I Am the Vine - a podcast by Lewis Marsh

The Gospel of John 15-21

I Am the Vine

By Louie Marsh, 05-19-2023

Intro – Last slide fruit loops

 

1) I must FOCUS on remaining in Jesus, the only source of spiritual life.

 

¹  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 (ESV)

 

2) I must COOPERATE with the Father as He cleanses me.

 

 ²  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit…⁶  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:2, 6 (ESV)

 

·       Two major sources of spiritual dirt in my life:

o   SELF

o   SIN

 

⁹  For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV)

 

·       The Father disciplines me to make me FRUITFUL.

 

³  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. ⁴  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. ⁶  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:3-6 (ESV)

 

¹⁰  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. ¹¹  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV)

 

3) Only by ABIDING IN JESUS can I bear fruit & please God.

 

³  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:3-5 (ESV)

 

·       Abide (meno) = REMAIN where you’ve been placed

 

⁸  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 (ESV)

·       Regardless of my past, I’ve been PLACED in Christ.

 

¹⁷  But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, ¹⁸  do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Romans 11:17-18 (ESV)

 

·       I can’t do ANYTHING that pleases God apart from Christ.

 

⁹  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11 (ESV)

 

⁴  and these things we write, that our joy may be made full. 1 John 1:4 (ASV)

 

¹²  Having many things to write unto you, I would not write them with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full. 2 John 1:12 (ASV)

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