Our Union With Christ - John 15:1-11
Jesus supports the whole plant / Church.
He is the source of all fruit.
Sometimes branches need removing (:2,6).
Even fruit-bearers need pruning and purging.
We need our overgrowth (pride) clipping back.
We need the mildew (sin) washed away.
This cutting produces more fruit.
How does the Lord effect this work?
Through the word of God.
It will cleanse and purge our lives (:2).
It will produce abundant growth in us.
Those who are not in Jesus produce nothing.
They will be cut off, cast away, dry up, die, and be burnt.
Those in Jesus produce fruit acceptable to God.
These receive answers to their prayers.
God is glorified through them.
Barrenness is not glorifying to the Lord.
They continue in the way instead of settling down in sin.
They keep His word faithfully.
They keep growing toward maturity in Christ.
The Fruit of Witnessing - John 15:8
We often get discouraged in this area.
There are precious promises available to us.
1...Joy (Psalm 126:5-6).
Only witnesses can experience this kind of joy.
What joy there is in working for the Lord!
2...Seeing others saved (James 5:20).
We will not know this joy if we give up (Galatians 6:9).
3...Revival (Acts 5:42).
Faithfulness is required here.
See Acts 6:7.
4...Seeing them in Heaven (1 Thessalonians 2:19).
5...Witnesses will shine in Heaven (Daniel 12:3).
6...Witnesses bring glory to God (John 15:8).
The World and Believers - John 15:18-27
The world will not accept Biblical Christianity.
There is something wrong if it does!
The Church is not of this world.
The Church is the battleground.
Satan has made much of it a playground.
The church and state places themselves above Christ.
Religious people are the Church's enemy.
Religionists hate truth.
They are in fact God haters.
You know an unsaved person who loves God? Really?
The world only accept Jesus on one level.
Jesus came to highlight sin.
He reveals the ugliness of false piety.
The Church is meant to expose sin.
The false church always condones it.
The false church has become like the world.
There are four witnesses against falsehood:-
The Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, and the Church.