WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.900 I must confess as I look at this passage, I am what you might call a brown thumb. 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:11.320 ! I am actually unable by any means to make anything grow. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:16.179 ! In fact, someone recently had gone back to Canada and was like, 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:20.219 Ash, I'm going to give you this plant of mine, but no, it is dead. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:23.059 They can be hurt. 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:29.300 It's sad, it's depressing because it's a reminder of the friendship, which is not dead, 00:00:29.300 --> 00:00:34.880 but it could be herbs, it could be fruit, it could be even a succulent. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:37.179 I can't bring it to grow. 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:44.920 And the reality is when you buy any plant, whatever it is, the goal for it is fruitfulness, isn't it? 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:47.799 The goal for it is to grow. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:49.240 And who doesn't want it to grow? 00:00:50.179 --> 00:00:50.939 Me, apparently. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:57.840 And you see, the picture that's been read out for us is that being in Christ 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:01.660 is like the relationship between a vine and branches. 00:01:01.660 --> 00:01:10.100 And in this series that has been called In Christ, we've looked at the nature of being united with Jesus. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:16.280 How it is so unchangeable, this unbreakable bond, all because of the work of Christ. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:23.719 And this time we're looking at this beautiful metaphor of, again, what that union should look like. 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:25.320 Have a look at verse 5. 00:01:26.320 --> 00:01:29.620 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:35.939 If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. 00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:40.680 Apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:53.100 Jesus, the same God who was there at the beginning, affirms that you are united to him as a vine is with a branch. 00:01:53.520 --> 00:01:56.820 And isn't a vine just such a beautiful image? 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:02.100 Because what should be etched into our minds are vines that are just overflowing 00:02:02.100 --> 00:02:09.060 and it just keeps growing and growing and growing and growing on the wall or even on a wooden stake. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:13.379 It's got this growth, it's got this vitality that is just all-encompassing. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:19.319 That's the relationship that you have with Christ. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:27.780 The power of being connected to Jesus, the vine, means fruitfulness. 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:31.980 It means that fruitfulness will happen. 00:02:31.979 --> 00:02:36.299 A vine that keeps growing and growing and growing. 00:02:37.579 --> 00:02:44.500 That if you keep the branches healthy by being connected, they will bear fruit. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:49.719 And so too, therefore, is his desire for you. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:50.659 Verse 2. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:58.039 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:02.680 he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 00:03:03.359 --> 00:03:09.900 And in verse 16, you did not choose me, but I chose you. 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:14.159 And appointed you that you should go and bear fruit. 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:20.519 Friends, bearing fruit is the obvious reality for the Christian here in John 15. 00:03:20.659 --> 00:03:25.099 And what's beautiful that's added here is that God has chosen you. 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:26.439 He's chosen you. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:28.560 He's predestined you to be faithful. 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:30.680 To be fruitful. 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:38.259 That his purpose and the reason for your fruitfulness is because he chose you and made you for it. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:46.259 Because fruitfulness is the mark of a Christian or a sign, if you will. 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:52.479 Earlier, Nick preached on being made dead and alive in Christ. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:04:00.319 And in very much the same way that Paul says that you are now dead and you have been made alive in Christ, 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:04.539 you are to stop sinning, living as though you are dead. 00:04:04.539 --> 00:04:21.079 And Jesus here says, because you are a branch, you who trust in Jesus are a branch that is rooted and connected to the source of life and growth, 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:24.300 bear fruit. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:36.960 Jesus says that you have God's spirit that lives in you, which he assures those who trust him that you will be fruitful. 00:04:37.280 --> 00:04:39.879 And so fruit is a non-negotiable. 00:04:39.960 --> 00:04:40.519 It's promised. 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:49.280 You can't say, I'm just a branch attached to the true vine and I'll choose to bear my fruit rather than Jesus' fruit. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:52.799 And let me make it really clear. 00:04:53.659 --> 00:04:58.079 What makes you a Christian is not your fruit. 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:10.379 What makes you a Christian is the fact, verse 3, that you were made clean, heard the word of Jesus being the way, the truth and the life, 00:05:10.659 --> 00:05:17.099 being forgiven and given new life by your confidence being in Jesus Christ. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:22.840 And then what flows from this is fruitfulness. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:30.080 Because you know what God commanded humanity as he established them on this earth? 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:37.680 He says to you and I, Genesis chapter 1, verse 28, God blessed them and said to them, 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.800 be fruitful and multiply. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:44.840 Be fruitful. 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:50.399 It's our original call, our original command. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:59.120 And so we have to ask ourselves, what is the fruitfulness that we have been designed for, that Jesus is looking for? 00:05:59.979 --> 00:06:05.719 Because the reality is for most of us, we are in a success culture. 00:06:06.059 --> 00:06:09.439 If you think you're not, then try again and look again. 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:12.719 Think about just Chatswood. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.720 Think about just Chatswood. 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:16.060 You want your kids to succeed and be happy. 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:24.660 And you don't have to look so far around in Chatswood to find a Turing College at every corner of this city. 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:28.240 There's options for extracurricular after school. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:33.520 There are school buses, I won't name which school, in our very local area that have the slogans, 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:35.699 watch us change the world. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:47.620 Before high school graduates graduate, there will be business and career pathways advertised to them. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:51.959 Because we want them to succeed in the world. 00:06:51.959 --> 00:07:05.699 And you see, the danger for us is that the fruitfulness that you and I live and breathe is very much not the same fruitfulness that Jesus desires for your children, 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:10.560 your grandchildren, your spouse, and even for yourself. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:17.439 Notice what Jesus says about the purpose in verse 12. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:27.040 This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:31.680 And to understand the fruit, Jesus tells us what it's for. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:36.180 Number one, it's not for us. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:41.240 The fruitfulness is to glorify God. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.800 It's to make him big. 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:44.540 It's to make him great. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:46.879 Because he is worthy of all praise. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:56.819 And number two, it's outwardly that our fruit is to be a demonstration of Christ's work in us. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:08:14.480 In other words, the fruitfulness that we are seeing here is the growth, the total transformation of the life of a Christian to become more and more and more like Jesus. 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:23.519 Christians call this sanctification, the process of being made more and more to the image of Jesus Christ. 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:31.439 And it's not an instant one, but as we see in this passage, it is a promised one. 00:08:33.819 --> 00:08:37.139 And so fruitfulness, sanctification, it's all of it. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:38.519 It's all the transformation. 00:08:38.819 --> 00:08:40.340 It's growing in the fruit of the Spirit. 00:08:40.439 --> 00:08:42.319 Patience, love, kindness, self-control. 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:44.419 Christ-likeness. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.620 It is growing in love for God and others. 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:51.740 It is bearing fruit of seeing other people come to follow Christ. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:59.000 But also, yes, the fruitfulness is not for us. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:00.199 It is for God's glory. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:01.439 It is outwardly. 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:03.980 But did you see in verse 11? 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:09.039 It's a reality that the Christian ought to also have joy from. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:12.179 Growing to be like Jesus. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:17.819 Transformation, fruitfulness, sanctification is a joy gifted by Jesus. 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:28.400 Verse 11, I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and so that my joy may be complete. 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:37.439 I wonder if you've got friends who've told you after you've shared about, I'm a follower of Jesus, I go to church. 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:39.799 And they say, you know what, that sounds like a great idea. 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:40.899 I'll check out Jesus. 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:47.699 But, you know, I'll start obeying all the commands after I stop partying. 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:53.660 Maybe I'll take Jesus more seriously when I get older or when I have kids. 00:09:54.980 --> 00:10:00.080 Maybe we'll focus on the church part after the HSC is finished or after this big work season. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:07.200 Because I just don't want Jesus and the Bible to squeeze out all the joy of what I want to do. 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:12.100 See, Jesus pushes the opposite idea, doesn't he? 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:14.879 He's not withholding the secret to joy. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:21.519 He says that keeping his commands, glorifying him is for our joy. 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:25.919 It's for your benefit to glorify him. 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:35.759 And so what Jesus calls us to do is to lean into his joy as surpassing worth than the joy that this world has to offer. 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:39.940 Lean into the fruitfulness that he longs for you. 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:42.360 And so where does fruitfulness start? 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.580 Where does that begin? 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:49.820 Fruitfulness begins in remaining. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:51.419 Verse 4. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:57.919 Remain in me as I also remain in you. 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:01.799 No branch can bear fruit by itself. 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:04.899 It must remain in the vine. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:07.259 You see, Jesus doubles down here. 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:13.679 Not only is remaining a method, it is the only method. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.879 Remaining in Christ. 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:21.580 If you want to be fruitful in Christ, you are to remain in Christ. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:32.060 And the sense of remain here that we ought to see is it's a heart, will, and mind that is wholly fixed and united with Christ's own heart, will, and mind. 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:46.859 As much as a branch looks like the vine and the vine is full of branches, our whole heart and affections and desires become consumed by Christ. 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:54.259 In other words, remaining is actually an active reality. 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.639 It's not a passive one. 00:11:55.639 --> 00:12:03.720 Remaining in Christ is not reaching a destination as much as embracing the destination that you are in. 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:11.320 I was chatting to a school chaplain and they asked me, hey, do you know this kid? 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:14.920 He says he goes to your youth group and he also comes to my lunchtime group. 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:16.360 And I'm like, great, what was his name? 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:21.180 And they said it and I was like, oh, never heard of them before. 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:27.299 And I started feeling bad because I was like, oh, my goodness, my memory's starting to go quite early. 00:12:28.339 --> 00:12:30.079 I don't even know my own youth. 00:12:30.339 --> 00:12:38.259 So I checked our attendance list, searched up the kid and realised that they actually turned up twice, three terms ago, 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:42.299 but were still claiming to be a member here at St Paul's. 00:12:42.339 --> 00:12:45.979 And I was like, that's sweet that they consider St Paul's to be their church. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:52.620 But also, they don't really go to our church. 00:12:54.320 --> 00:13:00.139 But somehow, that's how you and I treat remaining in Christ. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:09.220 You see following Jesus as more of a title that you have, the credentials, the bachelor, the masters under your name that you carry around, 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:15.960 claiming the name of Jesus, claiming the title of Christian, claiming the title of Christian, 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:19.899 rather than be mastered by Jesus. 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:33.000 You see, the vine imagery is so powerful that the remaining is not only us to him, but in what Jesus does for us. 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:42.519 This four, remain in me as I also remain in you. 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:52.840 To be a Christian, you must be mastered by Jesus and his words. 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:55.899 Look at verse 7 and 10. 00:13:56.939 --> 00:14:00.939 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:03.540 and verse 10. 00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:07.580 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love. 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:13.700 Friends, there's something synonymous about loving Jesus, 00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:17.280 remaining in him and his words. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.720 You might be new to Jesus. 00:14:20.260 --> 00:14:22.680 Some of you might be keen to check out Jesus. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:26.159 You love the forgiveness and love of Jesus, 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:31.699 but you're not quite sure about certain other parts of the Bible that you've heard. 00:14:33.859 --> 00:14:39.899 I just want to encourage you that having faith in Jesus, 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:42.179 as you discover who he is, 00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:45.659 is taking him at his word, 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.919 that his way indeed is better. 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:53.699 I hear the warning in verse 6. 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:55.579 If you do not remain in me, 00:14:56.379 --> 00:15:00.299 you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers. 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:05.899 Such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire and burn. 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.919 So yes, 00:15:09.719 --> 00:15:11.879 when you reject God, 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:14.919 you reject the God who rightly deserves 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:18.219 all the glory and praise. 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:21.000 He deserves your attention, 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.179 but also, 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:26.199 you harm yourself. 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:29.979 Have you thought it that way before? 00:15:31.339 --> 00:15:32.860 Sin harms you 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:36.860 in a way that you might not see, 00:15:37.719 --> 00:15:39.379 but it's harming you. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:41.039 It's still hurting you 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.120 because you are broken 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:45.379 from the life source. 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:48.379 You are broken from the true vine. 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:51.039 It's no benefit to you. 00:15:53.339 --> 00:15:53.759 And you see, 00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:56.759 the difference in remaining in Christ is this. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.539 I must confess, 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:00.519 I'm not organized. 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.679 I did have something here, 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.519 ready to go, 00:16:03.599 --> 00:16:04.439 but I don't have it with me. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.019 I want you just to imagine 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:11.819 that you've got a Tupperware box. 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.439 That Tupperware box is you. 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:19.579 Inside of you 00:16:19.579 --> 00:16:23.860 is another Tupperware box 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:28.960 that contains the Holy Spirit. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:29.500 Have a look. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:29.879 Remember, 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:32.620 God remains in you. 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.820 And in John 14, 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.879 the Holy Spirit 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:37.019 is promised to those 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:38.139 who trust in him. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.840 And that Tupperware box 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:45.180 is to be in Christ, 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.919 which means 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:49.600 at the very center of you 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.000 is the Holy Spirit. 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.480 And you on the outside 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.519 are being encompassed 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.680 by Christ. 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:56.980 And so, 00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:58.120 if you can imagine 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.879 that image 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:00.379 that should have been brought by Ash, 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:02.360 do you see yourself 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:04.380 that you are subsumed, 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.480 mastered by the Savior, 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:09.019 the Savior remains in you, 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.640 making you 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:12.819 remain in himself? 00:17:13.679 --> 00:17:15.359 It's like those babushka dolls. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.460 You're the second, 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.159 the middle one. 00:17:19.179 --> 00:17:19.819 Friends, 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.339 what that means 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:24.519 is 100% fruitfulness. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:27.019 That you can bear fruit, 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.679 that you will bear fruit 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:32.000 just by remaining in him. 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.119 That the way 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.279 that you slay your sin, 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:36.299 the way that you open your heart 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.740 is in Jesus. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:40.099 In Jesus alone. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.879 It's by his grace alone 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.920 that you have been saved, 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:45.280 but it's also 00:17:45.280 --> 00:17:47.100 by grace 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:48.440 that you will change. 00:17:50.520 --> 00:17:51.160 God's grace, 00:17:51.260 --> 00:17:53.640 his life transforming power 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.580 is a promise. 00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:55.300 Goodness, 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.840 I love Romans 8. 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.540 Romans 8 00:17:57.540 --> 00:17:58.880 is such an incredible passage. 00:17:59.020 --> 00:17:59.820 You should go check it out 00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:00.540 if you've never done it. 00:18:01.080 --> 00:18:02.240 But in verse 11, 00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:02.820 did you know, 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:03.540 did you know, 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:05.120 it says that you've got 00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:06.560 Jesus' spirit, 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.460 the same spirit 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.900 that brought Jesus Christ 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:10.100 from the dead. 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:11.500 and in him, 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.759 you've got the same 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:14.359 resurrection power. 00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:17.319 And so remain in him. 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.339 What other fount 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.419 will ever give you 00:18:20.419 --> 00:18:21.379 eternal life? 00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.539 What other vine 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.279 holds you 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.859 in his loving arms 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.899 and calls you 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.819 friend 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:29.199 than the true vine? 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.679 This is the creator God 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:33.500 we're talking about. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:36.240 He is the unchanging God, 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:37.959 the one who was 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.640 and is 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.840 and is to come. 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:43.000 And so every time 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.400 that you look elsewhere, 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:48.700 you commit idolatry 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:50.819 and you are not 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:52.880 remaining in him. 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:55.980 And so in verse 5, 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:57.420 Jesus continues saying, 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.900 apart from me, 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.980 you can do nothing. 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.380 Friends, 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.019 don't believe 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.019 that you can bear fruit 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.700 by yourself. 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.920 Don't think you can change 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.120 without the work 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:09.640 of Christ in you. 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:12.000 And yet in the world 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.000 of self-help books, 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:13.660 the right measure 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.440 of self-care, 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:16.320 the perfect self-determining 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.980 strategies for success, 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:20.160 that you perhaps 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:20.960 have imported 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.800 a view of self 00:19:22.800 --> 00:19:23.320 in the way 00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:23.940 that you grow 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.620 as a Christian. 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.660 But friends, 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.620 you are helpless 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:30.000 to make that change. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:32.220 no more ounce 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.000 of striving 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.079 will grow you. 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.460 Every time 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.259 you rely 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.220 on yourself 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.420 for your own growth, 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.900 you are not 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.619 remaining 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:41.539 in him. 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.880 And perhaps 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:45.420 the way 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.019 that we think 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.420 about it 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.259 is that if we just 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.299 have a little injection 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:48.779 of Jesus 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.779 inside of us, 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:52.700 everything will go well. 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.960 Take this pie chart 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.660 as an example 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.240 of the time 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.059 a person has. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:20:00.579 take it as 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:01.099 you've got 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:02.019 a range of things 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.519 that you could do. 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.440 You could be doing work, 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:03.759 leisure, 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.119 health, 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.519 family, 00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:04.960 friends, 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:05.519 rest, 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.179 parties, 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.720 your personal finances. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.460 And what we've 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.819 done eventually 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:12.119 is that we've 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:14.879 actually gone, 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.419 this is 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:17.720 my whole life, 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.700 but then 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:20.019 let's play 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.679 the idea 00:20:20.679 --> 00:20:21.599 that you suddenly 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.379 become a Christian 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.539 and you realise 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.440 that pie chart 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.039 has to change 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.480 and you have to 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.139 add more things. 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.820 You need to 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.380 include things 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.259 like Bible reading, 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:28.580 you need to 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.380 include church, 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:29.720 prayer, 00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:30.100 serving, 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:30.960 and you're like, 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:32.400 this is really 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:32.920 overwhelming. 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:33.759 How am I meant 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.620 to fit this in? 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.680 I know I need 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.160 to grow, 00:20:37.520 --> 00:20:38.820 but I also 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:39.740 have work to do. 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:40.759 And so maybe 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.840 if I hear 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:43.040 a sermon, 00:20:43.280 --> 00:20:43.860 maybe that will 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:44.759 make me grow. 00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:46.240 I feel a little 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.300 guilty about my 00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:48.000 Bible reading, 00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:49.300 so I'm going to 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:49.920 read my Bible. 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:50.440 I'm going to go 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.000 back to church 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.000 so that maybe 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.040 I'm back in God's 00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:53.940 good books. 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:58.040 But as you 00:20:58.040 --> 00:20:58.780 think about it, 00:20:58.820 --> 00:20:59.680 what you'll find 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.900 out very quickly 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:03.300 as you value 00:21:03.300 --> 00:21:04.720 and prioritise 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.860 things is that 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:07.280 whatever you value, 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.580 whatever is important 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:09.280 to you, 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.900 urgent to you, 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.860 will be whatever 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:13.220 takes up the measure 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.860 of that pie. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.520 You'll adjust 00:21:14.520 --> 00:21:15.259 the proportions 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.259 of leisure, 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:16.580 work, 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.020 family, 00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:17.780 sport, 00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:20.560 based off you. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.960 And so perhaps 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.879 the better image 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.659 is the spoke 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.399 of a wheel 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:25.980 and the car's 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.399 logo on that 00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:27.700 wheel. 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:28.879 All the spokes 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.619 resemble the 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.339 proportions of 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:30.759 your life, 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.079 work, 00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:31.419 kids, 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:31.779 rest, 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.399 all of that. 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.819 But at the 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.679 very centre 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:36.440 of the wheel 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:38.839 is you. 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.259 Whatever you 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.559 value sets 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.940 the size 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:45.059 of that portion. 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.419 But friends, 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.519 fruitfulness, 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:48.559 sanctification, 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.279 sanctification 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.419 is having 00:21:50.419 --> 00:21:51.500 Jesus at 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:51.960 the centre 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.559 of the wheel 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.259 because all 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.019 the spokes 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.319 connect to him. 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:57.039 Putting Jesus 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.839 first is simply 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.659 putting him 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.319 in the right 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.059 slot of the wheel. 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.960 Not a portion 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.480 of it, 00:22:03.659 --> 00:22:04.539 but in the centre 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.039 of it. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.480 He'll dictate 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:06.980 the size, 00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:07.879 he'll detect 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.480 the proportion 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:10.319 and what is even 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.179 in the wheel 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:12.179 and what is not. 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.240 Because when 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.200 Jesus is at 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.879 the centre, 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:18.920 do you 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.560 understand 00:22:19.560 --> 00:22:22.280 that you 00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:22.860 are remaining 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:23.360 in him? 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.280 And when 00:22:25.280 --> 00:22:26.400 Jesus is not, 00:22:28.280 --> 00:22:28.960 do you 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.700 understand that 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.380 you are not 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:31.100 remaining in 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:31.540 Christ? 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.060 When you, 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.960 the individual, 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.800 are at the 00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:35.120 centre, 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:37.060 you are just 00:22:37.060 --> 00:22:37.940 a branch. 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.400 Just like the 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.080 many individual 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.980 branches in this 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.300 world, 00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.600 not connected 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.399 to the vine. 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.419 Verse 4, 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:46.859 again, 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.259 remain in 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.859 me 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:51.240 as I 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.759 also 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.379 remain 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:53.159 in you. 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.119 Do you 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:57.899 not realise 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.839 it's the 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.579 living God 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.299 who is living 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.939 and active 00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:01.879 inside of you 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:03.219 that is making 00:23:03.219 --> 00:23:03.899 the sanctification 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:04.500 happen? 00:23:04.939 --> 00:23:05.719 He's the one 00:23:05.719 --> 00:23:06.279 who's growing 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.819 your heart 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.240 for worship. 00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:08.179 He's the one 00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:09.399 that is growing 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.119 you to be 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.899 more like him. 00:23:11.199 --> 00:23:11.879 And anything 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.460 that you 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:12.800 do, 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:13.800 anything 00:23:13.800 --> 00:23:14.800 that looks 00:23:14.800 --> 00:23:15.340 like good 00:23:15.340 --> 00:23:15.620 works, 00:23:15.780 --> 00:23:16.060 anything 00:23:16.060 --> 00:23:16.760 that looks 00:23:16.760 --> 00:23:17.740 like glorifying 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.200 God, 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.120 is simply 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:20.200 you partaking 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.800 in what God 00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:21.240 has already 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.660 been doing 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.040 in you. 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:24.600 And so 00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:25.160 instead of 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.880 asking what 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:27.000 benefits me, 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:27.940 what makes 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.600 me look good, 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.060 what makes 00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:31.340 my worth, 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.220 my goals, 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:33.700 what works 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.020 for my 00:23:34.020 --> 00:23:34.480 preferences, 00:23:35.300 --> 00:23:36.020 you ask 00:23:36.020 --> 00:23:36.560 instead, 00:23:37.260 --> 00:23:37.780 how does 00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.820 this honour 00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:39.360 Christ? 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.599 How will 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.740 this express 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.219 in love 00:23:42.219 --> 00:23:42.799 for others? 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.219 Does 00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:45.039 this decision 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.539 that I 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.139 make 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:47.839 remain 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.779 and abide 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.679 with Christ 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.399 more and 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:50.740 more? 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.319 How does 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:53.639 that apply 00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:54.240 for every 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.639 decision 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.339 in my life? 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.539 And so 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:56.899 I've started 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.339 to ask 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:57.899 this question 00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:58.519 of my 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:58.879 Christian 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.379 brothers and 00:23:59.379 --> 00:23:59.679 sisters 00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.059 when it 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:00.479 comes to 00:24:00.479 --> 00:24:00.879 someone, 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.299 and a 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.879 friend asked 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.799 me of this 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.139 as well, 00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:04.439 and it was 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:04.939 so helpful 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.379 for me. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.139 How has 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.979 being a 00:24:07.979 --> 00:24:08.759 disciple of 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.059 Jesus 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.879 shaped how 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:10.339 you think 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:10.679 about 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.319 X, 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:11.460 Y, 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:11.579 Z? 00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:12.940 With 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.319 every 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:13.599 life 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:13.919 decision 00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:14.139 you 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.440 make, 00:24:15.399 --> 00:24:15.960 work, 00:24:16.159 --> 00:24:16.460 jobs, 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:16.940 all of 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.159 it, 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.179 how has 00:24:19.179 --> 00:24:19.819 being a 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.599 disciple of 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.099 Jesus 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:22.440 shaped how 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:22.940 you think 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.599 about a 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:23.819 certain 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.220 issue? 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.319 Friends, 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:28.000 when Jesus 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.579 is at the 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.079 centre of 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.579 the spoke, 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.500 we realise 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.720 that this 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.119 is the 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.619 fruitfulness 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.079 that he 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.720 longs for 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.399 and that 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:35.299 your union 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.919 with him 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.440 assures 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:36.759 it. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.960 And 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.279 perhaps 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.480 you're 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:39.700 someone 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.000 in the 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.339 room 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.819 that 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.079 wants 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.279 to 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.460 bear 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:41.779 fruit. 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.720 Perhaps 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:43.980 you're 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.379 someone 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:44.720 who 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.460 longs 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.660 for 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.160 change 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:46.559 in your 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:46.960 life 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.740 and in 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.000 your 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.680 circumstances. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.259 You've 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.579 prayed 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.259 long and 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.879 hard for 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:51.099 that 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.660 change. 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.839 I think 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.480 Jesus has 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.019 encouragement 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.539 for you 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.119 that perhaps 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:57.519 if you're 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.000 not bearing 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.460 fruit, 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:58.960 have a look 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.359 at verse 00:24:59.359 --> 00:24:59.720 two. 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:00.799 While 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.180 every branch 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.819 that does 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.599 bear fruit 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:05.680 he prunes 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:07.639 so that 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.039 it will be 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.559 even more 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:08.879 fruitful. 00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:11.039 You might 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.359 be going 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.859 through what 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.220 might be 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.859 the pruning, 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.680 the cleansing, 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.279 the trimming 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.759 that will 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.059 lead to 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.639 the fruitfulness 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.500 that the 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.379 vine dresser 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.960 is longing 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.419 for. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.740 But friends, 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.299 don't, 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.460 don't, 00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:22.039 don't, 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.940 don't cut 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.940 yourself off 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.919 from the 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:26.119 root that 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.639 will solve 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:26.919 you. 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.639 Because we 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.279 live in a 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.680 world that 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.440 often says 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.680 your own 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.080 way. 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.980 People grow 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.500 in different 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:34.900 ways, 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.440 learn in 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.019 different ways 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.580 and those 00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:37.259 things are 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.660 true, 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.580 yet we 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:39.279 import that 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.299 wrongly into 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.080 our view as 00:25:41.080 --> 00:25:41.740 a Christian 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.740 as we 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.039 grow. 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.700 You might 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.480 think as you 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.019 see someone 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.720 who's a wise 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.220 sage, 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.240 I'm not as 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.000 on fire, 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:51.019 I'm not an 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.380 on fire 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.019 Christian like 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.279 them. 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.400 They're just 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.299 a different 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.120 species every 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:55.539 time you 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.880 think of that 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.880 pastor. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.360 No, 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:00.759 that's not 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.000 true, 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.420 friends. 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.420 You have 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:03.840 the same 00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.320 source. 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.900 In fact, 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.460 you are more 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.120 connected to 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.920 that person 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.539 in Christ 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.480 than you 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.519 are with 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:10.980 a blood 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.799 relative of 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.279 yours who 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.799 is not 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.519 in Christ. 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.779 In fact, 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:16.380 you are more 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.580 likely because 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.820 you are in 00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:20.160 Christ to be 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.840 more like that 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:21.360 on fire 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:23.019 person than 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:25.259 the other. 00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:26.920 And so in 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.700 whatever way 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.059 the Lord 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.380 will, 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.240 you are to 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.840 become more 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.600 like Christ. 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.240 Go on and 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.799 be encouraged 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.299 by someone 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.160 who is on 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:35.380 fire and 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.080 change. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.000 Friends, 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.799 there is 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.660 only one 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.299 true vine. 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.019 Don't go 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.680 chasing another 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:43.980 vine. 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:44.620 Those vines 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.019 won't give 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.819 the vitality 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.420 and flourishing 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.140 life that you 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.880 long for. 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.080 They might 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.420 give you 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.799 fruit, 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.500 that thrill, 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.180 that mist 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.680 and whim 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.180 of pleasure, 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.460 but there's 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.100 none that has 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:54.880 died for you 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.279 so that you 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.740 might have 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.539 true life. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.640 Because Jesus 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.360 is the true 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.759 vine. 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.440 So remain 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.000 in him, 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.420 long for the 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:04.860 transformation, 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.620 and remain 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.299 in a way 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.960 that longs 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.720 to be an 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.080 on fire 00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:08.460 Christian. 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.100 Remain in 00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:09.539 a way that 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.019 puts away 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.819 the selfishness 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.720 in your 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.180 life. 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.380 Remain. 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.279 The question 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.480 is, 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:15.860 are you 00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:16.299 remaining? 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:17.720 Do you 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.000 remain in 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.700 his words? 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.200 Because it 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.620 says in 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.220 verse 7, 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.600 if you 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.100 remain in 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.400 me and 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.039 my words 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.620 remain in 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:23.860 you, 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.539 that the 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.279 way you 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.039 walk closer 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.460 to the 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.839 Lord, 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:27.759 in the 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.460 vitally 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.759 interconnected 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.519 life, 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:30.980 in the 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.659 same manner 00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:32.099 of that 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.799 overgrowing 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.259 vine, 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.899 is that 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.500 you hear 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:34.899 God's 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:35.259 word. 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.200 And you 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.579 might say, 00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:36.819 Ash, 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.960 that's such 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.319 an easy 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.519 one. 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:38.879 Solution 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.359 to every 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:39.659 Christian 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:39.980 problem, 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.379 you say 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:40.779 it again, 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.619 it's just 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.000 to read 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.460 the Bible. 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:44.319 No, 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.940 by no 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.299 means am 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:45.740 I saying 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.079 that. 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:47.600 Friends, 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:47.960 if you're 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.440 reading the 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.200 Bible trying 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:49.600 to get 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.100 holy, 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.700 less greedy, 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.000 less lustful, 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.700 become a 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.259 better person, 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:54.799 more loving, 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.400 more patient, 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.100 to get 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.680 somewhere in 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:56.940 life, 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.279 you are 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.720 missing the 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.039 point. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.380 Read it 00:27:59.380 --> 00:27:59.940 because the 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.740 holy scriptures 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.519 have revealed 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.120 to you the 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.680 living word, 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.460 Christ himself. 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.279 Read it 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:04.940 not to be 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.299 fruitful, 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:05.840 read it 00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:06.579 to remain. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.180 Read 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.960 trusting that 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.600 Jesus will 00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:11.279 work on the 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.000 inward change 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.619 in you as 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.279 he has done 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:16.000 that time 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.500 and time 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.000 and time 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.440 and time 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:17.819 and time 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.259 again for 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.779 his people. 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.099 And so 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:20.400 can I 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:21.000 reverse the 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.619 question to 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.000 you? 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.220 Do you 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:25.039 believe that 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.039 Jesus himself 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.480 is the 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.200 solution to 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:27.940 your very 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:29.180 inward need, 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.460 the very 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.519 change that 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.160 you are 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.859 longing for? 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.240 Not Jesus 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.960 solving it by 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.380 what you 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:36.660 want, 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.500 but Jesus 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.980 himself. 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.640 Have a look 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.000 at the rest 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.599 of the verse. 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.579 And then 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.440 ask whatever 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.099 you wish 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.480 and it 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.740 will be 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.140 done for 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.380 you. 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.460 There are 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.140 many things 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.559 that God 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.259 welcomes me 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.880 to pray and 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.440 ask him, 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.000 but I just 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.480 love this. 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.319 I love that 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:54.960 he promises 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.859 me that 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:57.440 you and 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.259 I will 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.839 grow in 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.319 obedience 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:01.220 as we 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.920 ask for 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.180 it. 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.019 He will 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.680 grow the 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.200 fruitfulness 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.420 of your 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:05.940 remaining 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.500 and your 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.980 obedience. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.240 obedience. 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.339 In fact, 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:11.620 you are 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:12.279 his fruit. 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.220 The vine 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.860 dresser wants 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.299 to grow 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.700 you, 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.039 shape you, 00:29:17.120 --> 00:29:17.480 and he 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:17.920 wants you 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.420 to commit 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:18.880 and give 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.480 your life 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.700 to him, 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.900 for you 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.339 are the 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.740 fruits of 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.200 his labor. 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.000 Jesus 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.940 delights in 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.319 the fruit 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.839 that he is 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.599 working in 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:27.920 you. 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.400 In Hebrews 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.559 13, 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.160 verse 35, 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.740 it says, 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:31.960 through 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.060 Jesus, 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.360 therefore, 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:34.840 let us 00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:35.380 continually 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:36.100 offer to 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:37.180 God a 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.720 sacrifice 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.519 of praise, 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.040 the fruit 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:41.820 of lips 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.440 that openly 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.080 profess his 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:43.320 name. 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:46.140 Let's pray 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.019 in light of 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.700 that reality. 00:29:48.300 --> 00:29:48.800 Father God, 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:49.500 in Christ, 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.019 you have 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.920 promised us 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.580 change. 00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:53.019 Get rid 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.320 of the 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:53.860 idols and 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.380 distractions 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.240 that hinder 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.040 our remaining 00:29:56.040 --> 00:29:56.560 in you, 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.420 and we ask 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:57.740 that you 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.720 might enable 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.440 a focus 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.539 our eyes 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:02.100 on you 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.559 so deep 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.900 and so 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.539 firm, 00:30:07.320 --> 00:30:08.019 a grasp 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.620 that will 00:30:08.620 --> 00:30:09.019 not let 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.440 go, 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.220 rather than 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.880 ourselves. 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.380 We thank 00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:14.759 you that 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.539 you are a 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.000 God that 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.640 will finish 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:18.039 what you 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.480 start. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.500 And so we 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.059 ask that you 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.580 might help 00:30:21.580 --> 00:30:22.259 us trust 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.620 in the 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.000 promise 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.220 that you 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.660 will make 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:26.019 us how 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.420 you have 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.100 designed us 00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:27.480 to be. 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.420 We ask 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.140 that we 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:31.340 remain in 00:30:31.340 --> 00:30:31.700 you, 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.420 knowing that 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:33.980 you remain 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.460 in us. 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.600 Amen.