Page 17 - Florida Sentinel 3-17-17

Remain Attached To The Vine Of Jesus (John 15:1-17)
is love. Jesus marked out two keys to the production of matchless love. But, those who become unproductive — those who turn back from following Christ after making a superficial commitment —- will be sepa- rated from the vine.
Jesus makes a distinction be- tween two kinds of pruning: (1) separating and (2) cutting back to promote growth. In other words, sometimes God must discipline us to strengthen our character and faith. But branches that don’t bear fruit are cut off at the trunk, because not only are they worthless, they often infect the rest of the tree.
Fruit is not limited to soul winning. In this text, answered prayer, joy and love are men- tioned as additional fruit.
The word abide (remain) ap- pears 11 times in our text with 8 of those times being in these first 8 verses.
To love like Jesus we must re- ceive the love of Jesus. This is done best by constantly abiding in him. We must remain in the vine.
Jesus also marked out three results of this production of
matchless love.
First we learn that by abiding
in Jesus we avoid judgment. While all people will appear be- fore the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), those who stay connected to the vine get a free pass on judgment.
Second, we have the prospect of answered prayer. This prom- ise seems wide open: ask what- ever you wish, and it will be done for you. No strings at- tached? But remember that if we are abiding in the vine, we most likely will not ask for any- thing that is not in line with the Father’s wishes.
Third, we prove ourselves to be disciples of Jesus. Disciples stay connected to the vine to bear fruit (a phrase that occurs 8 times in this passage). This fruit of matchless love gives ev- idence of our discipleship.
Many people try to do good, be honest, and do what is right. But Jesus says the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to him, like a branch at- tached at the vine.
Unsurpassed Sacrifice | John 15:9-17
Matchless love also shows up in tremendous sacrifice.
Jesus got intimate in this section of our text. He spoke about the closeness he has with his Father, and he invites be- lievers into that intimacy by being their friend. The Father loves the Son. The Son loves the disciples. The disciples love each other. Often this love takes the path of most resistance. It involves sacrifice, but that thought is not oppressive. When love is in high gear, sac- rifice is actually a joy.
Jesus wants our joy meter running high. Sacrifice is what creates intimacy. Is there a greater way to demonstrate love than through sacrifice?
Jesus removed any awkward distance by calling those who love him and remain in him friends. There is a difference be- tween a friend and a servant.
Servants serve because they must. Friends serve because they want to serve. Jesus chose the disciples to be his friends. He bridged that gap with them by giving himself on the cross.
Sacrifice also leads to greater productivity in prayer. As it is in John 15:7, so it is in v. 16. God answers our prayers because we are his children.
Our text is in the middle of what is called the Farewell Dis- course of Jesus. The content stretches from John 13–15. It was the night of his betrayal. In an upper room somewhere in Jerusalem, Jesus met with his disciples, washed their feet, in- stituted the Lord’s Supper, pre- dicted his betrayal and denial, and promised the Holy Spirit.
The words are tender and drip with emotion. The theme of the evening is love. In fact, love ap- pears around 43 times from John 13–21.
Unsurpassed Productivity | John 15:1-8
Out text begins with yet an- other “I am” claim from Jesus.
Jesus said, I am the true vine. The grapevine was a prolific plant, a single vine bears many grapes. In the Old Testament, grapes symbolized Israel’s fruit- fulness in doing God’s work on earth. (Psalms 80:8; Isaiah 5: 1-7; Ezekiel 19:10-14).
The vine was a familiar image in the Jewish reservoir of un- derstanding. God is the gar- dener and the one who does the pruning. Jesus is the true vine, and all who claim to be follow- ers of Christ, the branches. The fruitful branches are true be- lievers who by their living union with Christ produce much fruit.
Vines produce fruit. The best fruit in the Christian experience
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-B