WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:05.660 All right, well this morning we're continuing on with Jesus and his teaching on the night of his betrayal. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:11.380 We're in John chapter 15. If you have a Bible with you, you can open it up to that passage. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:19.019 Or there's the black Bibles in front of you there under the seats, or it'll be on screen this morning. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:29.100 We've been exploring some of the different elements of Jesus' analogy here with vine and branches and fruit. 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:41.579 We've talked about how God is the gardener, how he's at work like a gardener to bring about a fruitful vineyard, a people full of good fruit. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:49.920 We've talked about how Jesus is the true vine, how he is the source of life and of all that is good. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:54.079 We've talked about how we are the branches, those of us who believe in him. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:01:03.960 And we talked at length two weeks ago about pruning and how God does that pruning work in our lives so that we will be even more fruitful. 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:09.640 Well, this morning we're going to come back to this passage, but we're going to come at it from yet another angle. 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:22.980 Our focus this morning is going to be on this word that we see in verse four, remain, or as some translations that you may be more familiar with, abide. 00:01:22.980 --> 00:01:31.120 In verse four, Jesus says, remain in me as I also remain in you. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:34.260 No branch can bear fruit by itself. 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:37.540 It must remain in the vine. 00:01:38.880 --> 00:01:43.500 Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:50.519 What does it mean to remain or abide in Jesus? 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:53.540 How do we do that? 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:59.560 What is Jesus wanting these men to do? 00:02:02.240 --> 00:02:04.340 This will be our focus for this morning. 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:11.060 And then we'll end by reflecting on this sweet reality that Jesus remains in us. 00:02:11.060 --> 00:02:15.840 I suspect that many of us wrestle with this simple command that Jesus gives. 00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:18.340 Remain in me. 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:21.620 It's so easy to say it. 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:23.960 But what does it mean? 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:26.699 How do we do it? 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:33.259 We're looking for clues to this right here in this passage in what Jesus said. 00:02:33.939 --> 00:02:36.960 And the first one comes to us here in verse four. 00:02:38.140 --> 00:02:39.920 Jesus says, remain in me. 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:42.339 As I also remain in you. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:45.819 No branch can bear fruit by itself. 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:48.799 It must remain in the vine. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:54.379 Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 00:02:54.699 --> 00:03:01.099 So Jesus uses this analogy from the vineyard to explain a little of what it means to remain in him. 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:05.299 He says, it's like with the branch of a plant. 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:08.820 Of course, Jesus is referring to grapevines. 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:13.360 But most of us are not too familiar with grapevines. 00:03:13.500 --> 00:03:16.880 So let's imagine something similar grown in our climate. 00:03:17.580 --> 00:03:18.380 Tomato plants. 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:20.700 Picture in your mind a tomato plant. 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:22.640 Imagine that main shoot. 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:24.100 The vine. 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:28.560 And then the branches coming off of that main shoot. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:36.740 Jesus says, no branch can bear fruit by itself. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:42.760 So just picture one of those branches of your tomato plant by itself just lying there on the ground. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:44.640 Broken off. 00:03:45.980 --> 00:03:47.080 Separated from the vine. 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:50.719 Will it produce fruit like that? 00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:54.020 No, says Jesus. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:58.540 In order for the fruit to grow, it must remain in the vine. 00:03:59.920 --> 00:04:01.780 It must stay connected. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:04.840 It must continue to be attached. 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:10.939 Now let's translate the metaphor of vines and branches to people. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:12.680 That's what Jesus does here. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:17.259 He says, just as it is with the branch and the vine, so it is with you. 00:04:17.420 --> 00:04:21.579 Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:28.280 So God, the gardener, wants to see good fruit come from our lives. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:32.759 Things like I mentioned a couple weeks back. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:33.339 Love. 00:04:34.719 --> 00:04:35.279 Honesty. 00:04:36.359 --> 00:04:37.019 Faithfulness. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:39.879 Self-control. 00:04:41.179 --> 00:04:41.799 Gentleness. 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:43.479 Compassion. 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:45.000 Forgiveness. 00:04:45.739 --> 00:04:46.219 Holiness. 00:04:47.699 --> 00:04:50.539 But just like the branch of a plant, 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:54.919 you cannot bring forth these good things 00:04:54.919 --> 00:04:57.579 by yourself. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:00.000 On your own. 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:04.679 I was thinking about this this week. 00:05:05.359 --> 00:05:07.159 You know, if all this stuff I just mentioned 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:09.919 is the stuff that God wants to see in our lives, 00:05:09.979 --> 00:05:11.659 if that's what pleases Him, 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:16.059 can we please God on our own 00:05:16.059 --> 00:05:17.899 without Jesus? 00:05:20.119 --> 00:05:22.979 Can we live that loving life 00:05:22.979 --> 00:05:24.619 with God's kind of love 00:05:24.619 --> 00:05:26.519 that He wants us to live 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:28.159 towards others 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:30.140 without Jesus? 00:05:31.880 --> 00:05:33.360 Your pride may tell you, 00:05:33.520 --> 00:05:33.840 yes, 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:36.740 but Jesus says, no. 00:05:39.080 --> 00:05:41.480 No branch can bear fruit by itself 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:43.320 on its own. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:45.640 We need Christ 00:05:45.640 --> 00:05:48.780 to live a life that pleases God. 00:05:48.779 --> 00:05:49.819 We need Jesus 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:51.199 and what He gives 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.799 and what He does in us 00:05:52.799 --> 00:05:55.000 to bring forth that good fruit 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.879 that God is looking for in our lives. 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:00.479 And so Jesus says, 00:06:00.599 --> 00:06:02.359 you must remain in me 00:06:02.359 --> 00:06:03.859 like a branch. 00:06:04.659 --> 00:06:06.879 You must remain in the vine 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.839 to bear fruit. 00:06:08.839 --> 00:06:11.560 Now this word remain 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:13.239 in the original language 00:06:13.239 --> 00:06:14.359 that John wrote in, 00:06:14.419 --> 00:06:15.659 it simply means to stay 00:06:15.659 --> 00:06:17.399 or to continue. 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:19.179 There's nothing out of the ordinary 00:06:19.179 --> 00:06:20.039 about the word. 00:06:20.859 --> 00:06:23.219 Its meaning comes from the analogy 00:06:23.219 --> 00:06:24.159 here 00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:26.179 as Jesus uses it. 00:06:26.299 --> 00:06:28.079 To remain in Jesus 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:30.159 is like a branch of a plant 00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:31.599 staying connected 00:06:31.599 --> 00:06:33.279 to that plant, 00:06:34.180 --> 00:06:35.519 continuing to be 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:36.500 enjoined 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:37.639 to the main shoot. 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:39.839 In other words, 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:40.740 Jesus is saying, 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:42.939 don't leave off from me. 00:06:43.339 --> 00:06:45.159 Don't walk away from me. 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:48.000 Stay fastened to me. 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:49.659 Stay joined to me. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:53.980 What is this command 00:06:53.980 --> 00:06:56.640 in this analogy 00:06:56.640 --> 00:06:58.500 really about? 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:02.780 It's about relationship. 00:07:05.440 --> 00:07:07.720 Stay in relationship with me, 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:09.379 says Jesus. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:13.000 This is what it's all about. 00:07:13.960 --> 00:07:14.980 And in case there's any doubt, 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:16.379 we need only look a couple verses 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:18.640 down to verse 9 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:20.779 and Jesus will say it 00:07:20.779 --> 00:07:22.439 loud and clear. 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:24.479 As the Father has loved me, 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:25.979 so have I loved you. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:29.019 Now remain in my love. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.279 If that's not an invitation 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:34.219 or call to relationship, 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:36.000 I don't know what is. 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:39.560 This whole analogy 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:41.019 of vine and branches, 00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:42.659 it tells us something 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:44.259 of the kind of relationship 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.099 that God desires 00:07:46.099 --> 00:07:47.439 with his people. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:50.019 It's meant to be 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:51.159 a permanent 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:53.019 and ongoing 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:54.319 relationship. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:56.740 Think about the connection 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:57.639 between a plant 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:00.000 and its branches. 00:08:01.479 --> 00:08:02.759 How are the branches 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:03.959 connected to the plant? 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:12.759 Well, it's not like this. 00:08:16.599 --> 00:08:17.560 There's some kind of 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:18.899 an interlocking mechanism 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:20.279 here that allows him 00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:21.060 to stay connected 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:21.819 for a time. 00:08:22.479 --> 00:08:23.799 But the way this is designed, 00:08:24.019 --> 00:08:25.199 it can connect 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:25.759 and disconnect 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:26.399 and connect 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:26.979 and disconnect 00:08:26.979 --> 00:08:28.740 as much as you want, 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:29.939 as much as you need. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:32.500 These things, though, 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:33.159 are only meant 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:34.220 to be together 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:35.980 when this thing 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.919 runs out of battery. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.399 Is that how our relationship 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.539 with Jesus should be? 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:45.379 We come to him, 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:47.519 we relate to him, 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:49.580 just when we're really 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:50.580 in need of something 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:51.620 from him. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:54.519 The rest of the time, 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:54.759 though, 00:08:54.820 --> 00:08:55.480 we're kind of off 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:56.039 on our own, 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:57.340 living as independent 00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:57.940 agents, 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.139 not too worried 00:08:59.139 --> 00:08:59.700 about him. 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:01.639 No. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:03.600 The branch of a plant 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:04.440 is meant to be 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:05.060 connected 00:09:05.060 --> 00:09:06.659 all the time. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:08.580 Ongoing. 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:10.159 Permanent. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:12.259 It's a part of the plant. 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:15.240 And it has to stay there. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:17.899 In the same way, 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:18.719 we're meant to be 00:09:18.719 --> 00:09:20.100 in a continual, 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:20.839 ongoing, 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:22.819 permanent relationship 00:09:22.819 --> 00:09:23.620 with Jesus, 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:24.879 our Savior. 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:28.759 We also see here 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:29.419 in this analogy 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:30.139 that this is meant 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:31.179 to be a very deep 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:32.679 and intimate 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:33.779 relationship 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:34.579 between Jesus 00:09:34.579 --> 00:09:35.720 and us. 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:37.439 Think again 00:09:37.439 --> 00:09:37.980 about how 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:39.279 the branch 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:39.819 is attached 00:09:39.819 --> 00:09:40.519 to the tree. 00:09:41.839 --> 00:09:42.659 It's not 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:44.159 plug and play 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:46.240 like your iPhone. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:48.699 There's a real sense 00:09:48.699 --> 00:09:49.779 in which that branch 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:50.819 is a part 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:51.519 of the tree. 00:09:54.459 --> 00:09:55.279 It's one 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:56.039 with the plant. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.000 In fact, 00:09:58.100 --> 00:09:58.860 sometimes we don't 00:09:58.860 --> 00:09:59.299 even bother 00:09:59.299 --> 00:09:59.879 to distinguish 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:01.459 between the branch 00:10:01.459 --> 00:10:01.860 and the tree. 00:10:01.959 --> 00:10:02.579 We just say 00:10:02.579 --> 00:10:03.240 that whole thing, 00:10:03.319 --> 00:10:04.079 the tomato plant, 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:04.679 the whole thing, 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:05.500 it's all a plant 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.299 or that tree. 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:07.779 It's all the tree. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.039 And this is a picture 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:11.539 of the kind 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:12.179 of relationship 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:13.559 that Jesus desires 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:14.439 with these men 00:10:14.439 --> 00:10:16.159 and with you 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:17.500 and with me 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:20.279 where we are 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:20.980 one with him. 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:23.100 We are so deeply 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.079 joined with him 00:10:24.079 --> 00:10:25.759 that we are a part 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:26.220 of him 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:27.899 and he 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:29.379 of us. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:32.079 We're not just, 00:10:32.199 --> 00:10:32.639 you know, 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:33.720 loosely affiliated 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:34.159 with him. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:34.740 We're not just 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:35.919 in today's vernacular 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:37.979 subscribe to his channel. 00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:40.360 It's not as though 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:40.939 we've just clicked 00:10:40.939 --> 00:10:41.379 the like 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:42.299 and the follow button 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:43.459 on Jesus' profile 00:10:43.459 --> 00:10:44.139 and we just 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:45.620 take our regular updates 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:46.620 and that's about it. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:47.379 No, 00:10:47.479 --> 00:10:48.599 this kind of relationship 00:10:48.599 --> 00:10:49.839 that Jesus has 00:10:49.839 --> 00:10:51.159 for us, 00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:51.939 it's a deep, 00:10:52.079 --> 00:10:52.839 it's an intimate 00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:53.620 relationship 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:55.299 where we become 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:56.240 one with him, 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:57.860 united with him. 00:11:00.459 --> 00:11:00.939 Paul, 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:02.039 in his letters, 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.059 didn't even hesitate 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:04.699 to refer to all 00:11:04.699 --> 00:11:05.879 who belong to Jesus 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.199 as members 00:11:07.199 --> 00:11:09.059 of his body, 00:11:09.219 --> 00:11:10.199 that is the body 00:11:10.199 --> 00:11:10.959 of Christ. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:12.639 Just like your hand 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.159 or your foot 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:13.719 is a member 00:11:13.719 --> 00:11:14.899 of your body. 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:18.119 And so, 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:19.659 remain in me 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:21.319 like a branch 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:22.399 remains in the vine. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.299 It speaks of this 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:25.000 deep and intimate 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.719 relationship 00:11:25.719 --> 00:11:27.159 that we have 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:28.339 with Jesus. 00:11:29.459 --> 00:11:29.959 Again, 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.039 verse 9 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:33.079 leads us 00:11:33.079 --> 00:11:33.879 in this direction. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.480 As the Father 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.399 has loved me, 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.620 so have I 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.500 loved you. 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:40.939 Now remain 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:42.000 in my love. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:44.539 As Jesus 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:45.339 calls these men 00:11:45.339 --> 00:11:45.939 to a certain 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:46.519 kind of 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.860 love relationship 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:48.599 with him, 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:50.039 he thinks about 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:51.360 the love relationship 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.459 that he has 00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:53.879 with his Father. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.039 And it is a rich, 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.120 deep, 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:57.819 and intimate 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.539 relationship. 00:11:58.819 --> 00:11:59.599 That's the kind 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:00.399 of relationship 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.960 that he is 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:02.720 pulling and 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:04.019 calling his 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:04.820 followers to. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.060 And so, 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:09.019 when Jesus says, 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:11.800 remain in me 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:12.740 like a branch 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.980 remains in the vine, 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:16.300 he's calling us 00:12:16.300 --> 00:12:18.560 to continually 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:20.180 give ourselves 00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:20.800 to him, 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:23.540 to this kind 00:12:23.540 --> 00:12:24.259 of relationship 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:24.800 with him, 00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:25.920 this ongoing, 00:12:26.660 --> 00:12:27.060 intimate, 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.639 love relationship. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:28.819 relationship. 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:32.159 Now we might 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.480 wonder, 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:33.240 why does Jesus 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:34.139 seem to emphasize 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:35.580 this so much? 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.500 If you 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.720 have kind of 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:39.179 skimmed through 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:39.899 the whole passage, 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:40.500 you'll notice 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.899 that he talks 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:42.360 about this 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:42.899 quite a bit. 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:44.519 Remain in me. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:45.639 Neither can you 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:46.159 bear fruit 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:46.659 unless you 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:47.939 remain in me. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:48.879 Verse 5, 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:52.100 remain in me. 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.559 Verse 6, 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:55.659 if you do not 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.720 remain in me. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.620 Verse 7, 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.379 if you remain 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:59.080 in me. 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.379 And verse 9, 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.779 how many times 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:02.399 he says it, 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:03.180 it's amazing. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.080 Why is this 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:05.899 such a big deal? 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.800 What's the 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:08.340 temptation 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.940 or the danger? 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.100 Well, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.920 according to Jesus, 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.399 there is a real 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:14.879 danger 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.740 if you do not 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.240 remain 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.279 in him. 00:13:19.940 --> 00:13:20.899 Verse 6, 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.700 if you do not 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:23.560 remain in me, 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:25.379 you're like a 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.079 branch that is 00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:26.719 thrown away 00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:28.059 and withers. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.659 Such branches 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.539 are picked up, 00:13:32.239 --> 00:13:32.899 thrown into the 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.219 fire, 00:13:34.119 --> 00:13:34.759 and burned. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:37.439 That's stated 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.099 pretty strongly, 00:13:38.219 --> 00:13:38.659 isn't it? 00:13:40.619 --> 00:13:41.419 But if we're 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.019 following this 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:42.479 analogy, 00:13:42.719 --> 00:13:43.219 it makes 00:13:43.219 --> 00:13:44.059 perfect sense. 00:13:45.339 --> 00:13:46.239 It's not just 00:13:46.239 --> 00:13:46.859 that we can't 00:13:46.859 --> 00:13:47.539 bear fruit 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:48.879 without Jesus, 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:49.699 it's that 00:13:49.699 --> 00:13:50.559 without Jesus, 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.559 we will wither, 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.479 we will die 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.340 spiritually. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.460 That's how it 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:56.960 goes with the 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:57.500 branch of a 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.159 plant or the 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:58.700 branch of a 00:13:58.700 --> 00:13:58.940 tree. 00:13:59.019 --> 00:13:59.519 When it gets 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.580 separated from 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:01.060 the tree, 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:02.139 what happens 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.740 to it is it 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.420 just sits there 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.019 on the ground. 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:06.480 Eventually, 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.259 the life that 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:07.860 was in it 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:08.659 disappears. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.700 Its flexibility 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:12.320 and greenness 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.480 just fades 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:13.860 away. 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.320 The leaves 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:16.019 turn brown 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:16.740 and crunchy. 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.180 The branch 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:19.159 itself becomes 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:20.480 gray and 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:22.019 dry and 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:22.399 brittle. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.800 And it's 00:14:23.800 --> 00:14:24.259 now good 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.779 for almost 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.240 nothing 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:27.159 except for 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:27.500 getting a 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.060 fire going. 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.860 It kind of 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:30.460 amazes me 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:30.920 just how 00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:32.019 relevant Jesus 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.000 is 2,000 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.639 years later. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.860 I think about 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.360 this all the 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:35.840 time when I 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.279 go out into 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:36.960 my backyard. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.060 We have a 00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:39.039 huge poplar 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:39.800 tree in our 00:14:39.800 --> 00:14:40.600 backyard and it 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.039 seems like 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.039 every time I 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:42.620 go out there 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.600 there's at 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.360 least one or 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.940 more branches 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.879 that have 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.620 broken off, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:47.960 that have 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.680 fallen down on 00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:49.100 the ground. 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:51.560 And guess what 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.000 we do with 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.159 them. 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.479 We pick 00:14:54.479 --> 00:14:54.899 them up, 00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:56.259 we put 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:56.639 them in a 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.219 trash bin, 00:14:57.839 --> 00:14:58.279 designated 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:58.859 sticks, 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.119 and I 00:15:00.119 --> 00:15:00.519 drive them 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:00.779 out to 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:01.199 the dump 00:15:01.199 --> 00:15:02.619 and dump 00:15:02.619 --> 00:15:02.899 them in 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.199 the burn 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:03.479 pit. 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:07.019 there's a 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.800 very real 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:09.120 danger to 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:09.840 leaving off 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.460 from Jesus, 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:12.100 to walking 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:12.659 away from 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:12.899 him. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.639 You will 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.039 wither. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.000 You will 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.960 die, says 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.379 Jesus. 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.220 If you 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.659 choose to 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.100 walk away 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:21.700 from Jesus 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:22.740 and go and 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.420 live for 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.120 yourself, do 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.580 things your 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.120 own way, 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.539 rejecting him, 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:28.360 you won't be 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.000 connected to 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.300 Jesus, the 00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:30.600 vine. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.800 And if 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:33.100 you aren't 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:33.700 connected to 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.080 him, then 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.480 you won't 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:34.980 have what 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.480 he gives, 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:35.860 what the 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.460 vine gives 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:36.800 to the 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:38.379 branch, which 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.040 is life. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.639 We need 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.700 a continuing 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.840 relationship 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.980 with Jesus, 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.940 an abiding 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:51.279 relationship, and 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:51.960 without that, 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.960 we're in real 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:54.360 danger. 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:56.180 Now, I know 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:56.540 there's some 00:15:56.540 --> 00:15:57.240 debate about how 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:57.800 we should take 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.540 these words of 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.840 Jesus, and the 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.580 question rolling 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.240 around in some 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:01.720 of your minds 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.300 is, well, can 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.899 we lose our 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.360 salvation? 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.100 Are you saying 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.399 that? 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.160 Is Jesus 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:05.879 saying that? 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.759 Jesus says a 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.620 similar sort of 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.720 thing at the 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.440 beginning of this 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:12.180 section in verse 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:12.480 two. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.040 He says, the 00:16:13.040 --> 00:16:13.899 Father cuts off 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.860 every branch in 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.740 me that bears no 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.080 fruit. 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.720 This is a really 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.600 important discussion, 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.220 and so we're 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.700 actually going to 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.860 save that question 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.120 for next Sunday. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:23.940 I don't want to 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.379 rush it. 00:16:24.900 --> 00:16:25.259 I don't want 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:25.820 anybody to get 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.840 any funny ideas. 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:29.340 we'll talk about 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.680 it next week, but 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.360 for now, I hope 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:31.920 you don't just 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:32.740 dismiss this 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.340 warning of 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.160 Jesus here in 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.060 verse six. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.320 If you do not 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:39.500 remain in me, you 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.200 are like a branch 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:40.800 that is thrown 00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.720 away and withers. 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.320 Such branches are 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.960 picked up, thrown 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.700 into the fire, and 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.040 burned. 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:52.379 Jesus said this to 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:56.439 Peter, to James, and 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.579 to John that 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:59.179 night, and so we 00:16:59.179 --> 00:16:59.879 ought to take it to 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.480 heart as well. 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.599 The relationship 00:17:02.599 --> 00:17:03.579 that we have with 00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:05.519 Jesus is everything. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.240 It is our life. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.879 Not just our 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.839 earthly life, not 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:13.339 just abundant life, 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.460 but it is our 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:16.740 life, eternal life. 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.819 It comes in and 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.579 through our 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:22.379 continuing relationship 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.440 with Jesus. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.319 Listen again to 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.319 how John said it 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.299 back in chapter 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:29.099 three, verse 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.799 thirty-six. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.259 He said, 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.279 whoever believes 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.920 in the Son has 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.839 eternal life, but 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.019 whoever rejects the 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:37.500 Son will not see 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:39.700 life, for God's 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.960 wrath remains on 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.200 them. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.799 Listen again to 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.099 how John will say 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:46.059 it many years later 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:47.319 in his first letter 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.179 to the churches. 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.599 First John, chapter 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.639 five, verse eleven. 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:53.299 He writes, God 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.240 has given us 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.000 eternal life, and 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.899 this life is in 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:58.659 his Son. 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:02.059 Whoever has the 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.960 Son has life. 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:06.079 Whoever does not 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.240 have the Son of 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:09.039 God does not have 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.659 life. 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:09.759 life. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.460 Why is Jesus so 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.480 concerned that we 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.019 stay in this kind 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.740 of a close, 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.279 intimate, connected 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.779 relationship with 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.060 him? 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.100 Because just like 00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:23.820 the branch of a 00:18:23.820 --> 00:18:25.640 tree, our life 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.980 depends on it. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.240 If we remain in 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.500 him, we will have 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:30.840 life. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.860 We will have all 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:33.200 the good things that 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.740 come through Christ. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:34.819 Christ. 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:37.059 But if we do not, 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:39.200 we will perish. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.279 So remaining in 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:45.079 Jesus, this is of 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:46.279 the utmost importance 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.519 for every follower 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.339 of Jesus. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.220 And this relationship, 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.480 it's not just a 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.299 one-way street. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.680 Jesus doesn't say, 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.680 no matter what you 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.420 do, I will remain 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:01.240 in you, and you 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.819 will bear much 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.099 fruit. 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:05.000 No, it's a real 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.019 relationship that 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.919 Jesus is after. 00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:07.879 It's a two-way 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.279 street. 00:19:09.659 --> 00:19:10.859 He urges and 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:11.879 commands us, 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.259 remain in me. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:16.459 There's something we 00:19:16.459 --> 00:19:17.480 must do for our 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.279 part in this 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.859 relationship. 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.619 And it's not a 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.399 big list of good 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:20.799 works. 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:23.019 And it's not that 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.759 we must bear our 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.419 own fruit. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.059 It's a relational 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.500 thing. 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:30.719 We must give 00:19:30.719 --> 00:19:32.039 ourselves to 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:33.399 him continually 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:35.619 for the rest of 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.159 our lives. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.019 Remain in me. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.180 Stay in me. 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.319 And this is not 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.139 just something that 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:44.440 we do automatically. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.099 I mean, think 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.559 about that. 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.619 If every single 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:48.359 follower of Jesus 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.220 just does this 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.259 automatically, Jesus 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:50.899 wouldn't need to 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:51.460 say this. 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.519 He certainly 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.339 wouldn't emphasize 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.180 it so much. 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.059 He wouldn't warn 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.960 us about what would 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.899 happen if we don't 00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:58.339 do it. 00:19:58.339 --> 00:20:00.759 it's not 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.240 automatic. 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:03.319 It's not 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:03.919 something that we 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:04.779 do without even 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.699 intending to or 00:20:05.699 --> 00:20:06.399 thinking about. 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.579 We do need to 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.759 make some sort 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.759 of effort. 00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:15.639 Jesus tells them 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.619 to remain in 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:18.000 him because it's 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.039 something they 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.939 must intentionally 00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:21.039 decide to do 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.500 day after day, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.419 year after year. 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:27.860 And so we come 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.259 now to this 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.000 final question. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.600 How do we do 00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:33.000 relationship with 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.360 Jesus? 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.039 We might be 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.800 tempted to think 00:20:36.800 --> 00:20:37.580 that the disciples 00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.900 had it easy. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.640 After all, they 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.440 were with Jesus. 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.820 They could see 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:43.860 him face to 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:44.200 face. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.580 They could just 00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:46.259 talk to him and 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.039 ask him questions 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.539 and they could 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.360 listen to his 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:49.220 responses. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.420 They could walk 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.000 with him on the 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.320 road. 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:55.559 But it's 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.200 here I think we 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.279 must realize Jesus 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.579 doesn't say remain 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:02.779 with me, but 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:05.099 remain in me. 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.939 He doesn't say 00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:09.059 remain with me. 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.720 We've been hearing 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.639 Jesus talk this 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.359 very night about 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.200 how he's about to 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.039 leave his disciples 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.839 and they will not 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.679 be able to follow 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.000 him. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.919 Jesus is about to 00:21:19.919 --> 00:21:20.639 be taken from 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:20.879 them. 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.899 crucified. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.359 And yes, he 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.119 will have several 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.059 visits with them 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.079 after he rises 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.399 from the dead, but 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:31.339 not long after that 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.099 he will be taken 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.259 up to heaven and 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.099 the disciples will 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.460 no longer be with 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:38.039 Jesus, at least 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.659 not like they 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.139 used to. 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.639 And I think it's 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.099 here that we 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.939 realize what these 00:21:42.939 --> 00:21:44.139 words in John 15 00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:44.980 are all about. 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.240 Jesus is preparing 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:47.899 them for a 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:49.559 different way of 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.659 relating to him. 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.860 than they have 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.440 right now. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.800 Even though they 00:21:55.800 --> 00:21:56.740 cannot remain with 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.680 him, they can 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.540 remain in him. 00:22:00.800 --> 00:22:01.900 This relationship 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.980 he has with them 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.540 is going to 00:22:04.540 --> 00:22:05.660 continue even 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.540 while he's 00:22:06.540 --> 00:22:07.000 away. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.900 But it's going to 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.480 look different. 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.040 And here's the 00:22:12.040 --> 00:22:13.000 wonderful truth about 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.660 how it will be 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.060 different. 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:15.919 Jesus will not 00:22:15.919 --> 00:22:17.000 be with them. 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.980 He'll be even 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.419 closer. 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:22.059 He'll be in 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.799 them. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:29.139 Remain in me 00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:32.279 as I also 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.960 remain in you. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.819 Do you hear 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.139 that? 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:47.080 if you remain 00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:48.520 in me and I 00:22:48.520 --> 00:22:51.200 in you, you 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:52.180 will bear much 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.580 fruit. 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.060 Do you hear 00:22:55.060 --> 00:22:55.440 this? 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.680 Yes, Jesus is 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.480 calling them to 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.440 remain in him. 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.640 But Jesus is 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:02.360 also assuring 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:03.700 them, I will 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:05.300 remain in you. 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:09.240 Do you hear 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.619 this? 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.339 Jesus will be 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.680 doing his part 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.940 of the relationship 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.659 with us. 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.940 He'll be like a 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.259 vine does to 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:19.779 the branch, 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.899 giving us all 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.700 that we need 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.839 for life. 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.399 He'll be giving 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.000 us everything 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.619 that we need 00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:28.680 to bear much 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.200 good fruit. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:29.619 He'll be 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.960 continuing to 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.359 love us just 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.000 as the father 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.859 has loved him. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.359 And the truth 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:36.940 is the part 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.819 that he plays 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.819 on his side 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.200 of this 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.819 relationship 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.740 is far 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.460 greater because 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.259 he is the 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.700 vine. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.700 Yes, we 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.159 need to 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:47.899 remain in 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:50.500 him, but 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.180 no, we're 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.839 not left 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.659 completely to 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.519 ourselves to 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.940 do it. 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.299 He remains 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.339 in us. 00:23:57.339 --> 00:24:01.079 at times 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.619 we do 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:03.019 drift away, 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:05.139 give into 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.779 temptation, 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.939 blow it, 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:09.699 sin, 00:24:10.699 --> 00:24:11.899 but Jesus 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:13.579 remains in 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.099 us. 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.399 He draws 00:24:16.399 --> 00:24:16.980 us back. 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:18.379 He 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:18.879 disciplines 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:21.199 us lovingly. 00:24:23.199 --> 00:24:24.319 He forgives. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:27.119 there's a 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.500 sense in 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:27.759 which we 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.000 could go 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.319 back to 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.720 the beginning 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.039 of the 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.539 message and 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:29.799 look at 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.139 this whole 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:30.579 thing now 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.319 through Jesus 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.579 side of 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:32.879 this 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.859 relationship. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.200 I will 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.179 remain in 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:36.799 you, 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:37.899 says Jesus. 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.500 Like a 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.779 tree holds 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:44.519 and nourishes 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:46.000 and gives 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.240 life to 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.879 its branches. 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:49.580 I will 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:50.640 stay connected 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.440 to you, 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.580 says Jesus. 00:24:53.560 --> 00:24:53.800 In 00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.400 relationship 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.120 with you, 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:55.860 I will 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.320 not let 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:56.820 you go. 00:24:57.780 --> 00:24:58.320 I will 00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:58.880 not abandon 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.080 you. 00:24:59.140 --> 00:24:59.300 I will 00:24:59.300 --> 00:24:59.740 not leave 00:24:59.740 --> 00:24:59.840 you. 00:24:59.880 --> 00:24:59.980 I will 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.280 not just 00:25:00.280 --> 00:25:00.680 let you 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.160 fall to 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.660 the ground. 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.840 He's the 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.200 one that 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.080 desires this 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:06.980 permanent, 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.140 ongoing, 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:08.980 intimate, 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.560 and deep 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.200 relationship 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.920 with us. 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.620 And so 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.140 as long as 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:15.560 you remain 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:15.980 in me, 00:25:16.520 --> 00:25:17.300 I will 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.899 remain in 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.299 you, 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.359 says Jesus. 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.279 I will 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.980 see to it 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.299 that you 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.399 bear much 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:22.779 fruit. 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.700 And all 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.000 of this 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.599 Jesus will 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.039 do in 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.619 them and 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.079 he does 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.899 in us 00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:30.159 through 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:31.299 his spirit, 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.639 the Holy 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.319 Spirit who 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.779 he gives 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.319 to us. 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.940 So yes, 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.680 the relationship 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.200 between Jesus 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.680 and his 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.379 disciples will 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:41.000 change from 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.639 here on 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:42.039 out, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.859 but not 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.200 for the 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.519 worse. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.200 It will 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.779 change for 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.159 the better. 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:51.039 So how 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.359 do we 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:51.759 do 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.559 relationship 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:52.960 with 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.259 Jesus? 00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:53.819 How do 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.099 we 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.079 remain in 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.319 him? 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:55.960 I want 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.259 to get 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.159 down to 00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:57.339 the 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:57.819 practical, 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:01.059 but I 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.319 want to 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:01.839 connect it 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.779 to the 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.379 story that 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:03.539 we're 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:03.819 reading 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.279 here. 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.899 We do 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.220 it the 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.680 same way 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.000 these 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.359 eleven 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.720 men 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.259 learned 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.659 to do 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:08.879 it 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.940 after 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.339 Jesus 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:10.819 left. 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:12.379 No 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:12.720 longer 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.099 could they 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:13.579 see his 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:13.839 human 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.279 face 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.759 right there 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.119 in front 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.460 of them, 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.700 but they 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.259 learned to 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:19.079 trust in 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.900 his unseen 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.539 presence 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:22.120 within them 00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:23.779 by his 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.220 spirit. 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.079 No longer 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.440 could they 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.799 see him 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.420 walking down 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.799 the road 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.240 right there 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.600 in front 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:28.880 of them. 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:30.779 So they 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.220 learned to 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.759 walk by 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.279 faith, 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.640 obeying the 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.660 commands and 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.340 the instructions 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:37.960 that he had 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.319 given them 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:38.720 about all 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.160 kinds of 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:39.600 things in 00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:39.940 life, 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.000 wherever they 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.240 were, 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:41.779 with whomever 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.079 they were 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.420 with. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.039 No longer 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.460 did they 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.899 see him 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.279 right there 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.559 in front 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:46.759 of them, 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.279 just open 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.680 up his 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.200 lips and 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.500 start 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.059 teaching, 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.240 but they 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.759 learned to 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.319 listen to 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.779 the Holy 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.779 Spirit he 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.839 gave later 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:57.639 and his 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.639 reminders of 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.079 what Jesus 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.559 said, 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:02.200 even leading 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.559 them to 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.160 write down 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.399 the very 00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:05.099 words that 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.779 Jesus spoke 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.180 to them. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.299 In one 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:08.559 sense, 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:08.819 doing 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.420 relationship 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.980 with Jesus 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.660 is unlike 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.379 any other 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.020 relationship 00:27:12.020 --> 00:27:12.480 that we 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:12.880 have. 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.520 He lives 00:27:15.520 --> 00:27:15.840 in us 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.300 by his 00:27:16.300 --> 00:27:16.720 spirit. 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:18.840 He's 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.680 unseeable 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.140 with our 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:20.620 eyes, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.000 he's 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:22.140 untouchable 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.580 with our 00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:23.140 hands, 00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:25.040 and yet 00:27:25.040 --> 00:27:25.340 we are 00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:25.680 commanded 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.260 to believe 00:27:26.260 --> 00:27:26.620 in him, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.200 to trust 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.440 him, 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.720 to speak 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.160 to him, 00:27:29.260 --> 00:27:29.920 to listen 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.420 to him, 00:27:30.580 --> 00:27:31.700 to serve 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:31.900 him, 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.400 to obey 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:32.720 him, 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.800 this one 00:27:33.800 --> 00:27:34.800 living in 00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.140 us who 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.640 we can't 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:35.960 see. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.840 But in 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.080 another 00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:39.440 sense, 00:27:39.540 --> 00:27:39.720 doing 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.300 relationship 00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:40.940 with Jesus 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.420 is very 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.799 much like 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.539 other 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.220 relationships 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.820 that we 00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:45.240 have. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.720 We talk 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.140 to him 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.299 when we 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:49.600 pray, 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:52.200 we listen 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.120 to him 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:54.500 as we 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.039 read and 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.720 reflect on 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.320 the words 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:57.100 that he 00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:57.539 spoke. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.080 Like the 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:00.519 disciples, 00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:01.880 we learn 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.360 from his 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.200 example and 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.160 his actions 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.120 as we read 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:05.600 and reflect 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:05.880 on the 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.240 things that 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.640 he did 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:06.960 and how 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.660 he lived 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:07.980 when he 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.500 was here. 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:11.860 We serve 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.680 him and 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:12.960 we do 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.640 his work 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:15.600 by obeying 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.259 his commands 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.840 wherever we 00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:17.279 are with 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.360 whoever we're 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:19.200 with in 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.420 anticipation of 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.980 the day when 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.640 he returns 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.500 and we will 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:22.980 see him 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.540 face to 00:28:23.540 --> 00:28:23.940 face. 00:28:26.040 --> 00:28:26.840 This is how 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.120 we do 00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:27.660 relationship 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.320 with Jesus. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.480 This is how 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.080 we remain 00:28:31.080 --> 00:28:32.000 in him. 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:34.099 we could 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.539 boil it 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:34.900 down 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.740 really 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.220 simply 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.259 to just 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:38.619 a few 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.140 words. 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.380 Words of 00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:40.660 some of 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.200 those familiar 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.839 songs. 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:43.940 Trust 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:45.160 and obey. 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.440 Or the 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.259 kids song 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.980 read your 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.359 Bible, 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.140 pray every 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.420 day. 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.440 And it 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:52.960 might irk 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.440 you to hear 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:53.920 that this 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.299 is it. 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.539 That this 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.000 is how we 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.279 do it. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.819 Like that's 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.039 it. 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.319 Trust and 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:58.640 obey. 00:28:59.400 --> 00:28:59.819 Read your 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.519 Bible, pray 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.059 every day. 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.960 That's how 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.179 we do 00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:02.679 relationship 00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.619 with Jesus. 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:03.940 I mean, 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.500 come on. 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.440 Reading a 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:05.740 book, 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:08.019 talking to 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.440 the air. 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.759 But that's 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.319 the secret. 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.419 It all 00:29:14.419 --> 00:29:14.919 comes down 00:29:14.919 --> 00:29:15.339 to what's 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:15.639 in your 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.639 heart as 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.259 you approach 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.279 this book. 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.339 As you 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:20.940 get down 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.440 on your 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.480 knees to 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:22.799 pray. 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:24.720 What's in 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.079 your heart 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.539 as you sit 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:25.899 down and 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.240 read your 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.539 Bible? 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.500 Are you 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:28.899 there just 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.299 to check 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:29.720 off another 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.200 box? 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.599 And be 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:31.879 a good 00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:32.279 Christian? 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:33.899 Or do 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:34.200 you sit 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.599 down to 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.099 read this 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.519 book with 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:35.899 a hard 00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.599 attitude of 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.859 Lord, I 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.440 am here 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:41.359 to listen 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:41.919 to you 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:44.179 speak for 00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:44.859 your servant 00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.799 is listening. 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.339 That's the 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.940 hard attitude 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.759 of relationship. 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.500 What's in 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:54.899 your heart 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:55.319 as you get 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.859 down on 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.240 your knees 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.740 to pray? 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:59.620 I guess 00:29:59.620 --> 00:29:59.960 I'll have 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.299 to pray 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.940 again here. 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.640 I'm 00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.140 supposed to 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.539 do that 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:02.960 to be a 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.539 good Christian 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.640 even though 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:04.859 I don't 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.380 really feel 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.819 like it. 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.759 It kind 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.059 of feels 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.319 like I'm 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:07.799 just talking 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.140 to the 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.359 air. 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.079 Or do 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.319 you come 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:11.799 with this 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.140 heart 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.680 attitude? 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.539 Lord 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:13.940 Jesus, 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.120 I'm tired. 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.839 I'm worn 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.440 out today. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.039 I don't 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.640 even feel 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.240 like praying 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.740 but I 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.799 know that 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.299 you are the 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.940 one that I 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.380 need to 00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:22.980 talk to 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:24.019 now. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.420 And you 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.759 pray. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.640 That's the 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.339 heart attitude 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.319 of relationship. 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.480 And it 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.000 makes all 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.640 the difference. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.360 If you're 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.019 wondering why 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.640 this doesn't 00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:39.120 feel like 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.720 relationship, 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.680 could it be 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.019 that you 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.519 haven't been 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.259 treating these 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.539 things like 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.220 relationship? 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.019 Reading your 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.360 Bible. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.400 Prayer. 00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:49.440 prayer. 00:30:52.040 --> 00:30:52.800 That's how 00:30:52.800 --> 00:30:53.740 we talk 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.300 to and 00:30:54.300 --> 00:30:55.019 listen to 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.800 Christ today. 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.480 He speaks 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.920 today through 00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:58.860 his words. 00:30:59.300 --> 00:31:00.200 The same 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:00.720 words he 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.360 spoke long 00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:01.660 ago. 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.920 This is how 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.420 we remain 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:07.980 in Jesus. 00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:09.120 Doing the 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:09.560 things he 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.160 has commanded 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:10.880 us to do 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.880 day after 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:12.240 day. 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.100 Serving 00:31:13.100 --> 00:31:13.820 our king 00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:15.180 even while 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.780 he's away. 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.880 This is how 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.380 we remain 00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:18.900 in Jesus. 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.480 And so I 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.720 want to 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.220 encourage you 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.580 today simply 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:23.000 in this way. 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.040 Give 00:31:24.040 --> 00:31:24.700 yourself 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:26.060 wholly, 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:26.980 completely 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:28.340 to him. 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:31.019 To that 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.680 relationship 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.300 with him 00:31:32.300 --> 00:31:33.500 through his 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:33.900 word, 00:31:34.820 --> 00:31:35.740 through prayer, 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:37.840 through 00:31:37.840 --> 00:31:38.500 obedience, 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.100 through worship, 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.180 through complete 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.720 surrender. 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.120 He is the 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.460 vine. 00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:45.720 And we are 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.200 the branches. 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.580 God 00:31:49.580 --> 00:31:49.940 let's pray. 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.720 Father in 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:56.980 heaven, 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.860 it's a 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.300 wonderful 00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:59.200 relationship 00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.800 you have 00:31:59.800 --> 00:32:00.280 made for 00:32:00.280 --> 00:32:01.100 us with 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.580 our Savior 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.060 Jesus. 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:03.880 And there 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:04.380 are depths 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:04.960 to it that 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:06.280 we long 00:32:06.280 --> 00:32:07.360 to grow in 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:07.920 and understand. 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.700 And I pray 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.120 that that 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.620 would be what 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.440 happens for 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.120 each one of 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.519 us here. 00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.380 Whether 00:32:13.380 --> 00:32:14.460 young or 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:14.900 old, 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:16.340 that we 00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:16.720 would never 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.460 grow tired 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:19.060 or disinterested, 00:32:19.560 --> 00:32:20.759 but that we 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.360 would continue 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.220 to know the 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.100 depths of 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.660 your love 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.259 for us. 00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:25.220 That we 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.720 would continue 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.400 to find 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.960 sweet 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.400 joy 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:31.840 in walking 00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.440 with you 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.820 day by 00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.140 day. 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.280 Help us 00:32:36.280 --> 00:32:36.780 to remain 00:32:36.780 --> 00:32:37.180 in you. 00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:38.000 Protect us 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.780 from anything 00:32:38.780 --> 00:32:39.660 in our 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.060 world, 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.280 in our 00:32:42.280 --> 00:32:42.860 own hearts, 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.460 that we 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:44.800 try to 00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:45.540 separate us 00:32:45.540 --> 00:32:45.960 from you. 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.600 Thank you 00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:48.900 for the 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:49.560 assurance that 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:50.220 you remain 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.160 in us. 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.259 In Jesus' 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:53.660 name, 00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:54.920 amen.