Pastor Tiffany Grefory
Red Letters Pt 2
Tell about comedian Steve Trivino’s my daddy said clip. Then compare to us with the red letters of Jesus said.
Fun fact: Most of Jesus’ words appear in the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Matthew’s Gospel recounts more words spoken by Jesus than Mark. One source estimated that Jesus spoke approximately 31,426 words, excluding repetitions. (elaborate) words and repetitions.
John 15:5-10 (ESV)
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. 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. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 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.
Jesus is the source of life and nourishment; He provides spiritual sustenance and life for his followers.
a. Branches: just as branches depend on the vine for life and fruitfulness, believers are completely dependent on Jesus for spiritual growth and bearing fruit.
b. Abide: abiding in Christ is essential: staying connected to him through faith, obedience, dependence, and living in a close relationship with Him
c. Pruning for growth: The Father, depicted as the Gardner, prunes the fruitful branches to promote even greater growth and fruitfulness by living out a life that pleases God and fulfills His purpose
This may involve challenges or trials that strengthen faith and character. Pruning can be ugly. (elaborate)
d. Bearing fruit: When we abide in Jesus, we will bear much fruit, such as transformed character, actions, and fruitfulness in evangelism.
VS 6: Withered branches are cast away symbolizing spiritual ruin for those who don’t maintain a connection with Him. Without Christ, they are incapable of producing anything meaningful.
These branches are like those who may outwardly claim to be Christians but have not truly been transformed by Christ’s presence.
The imagery of being thrown into the fire represents the consequences of a life disconnected from Christ
(elaborate)
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (God isn’t a magic genie like I thought when I was a kid that I could ask him to make me do well on a test and poof I’ve aced it.) Even now sometimes we pray for things and then get upset or question when God doesn’t go poof prayer answered.
Abiding in Christ and having His words within you allows for answered prayer, as your desires align with His will.
And that is the key. We must align our prayers to His will! Not expecting Him to answer our prayers according to our will. It’s like taking a test you didn’t study for, expecting to ace it and then throwing the book when you fail. Some have even walked away from God because he didn’t answer their prayer the way they thought best. We can have access to God’s power and resources. By remaining in Christ and allowing His word to dwell in our hearts we can pray with confidence and receive answers to our prayers.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Bearing abundant fruit brings glory to God and demonstrates that you are truly His disciples. This fruit includes character transformation and leading others to Christ. Have you seen someone transformed by the power of God and Jesus do a complete 180 in their life? That’s fruit! That’s the best fruit there is
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
- Jesus’ love for His followers is like the Father’s love for Him, and He encourages them to remain in His 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.
Remaining in Jesus’ love is obeying His commands, just as His obedience to the Father keeps Him in the Father’s love. Our obedience shows our love for Him. This also maintains closeness with Him, by loving one another, as Christ loves them.
(Ending)
You ever notice the more time you spend with God the happier you are? When challenges come you are able to fight them easier, Have you ever laughed in the devils face when given a diagnosis, bad news, job loss etc. because you knew that there was nothing too big for your Jesus and that His love and provision would carry you? That is the product of being a branch of the vine. That is what happens when you give everything you have and everything you are to Jesus that is what happens when you lay everything at his feet.
The words that Jesus spoke in these verses show the crucial need for a deep connection with Jesus for spiritual life, growth and fruitfulness. This dependence on Him is key to answered prayers, glorifying God through fruitfulness, and experiencing His love. Maintaining this connection involves laying down our pride, our own will and control, by acknowledging our need for Him, engaging with His word, trusting Him, and submitting to His will. In essence, this connection is essential for experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes from living in harmony with God’s will.
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