Abide In The Vine - S1 E38

Main Camera: What if the key to a really lasting, meaningful Christian life isn't found in trying harder, doing more, working longer hours, but maybe simply staying closer to Jesus? What if the real problem in so many of our lives is not the lack of effort, but the lack of connection? Today we're gonna dive deep into John chapter 15 verses 1 through 8 to discover the life-changing power of abiding in the vine. if you're tired of striving, tired of spiritual burnout, tired of feeling dry, fruitless, and longing for real fruit that lasts, this episode is for you. Don't go anywhere. Trust me, you're gonna want to hear this. Come on, let's get to the podcast. Hello, friends. Welcome back to the Faith in the Grind. I'm Pastor Josh Long. Thank you so much for joining me today. I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to watch this episode. Whether you're driving down the road, working around the house, sitting down with your coffee and your Bible open, listening while you're at work, or even doing chores around the home, I'm really glad that you're here. Today, we're going to do a deep, careful, verse-by-verse dive into one of the most important practical passages in the entire New Testament: John chapter 15, verses 1 through 8. This is Jesus' teaching on abiding in the vine. And I believe the Holy Spirit wants to speak powerfully and personally to us through this passage today. So let's begin with some important background information so we can fully understand and feel the way. Of what Jesus is saying. This teaching takes place at the night before the crucifixion. Jesus has just finished the Last Supper with his disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem. He's washed their feet as an example of being a servant leader, the new commandments to love one another, predicted Peter's denial, and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit. We find here at this moment that Judas has already left the upper room to portray Jesus. And the mood in the room is heavy. It's full of emotion, to say the least. Now, as they get ready to leave the upper room and walk through the dark streets of Jerusalem toward the Garden of Gethsemane, they would have passed by the magnificent temple. Over the main entrance of the temple, there was a large, beautiful golden vine, a very well-known and prominent symbol in the nation of Israel. It represents Israel as God's vine. The people of Israel had been called God's vine many times in the Old Testament, but they had often failed to produce the good fruit that God really desires. It is the powerful symbolic setting with the shadow of the cross just hours away that Jesus stops and says, I am the true vine. He is recentering everything. He is telling his disciples that every one of us and every one of us listening today that he is the only true source of spiritual life that's lasting. It's the only source of spiritual life that's fruitful. Not the temple, not religious activity, not their own strength, talents, good intentions, or hard work, only Jesus. He is speaking directly to the eleven remaining disciples. These men have followed him faithfully for three years. They have seen incredible miracles, heard his profound teaching, and left everything. Behind to be with him. But now they are about to face the greatest test of their life. Jesus knows that they will soon feel scattered, afraid, confused, and powerless. So he is giving them this beautiful, life-giving, and sustaining teaching on abiding so they can stay fruitful even after he is physically gone from them. Now let's walk slowly through the passage and carefully think about what Jesus is saying together. 1 John chapter 15, beginning at verse 1, it says, I am the true vine, and my father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away. And every branch that bears fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. If any one does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered, and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, and you bear much fruit, so you will be my disciples. Now let's talk through about what Jesus is saying in this rich passage. Right from the beginning, Jesus makes the powerful statement, and it's an exclusive statement, that he is the true vine. And he says that his father is the vine dresser. Here Jesus declares that he is the true, faithful, perfect vine. Everything of real spiritual value flows from him and him alone. And the father is actively involved in vine dressing. The gardener who personally tends to the vineyard and every branch. Jesus then explains how the father works. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away, and every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. This verse holds both a warning and a hope. Areas of our life that produce no fruit need to be removed. They need to be cut away. But notice that he also prunes the fruitful areas of our life. Pruning can be painful in the moment. But it is an act of love. The vine dresser cuts away dead wood, diseased parts, and even healthy growth that drains energy from the rest of the branch. So it can become more productive. In our lives, pruning often comes through trials, disappointments, loss, financial pressure, health challenges. Correction from God's word are seasons where God removes things that we thought were good and important solely so we can focus on what truly matters. Next, we find that Jesus gives a wonderful reassurance. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. The disciples already were already made clean, not by their own efforts or religious performances, but by receiving and believing the words of Jesus. The same is true for us today. We are made clean through the word of God and the blood of Jesus. Ephesians chapter 5, verse 26 tells us that we are cleansed by the washing of the word. There is an inner work that takes place when we hear and meditate on the word of God. Then we come to the very heart of the passage. Jesus says, Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you, unless you abide in me, am the vine. You are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. This is the central command. Abide. The word means to remain. To stay connected, to dwell close in intimacy, ongoing union with Jesus. Just like a branch doesn't have to strain or work hard to produce grapes, it simply stays connected to the vine. We don't produce spiritual fruit by ourselves. The life, strength, and nutrients all come from the vine. Jesus tells us clearly: without staying connected to him. We can do nothing of eternal value. But the one who abides in him will bear much fruit. Jesus also gives a serious warning. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered. This shows what happens to someone who claims connection to Christ, but lives completely disconnected from him in their daily life. But on the other hand, he promises. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. When we abide in Jesus and His word lives in us, our prayers become aligned with God's heart, and that's powerful. Finally, Jesus reveals the ultimate purpose. He says, By this, my Father is glorified, that you bear. Much fruit. The goal of the Christian life is to bring glory to Jesus by bearing fruit. When we abide and bear much fruit, both the fruit of godly character and the fruit of souls won to the kingdom will be contributed to Jesus. And in doing so, the world sees that we are genuine disciples of Christ. So, how do we practically abide in the vine? In the middle of the grind of everyday life. First, make consistent time with Jesus the most important part of your day. This means daily prayer and time in God's Word. Second, let the words of Jesus dwell richly in you. Don't just read the Bible quickly. Meditate on it, memorize it, study it, and obey what He shows you. Third, welcome the pruning seasons instead of fighting against them. When God allows trials or removes things from our life, trust that that's the vine dresser knowing exactly what he is doing. He is preparing you for greater fruitfulness. Now, I'm not saying that God is the cause of trials and tests. I'm not saying that at all, but what I am saying is that God can use those times of trials and testing to further his purpose in our life by cultivating. And forming us spiritually into what He wants us to be. Fourth, practice moment by moment dependence on Christ. Learn to whisper through the day, Lord, I can't do this without you. Rely on Him. Fifth, stay connected to a healthy church family. Branches thrive best when they grow together on the same vine. Sixth, Remember that abiding is not passive. It's an active dependence on Jesus. It is the opposite of self-reliance striving in your marriage, in your parenting, your work, your ministry, and your personal walk with God. The fruitfulness that you long for will only come from staying closely connected to the true vine. And seventh, be patient. Fruit takes time to grow. Abiding is a long-term relationship, not a quick fix. As we consider all that Jesus has spoken to us in this passage, we can clearly see the call to remain connected to Him and the promise of fruitfulness and the reality of the pruning and the importance of depending on Him daily. Every morning, when you get out of bed, make a conscious decision. To direct your day in such a way that you stay connected to the vine and watch how your life will prosper spiritually and bear much fruit. Let's go to the Lord in prayer right now. Lord Jesus, we thank you today that you are the true vine. We ask you right now to help every person listening to abide in you like never before. Teach us how to remain connected to you in the middle of the busy days, the difficult seasons. Prune whatever needs to be cut away in our life so we can bear more fruit for your glory. Let your words dwell richly in our heart. Produce the fruit of the Spirit in us, greater and greater than ever before. Lord, that is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We surrender all of our self effort today and choose to depend completely on you. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Maybe you've been living life on your own strength. Maybe you've tried to be a good person, tried to do things the right way, or tried to find meaning in other places, but you still feel empty, disconnected, or fruitless on the inside. Jesus is inviting you today into a real relationship with him. He wants to be your source of life. He wants to forgive you of your sins and give you a new life and make you a part of his family. If that's you, I want to lead you in this simple prayer. You don't have to know all the right words. God looks at your heart. If you mean it, he will hear you and welcome you. Come on, pray this with me from your heart. Lord Jesus, I admit that I'm living apart from you. I've tried to live on my own strength. And it has left me empty. I believe you are the true vine. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day. I ask you right now to forgive me, cleanse me with your blood. Come into my life. I want to abide in you from this day forward. Make me your disciple, fill me with your Holy Spirit, and produce lasting fruit in my life for your glory. I give you my whole life. In Jesus' name. Amen. Listen, if you prayed that prayer, you are now connected to the true vine. Welcome to the family of God. I want to celebrate with you. Right now, the most important thing you can do is begin building a daily relationship with Jesus. Start by reading your Bible every day, even if it's just a few verses. Talk to Him in prayer throughout the day. You don't have to get down on your knees and be real formal about it. You can just talk to him like you're talking to a friend. Find a good Bible-believing church and get connected with other believers. These are practical ways to begin to abide in Christ. Listen, if you prayed that prayer, I want you to go to faithinthegrind.org slash Jesus. There you'll find helpful next steps and resources that will help you walk with the Lord. I'm so glad you've made this decision. I'll be right back after this. Welcome back. If this episode has spoken to your heart, please share it with someone who needs encouragement to abide in Jesus. leave a review on whatever platform you're listening on. Go to youtube.com and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode. And join us next time as we continue growing in the grind. Stay connected to the vine because that's where real life. Real strength and real peace and lasting fruit is found. Remember, the true vine is already working in your tomorrow, and he is the light that is still shining. See you next time on your faith in the grind. See you, friends.