WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.500 Turn over to John chapter 15 this morning, John chapter 15, as we're going to continue looking 00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:16.359 ! You know, the fruit of abiding this morning. You know, as we see here as Jesus in John 15 is preparing 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:23.320 ! His disciples for what was to come. You know, the path ahead of them was not going to be an easy one. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:29.620 There's going to be difficulties, there's going to be challenges, and they're going to be tempted to turn away. 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:38.280 And Jesus is encouraging them, reminding them that it is essential that you abide. To abide, you know, 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:44.920 and that's the same thing for us today. You know, life can get busy, it can get chaotic. 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:53.079 Things can happen. Situations arise, things inside your control, you know, the results of your choices. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:57.719 Sometimes there's things that happen that are outside your choices, have nothing to do. But, 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:05.679 you know, it doesn't matter. And what Jesus is telling them, hey, no matter what, abide. Stick 00:01:05.679 --> 00:01:13.420 to the one who saved you, you know. And we understand he wanted that connection, that continued 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:20.120 connection to abide in him, you know. The same as they'd done from the beginning. You know, we saw 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:28.320 last week as they decided to dwell with him, you know, to be with him, and to be where he is, and to walk 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:35.920 alongside with him. And we see today this emphasis, though, is going to shift a little bit because 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:44.700 he's going to shift in a way as abiding to the fruit that abiding reveals, you know. Because what we, 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:52.719 how we abide, how we abide affects what's produced. How a branch is attached to the vine affects what it 00:01:52.719 --> 00:02:00.980 produces. And we understand that picture, it's very important. And Jesus answers that important 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:07.120 question about fruit, and he turns to the results, and he tells us, once again, as we've been looking 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:15.319 at where a branch stays, a branch bears, you know. What a branch is attached to directly impacts what 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:23.900 it bears. That's essential in what is happening here. And the next verses here reveal for us what 00:02:23.900 --> 00:02:32.000 that bearing looks like. Because this is key for every believer needs to understand the fruit that 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:41.500 Jesus is promising when we abide. Because abiding is not easy, you know. Abiding isn't just sitting, 00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:50.840 doing nothing. Abiding takes effort. Abiding takes intention. Abiding takes priority. You know, 00:02:50.860 --> 00:02:54.439 because one thing in life, you know, there's a lot of things that abide for your priorities. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:03:00.900 What Jesus is telling his disciples, there's going to be a lot of competing things, 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:09.980 but if you want what I'm offering, you must prioritize abiding. To put the abiding above 00:03:09.980 --> 00:03:16.599 everything else. It might be good things. That you're saying, well, I can do this, or I can do that, 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:25.400 but Jesus says, no guys, those things may be good and may be needful, but the most important thing is to 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:35.180 abide. To stay here with him, to abide, to be attached to the vine. And so let's look at this 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:40.700 this morning as Jesus continues here. If you found John 15 in your Bible this morning, let's stand 00:03:40.700 --> 00:03:48.900 together in reading of the Word of God. And we're going to read verses 7 through 11. And so we're 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:54.040 going to do a little responsive reading this morning, so we'll see how you guys do. So we're going to get 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:59.579 you involved here, okay? And we're going to make sure everybody's on the same page. All right? And so 00:03:59.579 --> 00:04:08.959 how that works is one of us will read together verse 7. I'll read verse 8. You guys will read verse 9. 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:15.479 I'll read verse 10, and then we'll read verse 11 together. And so that's how it's going to work 00:04:15.479 --> 00:04:22.539 through. So now together means together, okay? Now one thing I've learned, I did teens for years, 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:29.340 and you ever tell the teens to be together, be like... So we need the effort of unifying and doing 00:04:29.340 --> 00:04:34.540 this together, okay? And so everybody can understand what's being said. We're not speaking in tongues 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:38.800 around here. Not the crazy charismatic time. We might have a few tongues around here every now and 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:43.439 then when we get somebody that knows some other language, but that's the right version. Well, 00:04:43.460 --> 00:04:47.439 let's get back on track here. Let's get back to abiding, amen? So let's read together. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:58.240 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:07.339 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:15.600 hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:22.560 ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:32.020 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be 00:05:32.020 --> 00:05:36.680 full. Let's pray. Heavenly Fathers, we come before you this morning. Lord, we're just thankful 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:43.180 for the reality of who you are and what you've done for us. Lord, I pray just with the work in each 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:50.840 heart, each life here today, Lord, that they might understand the importance of abiding, that each of 00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:58.800 us needs to constantly abide. Nobody rises above this need and this instruction. Lord, each of us must stick 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:05.620 to you through the trials and challenges of life. Lord, as we just trust you not only for salvation, 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:12.180 but for the very fruit that brings joy in this life with the many disappointments and challenges. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:16.840 And Lord, we pray just with work in a mighty way. Lord, we just give you all the praise and glory and 00:06:16.840 --> 00:06:24.019 honor. In Jesus' name, amen. You may be seated. You know, throughout this passage, Jesus is emphasizing 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:31.280 the significance of abiding in the vine. The vine is what provides the means 00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:42.279 for what is produced. You know, if you separate a branch from the vine, it produces nothing. Matter 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:51.199 of fact, it does exactly the opposite. It withers away. You know, we witness that here all the time. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:56.659 You know, every time a storm blows through my neighborhood, the ash trees shed. When that branch 00:06:56.660 --> 00:07:03.420 is separated from the tree, it doesn't take long and the leaves wither up. The same is true with our 00:07:03.420 --> 00:07:12.280 Christian walk with God. If you're not abiding, you're going to wither. And if you're withering, 00:07:12.380 --> 00:07:17.780 you're not producing fruit. Because I want you to understand, as we look at this this morning, 00:07:17.779 --> 00:07:27.259 Jesus wanted you to have fruit. And part of that fruit is joy. To have a joy in the midst of trials, 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:34.759 struggles, things that seem overwhelming, things that seem like we can't deal with this today, 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:41.639 we can still abide and he will provide what is needed. You know, I want you to see this morning the 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:48.139 importance of having the right thing flowing through your life. Because that is what produces 00:07:48.139 --> 00:07:56.319 the right fruit. Because when you do not abide, you will still be filled with something. You know, 00:07:56.339 --> 00:08:01.019 the problem today is we have a lot of believers who are filled with things that are not what God tells 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:06.680 us to abide in. It's not they're absorbing things that are counter to the things of God. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:14.160 You know, I want you to understand this picture because this picture isn't just for you, 00:08:14.280 --> 00:08:21.920 it's for me, it's for every believer. He's telling the disciples, the 11 that are there with him, 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:26.379 and he says, guys, there's going to be some things and you're going to have to abide. 00:08:26.780 --> 00:08:33.820 He gives them an intentional direction. He says, I cannot control your abiding. 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:41.280 Abiding, you do. Because abiding has to do with the priorities that we have. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:50.440 Of where we place those things in our life, you know. Our body and our mind is kind of like a sponge. 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:54.600 You know what? A sponge is filled up by whatever it absorbs. 00:08:56.460 --> 00:09:01.040 And what Jesus is saying, you need to make sure you're being filled with the right things. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:09.159 Even after salvation, many times believers get distracted and put secondary things of the world 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:15.980 or things that they may think is good as a priority and say, no, Lord, what you want is the priority 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:21.099 because being abiding in you is what's going to produce what I'm desiring to be fulfilled with 00:09:21.099 --> 00:09:22.360 these other things that are empty. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:32.419 He wants us to see and to understand those things because it's important to know the very important 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:40.000 things that flows from abiding. Because what flows in is what comes out. And we're going to see here 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:46.539 this morning that the first thing that he shows us is abiding gives us power to your requests. 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:54.719 It's a powerful prayer life. In other words, God's listening. Look what it tells us in verse 7. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:10:00.879 It says, if you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:13.240 unto you. Now notice here, he gives some explanation. He says, if you abide in me and my word in you. 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:18.740 That's a key. Because oftentimes people think, well, I'm saved. I asked Christ to save me. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:24.799 So everything's good and I can go do what I want to do. You know what? That's not what Jesus said. 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:32.279 We're not talking about your security and salvation. We're talking about what fruits you're producing. 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:39.039 I believe there's a lot of Christians who have some sour grapes because what's being produced in their life 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:45.839 is counter to what God wants because God doesn't want sourness and bitterness and anger and resentment. 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:53.079 He wants joy and peace. And we wonder why we miss it. Well, the reality is, is because his words don't 00:10:53.079 --> 00:10:59.500 abide in us. So I want you to understand, why did Jesus say that? Because the Bible makes it clear 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:05.799 that when his word abides in us, it changes how we think, how we perceive, how we understand the world 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:11.959 around us. If you put the wrong things in, you're going to get the wrong things out. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:19.939 Because when you think wrong, the problem is this. When you think wrong, you ask wrong. 00:11:20.459 --> 00:11:25.099 You know, you see this picture played out as you get older, you start having grandkids. 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:30.620 Because you know what grandkids do? They come over to grandma and papa's house and they ask for all the 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:33.620 things they shouldn't have. And mom and dads are sitting there looking at them going, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:37.919 and they're waiting to see if you're the parent that they grew up with or the one that monitors 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:42.820 their grandchildren. Those two are not necessarily the same. But I want you to understand what you, 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:49.360 that connection impacts what you get. How you ask and what you ask for is important. Look over to 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:55.360 Romans chapter 12 for a moment. Romans chapter 12 in verse 2 tells us this, and it says, 00:11:55.360 --> 00:12:01.919 be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:08.960 that ye may prove that which is good and acceptable and perfect will of God. You know, I want you to see 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:17.639 here that how you think impacts how you pray. Because it's easy to answer the request when it's in alignment 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:23.860 with what's needed. You know, I think a lot of times we ask for things we ask amiss. Because we need to 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:30.379 understand the word of God needs to be locked into our mind. Look over to Colossians chapter 3 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:38.779 in verse 16 tells us, let the word of God dwell richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:46.440 one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:52.019 But notice this, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. 00:12:52.019 --> 00:13:00.539 You know what? If you lack wisdom, the place to start is the word of God, because then God has 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:05.659 the things in you that's going to help the Holy Spirit to guide you, because those two connect, 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:12.199 they're interseparable. You cannot separate the word of God from the spirit of God. That's a whole 00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:17.639 other lesson that people need to know today. Well, the spirit told me, well, if it doesn't measure up 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:22.580 with this, it didn't, the spirit didn't tell you. It might have been a spirit to tell you that, but it 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:29.019 isn't the spirit. Those are two different things. And we need to understand this reason in the Old 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:36.379 Testament, Psalm 119 verse 11 says, thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:45.059 It changes how we think. It changes our priorities. It changes everything about us. Notice the order. 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:52.580 The word does not first change the answer. It changes the asker. When you're lined with God in your 00:13:52.580 --> 00:14:00.940 thinking, it changes what you ask for because it changes your priorities. It changes what is needed. 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:08.020 We find what you feed your mind upon becomes what your heart desires. And what your heart desires 00:14:08.020 --> 00:14:16.480 because is what your mouth asks for. The man who reads what God wills begins to want what God wills. 00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:27.100 And you're praying according to his will. That's the promise of verse 7. It's not a blank check. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:37.379 It's a verse of unity. To say, God, I can give that to you because it's in alignment with what needs to be. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:43.899 Things are correct. It's used for the right reason and the right purpose. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:48.960 You know, people think today that they treat God like a magical charm. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:53.420 I believe in God and I should just be able to ask anything. Lord, just give me everything I need. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:57.799 No, we say need, but you know what we usually mean? Give me what I want. 00:14:58.199 --> 00:15:01.799 You know, most of the time is this. If we got what we wanted, we'd be in a lot worse shape. 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:06.879 Because how many times you find out what you want isn't what you really needed? 00:15:08.479 --> 00:15:11.099 Or didn't satisfy what you thought it was going to satisfy? 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:21.259 We can possess...we have a country today of people who possess more stuff and more things than any other people of any time. 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:28.220 We possess things that kings of old would have said, man, I would have wanted that. 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:32.559 And we just fill it in the storage locker. 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:37.559 Because we found out, yeah, we have it, but it didn't do what I thought it was going to do. 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:39.179 Because it's out of order. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:43.279 You know, look over into 1 John for a moment. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.740 1 John chapter 5. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:47.940 1 John chapter 5 and verse 14 says, 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:50.180 And this is the confidence that we have in Him. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:53.960 If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. 00:15:54.220 --> 00:16:01.980 And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of Him. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:06.080 You know, John here is writing late in life, 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:11.759 describing those moments, that dynamic that Jesus taught them even here. 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:16.519 You know, He understood what the Old Testament told us in Psalm 37. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:17.080 He says, 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:23.179 Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:25.600 You know, I know a lot of people quote that verse, 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:27.720 God ought to give me the desires of my heart. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:31.120 No, first your desires need to be aligned with His desires, 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:33.700 and that's because the Word of God changes your desires. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.539 It changes your priorities. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:41.719 You know, we live in a life that's really guided by priorities. 00:16:44.219 --> 00:16:46.419 I've lived long enough to understand one thing. 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:49.099 What you put as a priority, you will get accomplished. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:55.079 People will go to far ends to reach what they desire. 00:16:55.500 --> 00:17:00.179 They will put forth and sacrifice all sorts of things to get what they desire. 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:02.559 We have mothers and fathers today that say, 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:04.720 I want to have this, this, and this. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:07.179 I need to have a big house, and I've got to have all the best things. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:13.039 So they'll sacrifice their children on the altar of work to try to produce all these things. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:15.980 Then they wonder, Lord, why didn't you just take care of my family? 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.980 It's like God saying, you didn't abide. 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:20.379 You didn't do what you needed to do. 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:29.559 You had a wrong priority, a wrong desire in your heart that went contrary to what's going to benefit you. 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:36.399 That what's going to produce the fruit in your life that's going to impact other people. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:39.059 The Word of God guards the motive. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.539 So we don't ask amiss. 00:17:41.919 --> 00:17:44.119 You know, think about what James 4 tells us. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:46.000 James says this, he says, 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:52.980 You ask and you receive not because you ask amiss that you may consume it upon your lusts. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:53.460 You know what? 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:57.480 I don't think anybody in this room is exempt from asking God for something to consume. 00:17:57.480 --> 00:18:04.140 No different than that grandchild asks the grandparent for something to consume. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:09.640 And you're looking at it and say, yes, we could, but that's not what's best. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:14.099 You want it just to appease yourself in the moment. 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:21.440 Instead of looking to say what is needful in the moment. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:24.080 I want you to understand this is the picture. 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:34.519 The branch that separates from the vine is never going to get because it's not having the right priorities. 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:44.740 The first fruit of a branch that stays is a prayer life that has power in it because the branch was never the point of the vineyard. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:56.039 Because when we understand that point is what produces, but the point is this, because look at the next dynamic here in verse 8 with me this morning. 00:18:56.500 --> 00:19:05.640 It says this, because in my, herein is my father glorified that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:15.360 Because abiding in the vine doesn't bring glory to us, it brings glory to God. 00:19:17.520 --> 00:19:19.620 Abiding glorifies God. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.140 You know what? 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:23.040 Asking amiss wants to glorify us. 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:27.340 Asking correctly glorifies God. 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:28.440 It's important. 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:34.180 For us to grab a hold of because there's going to be times in your life. 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:42.759 I want you to understand that once Jesus is talking to here, the disciples, when you read the New Testament, there were some of them had some big struggles. 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:47.480 They were not always abiding the way they ought to abide. 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:50.039 And God had to bring them back in line. 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:57.000 The husbandman had to clean the fruit, had to clean the branch so it might produce fruit. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:20:01.980 And we understand that principle that is to bring glory to the Father. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:05.700 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit. 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:08.119 Now remember, we talked about this at the beginning. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:13.460 The husbandman is responsible for the growth and receives the credit for the harvest. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.339 Put this in practical terms. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:20.059 Have you ever seen somebody to say, well, let's glorify the corn plant that produced. 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:20.480 What do we do? 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:24.059 If you have a farmer that overproduces something, who gets glorified? 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:27.919 The farmer, the husbandman. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.799 You know what? 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:34.639 When fruit is produced in your life, it glorifies the husbandman, God. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:44.539 If fruit doesn't get praised, the one who produced it that was sweet and savory and provided what was needed is the one who gets glorified. 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:49.440 Our emphasis ought to be to glorify God. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:53.139 He is the one that gets that. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:59.700 Look over to 1 Corinthians for a moment because sometimes even amongst believers you get this dynamic of competition. 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:02.980 You know, I want you to understand. 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:08.259 Notice what Paul tells the church at Corinth here in chapter 3 in verse 6. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:14.019 It says, I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:23.140 So then neither is he that planteth anything and neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase. 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.480 What's he telling them? 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:29.619 He says, hey guys, it's all about the Father. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:33.160 It's all about God, not about you. 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:40.620 It's all about the designer and giver of life and not the consumer of life. 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:43.500 Think about what Matthew chapter 5 tells us. 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:47.160 Jesus telling his disciples early in his ministry, he says, 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:53.360 Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:58.400 I want you to understand those good works are a byproduct of the fruit. 00:21:58.400 --> 00:22:03.240 They're the fruit that's produced because notice not just any works. 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.620 Good works. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:07.660 You can be busy and not about good things. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.560 It's not about the work. 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:11.880 It's about the good works that are produced. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:15.080 The fruit that is produced in your life. 00:22:16.300 --> 00:22:17.940 So what is that fruit? 00:22:18.040 --> 00:22:19.960 This is kind of the meat of the whole thing right here. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:24.500 It's the crop that shows in a believer's life that he's abiding. 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:29.700 Jesus tells us that the crop is how you tell what the tree is. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:32.900 You know, think about Matthew chapter 12 and verse 33. 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:33.279 It says, 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:40.000 Either make the tree good and his fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt. 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:44.319 For the tree is known by his fruit. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.599 Your life is known by your fruit. 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:50.000 Like it or not, that's a reality. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:56.319 Don't you understand, all of us have fallen short of producing the full crop of fruit that God wants us to produce. 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.799 You know why that is? 00:22:58.839 --> 00:23:00.640 We all fail to abide. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:05.960 There's times and places and dynamics in our life when we say, 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:08.319 Lord, my will, not your will. 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:12.619 And when we understand that picture, 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:17.299 it's important to know because the kind of fruit to distinguish. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:21.319 Let's look at what the Bible tells us here about this fruit. 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:23.879 Because the kinds of fruit to distinguish, 00:23:24.419 --> 00:23:28.139 there's three dynamics that affect us as an individual. 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:31.659 And all three grow on the same branch. 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.740 Understand this picture. 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:35.339 The first is your character. 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:39.500 The first kind of fruit is your character. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:42.180 Who you are. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:46.200 And what is produced in who you are. 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:49.480 What does the Spirit grow in you? 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.400 You know, 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:56.039 take a look over to Galatians chapter 5 for a moment. 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.880 Down in verse 22. 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:02.660 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:09.400 long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:13.319 Against such there is no law. 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:16.659 Think about that for a moment. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:21.419 That is the fruit that ought to be produced in your life. 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:23.559 I encourage you to sit down and ask, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:25.799 do I see that in my life? 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:28.399 I want you to understand, well, I have this or that. 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:30.720 I want you to understand this is a group package. 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:33.019 It's not something you get to pick and choose. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.519 Well, I'm patient, so I'm good. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:38.379 No, if the other things aren't present, there's a problem. 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:41.360 We can fake any one of them, but you know what? 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:43.220 All these together is really hard to fake. 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:46.940 It reveals what is in your life. 00:24:47.040 --> 00:24:49.060 We're not going to take time this morning to break this down. 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:53.320 I encourage you to take time to look and to think and to pray on each of those things. 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:58.000 Lord, do I produce this fruit in my life? 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.780 If not, you can ask the other question, why not? 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:03.340 Important question for every believer to ask. 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:06.099 Why is it not there? 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:13.019 If that's what should be there, your character, who you are, ought to change. 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:15.480 The Bible says you're a new creature in Christ. 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:17.480 Character, but how about your conduct? 00:25:18.419 --> 00:25:23.359 Your character or who you are inside, your conduct is what you do outside. 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:28.279 What's inside is produced outside. 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:31.259 What your life produces. 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:34.500 You know, the Bible says many things. 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:39.220 Colossians 1 tells us being fruitful in every good work. 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.940 That's a conduct. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.839 It's a choice. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.660 It's a decision. 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.680 It's a priority. 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:50.519 You know, the problem today is people define good works by doing good deeds. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:56.839 There's a difference between a good work in Christ and good deeds that we do for others. 00:25:56.839 --> 00:26:01.859 There may be overlap, but there's an intention problem. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.000 We need to understand the difference. 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:08.399 It says, filled with the fruits of righteousness in Philippians chapter 1. 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:16.240 Fruits of righteousness means what we do is in alignment with what God has said to do. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:23.599 In other words, what we do and the choices we make in our life are in alignment with the Word of God. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:29.500 The fruit of righteousness is not my fruit. 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:33.160 It's His fruit produced when we follow and abide in the vine. 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:37.359 The fruit of righteousness means you do what you ought to do. 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:40.759 You make a decision based, is this pleasing to the Father? 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.880 Is this pleasing to my Savior? 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:44.820 Or is it pleasing to myself? 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:47.460 You know, there's nobody in this room exempt from it. 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:50.740 Because life's going to push you to the point you're going to make a decision. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.880 Where am I going to abide? 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:58.980 Today we live in a generation who abides a lot more in their emotions than they do in the Savior. 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:03.660 How you feel about something should not direct what you do about something. 00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:09.520 Because let me tell you, there'd be a lot more people with black eyes if it was a feeling-based society. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:14.379 Because every time somebody makes it, because you feel something doesn't mean you should do. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:19.920 Abiding in Christ changes our conduct. 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:21.879 It's the fruit of righteousness. 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:25.900 Not that which we feel, but that which is right to do. 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:28.019 You know, the fruit of praise. 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:30.940 You know, there's a lot of talk today about praising God. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.480 You know what? 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:35.559 The praising God isn't produced by an emotional filling of music 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:39.559 or brought forth with a bunch of lights and all sorts of other things 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:41.539 that people try to produce worship. 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:45.200 I want you to understand, worship is abiding in the vine. 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:51.480 It changes your perspective because the focus becomes God and not how I feel about it. 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:55.240 Worship is from the heart towards God 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:58.980 and not God being the one that's saying, 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.779 God, look at me. 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.880 Look what I'm doing. 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:03.859 Worship is saying, God, we want to look at you. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.720 Of giving. 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:06.339 You know, Philippians chapter 4. 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:09.539 You know, those are things about our conduct 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:12.620 that has to do with the priority fruit in our life 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.339 coming forth out of our life. 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:17.759 But it starts inside in your character, 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.960 comes out in your conduct, 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:24.360 and finally, it kind of shows in who you impact 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:27.680 the converts that you've impacted for the Lord. 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:29.319 I want you to understand, 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:32.279 look over to Romans chapter 1 for a moment. 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:35.680 Romans chapter 1, look down at verse 13. 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.759 Notice this is, 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:38.660 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:40.700 that oftentimes I purpose to come unto you, 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.460 but let hitherto, 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:46.100 that I might have some fruit among you also, 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.900 even as among other Gentiles. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.660 You know what Paul's thing was? 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:55.160 He says, hey, I want to see a byproduct of God's fruit, 00:28:55.300 --> 00:28:56.660 me abiding in the vine, 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:59.019 being produced in somebody else. 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.100 Because you know what? 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:02.779 If your character is flowing with the right things, 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.820 and your conduct is flowing with the right things, 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.720 you know what? 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:09.259 Your impact on other people for the Lord increases. 00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:10.640 You know what makes a difference? 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.759 There's a lot of people that are Christians today 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:15.380 who they say Christians are hypocrites, 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.560 and I say, yes, they are. 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.500 Yes, we are. 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:19.240 That doesn't mean the way it should be. 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:23.740 We get the first part right by saying, yes, we are. 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:25.759 The second part is, what am I going to do about it? 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:30.180 Because our testimony tells others that it's real. 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:35.540 You think about that inner things that God has for us. 00:29:36.040 --> 00:29:37.140 Love, joy, peace. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.820 How many people strive for things today 00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:39.900 are looking for those things? 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:43.120 They do all sorts of things to try to get that in their life. 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:47.759 They look for it in all sorts of places that get them in trouble. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.960 They look for it in spirituality. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:55.160 We don't live in a religious free society. 00:29:55.300 --> 00:29:58.580 We live in a society who has turned their back on God 00:29:58.580 --> 00:30:00.019 and worshiped other things. 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:02.740 Because people will worship something. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.019 You say, preacher, how do you? 00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:05.259 That's the way God wired us. 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:07.319 You know, Proverbs tells us this, 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:09.160 he that winneth souls is wise. 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:11.680 I think one reason a lot of people don't share 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:13.700 what God has done for them, 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.519 because what God is doing in your life 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:17.680 isn't producing the fruit that ought to be there, 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.640 so you're ashamed of it, 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.759 so you don't tell somebody else. 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.180 Say, preacher, ouch. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.500 Well, it's ouch for all of us. 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:26.420 That's the reality of the fruit. 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.299 When you abide, 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.960 these things aren't forced, 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.980 they come naturally. 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:34.680 Because fruit is personal, relational, and eternal. 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:37.140 It shows in who we become, 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:38.700 how we treat others, 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:40.539 and what survives us. 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:43.200 That character, that conduct, 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.319 the converts, 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:49.360 that is the crop that the Father is glorified by. 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:51.980 No branch bears in a vacuum. 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:55.660 Fruit that grows out of a relationship 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:58.420 that is where Jesus turns, 00:30:58.580 --> 00:30:59.980 because look in verse 9. 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:01.080 He says this. 00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.960 It's a relational. 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:02.980 It's a love. 00:31:03.040 --> 00:31:05.480 He says, abiding keeps us in his love. 00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:07.660 Look here in verses 9 and 10, 00:31:08.060 --> 00:31:09.940 back in our text here this morning. 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:13.320 It says this, 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:14.620 As a father hath loved me, 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.720 so I loved you. 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:17.480 Continue ye in my love. 00:31:17.540 --> 00:31:18.540 If ye keep my commandments, 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:20.240 ye shall abide in my love. 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:23.820 Even as I kept my father's commandments, 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:26.919 and abide in his love. 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:28.119 It's simply this. 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:30.539 The chain of love is this. 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:32.240 As the father loved the son, 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:34.619 so the son loved us. 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:37.439 He says, continue in my love. 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:39.439 Continue means to remain, 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.579 to endure, 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:42.059 to stand fast, 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:43.939 to stay in relationship. 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:46.659 Now let me ask you a question about relationships. 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:51.099 How do you maintain a relationship? 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.359 Priority. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.799 The relationship, 00:31:54.179 --> 00:31:55.179 whether it's your marriage, 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:57.000 or a friendship with somebody else, 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:59.159 is built and established, 00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:00.719 and kept on priority. 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.579 Why is it there? 00:32:01.659 --> 00:32:03.119 Because you put a priority on it. 00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:05.199 Priority makes the difference. 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.919 Abiding says, 00:32:08.139 --> 00:32:09.699 the priority is going to be, 00:32:09.939 --> 00:32:11.379 that I want to be connected, 00:32:11.659 --> 00:32:12.519 to the vine. 00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:16.000 It produces a relationship, 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:17.799 that's going to change, 00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.699 and impact you. 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.459 It's a love. 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:22.500 Love and obedience cannot be separated. 00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:23.100 You know, 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.039 today I hear a lot of people, 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:24.980 I love Jesus, 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:26.660 but I love myself more. 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.360 Hey, preacher, 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:27.900 I don't have people. 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.600 Yeah, I do. 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:31.519 They don't say it that way, 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.539 but that's what they mean. 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:36.059 I love Jesus, 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.500 but. 00:32:37.100 --> 00:32:38.000 I love Jesus, 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:40.100 and so I'm going to allow other things, 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.840 to take priority over him. 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.140 You know what? 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.400 When you love somebody, 00:32:45.620 --> 00:32:47.000 when you want a relationship, 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.660 you know what? 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.720 You change schedules. 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:50.900 Do what's within your means, 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.859 to make a difference, 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.960 to make that connection. 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.480 Same is true, 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:56.779 that if we put our priority on the Lord, 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.079 it's going to make a difference. 00:32:58.160 --> 00:33:00.519 We're going to abide in his love. 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.839 You cannot claim to love God, 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:04.579 and disregard his word. 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:06.680 You cannot claim to love God, 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.539 and not obey what God has said. 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.579 In other words, 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.460 you can't say, 00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:11.380 I love God, 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.960 and I want to do my own thing. 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.519 God tells us this, 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.440 John 14, 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.620 just before this, 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.140 in the previous chapter, 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.420 says, 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.240 if you love me, 00:33:19.320 --> 00:33:20.240 keep my commandments. 00:33:21.080 --> 00:33:22.360 The theme resounds, 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.720 throughout this chapter, 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.340 in the chapter 14, 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.740 this dynamic, 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:28.360 of keeping his commandments, 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:29.620 is a sign of, 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.160 in other words, 00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:30.700 God, 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.860 what you have said, 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.140 I put as a priority. 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:37.080 Not how I feel about it, 00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:38.660 or somebody else thinks about it, 00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:39.960 what does your word, 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:40.960 say you need to do? 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:44.960 Obedience, 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.700 I want you to understand, 00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:48.240 costs these men their lives. 00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:51.480 The first one recorded was Acts chapter 12, 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:56.799 when they killed James, 00:33:56.900 --> 00:33:57.900 the brother of John, 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.600 with the sword. 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.079 But James heard this night, 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:02.079 he was standing there, 00:34:02.360 --> 00:34:02.759 he said, 00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:05.039 continue in my love, 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:05.980 that night, 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.059 and he obeyed it, 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:08.659 all the way to the point of death. 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:11.099 He said, 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.980 I'm going to abide in my Savior, 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.679 no matter what it costs. 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.779 You know what James said? 00:34:16.839 --> 00:34:17.819 That's a priority. 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.679 Priority is important. 00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:23.819 Continue ye in my love, 00:34:23.859 --> 00:34:24.739 makes a difference. 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.500 Paul goes on to say, 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.839 a little later in 2 Timothy, 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:31.019 I have fought a good fight, 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.159 I have finished my course, 00:34:32.759 --> 00:34:35.739 I have kept the faith. 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:35.819 faith. 00:34:36.819 --> 00:34:38.699 That's what continuing looks like. 00:34:39.339 --> 00:34:41.000 To continue in his love, 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:45.079 is to continue in his instruction, 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:46.039 to put priority, 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:47.500 where priority ought to be. 00:34:47.959 --> 00:34:49.939 Being in the Lord's house on Sunday, 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:50.939 ought to be a priority. 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:53.519 Everything you can about the Lord, 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.599 ought to be a priority. 00:34:55.439 --> 00:34:56.079 Let's tell you this, 00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:56.759 this will be a stir, 00:34:56.839 --> 00:34:57.779 one gets to stir people up. 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.319 If you're not faithful, 00:34:59.399 --> 00:35:00.419 and desire to come to church, 00:35:00.459 --> 00:35:02.219 you need to check your relationship with Jesus. 00:35:02.819 --> 00:35:04.299 You got your priority wrong. 00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:07.480 Because what we do, 00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:09.780 as we meet together as a congregation today, 00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:12.060 Jesus said that he loved. 00:35:14.100 --> 00:35:15.320 The other thing about relationship, 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:17.380 you love what the one you love loves. 00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:18.620 Priority. 00:35:19.060 --> 00:35:20.000 But notice also, 00:35:20.120 --> 00:35:20.740 verse 11, 00:35:21.060 --> 00:35:21.880 here this morning. 00:35:22.620 --> 00:35:24.019 Things have I spoken unto you, 00:35:24.140 --> 00:35:27.140 that my joy might remain in you, 00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:28.500 and that your joy might be full. 00:35:31.700 --> 00:35:33.539 Abiding produces joy. 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:37.280 Joy is cheerfulness, 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.800 and calm delight, 00:35:39.140 --> 00:35:40.940 not driven by circumstance. 00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:44.940 Peter puts it this way, 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.260 it says, 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:48.420 whom having not seen, 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.140 ye love, 00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:50.260 in whom ye thought, 00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:52.680 though ye see him not, 00:35:52.760 --> 00:35:53.400 yet believing, 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:55.740 ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:57.240 and full of glory. 00:35:57.240 --> 00:36:00.100 I want you to take note of what Peter says. 00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:01.900 They had never seen him, 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:03.339 the ones he's writing to. 00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:05.460 They could not see him then, 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:07.039 and they rejoiced anyway, 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:07.759 just as today. 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:08.639 We rejoice. 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:11.679 I have not seen my Savior face to face, 00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:13.099 but one day I'm going to. 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:16.179 I believe it's a joy that comes. 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:18.380 That joy is there. 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:20.940 It's that my joy might remain in you. 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:23.199 He's not offering you a better mood. 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:25.739 He's offering you his own joy. 00:36:25.739 --> 00:36:28.179 The joy that carried him to the cross, 00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:30.619 for who the joy that was set before him 00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.699 endured the cross. 00:36:31.779 --> 00:36:32.919 It tells us in Hebrews, 00:36:33.379 --> 00:36:35.559 a branch does not manufacture that 00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:37.779 any more than it manufactures grapes. 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:39.339 It receives it, 00:36:39.479 --> 00:36:41.299 and receives it by staying. 00:36:41.879 --> 00:36:42.519 To understand, 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:43.339 he said full, 00:36:43.439 --> 00:36:44.219 not a trickle, 00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:45.899 not enough to get by, 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.619 but full. 00:36:47.339 --> 00:36:49.379 If your joy is thin this morning, 00:36:49.479 --> 00:36:51.219 the vine has not changed. 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:53.519 The promise has not been withdrawn. 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:56.039 Something is wrong with the connection. 00:36:56.820 --> 00:36:58.159 I need to consider this morning 00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:59.759 as we just think a moment here 00:36:59.759 --> 00:37:01.139 about a few things. 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:03.380 I want to give you some practical things 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:05.820 as we conclude the message to understand. 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:10.559 Results need to be of a test for yourself. 00:37:11.219 --> 00:37:12.619 A thin prayer life. 00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:15.460 Does your life give little glory to God? 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:17.780 Do you have a love that's cooling off? 00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:19.420 Have you lost joy? 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.360 To understand, 00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:21.800 those aren't four problems. 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.739 They're one problem. 00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:25.099 It's a name, 00:37:25.619 --> 00:37:27.239 and its name is the branch 00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:29.279 that has been drifted from the vine. 00:37:29.639 --> 00:37:30.799 The four results, 00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:32.779 but now I have some questions for you 00:37:32.779 --> 00:37:34.839 because these four measures the output. 00:37:35.379 --> 00:37:37.159 Here is how to measure the connection. 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:39.000 Connection is made. 00:37:39.099 --> 00:37:39.739 I'll ask you a question. 00:37:39.839 --> 00:37:41.379 Did you spend time with the Lord today? 00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:43.119 Read the Bible. 00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:47.799 And my words abide in you. 00:37:47.879 --> 00:37:49.459 Not just read, but hear. 00:37:50.259 --> 00:37:51.899 Preachers I follow on Facebook 00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:54.240 and made a statement here this week. 00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:55.139 It just posted up. 00:37:55.200 --> 00:37:55.519 He says, 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.760 it's a horrible thing when I realize 00:37:57.760 --> 00:38:00.619 I'm reading with my eyes and not my mind. 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:02.820 A lot of times we read with our eyes, 00:38:02.900 --> 00:38:03.639 but not our mind. 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:07.079 Abiding means I intentionally 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.460 not just read the words, 00:38:08.660 --> 00:38:09.880 but I think about, 00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:12.400 meditate on what I'm reading. 00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:15.519 Ask questions. 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:18.480 Did I talk to him today? 00:38:19.659 --> 00:38:21.679 Ye shall ask what ye will. 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:24.059 You asked Jesus for the problems 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.780 that you're facing. 00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:26.019 Did you turn them over to him? 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:29.800 Did you do what you need to do? 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:31.440 Thirdly is this, 00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:34.400 did I obey the last thing he told me? 00:38:35.259 --> 00:38:36.519 People God speaks to, 00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:37.019 I believe, 00:38:37.179 --> 00:38:37.579 believers, 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:38.480 and they say, 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.039 no, Lord. 00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:41.619 I know about a lot of areas in their life 00:38:41.619 --> 00:38:43.460 because their pride takes priority 00:38:43.460 --> 00:38:45.059 over what God's word says. 00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:47.440 What I think about it 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.139 takes priority 00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:50.039 about what God has said about it. 00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:51.519 Yeses 00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:54.339 is a day of abiding. 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:59.699 Three no answers 00:38:59.699 --> 00:39:03.039 is a branch drying out 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:06.159 and it'll affect the fruit. 00:39:06.159 --> 00:39:10.359 even before somebody sees it 00:39:10.359 --> 00:39:11.219 or you admit it. 00:39:13.179 --> 00:39:14.639 The fruit will be affected. 00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:16.179 This morning, 00:39:16.319 --> 00:39:17.539 four things were given. 00:39:18.839 --> 00:39:20.259 The promise of fruitfulness 00:39:20.259 --> 00:39:21.519 is answered prayer, 00:39:21.679 --> 00:39:22.559 glory to God, 00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:23.980 a settled love, 00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:24.960 and full of joy. 00:39:25.659 --> 00:39:26.519 If things aren't present, 00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:27.899 you need to ask yourself why. 00:39:28.719 --> 00:39:30.399 You've never been connected to the vine. 00:39:31.279 --> 00:39:32.239 A lot of people, I think, 00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:33.079 have come and said, 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:34.139 instead of one, two, three, 00:39:34.239 --> 00:39:35.480 repeat after me prayer, 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:38.019 and never meant it from their heart. 00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:40.340 To please somebody else 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:41.539 or as a fire insurance 00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:42.519 to get out of hell, 00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:44.460 how you do it 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.860 makes a difference 00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:48.880 because it's the why behind it. 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.740 Do you realize 00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:51.579 that you're a sinner 00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:54.460 that needed a Savior 00:39:54.460 --> 00:39:56.119 in a moment 00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:57.400 when you call upon Him? 00:39:58.579 --> 00:40:00.320 Have you been obedient to Him? 00:40:00.380 --> 00:40:00.519 You know, 00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:01.679 the first step of obedience 00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:03.539 is scriptural baptism. 00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.699 There's some requirements 00:40:04.699 --> 00:40:05.280 for baptism. 00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:06.519 It's not just getting wet 00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:08.460 for a lot of reasons. 00:40:09.200 --> 00:40:10.940 The reason is the identity 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:12.340 that it brings 00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:13.120 in obedience 00:40:13.120 --> 00:40:13.920 and connection 00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:14.720 with Christ 00:40:14.720 --> 00:40:16.740 and His assembly, 00:40:17.060 --> 00:40:17.820 His people. 00:40:18.140 --> 00:40:19.280 As we assemble together, 00:40:19.380 --> 00:40:20.080 it's important 00:40:20.080 --> 00:40:21.960 to walk through life 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:22.580 this morning, 00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:23.300 where are you? 00:40:24.200 --> 00:40:25.700 And be your own fruit inspector. 00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:27.019 This morning, 00:40:27.100 --> 00:40:27.820 I don't want you to worry 00:40:27.820 --> 00:40:28.660 about somebody's fruit 00:40:28.660 --> 00:40:29.340 beside you. 00:40:29.340 --> 00:40:32.860 The fruit beside you 00:40:32.860 --> 00:40:33.600 means nothing. 00:40:34.600 --> 00:40:35.980 The fruit that matters 00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:37.300 is what's produced 00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:39.720 in you. 00:40:40.400 --> 00:40:41.160 This morning, 00:40:41.240 --> 00:40:41.900 as heads are bowed 00:40:41.900 --> 00:40:42.780 and eyes are closed, 00:40:43.579 --> 00:40:45.340 a moment to contemplate 00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:46.000 that question. 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:50.340 Your fruit. 00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:53.440 fruit of abiding. 00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:55.820 There's a way to change that. 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:01.079 That's to connect 00:41:01.079 --> 00:41:02.280 with the vine, 00:41:02.620 --> 00:41:03.660 the Savior. 00:41:03.659 --> 00:41:07.239 I am the true vine. 00:41:07.319 --> 00:41:08.359 That's what Jesus said. 00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:12.700 What about you today? 00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:13.360 Heavenly Father, 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.320 as you know each heart, 00:41:14.400 --> 00:41:15.519 each life here this morning, 00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:16.760 Lord, I pray that you 00:41:16.760 --> 00:41:17.860 would continue to work 00:41:17.860 --> 00:41:18.500 and to guide 00:41:18.500 --> 00:41:19.720 in each one. 00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:20.599 Lord, you know 00:41:20.599 --> 00:41:21.620 the fruit. 00:41:21.680 --> 00:41:22.320 We're not hiding 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.480 our fruit from you. 00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:25.760 Lord, you know 00:41:25.760 --> 00:41:27.640 the fruit that remains 00:41:27.640 --> 00:41:28.579 within each one 00:41:28.579 --> 00:41:29.300 here this morning 00:41:29.300 --> 00:41:30.640 if there's any fruit at all. 00:41:35.500 --> 00:41:36.460 Lord, I pray that you 00:41:36.460 --> 00:41:37.099 help us to 00:41:37.099 --> 00:41:39.019 draw close to you 00:41:39.019 --> 00:41:40.599 knowing that you 00:41:40.599 --> 00:41:41.679 are where we need to be 00:41:41.679 --> 00:41:43.119 and the rest 00:41:43.119 --> 00:41:44.259 will take care of itself 00:41:44.259 --> 00:41:44.900 because it will be 00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:45.679 the byproduct 00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:46.619 of what flows 00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:47.579 through us. 00:41:48.779 --> 00:41:49.279 And Lord, 00:41:49.319 --> 00:41:50.460 we just turn this invitation 00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:51.420 to you this morning, 00:41:51.539 --> 00:41:51.659 Lord, 00:41:51.699 --> 00:41:52.440 and we ask it all 00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:53.500 in your precious name. 00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:54.920 Amen. 00:41:55.239 --> 00:41:56.079 As the piano plays, 00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:57.139 what about you today? 00:41:58.519 --> 00:41:59.159 Do you need to spend 00:41:59.159 --> 00:42:07.079 a little bit of time