John 15.1-7
Many Christians struggle throughout their lives. They never are victorious. They search for answers. Why can't they come to a place of rest? Is there a spiritual secret?
What stops a believer from moving on and growing in the LORD?
Is there a solution for the struggling believer?
The Day of Pentecost provides the answer.
Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Acts 1:4-5, 8 On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Power= strength power, ability
This enduement with power is through the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus spoke in these chapters about the work of Holy Spirit in the life of His followers. The Comforter/ The Counselor/ The Spirit of Truth to be with you forever.
The Power to obey and to do all the things Jesus began to do and to teach.
1. The secret of spiritual strength
Being a branch. v.5
Being humble.
Humbling ourselves.
A life of humility.
Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Confessing our need
Acts 4:29-31 Now, LORD, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speakYour word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
A branch cannot do anything independently of the Vine- in fact if it is separated from the Vine it will shrivel up and die and be good for nothing.
The secret of spiritual strength is to humble ourselves, always realizing our need as branches in the vine.
2. The source of that strength
Abiding in the vine
Abiding=
The Word v.3
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.
Prayer
Getting strength from the vine.
The sap.
Christ is the fulfillment of all the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.
Abiding in the Word of God. Praying to the LORD. Continual communication with heaven.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing
3. The pruning of the vine.
clean, pure
physically
purified by fire
in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit
clean, the use of which is not forbidden, imparts no uncleanness
ethically
free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
blameless, innocent
unstained with the guilt of anything
We don't want to do this.
It doesn't make sense.
When I have not done it.
It is would be painful to the vine if it could feel.
We can feel it!
4. The fruitfulness of our lives.
It is interesting what suffering begets.
Increase in fruit is a result of pain to the vine.
Wait for the LORD.
It is the design of the Father that we bear much fruit.
This comes from abiding and submitting to His pruning.
In a time of touch screens and Skype and video conferencing and webinars, gardening brings us back to a hands on mode of work and communication.
We prepare the soil. Yesterday I took mulched leaves and put them in the bottom of black containers. the containers were a gift from Joe Peckl, who recently passed from this earth. He was an incredible gardener. I learned much from him.
On top of the leaf mulch went dirt and compost. Then I placed the plants in and on top more dirt. This week I will take my grandson to the bay to collect seaweed. The seaweed will be placed on top of each container surrounding the plant. It helps keep moisture in and provides nutrients you cannot get from the ground.
All of this is done by our hands. From choosing the plants to planting them, to caring for them, weeding and picking off the suckers, to picking the fruit there is something so personal about gardening.
Jesus is the True Vine. His Father is the Gardener. We are the branches. Abide in Him.
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