or situations around us. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:59.860 But, Lord, you desire us and you delight in us coming to you in prayer. 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:03.260 For we are dependent upon you for all things. 00:08:03.340 --> 00:08:04.960 From the very smallest of things. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:07.900 To the enormity of the peace of this world. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:09.200 And everything in between. 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:12.360 Lord, we are dependent upon you for all things. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.920 And so we come to you with thanksgiving. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:19.520 Thankful that you are one who is able to help us bear fruit. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:24.480 That you are the one who is able to nourish us and strengthen us along the way. 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:30.640 That when we do abide in you, O Lord, that we have that fruitfulness that comes from you. 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:35.820 And we pray that we would experience it and know it personally and collectively. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:39.060 That as we think of every need of our congregation. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:42.480 As we think of all that goes on in our communities, Lord. 00:08:42.540 --> 00:08:43.940 That you would hear our prayers. 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:46.760 And that you would bring fruit into our midst. 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:51.160 That we would see a day of rejoicing in you as Lord and God. 00:08:51.760 --> 00:08:54.040 That we would see a day of blessing upon us. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:09:00.140 A day of seeing your hand building up the church near and far. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:02.460 A day of blessing upon us. 00:09:02.540 --> 00:09:03.700 Lord, we long for it. 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:08.040 And we pray, Lord, that personally and collectively too. 00:09:08.140 --> 00:09:11.840 That we would just have that longing in our hearts. 00:09:12.520 --> 00:09:16.000 To be near to you and to be with you day by day. 00:09:16.680 --> 00:09:19.580 Bless us as homes and families, Lord. 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:23.700 We pray for our young people as they continue to go through exams. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:27.400 Just now thankful for those who have already sat exams. 00:09:27.400 --> 00:09:30.259 And come through times of studying. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.620 And praying for others, Lord. 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:36.159 Who are continuing in their studies and exams coming up in the weeks ahead. 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:37.379 Help them, Lord. 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.600 Prepare them for it. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:43.419 And help them not just to be busy studying for exams. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:45.899 But to find times for rest as well. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:48.740 And especially, Lord, to find time for you. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:51.139 To commit you into their lives. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:54.440 And into the direction that their lives are going. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:56.940 That they would seek you in their young years. 00:09:56.940 --> 00:09:58.740 That they would pray to you, Lord. 00:09:58.820 --> 00:09:59.740 Asking for help. 00:09:59.900 --> 00:10:00.540 For guidance. 00:10:01.040 --> 00:10:03.760 And for your leading in all of these days. 00:10:04.400 --> 00:10:06.400 We pray for our schools, O Lord. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:09.480 We thank you for the teachers and staff. 00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:10.480 And all the pupils. 00:10:10.900 --> 00:10:15.540 It's a busy time of year again for them coming up to the holiday period. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:21.199 We pray, Lord, for all the children who will be moving from primary to secondary. 00:10:21.199 --> 00:10:23.819 And all the children who will be leaving secondary school. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:27.459 Moving on to studies and work in different places. 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:30.559 Lord, we pray for your guidance to all. 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.740 And that you would help them and bless them. 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:35.759 We thank you too for our Sunday school. 00:10:35.959 --> 00:10:37.360 And for all the work done there. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:39.399 And the work with our young people through the week. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.240 And the toddlers. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:43.320 And the explorers groups as well. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.740 And the youth club in the YF. 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:50.180 We thank you, Lord, for all the activities and connections we have with our young people. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:53.879 And we pray for our upcoming holiday club as well. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.500 As we make preparation for that. 00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:58.100 That you would guide us in all that's to be done. 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:02.340 Thankful for the connections in the past with so many different families. 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:07.440 And pray, Lord, to see these grow and develop in the weeks ahead as well. 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:11.140 And we thank you too for the Scaladel camp last weekend. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:13.960 For the blessing of young people together there. 00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:17.560 For encouraging news of the numbers there. 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:19.420 And the conversations that we've had. 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:21.820 Thank you for the seed that's been sown. 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:24.660 And pray that you will give it a blessing and increase. 00:11:25.420 --> 00:11:27.640 We think too of our camps as well. 00:11:27.760 --> 00:11:31.840 Thankful for the blessings that they've been for many years to our denomination. 00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:36.900 And for the many young people who have been blessed by them in the past. 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:39.120 And as preparations are made for this year. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:42.039 We pray for help and blessing in it. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:45.120 As we think of the Westry camp in July. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.639 That's looking for a leader. 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:50.579 We pray that someone would come forward to help with that. 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:55.039 And that they would see and know your hand in all of these things. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:57.799 We pray for our nation as well. 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:59.620 As we pray for our rulers. 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:02.379 We pray for parliaments and our royal family. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:05.379 We ask your blessing and your wisdom to them. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:08.840 And we think especially of the parliament in Hollywood. 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:10.080 As they meet this week. 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:14.360 For the discussion and debate to take place on Tuesday. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:15.740 We pray for your wisdom. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:19.139 And for your guidance in the assisted dying bill. 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:23.840 We see oh Lord that so many things that can be meant for good. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:27.040 Are so evil in themselves Lord. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:31.080 They can be turned on their head and cause so much devastation. 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:35.300 And we just pray Lord that you would overrule in these things. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.759 That you would see. 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:40.800 We would see the gift of life as being held precious. 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:44.040 Whether it's at the beginning of life or end of life. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:46.019 That we would see oh Lord. 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:50.679 And a view of life that is from you. 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:53.299 And precious from you. 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:58.600 So we pray Lord for your wisdom and your help to the MSPs as they discuss. 00:12:58.699 --> 00:13:01.399 That your spirit will be in the midst of it all. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:04.539 So we pray that for our nation as well Lord. 00:13:04.579 --> 00:13:08.699 That we would see your spirit in all that we see around us. 00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:13.759 That we would see a turning of the tide of secularism and atheism. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:18.620 And all the other agendas against your word and your will. 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:21.360 Oh Lord we pray a mercy upon us. 00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:22.039 And turn us. 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:23.159 Revive us again. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:26.960 We pray then for your goodness to us this evening. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:29.340 Bless your word to us as we read it. 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:30.679 As we share from it. 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:33.859 That it would be a word that goes with us even in the week ahead. 00:13:34.459 --> 00:13:36.759 To guide us and to help us along the way. 00:13:37.319 --> 00:13:38.279 So Lord bless us. 00:13:38.359 --> 00:13:39.620 Now hear our prayers. 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:40.839 Continue with us. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:43.039 And we ask all with the forgiveness of our sins. 00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:44.500 In Jesus name. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.339 Amen. 00:13:48.859 --> 00:13:52.239 We're going to sing again to God's praise. 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:54.239 This time in Psalm 43. 00:13:55.219 --> 00:13:56.519 Let's sing Psalm's version. 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.639 Page 54. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:01.899 Psalm 43. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:04.939 We'll sing the whole of this Psalm. 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:06.039 Page 54. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.819 Come vindicate me oh my God. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:12.360 Against this nation plead my cause. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:15.340 Deliver me from wicked foes and hypocrites. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.179 Who break your laws. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.860 We'll sing the whole of this Psalm. 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.439 To God's praise. 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:27.440 Come vindicate me oh my God. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:32.080 Come vindicate me oh my God. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:40.540 Against this nation plead my cause. 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:53.079 Deliver me from wicked foes and hypocrites. 00:14:53.079 --> 00:14:57.579 To break your laws. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:06.259 You are my stronghold and my God. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:14.560 Why then have you rejected me? 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:23.239 Why must I go about in grief. 00:15:23.239 --> 00:15:30.299 Outthroden by the enemy. 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:37.299 Oh send your eyes forth. 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:40.039 Forthong your truth. 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:48.519 Let them direct me in your grace. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:56.799 And bring me to your holy hill. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:16:05.319 Into your sacred dwelling place. 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:14.000 Then to God's altar I will go. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:22.480 To God my joy and my delight. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:31.039 And I will praise you with the heart. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:39.860 O God you are my God of might. 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:48.220 Why are you downcast oh my soul. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:56.220 Why are you so distilled in me. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:17:04.779 Trust God for I will praise him yet. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:12.700 My Savior and my God is he. 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.220 Amen. 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.220 Amen. 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:27.579 We will turn to read God's word together now in the Gospel of John chapter 15. 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:30.539 John chapter 15. 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:35.380 Reading from the beginning of the chapter down to verse 17. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:41.620 You will find it around page 1087. 00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:45.500 John 15 at verse 1. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:49.000 I am the true vine and my father is the vine dresser. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:53.359 Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away. 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:59.079 And every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:04.099 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:07.680 Abide in me and I in you. 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:12.759 As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine. 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:15.539 Neither can you unless you abide in me. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.160 I am the vine. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.799 You are the branches. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:21.960 Whoever abides in me and I in him. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:24.319 He it is that bears much fruit. 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:26.839 For apart from me you can do nothing. 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:29.660 If anyone does not abide in me. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:32.720 He is thrown away like a branch and withers. 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:36.720 And the branches are gathered thrown into the fire and burned. 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:40.379 If you abide in me and my word abides in you. 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:43.540 Ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:50.780 By this my father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:55.080 As the father has loved me so have I loved you. 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.820 Abide in my love. 00:18:57.460 --> 00:19:00.300 If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love. 00:19:00.520 --> 00:19:04.780 Just as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love. 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:10.579 These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:15.160 This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:21.139 Greater love has no one than this that someone lays down his life for his friends. 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:25.139 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:27.960 No longer do I call you servants. 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:31.559 For the servant does not know what his master is doing. 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:33.819 But I have called you friends. 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:39.240 For all that I have heard from my father I have made known to you. 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:41.539 You do not choose me. 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.279 But I chose you. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:46.759 And appointed you that you should go and bear fruit. 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:49.139 And that your fruit should abide. 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:52.259 So that whatever you ask the father in my name. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:54.079 He may give it to you. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:56.480 These things I command you. 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:58.879 So that you will love one another. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:04.340 And so on and may God add his blessing to that reading from his word. 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:10.160 We're going to sing again before we turn back to this passage in Psalm 80a. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:12.060 Sing Psalm's version. 00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:14.100 Psalm 80a. 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:16.640 Sing in verse 7 to 15. 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:23.500 Psalm 88 verse 7. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:49.720 We'll sing from verse 7 down to verse 15 to God's praise. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.900 We stand to sing. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:21:00.300 Look on us, O God Almighty. 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:06.860 Let us see your glory bright. 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:13.080 Turn us once again towards you. 00:21:13.540 --> 00:21:16.620 Come and save us. 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:19.740 Give us light. 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:25.740 Once you brought a vine from Egypt. 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:31.740 Throw our kings with mighty hand. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:37.740 Set the vine in ground made ready. 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:44.900 It took root and fill the land. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.900 So its branches. 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:48.900 So its branches. 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:50.900 Floth the mountains. 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:56.900 Shading every cedar tree. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:22:02.900 Spreading from the great Euphrates. 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:08.900 To the mighty western sea. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:10.900 Why did you break down its fences. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:16.900 Why did you break down its fences. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:22.900 So that all may pluck its fruit. 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:28.900 Creatures of the field devoured. 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:30.900 Wild poor stir it. 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:34.900 Wild poor stir it from the root. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:40.900 Turn to us, O God Almighty. 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:46.900 Look and see from heaven above. 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:48.900 In this vine your hand has planted. 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:58.900 And the sun you raised in love. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:08.900 Into heaven in love. 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:12.900 Well, we can turn back to our reading in John chapter 15. 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:20.640 We're looking at this section where Jesus is speaking about himself as the vine, the true vine. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.940 You can read again at verse 5. 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:27.100 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:32.880 Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:37.019 For apart from me you can do nothing. 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:44.619 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:48.480 One of Jesus' I am sayings. 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:52.160 This is his last one in the Gospel of John. 00:23:53.039 --> 00:24:02.160 And as you look at the I am sayings, they're always connected to teachings about what Jesus is either seeing around him or what's going on in different ways around him. 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:11.259 And the people can understand what he's saying to them as he speaks about whether it's the shepherd, the light, whatever it is, the I am sayings that he is saying. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:14.440 He's talking about things that the people can understand. 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:18.840 And the same is true for this saying as well, I am the vine. 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:27.860 When you think of many nations in the world, they so often have a symbol that represents them. 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:32.659 When you think of Scotland, you think, well, what represents Scotland? 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.839 What makes you think of Scotland? 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:40.740 Well, it could be the Scottish Salter or the Thistle or the Lion Rampant. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:44.619 It could be any of these things and you think that's representing Scotland. 00:24:45.179 --> 00:24:48.119 You think of England and it's maybe the English Rose. 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:51.039 Or Wales, it's the Welsh Dragon. 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:52.799 Or America, it's the Eagle. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:58.419 So many different nations in the world, they have symbols that represent them. 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:10.720 And when you look in the Word of God, you find very often God's people, Israel, whether it's in the Old Testament or whether we're coming here into the New Testament in Jesus' own day, 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:15.079 a symbol that represented them was the vine. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:20.399 The vine that grapes would come from, that they would bear fruit for them. 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:24.519 And it's something that you see running throughout the Old Testament. 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:30.560 The psalm that we just sang, Psalm 80, it very much has that in these verses that we were singing. 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:35.759 Once you brought a vine from Egypt, drove out kings with mighty hand. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:40.019 It speaks about the branches then clothing the mountains. 00:25:40.540 --> 00:25:45.280 And then it speaks about turning, the Lord turning again and say in verse 15, 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:48.600 Tend this vine your hand has planted. 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:53.559 So the vine is very much a representation of God's people there. 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:57.319 The same is true in Isaiah, for example. 00:25:57.439 --> 00:26:01.959 It comes up a number of times here in Isaiah chapter 5, verse 1 to 7. 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:08.539 It speaks there about a word of warning about the unproductive vineyard. 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.119 In verse 7 it says, 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:14.019 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel. 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:17.099 So it's talking about God's people. 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:23.700 The vineyard, the vine, is very much a representation of God's people. 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:29.400 And it's a representation that we see too in whether it's fruitful or not. 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:35.579 And disobedience against God, as you see throughout the Old Testament, 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:40.019 the warning in Isaiah is one about an unproductive vineyard. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:43.920 It's not bearing fruit because they've turned away from God. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:49.660 But on the other hand, when you're with God, when you're looking and trusting in God, 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:55.619 there's that sense of a good harvest, a plentiful and a rich harvest coming. 00:26:56.740 --> 00:27:01.019 And so in John 15, that's the kind of background that the people would have understood. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:03.019 This saying of Jesus, 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:07.180 I am the vine, I am the true vine. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:10.680 And Jesus is here in John 15. 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:16.680 In this section, he's with his disciples just before the night before the crucifixion. 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:23.900 And you see from John 13 through to 17, it's this time he has with his disciples. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:30.759 He's using this image of the vine to show them just what is about to take place 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:35.940 and what they need to trust in as this crucifixion is taking place. 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:43.019 And round about them at this time in Jerusalem would have been the symbol of the vine in so many different ways. 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:48.680 Jerusalem would have been full, whether it's the temple, whether it's the gates going into Jerusalem, 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:51.740 or whether it's the countryside around Jerusalem. 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:56.019 The vineyards, the vines would have been plentiful to see. 00:27:56.019 --> 00:28:02.279 And especially in springtime, which would have been at this time when Jesus is with his disciples, 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:05.400 the vines would have been blossoming and blooming. 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:08.339 They would have been rich and ready to harvest. 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:13.359 And fruitfulness would have been seen all around them. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.619 And Jesus is saying to them, 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.839 I am the vine. 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:20.839 I am the one who can bring much fruit for you. 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:23.939 Apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:30.179 It's that time of year for ourselves when gardens are getting prepared, 00:28:30.419 --> 00:28:33.119 vegetable plots are getting prepared. 00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:36.259 If you're a good gardener, you enjoy it. 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:38.419 If you've got time, you enjoy it. 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:39.619 Just getting everything ready. 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:43.899 And especially in this kind of weather, it can start to blossom so quickly. 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:47.200 But if you're like me, it's almost a time when you just want to cry, 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:50.560 help, because the grass is growing too quick. 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:52.780 The weeds are just taking over. 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:56.759 If you don't have time or if you don't really fully committed to it, 00:28:57.200 --> 00:29:00.780 the place can just overgrow so quick. 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:05.759 And what you really want to grow doesn't, because the weeds take over. 00:29:06.840 --> 00:29:10.940 And that's true for ourselves in the Christian life as well. 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:15.460 And that's really the warning behind what Jesus is saying here when he says, 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.580 I am the vine. 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:19.279 And he's talking about the gardening, the pruning. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.980 He's talking about all of these things. 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:22.980 He's talking about the Christian life. 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:28.279 And he's talking about what we need to take out, to root out, 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:31.019 to get rid of the weeds, all of these things. 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:33.940 How is our spiritual garden, as it were? 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.900 Is life taking over? 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:42.180 Is life just going out of control for us where we don't have time for God? 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:45.380 We were pushing him away and we're seeing another time. 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:49.640 And the weeds are just growing and growing, taking over our lives. 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:53.500 Do we need the gardener's help? 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:57.640 And do you need the gardener's help this evening? 00:29:57.640 --> 00:30:02.460 Well, as Jesus is speaking these words to his disciples and to us, 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:05.360 he's reminding us that help is at hand. 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:11.620 In all the I am sayings, they're very much there to help the Lord's people then 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:14.240 and to this very day. 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:19.480 So there's three things that Jesus teaches us through this I am divine 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:21.240 that we can focus on this evening. 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:25.660 The first thing is abiding in him. 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.859 The importance of abiding in him. 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:32.460 The second thing is being tended by him. 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:36.079 We see the gardener working here. 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:39.759 And then thirdly, we see bearing fruit through him. 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.859 And the three are just connected. 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:45.039 They're all connected together. 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:48.559 Abiding in him means to be tended by him, 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:51.779 which leads to bearing fruit through him. 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:54.319 So we're going to go through them in that order. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:57.399 First, abiding in him. 00:30:58.359 --> 00:31:01.679 So this is the last of the I am sayings when he says, 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:05.259 I am the vine there in verse 5. 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:09.839 Each one had a purpose. 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:14.859 Each one had a teaching behind the first five I am sayings. 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:18.019 He says, I am the bread of life. 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:20.240 What does that mean? 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:22.440 Well, it means he sustains us. 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:25.279 He sustains us. 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:27.960 He said, I am the light. 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.859 He directs us. 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:33.399 He shows us the way to go. 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.700 He lights up our lives. 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:36.220 He says, I am the good shepherd. 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:38.539 He protects us. 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:40.440 He's looking after us. 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:42.240 He tends his flock. 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:44.319 I am the resurrection. 00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:47.279 He is our future hope. 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:50.960 So there's always a purpose in the I am sayings. 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:56.319 But what's interesting about the last two is they appear here in chapter 14 and 15. 00:31:57.039 --> 00:32:02.319 They both occur in the same night, just before his death. 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:07.039 And they both give his disciples hope in the midst of adversity. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:10.119 Hope in the midst of everything that he's telling them. 00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:11.779 That he is going to give his life. 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:14.519 That he's going to lay down his life. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:20.940 And the first one we see here is in chapter 14 when he says, let not your hearts be troubled. 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:22.500 Believe in God. 00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:23.480 Believe also in me. 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:26.160 I am going to prepare a place for you. 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:28.759 But Thomas has a question. 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:31.879 Lord, we do not know the way. 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:37.100 And Jesus comes in and says there in verse 6 of chapter 14. 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:41.360 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:45.940 So he's giving them guidance here in the midst of the uncertainty of him going away. 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:50.800 He says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:32:51.820 --> 00:32:53.780 And then you come into chapter 15. 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:56.139 And we have this one here. 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.519 The Lord is going away. 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:59.519 We still need him. 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:02.680 And he is still there for us. 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:07.180 And so he is saying to abide in him. 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:10.819 Abiding in him is the key. 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:16.359 And that's what we see here when he says, I am the vine. 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:18.839 In verse 1 he says, I am the true vine. 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:23.359 And in verse 5 he says, I am the vine. 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:26.559 What does he mean here? 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:32.740 What is he talking about when he says, I am the true vine and I am the vine? 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:37.680 Well, it takes us back to the Old Testament. 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:42.700 He's really taking them through the whole of the Old Testament here. 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:45.160 The vine and the true vine. 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:48.440 The very reason that he's come into the world. 00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:52.779 The very purpose that he's come is for the sins of his people. 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:55.299 Because they have been disobedient. 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.319 They have disobeyed. 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:57.420 They have gone astray. 00:33:58.319 --> 00:34:01.299 The vine has become unproductive. 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:04.359 The vine is not bearing fruit. 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:06.579 The fruit that he had for them. 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:08.380 Because they've disobeyed. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.179 They've gone astray. 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:15.440 And so here he is showing this is the very purpose for which I've come. 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:17.419 That you might be fruitful. 00:34:18.359 --> 00:34:21.519 That you might grow in me. 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:25.159 If you abide in me, you will be fruitful. 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:29.940 Faithfulness, he's saying, leads to fruitfulness. 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:34.480 Disobedience leads to being cast away. 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:40.800 And so he's reminding them here of everything that God was teaching through the Old Testament. 00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:43.800 That he is the true vine. 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:49.660 If you want a question to stir up conversation. 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:54.560 A question that we could all have a different opinion on. 00:34:55.100 --> 00:34:59.100 Is what is the greatest need of the church today? 00:35:00.160 --> 00:35:04.680 Whether we're thinking locally, nationally, internationally. 00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:08.440 What's the greatest need of the church today? 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:13.559 If I could give you all a piece of paper to write down your answer to that question. 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:17.880 I'm sure there will be a whole host, a variety of different answers. 00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:21.260 And is there one right answer? 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:23.019 Maybe not. 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:28.139 The greatest need of the church is many and varied. 00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:30.460 We need the word of God. 00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.700 We need prayer. 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:32.599 We need mission. 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:34.920 We need so many different things. 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:39.240 But maybe our greatest need is here. 00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:41.079 As we have in these verses. 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.900 In verse 5. 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:46.280 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:48.700 Whoever abides in me and I in him. 00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:50.840 He it is that bears much fruit. 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:54.240 For apart from me you can do nothing. 00:35:56.000 --> 00:36:01.800 So the very root, the very substance of our faith is in Christ. 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:06.100 So whether we're thinking of reading our Bibles. 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:11.060 Whether we're thinking of understanding the doctrines and theology of the church. 00:36:11.160 --> 00:36:13.800 Whether we're thinking of learning the catechisms. 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:16.960 Whether we're thinking of learning verses off by heart. 00:36:17.080 --> 00:36:20.800 Whether we're thinking of our outreach, our evangelism, our discipleship. 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:24.420 All of these things that we need in our church. 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:29.099 They are all rooted in Christ. 00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:33.599 Because apart from me you can do nothing. 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:37.380 And he's not saying there do nothing. 00:36:38.280 --> 00:36:41.960 It's the doing but by abiding in him. 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:46.700 Apart from me you can do nothing. 00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:50.960 And so we need to abide in him. 00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:54.919 And that's what he's saying to his disciples here. 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:57.199 So that as they would go on from here. 00:36:57.259 --> 00:36:59.219 As they would go on to see him crucified. 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:01.480 To meet with the risen Lord. 00:37:01.819 --> 00:37:03.759 To be together in Jerusalem. 00:37:03.899 --> 00:37:05.799 To go out to all the ends of the earth. 00:37:06.219 --> 00:37:08.619 This would be at the heart of everything that they do. 00:37:09.339 --> 00:37:11.000 Abiding in him. 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:15.900 And that's important for every church today. 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:17.440 For every Christian today. 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:20.000 To abide in him. 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:23.500 To be rooted in him. 00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:26.780 If we want to be God's people. 00:37:27.219 --> 00:37:29.260 If we want to be a Christian today. 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:30.940 You cannot do it by yourself. 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:34.539 Apart from him you can do nothing. 00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:38.380 But he says abide in me. 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:43.219 Abide in me. 00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:46.719 So that is so important for us. 00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:49.739 Because if we don't what happens? 00:37:51.159 --> 00:37:52.119 We wither. 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.280 We fade. 00:37:54.559 --> 00:37:58.300 We had flowers in a vase in our house a wee while ago. 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:03.000 And one of the flowers after a few days was starting to wilt. 00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:04.900 A lot quicker than the other ones. 00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:07.619 Wondering well why is that? 00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:08.800 What's happened to that flower? 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:10.460 And look more closely. 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:15.460 And what we had noticed was that the stem of that one flower was outside the vase. 00:38:16.019 --> 00:38:17.800 And not with the rest in the water. 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:21.700 And so because it wasn't immersed in the water. 00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:23.400 Because it wasn't getting that feeding. 00:38:23.900 --> 00:38:24.780 It was wilting. 00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:27.340 And wilting so much quicker than the others. 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:31.360 And that's just the way it is for us. 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:34.599 When we're outside of Christ. 00:38:34.660 --> 00:38:35.800 When we're away from Christ. 00:38:35.900 --> 00:38:38.000 When we're not nourished by him. 00:38:38.599 --> 00:38:40.079 When we're not abiding in him. 00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:41.000 We wilt. 00:38:42.280 --> 00:38:46.820 That's been the lesson to the church in the Old Testament that Jesus is highlighting here. 00:38:47.539 --> 00:38:52.500 The vineyard was not fruitful because we're not abiding in him. 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:56.079 So are we abiding in him? 00:38:56.139 --> 00:38:58.340 Are you abiding in him? 00:38:59.079 --> 00:39:00.679 We ask that individually. 00:39:01.039 --> 00:39:02.900 We ask it collectively. 00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:07.320 Because apart from him we can do nothing. 00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:11.980 We must abide in him. 00:39:11.980 --> 00:39:18.760 The second thing we see here then is to be tended by him. 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:22.659 We abide in him. 00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:24.480 And that's the start. 00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:27.860 But we have to be tended by him as we go on. 00:39:28.880 --> 00:39:31.800 The gardener is always looking after the garden. 00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:34.820 And that is true for the vineyard. 00:39:34.940 --> 00:39:36.780 For the church of God as well. 00:39:37.099 --> 00:39:39.219 Where the Lord is building his church. 00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:41.940 And he's doing it in ways that he's tending his church. 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:45.980 Pruning his church in all kinds of different ways. 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:54.139 And the purpose of tending and pruning is that the garden, the plant might thrive. 00:39:55.740 --> 00:39:57.500 That it might thrive. 00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:59.860 Because if it's not thriving, what happens? 00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:01.219 It's thrown away. 00:40:01.780 --> 00:40:02.880 It's no use. 00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:05.920 And that's exactly what we see here. 00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:10.960 As Jesus is saying, I am the vine and you are the branches. 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:16.300 We also see how the Father is the vine dresser, as it says in verse 1. 00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:21.500 So there is this work of the gardener ongoing all the time as well. 00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:27.659 And there's three different ways that we see here that the garden is tended. 00:40:27.820 --> 00:40:30.840 And the way we are tended by God as well. 00:40:30.840 --> 00:40:39.860 And three of them are there for us to understand the work of God in our midst. 00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:45.400 And the first way of caring for the vine here is shown in verse 2. 00:40:45.400 --> 00:40:52.340 Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit, he takes away. 00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:59.059 Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit, he takes away. 00:40:59.059 --> 00:41:04.920 And this is showing the care of the gardener, the vine dresser. 00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:10.820 Because immediately we think here, the branch is removed and thrown away. 00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:12.480 But it's not actually the case. 00:41:13.739 --> 00:41:18.320 And what you see here is this branch is the branch of mine. 00:41:18.320 --> 00:41:22.880 It's not bearing fruit, but it's still mine. 00:41:23.840 --> 00:41:25.600 It's not dead. 00:41:26.240 --> 00:41:27.420 It's still connected. 00:41:29.059 --> 00:41:33.620 But the problem is that this branch is on the ground. 00:41:34.920 --> 00:41:37.940 And you can see this happen in your gardens. 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:46.980 I'm sure that there is a plant, maybe even from last year, that's become covered in last year's overgrown grass or leaves that are fallen. 00:41:47.300 --> 00:41:48.900 And it's covered its way down. 00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:50.039 It's on the ground. 00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:53.700 And it's not bearing fruit. 00:41:54.179 --> 00:41:56.679 It's unable to bear fruit because of this. 00:41:58.119 --> 00:42:02.360 And this is the picture here that the Lord is giving to us. 00:42:03.099 --> 00:42:07.579 Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit, he takes away. 00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:14.099 But take away there actually could mean, as another translation is, to lift up and support. 00:42:15.440 --> 00:42:17.500 And that's a much better picture. 00:42:17.679 --> 00:42:24.719 It's like what you have in verse 7 of Psalm 80, where it speaks there about, 00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:29.519 Look on us, O God Almighty, let us see your glory bright. 00:42:29.739 --> 00:42:32.340 Turn us once again towards you. 00:42:32.759 --> 00:42:35.219 Come and save us, give us light. 00:42:35.219 --> 00:42:38.219 It's the psalm saying, lift us up, O Lord. 00:42:38.779 --> 00:42:39.939 Give us light. 00:42:40.879 --> 00:42:46.679 The vine that he brought from Egypt, the psalm is saying, will you not lift us up again towards you? 00:42:46.759 --> 00:42:47.599 Give us light. 00:42:48.299 --> 00:42:51.259 And that's what the gardener is doing here. 00:42:51.919 --> 00:42:57.339 He's lifting up the branch that it might have the light to flourish again. 00:42:57.340 --> 00:43:03.039 And that is what the Lord does for his church and for his people. 00:43:04.000 --> 00:43:06.640 You see, there are times in our experience when we feel weary. 00:43:06.900 --> 00:43:08.300 We feel cast down. 00:43:08.420 --> 00:43:09.220 We feel burdened. 00:43:09.280 --> 00:43:11.660 We feel we're not bearing fruit. 00:43:11.659 --> 00:43:19.019 But the Lord, the vine dresser, he is able to lift us up. 00:43:19.460 --> 00:43:22.559 That we might bear fruit once again. 00:43:23.579 --> 00:43:30.699 A good gardener is able to revive plants, to bring life, to bring fruit from plants once again. 00:43:31.059 --> 00:43:32.299 And so is the Lord. 00:43:32.300 --> 00:43:43.300 And so that when the church or the people of God seem so downcast, so dismayed by so many things, we pray, Lord, give us your light. 00:43:43.460 --> 00:43:45.600 Lift us up to your light once again. 00:43:46.700 --> 00:43:50.380 And that is the care of God for his people. 00:43:50.480 --> 00:43:54.460 And Isaiah 42, verse 3, there's those wonderful words. 00:43:54.539 --> 00:43:54.840 He says, 00:43:54.840 --> 00:44:00.940 It's bruised. 00:44:01.539 --> 00:44:06.079 It's maybe not bearing fruit, but he will not break it. 00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:11.380 And there is the gardener just looking after what is his. 00:44:12.079 --> 00:44:16.280 Lifting it up, tending it, that it might bear fruit again. 00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:22.500 So individually we can feel that sense of overwhelmed by life's experience. 00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:30.280 But by abiding in Christ, we are able to know that care of the gardener that lifts us up. 00:44:31.320 --> 00:44:35.599 The second thing that we see here that he tends the garden is that he prunes. 00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:39.460 He prunes the garden as well. 00:44:39.539 --> 00:44:42.699 So there's the lifting up of those that are downcast. 00:44:43.139 --> 00:44:44.539 But he also says in verse 2, 00:44:44.539 --> 00:44:50.159 Every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:54.340 So what is Jesus saying here? 00:44:55.260 --> 00:45:00.019 Well, it's a reminder that there are times of pruning in our experience as well. 00:45:00.960 --> 00:45:04.239 A good gardener knows exactly when to cut. 00:45:05.099 --> 00:45:08.079 And where and how to cut. 00:45:08.320 --> 00:45:12.599 In order that the plant will bear more fruit. 00:45:13.159 --> 00:45:14.059 Healthier fruit. 00:45:14.280 --> 00:45:15.199 Richer fruit. 00:45:15.199 --> 00:45:19.919 If you don't know what you're doing, you'll just hack away and you may destroy. 00:45:20.619 --> 00:45:25.639 But the gardener, the vine dresser here, he knows what he's doing and so he prunes. 00:45:27.480 --> 00:45:32.819 And pruning, it's for us, we go through pruning experience, it's not always pleasant. 00:45:33.759 --> 00:45:35.839 Where the Lord prunes things in our lives. 00:45:35.919 --> 00:45:37.059 He takes things away. 00:45:37.500 --> 00:45:39.659 There will be times of hurt and pain. 00:45:39.659 --> 00:45:42.839 But yet there's a purpose. 00:45:43.859 --> 00:45:46.819 That it may bear more fruit. 00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:52.399 And again, it's a reminder that the Father is committed to us. 00:45:53.399 --> 00:45:55.639 That the Father is there to do us good. 00:45:56.420 --> 00:45:59.440 To help us through every experience. 00:46:00.000 --> 00:46:04.279 That we might have seasons when we're not doing well. 00:46:04.460 --> 00:46:08.199 Seasons when we just need that sense of pruning things away. 00:46:08.199 --> 00:46:12.619 But it's so that we might come into a better season. 00:46:13.219 --> 00:46:15.159 A more fruitful season. 00:46:16.719 --> 00:46:22.319 And so the vine dresser, he is pruning his people, pruning his church. 00:46:23.119 --> 00:46:24.939 And that's good news. 00:46:26.199 --> 00:46:30.339 Because there's a purpose behind it to bear more fruit. 00:46:31.119 --> 00:46:34.599 It's hard, but it'll be worth it. 00:46:34.599 --> 00:46:38.819 And that's when we have to put our trust in God. 00:46:39.559 --> 00:46:41.460 We have to put our faith in God. 00:46:41.539 --> 00:46:43.239 That he knows best. 00:46:44.079 --> 00:46:45.819 That he knows what he's doing. 00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:49.839 That he has our best interest in mind. 00:46:51.299 --> 00:46:54.279 So he prunes as well. 00:46:54.619 --> 00:46:56.579 That we might bear more fruit. 00:46:56.579 --> 00:47:00.319 So he's caring for his garden. 00:47:00.940 --> 00:47:02.900 He's lifting up what's downcast. 00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:07.659 He's helping what's been strong to be pruned back. 00:47:07.759 --> 00:47:09.199 That it might get stronger still. 00:47:10.279 --> 00:47:13.500 But there's a third way that he tends the garden. 00:47:14.880 --> 00:47:16.840 And it's more of a warning. 00:47:18.319 --> 00:47:21.000 And a strong warning as well. 00:47:21.000 --> 00:47:22.579 In verse 6. 00:47:23.619 --> 00:47:26.480 If anyone does not abide in me. 00:47:26.900 --> 00:47:30.360 He is thrown away like a branch and withers. 00:47:31.199 --> 00:47:32.880 And the branches are gathered. 00:47:33.599 --> 00:47:34.820 Thrown into the fire. 00:47:35.639 --> 00:47:36.099 And burned. 00:47:39.039 --> 00:47:41.059 Part of the gardening. 00:47:41.840 --> 00:47:44.579 Is to get rid of what is fruitless. 00:47:44.579 --> 00:47:48.179 And that's a serious warning. 00:47:48.559 --> 00:47:50.500 That we have here as well. 00:47:51.599 --> 00:47:53.599 Gathered and thrown into the fire. 00:47:54.400 --> 00:47:55.599 Whenever you read fire. 00:47:56.079 --> 00:47:57.599 In the gospel. 00:47:57.940 --> 00:48:00.079 In the gospels or in the Old Testament. 00:48:00.279 --> 00:48:01.599 Whenever you see this word. 00:48:02.259 --> 00:48:04.639 There's a serious image behind it. 00:48:05.199 --> 00:48:07.599 Because it's that of judgment. 00:48:08.980 --> 00:48:11.139 It's a fearful word. 00:48:12.099 --> 00:48:13.059 To be cast in. 00:48:13.460 --> 00:48:14.299 To the fire. 00:48:14.579 --> 00:48:18.539 And there's an example for us. 00:48:18.599 --> 00:48:19.599 On this very occasion. 00:48:19.599 --> 00:48:21.719 When Jesus is sitting with his disciples. 00:48:22.719 --> 00:48:24.699 Of one who was not abiding. 00:48:25.199 --> 00:48:26.000 In Christ. 00:48:27.579 --> 00:48:28.400 And that's Judas. 00:48:30.179 --> 00:48:31.360 Judas was with them. 00:48:31.420 --> 00:48:33.319 He seemed that everything else was fine. 00:48:34.039 --> 00:48:35.559 But he wasn't abiding. 00:48:37.139 --> 00:48:38.360 And the warning is. 00:48:38.659 --> 00:48:39.460 That if you don't. 00:48:39.599 --> 00:48:40.639 You're thrown out. 00:48:40.639 --> 00:48:45.619 And that's the warning for us today as well. 00:48:45.619 --> 00:48:46.619 You say. 00:48:46.619 --> 00:48:47.480 You say. 00:48:47.699 --> 00:48:50.239 I like the idea of abiding in Jesus. 00:48:52.139 --> 00:48:54.420 I'll maybe come to that at some point. 00:48:54.960 --> 00:48:56.279 I'll look into that. 00:48:56.359 --> 00:48:58.440 I'll maybe try it at some point along the way. 00:48:59.119 --> 00:49:01.039 But whenever there's good news. 00:49:01.099 --> 00:49:02.099 There's always warnings. 00:49:02.099 --> 00:49:04.099 And the gospel. 00:49:04.099 --> 00:49:06.299 The gospel always gives us warnings as well. 00:49:08.119 --> 00:49:10.880 Anyone who does not abide in me. 00:49:11.319 --> 00:49:13.299 He is thrown away. 00:49:15.059 --> 00:49:18.319 And it's the same kind of language you see in Matthew's gospel. 00:49:18.500 --> 00:49:21.339 When Jesus is speaking about the judgment day. 00:49:21.340 --> 00:49:22.680 When he says. 00:49:23.000 --> 00:49:24.019 Depart from me. 00:49:24.440 --> 00:49:25.559 I knew you not. 00:49:26.500 --> 00:49:27.960 Cast away. 00:49:28.180 --> 00:49:28.340 Abandoned. 00:49:31.039 --> 00:49:33.700 And none of us should ever want to get there. 00:49:34.700 --> 00:49:35.940 Where we are left. 00:49:36.100 --> 00:49:36.340 Abandoned. 00:49:37.120 --> 00:49:37.980 By God. 00:49:39.579 --> 00:49:40.760 As Psalm 80 says. 00:49:40.940 --> 00:49:43.940 Turn us once again towards you. 00:49:44.039 --> 00:49:45.200 Come and save us. 00:49:45.780 --> 00:49:46.620 Give us light. 00:49:46.720 --> 00:49:48.400 That's the cry we need just now. 00:49:48.400 --> 00:49:50.260 Because a day will come. 00:49:50.740 --> 00:49:52.079 When that light is gone. 00:49:55.280 --> 00:49:58.440 We've remembered VE Day in this last week. 00:49:58.700 --> 00:50:00.980 And although it was a time of joy. 00:50:01.099 --> 00:50:03.099 And celebration of peace coming. 00:50:03.639 --> 00:50:04.940 We always remember too. 00:50:05.039 --> 00:50:05.980 The cost. 00:50:07.099 --> 00:50:09.440 Of how many lives were lost. 00:50:09.700 --> 00:50:10.880 To bring that peace. 00:50:11.019 --> 00:50:12.740 To bring that freedom. 00:50:14.079 --> 00:50:15.599 There was a story I heard. 00:50:15.599 --> 00:50:16.079 I read of. 00:50:16.079 --> 00:50:18.699 During the Second World War. 00:50:18.819 --> 00:50:20.460 When there were six Navy pilots. 00:50:20.659 --> 00:50:22.559 Had taken off from an aircraft carrier. 00:50:22.679 --> 00:50:23.420 Six planes. 00:50:23.579 --> 00:50:25.539 Had taken off individual pilots. 00:50:26.159 --> 00:50:28.279 They knew there were submarines in the area. 00:50:28.380 --> 00:50:29.639 So the planes had gone up. 00:50:29.739 --> 00:50:31.799 To see if they could spot the submarines. 00:50:33.039 --> 00:50:34.259 And they'd been on this mission. 00:50:34.420 --> 00:50:35.279 Throughout the afternoon. 00:50:35.400 --> 00:50:36.539 And coming into the evening. 00:50:36.759 --> 00:50:38.299 They were making their way back. 00:50:38.380 --> 00:50:39.400 To the aircraft carrier. 00:50:39.480 --> 00:50:41.199 But the darkness was coming. 00:50:41.199 --> 00:50:45.139 But the problem was. 00:50:45.659 --> 00:50:47.379 The captain of the aircraft carrier. 00:50:47.379 --> 00:50:49.559 Knew that there was submarines nearby. 00:50:50.679 --> 00:50:52.159 And he had given the order. 00:50:52.159 --> 00:50:53.960 For complete darkness. 00:50:54.500 --> 00:50:55.519 On the ship. 00:50:56.980 --> 00:50:58.299 And so the lights. 00:50:58.500 --> 00:50:59.359 That would light up. 00:50:59.500 --> 00:51:01.379 The landing area of the aircraft carrier. 00:51:01.579 --> 00:51:02.639 Were not switched on. 00:51:03.799 --> 00:51:05.399 And the planes came back. 00:51:05.480 --> 00:51:07.519 Looking for the ship to land on. 00:51:07.579 --> 00:51:08.579 They couldn't see it. 00:51:08.579 --> 00:51:10.860 They knew it was there somewhere. 00:51:11.039 --> 00:51:12.579 And they were calling out on the radio. 00:51:13.000 --> 00:51:14.099 To put on the lights. 00:51:14.119 --> 00:51:15.400 Even just one light. 00:51:15.460 --> 00:51:16.699 That we might be able to land. 00:51:17.840 --> 00:51:19.159 The captain was adamant. 00:51:19.239 --> 00:51:20.380 For the safety of the ship. 00:51:20.539 --> 00:51:21.940 No lights could go on. 00:51:22.880 --> 00:51:24.679 And the radio operator on the ship. 00:51:24.779 --> 00:51:26.779 Was having to answer these cries. 00:51:27.000 --> 00:51:28.279 For one light. 00:51:29.319 --> 00:51:30.619 And saying it we can't. 00:51:31.559 --> 00:51:32.460 And in the end. 00:51:32.559 --> 00:51:34.319 He had to switch off the radio. 00:51:34.420 --> 00:51:36.119 So you wouldn't hear them pleading. 00:51:36.119 --> 00:51:39.719 Six aircraft. 00:51:40.159 --> 00:51:41.359 Because of no light. 00:51:41.839 --> 00:51:43.019 Ended up in the sea. 00:51:45.739 --> 00:51:46.719 But how much. 00:51:47.079 --> 00:51:49.400 About this do we see here as well. 00:51:50.339 --> 00:51:52.299 When there is no light of God. 00:51:52.980 --> 00:51:54.259 To guide us to him. 00:51:54.519 --> 00:51:55.659 That we might abide in him. 00:51:55.699 --> 00:51:56.859 When that light is gone. 00:51:57.400 --> 00:51:58.559 We are cast. 00:51:59.059 --> 00:51:59.420 Away. 00:52:01.539 --> 00:52:03.079 And so there is this warning. 00:52:03.500 --> 00:52:03.799 Here. 00:52:03.800 --> 00:52:05.039 Come. 00:52:06.100 --> 00:52:07.519 And abide in him. 00:52:08.460 --> 00:52:10.039 That you might be safe. 00:52:11.300 --> 00:52:12.920 That you might be secure. 00:52:13.720 --> 00:52:14.560 In him. 00:52:15.880 --> 00:52:17.220 He tends us then. 00:52:17.980 --> 00:52:19.220 He prunes us. 00:52:19.260 --> 00:52:20.200 He lifts us up. 00:52:20.240 --> 00:52:21.940 But he also warns us. 00:52:22.680 --> 00:52:23.800 That there are those. 00:52:23.880 --> 00:52:24.940 Who will be cast away. 00:52:25.460 --> 00:52:26.580 If they do not come. 00:52:27.280 --> 00:52:28.019 And abide. 00:52:29.640 --> 00:52:30.900 So we are tended. 00:52:31.519 --> 00:52:32.160 By him. 00:52:32.159 --> 00:52:33.759 The final thing. 00:52:33.839 --> 00:52:34.359 Just briefly. 00:52:34.500 --> 00:52:35.179 We see here. 00:52:35.359 --> 00:52:37.159 Is bearing fruit. 00:52:37.399 --> 00:52:38.179 Through him. 00:52:39.379 --> 00:52:40.679 When we plant. 00:52:41.579 --> 00:52:42.579 Whatever it is. 00:52:42.639 --> 00:52:42.920 Whether it is. 00:52:43.139 --> 00:52:43.619 Vegetables. 00:52:43.859 --> 00:52:44.420 Potatoes. 00:52:44.460 --> 00:52:45.719 Whatever we are looking for. 00:52:46.079 --> 00:52:47.359 What do we expect? 00:52:48.679 --> 00:52:49.500 We expect. 00:52:49.899 --> 00:52:50.500 A harvest. 00:52:50.659 --> 00:52:52.139 If you plant one potato. 00:52:52.219 --> 00:52:52.940 You don't expect. 00:52:53.099 --> 00:52:54.440 Just one potato back. 00:52:54.819 --> 00:52:56.639 You want a crop of potatoes. 00:52:56.719 --> 00:52:57.559 A lot of potatoes. 00:52:57.559 --> 00:52:58.639 Back in return. 00:52:58.639 --> 00:53:01.059 You expect a good harvest. 00:53:01.259 --> 00:53:01.920 When conditions. 00:53:01.920 --> 00:53:02.960 Are right. 00:53:04.159 --> 00:53:04.539 Well. 00:53:04.759 --> 00:53:06.500 Jesus is telling us here. 00:53:06.639 --> 00:53:07.440 That the conditions. 00:53:07.599 --> 00:53:08.119 Are right. 00:53:08.319 --> 00:53:09.739 When we are abiding. 00:53:10.019 --> 00:53:10.759 In him. 00:53:12.599 --> 00:53:13.699 When we abide. 00:53:13.699 --> 00:53:14.219 In him. 00:53:14.420 --> 00:53:15.440 We bear. 00:53:15.799 --> 00:53:16.119 Much. 00:53:16.480 --> 00:53:16.799 Fruit. 00:53:16.920 --> 00:53:17.319 He says. 00:53:17.400 --> 00:53:18.219 In verse five. 00:53:19.339 --> 00:53:20.679 There is a promise. 00:53:20.980 --> 00:53:21.659 In these words. 00:53:21.719 --> 00:53:22.539 Whoever abides. 00:53:22.619 --> 00:53:22.920 In me. 00:53:23.239 --> 00:53:23.659 And I. 00:53:23.739 --> 00:53:24.099 In him. 00:53:24.519 --> 00:53:25.099 He it is. 00:53:25.179 --> 00:53:25.739 That bears. 00:53:25.739 --> 00:53:26.659 Much fruit. 00:53:26.659 --> 00:53:26.739 Fruit. 00:53:28.339 --> 00:53:30.039 So there is that hope. 00:53:30.839 --> 00:53:31.679 The promise. 00:53:32.079 --> 00:53:33.039 Of fruitfulness. 00:53:35.219 --> 00:53:35.739 And. 00:53:35.960 --> 00:53:37.199 If we are his. 00:53:37.940 --> 00:53:39.159 If we are abiding. 00:53:39.159 --> 00:53:39.659 In him. 00:53:40.099 --> 00:53:41.440 We bear fruit. 00:53:42.399 --> 00:53:43.619 But what does it mean? 00:53:44.819 --> 00:53:45.879 What does it mean? 00:53:46.319 --> 00:53:47.159 To bear fruit. 00:53:47.239 --> 00:53:48.039 What kind of fruit. 00:53:48.359 --> 00:53:49.399 Are we looking for? 00:53:49.460 --> 00:53:50.719 We're not looking for vegetables. 00:53:51.019 --> 00:53:52.099 We're not looking for flowers. 00:53:52.799 --> 00:53:54.119 We're looking for the fruits. 00:53:54.139 --> 00:53:54.960 Of the spirit. 00:53:54.960 --> 00:53:57.579 We're looking for the fruitfulness. 00:53:57.579 --> 00:53:58.420 That comes. 00:53:58.619 --> 00:53:59.519 Through abiding. 00:54:00.099 --> 00:54:00.699 In him. 00:54:00.840 --> 00:54:01.619 Paul says. 00:54:01.740 --> 00:54:02.039 To us. 00:54:02.079 --> 00:54:03.280 In Galatians five. 00:54:03.720 --> 00:54:04.860 He gives us a list. 00:54:04.860 --> 00:54:05.760 Of the fruits. 00:54:05.760 --> 00:54:06.559 Of the spirit. 00:54:07.240 --> 00:54:07.760 Love. 00:54:07.960 --> 00:54:08.320 Joy. 00:54:08.619 --> 00:54:09.039 Peace. 00:54:09.280 --> 00:54:09.800 Patience. 00:54:09.980 --> 00:54:10.500 Kindness. 00:54:10.639 --> 00:54:11.000 Goodness. 00:54:11.740 --> 00:54:12.260 Gentleness. 00:54:12.639 --> 00:54:13.039 Faithfulness. 00:54:13.740 --> 00:54:14.619 Self-control. 00:54:15.900 --> 00:54:16.940 There's a list. 00:54:17.260 --> 00:54:18.139 Of fruits. 00:54:18.199 --> 00:54:18.820 Of the spirit. 00:54:20.039 --> 00:54:21.019 And if you abide. 00:54:21.139 --> 00:54:21.460 In me. 00:54:21.539 --> 00:54:22.220 Jesus is saying. 00:54:22.300 --> 00:54:22.900 You will bear. 00:54:23.300 --> 00:54:24.300 Much fruit. 00:54:24.300 --> 00:54:26.560 And so much of it. 00:54:26.780 --> 00:54:28.660 Is to do with relationship. 00:54:29.620 --> 00:54:30.440 And you see that. 00:54:30.560 --> 00:54:31.820 As you read on. 00:54:32.280 --> 00:54:33.180 Through this. 00:54:34.560 --> 00:54:35.820 In verse 16. 00:54:35.920 --> 00:54:37.039 You did not choose me. 00:54:37.120 --> 00:54:38.519 But I chose you. 00:54:38.860 --> 00:54:39.940 And appointed you. 00:54:40.019 --> 00:54:40.840 That you should go. 00:54:40.960 --> 00:54:41.880 And bear fruit. 00:54:42.260 --> 00:54:43.140 And that your fruit. 00:54:43.140 --> 00:54:43.860 Should abide. 00:54:44.039 --> 00:54:45.519 So that whatever you ask. 00:54:46.080 --> 00:54:47.920 The father in my name. 00:54:48.039 --> 00:54:48.800 He may give it. 00:54:48.980 --> 00:54:49.440 To you. 00:54:50.120 --> 00:54:50.820 These things. 00:54:50.920 --> 00:54:51.760 I command you. 00:54:51.800 --> 00:54:52.760 So that you will love. 00:54:52.960 --> 00:54:53.860 One another. 00:54:53.860 --> 00:54:54.000 One another. 00:54:55.559 --> 00:54:56.360 So there is. 00:54:56.539 --> 00:54:57.820 Relationship here. 00:54:58.820 --> 00:54:59.860 There is relationship. 00:54:59.860 --> 00:55:00.360 Between. 00:55:00.880 --> 00:55:02.000 The people of God. 00:55:02.079 --> 00:55:02.620 And God. 00:55:03.120 --> 00:55:04.680 And the people of God. 00:55:04.740 --> 00:55:05.500 And each other. 00:55:06.980 --> 00:55:08.539 And so abiding in him. 00:55:08.620 --> 00:55:10.400 Means both of these things. 00:55:11.180 --> 00:55:12.360 Loving the Lord. 00:55:12.460 --> 00:55:12.920 And loving. 00:55:13.599 --> 00:55:14.099 One another. 00:55:15.180 --> 00:55:16.000 As the begs. 00:55:16.000 --> 00:55:16.800 Said recently. 00:55:16.800 --> 00:55:17.800 It is impossible. 00:55:17.800 --> 00:55:18.320 It is impossible. 00:55:18.320 --> 00:55:19.400 To be connected. 00:55:19.400 --> 00:55:20.240 To Christ. 00:55:20.820 --> 00:55:22.460 Without being connected. 00:55:22.460 --> 00:55:24.220 To those who love Christ. 00:55:25.720 --> 00:55:27.340 And there is the challenge. 00:55:27.340 --> 00:55:27.740 Isn't it? 00:55:27.740 --> 00:55:28.960 It's always there. 00:55:29.440 --> 00:55:30.720 You cannot be connected. 00:55:30.720 --> 00:55:31.320 To Christ. 00:55:31.360 --> 00:55:32.160 Without being connected. 00:55:32.160 --> 00:55:33.840 To those who love Christ. 00:55:35.039 --> 00:55:35.880 And that's. 00:55:35.980 --> 00:55:37.019 What he says here. 00:55:37.100 --> 00:55:37.720 In verse 17. 00:55:37.820 --> 00:55:38.280 These things. 00:55:38.340 --> 00:55:39.120 I command you. 00:55:39.400 --> 00:55:40.300 So that you will love. 00:55:40.400 --> 00:55:40.880 One another. 00:55:40.880 --> 00:55:43.599 And so the fruits of the spirit. 00:55:43.599 --> 00:55:44.280 That we see. 00:55:44.440 --> 00:55:44.780 Love. 00:55:44.980 --> 00:55:45.360 Joy. 00:55:45.599 --> 00:55:45.960 Peace. 00:55:46.180 --> 00:55:46.660 Patience. 00:55:46.800 --> 00:55:47.320 Kindness. 00:55:47.680 --> 00:55:49.160 All of these things. 00:55:50.079 --> 00:55:51.200 Do we have them? 00:55:52.160 --> 00:55:53.660 Do we pray for them? 00:55:53.840 --> 00:55:54.720 Do we guard them? 00:55:54.740 --> 00:55:55.760 If we do have them? 00:55:57.059 --> 00:55:59.059 When you go through that list. 00:56:00.000 --> 00:56:01.579 You think to yourself. 00:56:01.860 --> 00:56:02.280 Failed. 00:56:02.579 --> 00:56:02.980 Failed. 00:56:03.220 --> 00:56:03.579 Failed. 00:56:03.800 --> 00:56:04.119 Failed. 00:56:04.440 --> 00:56:05.599 So it goes on. 00:56:06.900 --> 00:56:08.220 It's so challenging. 00:56:08.599 --> 00:56:09.059 To read. 00:56:10.880 --> 00:56:11.460 I know. 00:56:12.180 --> 00:56:13.280 I can be impatient. 00:56:14.599 --> 00:56:15.380 I know. 00:56:15.780 --> 00:56:16.539 I can be. 00:56:17.300 --> 00:56:17.700 Unkind. 00:56:18.840 --> 00:56:19.500 I know. 00:56:19.599 --> 00:56:20.579 I'm not the gentlest. 00:56:20.579 --> 00:56:21.180 At times. 00:56:21.280 --> 00:56:21.500 I know. 00:56:21.579 --> 00:56:22.380 All of these things. 00:56:22.460 --> 00:56:23.700 You can go through this list. 00:56:23.760 --> 00:56:24.960 I'm sure we all can. 00:56:25.440 --> 00:56:25.760 And say. 00:56:25.840 --> 00:56:26.599 But I fail. 00:56:26.940 --> 00:56:27.820 So often. 00:56:29.740 --> 00:56:30.619 I fail. 00:56:30.780 --> 00:56:31.420 So often. 00:56:31.940 --> 00:56:32.960 In so many. 00:56:33.320 --> 00:56:34.680 Of these things. 00:56:36.340 --> 00:56:37.599 And where do we go? 00:56:38.340 --> 00:56:39.860 What do we do with that? 00:56:39.860 --> 00:56:41.780 Well we come back. 00:56:42.160 --> 00:56:43.120 To Jesus. 00:56:44.519 --> 00:56:45.539 I am the vine. 00:56:45.660 --> 00:56:46.559 You are the branches. 00:56:47.360 --> 00:56:48.780 Whoever abides in me. 00:56:49.019 --> 00:56:49.980 And I in him. 00:56:50.099 --> 00:56:50.700 He it is. 00:56:50.780 --> 00:56:51.340 That bears. 00:56:51.880 --> 00:56:52.660 Much fruit. 00:56:53.480 --> 00:56:54.700 We come back. 00:56:55.140 --> 00:56:55.640 To him. 00:56:56.940 --> 00:56:57.960 We abide. 00:56:58.640 --> 00:56:59.480 In him. 00:57:00.940 --> 00:57:02.120 Because it's only. 00:57:02.780 --> 00:57:04.300 In our union with Christ. 00:57:04.440 --> 00:57:05.800 In our abiding in him. 00:57:05.800 --> 00:57:07.660 That we can bear. 00:57:08.060 --> 00:57:08.920 Any fruit. 00:57:09.420 --> 00:57:10.120 At all. 00:57:12.820 --> 00:57:14.580 And so the fruit. 00:57:14.820 --> 00:57:15.820 That he desires. 00:57:16.620 --> 00:57:17.580 Is many and. 00:57:18.420 --> 00:57:19.960 Manifold different fruits. 00:57:21.380 --> 00:57:22.880 But they all come. 00:57:23.100 --> 00:57:23.560 From him. 00:57:24.420 --> 00:57:25.420 And abiding. 00:57:26.420 --> 00:57:26.980 In him. 00:57:29.039 --> 00:57:29.960 Are you. 00:57:30.380 --> 00:57:31.160 Connected. 00:57:31.159 --> 00:57:32.440 To Christ. 00:57:34.019 --> 00:57:34.980 Are you in. 00:57:35.480 --> 00:57:36.299 The vine. 00:57:37.859 --> 00:57:38.960 Are you joined. 00:57:39.599 --> 00:57:40.019 To him. 00:57:41.500 --> 00:57:42.339 If you are. 00:57:42.420 --> 00:57:43.460 If you're abiding in him. 00:57:43.579 --> 00:57:44.199 There's life. 00:57:45.899 --> 00:57:47.719 Even when life seems to be. 00:57:48.259 --> 00:57:49.019 Flickering out. 00:57:49.079 --> 00:57:49.719 In many ways. 00:57:49.819 --> 00:57:51.219 We go back to what he says. 00:57:51.779 --> 00:57:53.139 He will lift us up. 00:57:54.239 --> 00:57:55.699 He will tend us. 00:57:56.460 --> 00:57:57.319 He will draw us. 00:57:57.319 --> 00:57:58.019 To the light. 00:57:58.099 --> 00:57:59.179 That we might bear fruit. 00:57:59.179 --> 00:58:00.339 He will prune us. 00:58:01.779 --> 00:58:03.359 He will warn us. 00:58:04.440 --> 00:58:05.599 He will help us. 00:58:05.839 --> 00:58:06.980 To bear fruit. 00:58:08.039 --> 00:58:09.519 But they all come back. 00:58:09.579 --> 00:58:10.559 To the first part. 00:58:11.679 --> 00:58:12.279 Abide. 00:58:12.819 --> 00:58:13.480 In me. 00:58:14.639 --> 00:58:15.719 I am the vine. 00:58:15.919 --> 00:58:16.299 He says. 00:58:16.980 --> 00:58:18.259 Apart from me. 00:58:18.719 --> 00:58:20.019 You can do nothing. 00:58:21.139 --> 00:58:22.699 So let us abide. 00:58:23.219 --> 00:58:23.819 In him. 00:58:24.819 --> 00:58:26.399 That he might tend us. 00:58:26.559 --> 00:58:27.339 And keep us. 00:58:27.340 --> 00:58:28.240 And help us. 00:58:28.820 --> 00:58:29.820 To bear fruit. 00:58:30.559 --> 00:58:31.220 Let us pray. 00:58:34.280 --> 00:58:35.660 Our father in heaven. 00:58:35.660 --> 00:58:36.680 We do thank you. 00:58:36.680 --> 00:58:37.380 For your word. 00:58:37.480 --> 00:58:38.620 That gives hope. 00:58:38.800 --> 00:58:39.480 And encouragement. 00:58:39.700 --> 00:58:40.640 And on the same hand. 00:58:40.740 --> 00:58:42.120 Gives warning to us. 00:58:42.880 --> 00:58:43.519 And we pray. 00:58:43.620 --> 00:58:43.800 Lord. 00:58:43.860 --> 00:58:44.780 That you will help us. 00:58:44.860 --> 00:58:45.860 To heed your word. 00:58:46.460 --> 00:58:47.579 To abide in you. 00:58:47.660 --> 00:58:48.579 And you in us. 00:58:49.280 --> 00:58:50.460 Because apart from you. 00:58:50.519 --> 00:58:51.240 We can do nothing. 00:58:52.079 --> 00:58:52.800 And we pray. 00:58:52.900 --> 00:58:53.140 Lord. 00:58:53.200 --> 00:58:54.260 To know your light. 00:58:54.260 --> 00:58:54.860 Upon us. 00:58:54.940 --> 00:58:55.380 The light. 00:58:55.440 --> 00:58:56.280 That gives life. 00:58:56.280 --> 00:58:57.660 Lift us up. 00:58:57.760 --> 00:58:57.920 Lord. 00:58:58.019 --> 00:58:58.840 To that light. 00:58:59.240 --> 00:59:00.300 That we might flourish. 00:59:00.540 --> 00:59:01.240 Through your grace. 00:59:01.400 --> 00:59:01.860 To us. 00:59:02.460 --> 00:59:03.640 So hear our prayers. 00:59:03.740 --> 00:59:04.760 And go before us. 00:59:05.260 --> 00:59:06.120 Pardoning our sin. 00:59:06.200 --> 00:59:07.060 In Jesus name. 00:59:07.560 --> 00:59:07.980 Amen. 00:59:11.560 --> 00:59:12.480 We'll conclude. 00:59:12.620 --> 00:59:13.240 By singing. 00:59:13.500 --> 00:59:14.460 To God's praise. 00:59:14.580 --> 00:59:15.440 In Psalm 91. 00:59:15.660 --> 00:59:17.000 In the Scottish Psalter. 00:59:17.000 --> 00:59:21.920 Psalm 91. 00:59:21.920 --> 00:59:23.460 We'll sing from verse 1. 00:59:23.780 --> 00:59:24.840 To verse 4. 00:59:24.960 --> 00:59:26.460 Page 351. 00:59:30.380 --> 00:59:30.900 Again. 00:59:30.980 --> 00:59:33.400 This Psalm speaks about just finding that. 00:59:34.199 --> 00:59:35.719 Shelter and refuge. 00:59:35.920 --> 00:59:37.139 In abiding with him. 00:59:37.699 --> 00:59:39.599 He that doth in the secret place. 00:59:39.599 --> 00:59:41.059 Of the most high reside. 00:59:41.059 --> 00:59:42.000 Under the shade. 00:59:42.159 --> 00:59:43.380 Of him that is. 00:59:43.440 --> 00:59:44.019 The almighty. 00:59:44.019 --> 00:59:45.300 Shall abide. 00:59:45.300 --> 00:59:47.300 We'll sing from verse 1 to 4. 00:59:47.440 --> 00:59:48.659 To God's praise. 00:59:51.659 --> 01:00:00.460 He that doth in the secret place. 01:00:00.860 --> 01:00:06.199 Of the most high reside. 01:00:06.199 --> 01:00:21.980 Under the shade of him that is, almighty shall abide. 01:00:21.980 --> 01:00:46.980 I hope the Lord my God will say, he is my refuge still, he is my fortress and my God, 01:00:46.980 --> 01:00:53.980 and in him trust thy will. 01:00:55.420 --> 01:01:16.199 Assuredly he shall be saved, and give thee deliverance from subtle foulers near, 01:01:16.199 --> 01:01:25.399 and from the noise of blestelance. 01:01:26.000 --> 01:01:34.199 His feather shall be high, I trust. 01:01:34.199 --> 01:01:40.679 Under his weight shall be. 01:01:41.159 --> 01:01:55.399 His faithfulness shall be a shield, and buckler unto thee. 01:01:55.400 --> 01:01:55.960 Amen. 01:01:57.160 --> 01:01:59.840 After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my left. 01:01:59.940 --> 01:02:01.240 We'll close with the benediction. 01:02:02.099 --> 01:02:11.260 Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 01:02:11.660 --> 01:02:12.039 Amen. 01:02:12.039 --> 01:02:12.139 Amen. 01:02:12.139 --> 01:02:12.139 01:02:12.139 --> 01:02:12.139