THE VINE AND HIS BRANCHES

THE VINE AND HIS BRANCHES IN THE WORLD

John 15:1-27

We have in this chapter an illustration of the relationship Jesus expects all believers to have with Him and with the rest of the world. First we see the lifestyle Christ expects of all true believers and then we see how believers should relate to the world. Christ makes a distinction between his disciples and the world. Concerning His disciples, Jesus declares to the Father In John 17:14-16, “They are not of the world”. They are members of His Kingdom and His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Phil.3:20 says that our citizenship is in heaven. Notice that because our citizenship is not of this world, there are things we cannot do. There are actions we cannot take. There’s a lifestyle we cannot live.

1.    THE CLOSE UNION OF CHRIST WITH HIS DISCIPLES (John 15:1-10)

Psalm 80:1-19; Isa.5:1-7; John 15:1; 8:31-32; 2Thes.2:15

Israel is called the vine of the Lord. They as a nation possessed the oracles of God, and God wanted His word to go forth from Zion, but it did not. He sent his prophets to them, rising up early and sending, but they refused to hear. Then God was wroth with them, and He removed the hedge, the covering, the protection around them. Disobedience to God or failing to obey His commandments is injurious to us. It removes His protection from us! As vine Israel failed God and they were left exposed to their enemies. From that time it was captivity upon captivity, war upon war. The book of Judges shows what can happen when people become lawless (Judges 6:1;13:1).

Now when Jesus came, He qualified the vine metaphor and applied it to Himself (John 15:1). He is THE TRUE VINE. He is the awaited One who will fulfill the purpose of God for creation. And all His disciples must follow his example as the TRUE VINE. If God did not spare Israel, disobedient and careless Christians must beware lest they are cut off (Rom.11:11, 16-21). So abide in Christ. Continue in His words. Do what He does, and what He says. This will require pruning and purging (John 3:3; 15:2; He.6:7-8). When you are saved your heart will yearn to follow Jesus. He may purge you but He will not cut you off!

Abiding in Christ depends on obedience to Him (John 15:10; 1John 2:24).  It is good to hear or even enjoy the word of God. All that cannot equate to abiding except you hear and do what you have heard (Mat.7:24-25). There is great blessing in obeying the commandments of the Lord (John 14:21-23). It is also the only way we can show that we love Christ.

Abiding in Christ requires us to live like Christ (1John 2:6). How did Christ live? We need the entire New Testament to answer this question but suffice it for us to look at (John 4:31-38). Let Christ’s passion be our passion: seek and win the lost.

2.    THE CLOSER UNION THROUGH OBEDIENCE (John 15:11-17)

When habitually obey Jesus commandments, It results in an even closer union with Him. We become friends. Love among Christ’s disciples is so vital that He had to give it as a command. If anyone says he loves Jesus, he must also love His disciples – fellow believers (Jon 13:35).

Jesus demonstrated His love for us by death on the Cross for our salvation (John 15:12-13). We ought to demonstrate our love for our brethren in a similar way (John 13:12-17; 1John 3:16).

3.    THE CAUSE OF UNFOUNDED HATRED BY THE WORLD (John 15:18-27)

Our separation from the world will bring with it some consequences. The world will hate us for the sake of Christ and because we are not of the world. If we are of the world, then the world would love us.

All the atrocities Christians suffer all over is because of Jesus. They hate Him for no just cause (John 7:7).

Christ’s prayer is that the Father should shield us from the evil that is in the world (John 17:14-16). Notice that the prayer of our Lord Jesus is not that we would be loved by the world but that we should be kept from the evil thereof. Hatred of believers will be there till the end. Believers do not seek to be praised by men, but to please their Master. Those who love the praise of men will fear to obey the Lord (John 12:42-43).

A clear distinction between disciples of Jesus and the rest of the world is this: Disciples are not of the world. Our citizenship is in heaven. We do not mind earthly things. Our affections are on things above (Col.3:1-2; 1John 2:15-18)

JESUS LOVES EVEN ME (P.P. Bliss)

I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Refrain:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

If I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.