João 15
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 15
Spurgeon - All other vines are but shadows of Christ. They represent Christ, but he is himself the substance. the essence, the one great reality. He is the truth of all things that exist: “I am the true Vine.” (Expositions in John) Andreas J. Köstenberger adds that “Theologically, John’s point is that Jesus displaces Israel as the focus of God’s plan of salvation, with the implication that faith in Jesus becomes the decisive characteristic for membership among God’s people” (SEE John - Page 448) One striking feature of John is the seven "I Am" statements none of which are found in the Synoptic Gospels (in fact 92% of John is unique material not found in the Synoptic Gospels!). And so we see Jesus' repeated use of these striking metaphors: Bread, Light, Door, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, Way, Truth and Life, and Vine. It is interesting that in Isaiah's prophecy of the Messiah (Isa 53:2), Jesus is described as "like a root out of parched ground," but here He is the fully grown, fruitful Vine. Even as a literal vine is the source of life for the branch, so too Jesus is the Source of life for His disciples, His life flowing through us, now and forever (He is our eternal life)! Paul understood this vital relationship to Christ writing Philippians 1:21+ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Galatians 2:20+ “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Colossians 3:4+ When Christ, Who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Lowell
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Spurgeon - A Sharp Knife for the Vine Branches (full sermon) ‘Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.’ John 15:2 Learn, beloved, especially you under trial, not to see an angry God in your pains, losses or crosses; but instead see a husbandman, who thinks you a branch whom he estimates at so great a rate that he will take the trouble to prune you, which he would not do if he had not a kind consideration towards you. The real reason is that more fruit may be produced, which I understand to mean more in quantity. A good man, who feels the power of the word pruning him of this and that superfluity, sets to work in the power of the Holy Spirit to do more for Jesus. Before he was afflicted he did not know how to be patient. He learns it at last—a hard lesson. Before he was poor he did not know how to be humble, but he learns that. Before the word came with power he did not know how to pray with his fellows, or to speak to sinners, or lay himself out for usefulness; but the more he is pruned, the more he serves his Lord. More fruit in variety too may be intended. One tree can only produce one kind of fruit usually, but the Lord’s people can produce many; and the more they are pruned the more they will produce. There will be all kinds of fruits, both new and old, which they will lay up for their beloved. There will be more in quality too. The man may not pray more, but he will pray more earnestly; he may not preach more sermons, but he will preach them more thoroughly from his heart, with a greater unction. It may be that he will not be more in communion with God as to time, but it will be a closer communion; he will throw himself more thoroughly into the divine element of communion and will become more hearty in all that he does. This is the result of the pruning which our heavenly Father gives. Streams in the Desert - “My Father is the husbandman.” (John 15:1.) IT is comforting to think of trouble, in whatever form it may come to us, as a heavenly messenger, bringing us something from God. In its earthly aspect it may seem hurtful, even destructive; but in its spiritual out-working it yields blessing. Many of the richest blessings which have come down to us from the past are the fruit of sorrow or pain. We should never forget that redemption, the world’s greatest blessing, is the fruit of the world’s greatest sorrow. In every time of sharp pruning, when the knife is deep and the pain is sore, it is an unspeakable comfort to read, “My Father is the husband-man.” Doctor Vincent tells of being in a great hothouse where luscious clusters of grapes were hanging on every side. The owner said, “When my new gardener came, he said he would have nothing to do with these vines unless he could cut them clean down to the stalk; and he did, and we had no grapes for two years, but this is the result.” There is rich suggestiveness in this interpretation of the pruning process, as we apply it to the Christian life. Pruning seems to be destroying the vine, the gardener appears to be cutting it all away; but he looks on into the future and knows that the final outcome will be the enrichment of its life and greater abundance of fruit. There are blessings we can never have unless we are ready to pay the price of pain. There is no way to reach them save through suffering.—Dr. Miller. “I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. “I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne’er a word said she; But, oh, the things I learned from her When sorrow walked with me.” NORMAN GEISLER - JOHN 15:1 —Was Jesus the vine or the root? PROBLEM: John portrays Jesus as the vine of which believers are the branches. But elsewhere the Bible calls Him a “root out of dry ground” ( Isa. 53:2 ). SOLUTION: Both of these are appropriate figures of Christ, each describing a different aspect of His ministry. Jesus was a root (source of life) in relation to the vine (Israel) in the OT. But He is the vine in which believers abide for spiritual life in the NT ( John 15:1 , 3 ). SOURCE - WHEN CRITICS ASK - SEE PAGE 357 Precious Fruit The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. —Galatians 5:22-23 Today's Scripture : Galatians 5:22-26 How much would you be willing to pay for a piece of fruit? In Japan, someone paid more than $6,000 for one Densuke watermelon. Grown only on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, this beautiful dark-green sphere looks like a bowling ball. The nearly 18-pound watermelon was one of only a few thousand available that year. The fruit’s rarity brought an astronomical price on the market. Christians have fruit that is far more precious than the Densuke watermelon. It’s called the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). Each “fruit” is a different aspect of Christlikeness. In the Gospels, we see how Christ exemplified these virtues. Now He wants to produce them in our hearts—in what we say, how we think, and how we respond to life (John 15:1-4). A rare and delicious fruit may bring a premium price in the marketplace, but Christlike character is of far greater worth. As we confess all known sin and yield to God’s indwelling Spirit, our lives will be transformed to the likeness of Christ (1 John 1:9; Eph. 5:18). This spiritual fruit will fill our lives with joy, bless those around us, and last into eternity. By: Dennis Fisher Fruitfulness for Christ depends on fellowship with Christ. John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. branch: John 17:12 Mt 3:10 15:13 21:19 Lu 8:13 13:7-9 1Co 13:1 Heb 6:7,8 1Jn 2:19 and: Job 17:9 Ps 51:7-13 Pr 4:18 Isa 27:9 29:19 Ho 6:3 Mal 3:3 Mt 3:12 13:12,33 Ro 5:3-5 8:28 2Co 4:17,18 Php 1:9-11 1Th 5:23,24 Tit 2:14 Heb 6:7 12:10,11,15 Rev 3:19 may: John 15:8,16 Ga 5:22,23 Php 1:11 Col 1:5-10 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. Hebrews 12:4-11+ You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Psalm 119:67+ Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. Psalm 119:71+ It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 94:12+ Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, And whom You teach out of Your law; Matthew 7:18-20+ (HOW IMPORTANT IS FRUIT BEARING?) “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “So then, you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:22-23+ (PROFESSORS BUT NOT POSSESSORS - EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO DO NOT BEAR FRUIT AND WILL BE TAKEN AWAY INTO ETERNAL PUNISHMENT DESCRIBED IN Jn 15:6) “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never (NB: NOT "I ONCE KNEW YOU, BUT NOW I DO NOT"! IT MEANS NEVER AT ANY TIME!) knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ (COMMENT - SOME ARGUE JUDAS WAS SAVED BUT THEN LOST HIS SALVATION. JESUS DOGMATICALLY EXCLUDES THAT POSSIBILITY IN THIS PASSAGE). John 4:36+ (CONVERTS AS SPIRITUAL FRUIT) “Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal (cf Jn 15:16+); so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. John 12:24+ (THE KEY TO FRUITFULNESS) “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Matthew 3:7-10+ (EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A "TREE" DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT!) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 “Therefore bear (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) fruit in keeping with repentance; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10 “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Romans 11:20+ Quite right, they (MOST IN ISRAEL) were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; REMOVAL OF DEAD WOOD PRUNING OF LIVE WOOD This is a very important verse to interpret correctly because there are 3 views that are taught BUT only one is what Jesus intended! Every branch in Me (note below) that (present tense - continually) does not bear fruit (karpos), He (the Father - present tense - continually) takes away (airo) - I will discuss the phrase "IN ME" more below, but at the outset it should be emphasized that Jesus is not teaching the Pauline concept of "IN CHRIST," as some erroneously teach in this verse (e.g., J Vernon McGee which unfortunately leads him to misinterpret much of Jn 15:1-6) Jesus continues the metaphor, and in context uses branch as a metaphor for human beings. A fruitless branch is a useless branch and thus is taken away or removed. Some interpret airo to mean He "lifts up" the vine off of the ground. While airo clearly can have the meaning of lift up (e.g. Jn 8:59 "picked up stones") it also clearly can mean take away or remove (e.g. Jn 11:39 "remove the stone"). If we compare the fate of the branch that does not abide in Jesus and thus is not fruit bearing, it is clear that the branch that does not bear fruit is "thrown away." (Jn 15:5,6+). Given that fate in the immediate context, the most accurate sense of takes away in this verse is that it is literally taken away or removed. The question is who is the branch (the person) that the Vinedresser takes away? (FOR IN DEPTH DISCUSSION SEE 20 PAGE ARTICLE BELOW BY CHARLES SMITH "THE UNFRUITFUL BRANCHES IN JOHN 15") (1) Are they believers who lose their salvation? Clearly Jesus words in Jn 10:27-29 rules that possibility out. Not to mention that eternal life is called eternal and not "temporary!" (cf Jn 6:39-40, Ro 8:28-36, Php 1:6) (2) Are they believers who lose their life because they are fruitless? Some writers like Charles Ryrie say this is "a reference to the physical death of fruitless Christians (1 Cor. 11:30)." (J Vernon McGee is also like Ryrie.) (3) The third possibility (which I favor) is that the non-fruit bearing branches represent non-believers. They are individuals who professed to know Christ and like Judas identify themselves with the Christian community, but their failure to produce fruit identifies them as those who have never been born again. Their fate of eternal punishment is described in John 15:6+. You may think you’re a Christian but you’re not following Christ. A true Christian will bear fruit. Brian Bill on takes away - The simple explanation comes from the context (ED: IT IS CRITICAL TO REMEMBER THAT CONTEXT IS KING IF WE WANT TO HAVE ACCURATE INTERPRETATION!). Just hours before, Jesus announced that there was a traitor on the team. In John 13:10+ Jesus said, “And you are clean, but not all of you,” referring to Judas. A couple chapters later in John 17:12+, Jesus said, “Not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction.” Judas had no fruit because he had no faith. His real god was greed. As a result, he was cut off and thrown into the fire. John the Baptist shook up the religious crowd when he said this in Matthew 3:10: “Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” This is similar to what we read in Romans 11:20 where Israel is pictured as an olive tree and some branches are broken off because of unbelief. In their place, believing Gentiles are grafted in. This is shocking to many Jewish people because they think they’re good to go. But, if they don’t confess Christ, they will be cut off. Listen. Some of you are holding on to your church background even though you might not have Christian belief. You can be connected to a church and not be converted. I talk to some who assure me quickly that they’ve been Baptist all their life but there doesn’t appear to be any fruit. Let me say it this way. If you don’t have any fruit (pick up basket), it might be because you don’t have saving faith. You may think you’re a Christian but you’re not following Christ. A true Christian will bear fruit. Faithfulness is our obligation. Fruitfulness is God’s concern. Spurgeon -There are many such branches, in Christ’s visible Church, which are not fruit-bearing branches, and consequently are not partakers of the sap of life and grace which flows into the branches that are vitally joined to the central stem. These fruitless branches are to be taken away. There is some work, then, for the knife upon all the branches; cutting off for those that are fruitless, cutting for those that are bearing some fruit, that they may bring forth yet more.....If there be any, who are only nominally in Christ, and who therefore bear no fruit, their doom is to be taken away; for, in order to final perseverance and eternal safety, there must be fruit-bearing....In some sense, men and women may be in Christ by a mere outward profession; but if they have no evidence of a real union to Christ, if they produce no fruit, they will be taken away, some by death, and others by apostasy; but they will be taken away......It is a necessary part of vine-dressing to remove the superfluous shoots. Too much wood-making, which does not lead to fruit-bearing, is but a waste of strength. And so in the Church there are those that bear no fruit, and for a while they appear to be fresh and green, and they who are the under-vine-dressers dare not take them away. But the Father does it —sometimes by removing them by death; at other times by permitting them openly to expose their own character, until they are then amenable to the discipline of the Church, and are removed. (Expositions in John) Steven
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Spurgeon - Pruning, then, is for fruit-bearers. If the branch were dead, what would be the good of pruning it? Say not, dear friends that your afflictions must be caused by your sins; nay, rather they may come in consequence of your virtues. Because you do bear fruit, it is worth while for the Husbandman to use his knife upon you, that you may bring forth more fruit....The vine is very apt to become unclean and unhealthy; there are all sorts of creatures that love to suck its juices, so that even the most fruitful bough needs to be cleansed. Besides, the vine has a great tendency to run to wood, so the pruning-knife must be used very sharply. ....From these words, it is clear that, many of the afflictions which we have to endure are not brought upon us because we are unfruitful, but because we are bearing fruit. (Expositions in John) Colin Kruse gives a good summary of ancient viticulture practices noting that pruning was "an essential part of first-century viticultural practice, as it is today. The first pruning occurred in spring when vines were in flowering stage. This involved four operations: (1) the removal of the growing tips of vigorous shoots so that they would not grow too rapidly; (2) cutting off one or two feet from the end of growing shoots to prevent entire shoots being snapped off by the wind; (3) the removal of some flower or grape clusters so that those left could produce more and better-quality fruit; and (4) the removal of suckers that arose from below the ground or from the trunk and main branches so that the strength of the vine was not tapped by the suckers. The Father prunes the true branches (ED: GENUINE BELIEVERS) by removing anything that would sap their spiritual energy and hinder them from fruitful results. His pruning involves cutting away anything that limits righteousness, including the discipline that comes from trials, suffering, and persecution. The knowledge that the Father uses the pain that Christians endure for their ultimate good should eliminate all fear, self-pity, and complaining. (BORROW The Gospel According to John, The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries PAGE 316) THOUGHT - Every fruit bearing branch is subject to pruning which is another way to describe disciplining of disciples. Pruning is critical so that anything that hinders our spiritual growth is removed in order to maximize fruitfulness. This is an important principle in the Christian life. So if you think you are a true branch (genuine believer) and yet you have not experienced the disciplining hand of the Father in your life, then you need to carefully contemplate whether or not you are indeed a true branch, a genuine believer. The writer of Hebrews warns that "if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons." (Hebrews 12:8+) The writer of Hebrews goes on to describe the desired effect of discipline in our life writing that "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it (WHAT TRAINS US? DISCIPLINE!), afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (NET = "later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness")." John
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - John 15:2 THIS is a precious promise to one who lives for fruitfulness. At first it seems to wear a sharp aspect. Must the fruitful bough be pruned? Must the knife cut even the best and most useful? No doubt it is so, for very much of our Lord’s purging work is done by means of afflictions of one kind or another. It is not the evil but the good who have the promise of tribulation in this life. But, then, the end makes more than full amends for the painful nature of the means. If we may bring forth more fruit for our Lord, we will not mind the pruning and the loss of leafage. Still, purging is sometimes wrought by the Word apart from trial, and this takes away whatever appeared rough in the flavour of the promise. We shall by the Word be made more gracious and more useful. The Lord, who has made us, in a measure, fruit-bearing, will operate upon us till we reach a far higher degree of fertility. Is not this a great joy? Truly there is more comfort in a promise of fruitfulness than if we had been warranted riches, or health, or honour. Lord Jesus, speedily fulfil thy gracious word to me, and cause me to abound in fruit to thy praise! The Need Of Pruning Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. — John 15:2 Today's Scripture : John 15:1-14 I have several grapevines in my garden, and each year I cut out loads of long, spindly vines. Unless I remove these, they will take all the strength that should go into the fruit. No vine can be fully fruitful without pruning. Jesus said that His Father prunes His children. The richest, the fullest, the most fruitful lives are those that have been strengthened through the painful process of tribulation. We have no right to believe that God will use us until He has cut away whatever hinders our growth. What we see as tragedies may be only blessings in disguise, and the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace. Are you, my friend, being pruned today? Has the dearest in life been torn from you? Have all your dreams faded? Remember that if you could see the purpose of these problems from the standpoint of God’s wisdom and of eternity, if you could interpret these trials in their relationship to life’s blessings, you would be able to dry your tears and praise the Lord for them all. Because our Father's heart is grieved Each time we go astray, He lifts His chastening hand in love To guide us in His way. —DJD Christ, the Gardener, cuts away the dead wood to make us fruitful. Pruned to Thrive Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 15:1–12 As I watched a bumblebee land lightly on the Russian sage, I marveled at the bush’s lush branches exploding with color. Its brilliant blue blossoms attracted eyes and bees alike. Yet only last fall, I’d wondered if it would ever blossom again. When my wife’s parents trimmed the periwinkle plant down to a stub, I’d assumed they’d decided to get rid of it. But now I was witnessing the radiant result of pruning that had seemed brutal to me. The surprising beauty that results from harsh cuts may be one of the reasons Jesus chose pruning imagery to describe God’s work among believers. In John 15, He says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. . . . Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (vv. 1–2). Jesus’ words remind us that in the good times and bad, God is always working in us toward spiritual renewal and fruitfulness (v. 5). During “pruning” seasons of suffering or emotional barrenness, we may wonder if we’ll ever thrive again. But Christ encourages us to continue to stick close to Him: “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (v. 4). How have you seen God use struggle in your life to produce growth and fruitfulness? How do you think time gives us the perspective to see God’s hand at work in our lives? Father, help me to trust You during difficult seasons in my life, knowing that You’re at work to bring beauty and change. For help in strengthening your faith, read Going the Distance Practices to Strengthen Your Faith ILLUSTRATION OF PRUNING - The goldsmith - It is said that as a goldsmith heats the gold to a liquid state, that all the impurities, the dross, comes to the surface, where he can skim them off. A goldsmith knows he has the impurities gone when he can look at the gold and see his own reflection. God is our goldsmith, refining us, looking for His reflection. When God puts His own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. John 15:3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 13:10 17:17 Eph 5:26 1Pe 1:22 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Ephesians 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed (katharizo related to kathairo - prune) her by the washing of water with the word, 1 Peter 1:22-23+ Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for (TERM OF EXPLANATION - EXPLAINING HOW THEIR SOULS HAD BEEN "PURIFIED") you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. (PETER EXPLAINS HOW HE HAD BEEN WASHED CLEAN, BORN AGAIN). DISCIPLES ARE CLEANSED BY THE CUTTING OF THE WORD You are already clean (katharos) because of the word (logos) which I have spoken to you - Already (ede) is first word in Greek for emphasis and would give the disciples confidence that their position in the Vine was secure! What does clean mean? Earlier in the Upper Room discourse Jesus had declared to Peter who was resistant to having his feet washed by Jesus “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean (katharos), but not all of you.” (Jn 13:10+) With that statement Jesus declared the 11 disciples as true (regenerate, justified by faith) branches, but excluded one "branch," Judas Iscariot, who would be taken away (as described in Jn 15:1). Judas was clearly a professing unbeliever. The point here stands that the branch without fruit represents a person who has only a nominal relationship with Christ, and Judas in the context is an example. The instrument of cleansing for the 11 disciples was the Word of God, "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Heb 4:12+). And what did that spoken Word accomplish? In Colossians Paul explains what transpired when they were cut with the Word, writing that their heart was "circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ....when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions (AKA THEY WERE MADE "CLEAN")." (Col 2:11,13+) (See Circumcision of the Heart) Unclean branches (with the exception of the "Judas branch") were cut (circumcised) and made clean by the holy Word and Holy Spirit, which is what has transpired in every true branch of Jesus! Spurgeon - The Word is often the knife with which the great Husbandman prunes the vine; and, brothers and sisters, if we were more willing to feel the edge of the Word, and to let it cut away even something that may be very dear to us, we should not need so much pruning by affliction. It is because that first knife does not always produce the desired result that another sharp tool is used by which we are effectually pruned....That is the great purger. Affliction is used, but it is rather the handle of the knife than the knife itself.....While Christ was with his disciples he kept his vine continually pruned by the word which he spoke. That word cut off the non-fruit-bearing-branches, for we read that after that saying there were some that went back, and walked no more with him, for they said, “’This is a hard saying; who can bear it?” (Expositions in John) James Rosscup makes an excellent point that "The principle of interpretation is this: Christ’s differentiation in the clear passage (Jn 13:10,11+) provides a background that defines His contrast when a little later He uses the same terms in a verse that is not as clear (ED: katharos IN BOTH). Judas is not cleansed (katharos), but the eleven are; the branch with no fruit is not said to be clean (katharos), but the eleven disciples are. NET NOTE - The phrase you are clean already occurs elsewhere in the Gospel of John only at the washing of the disciples' feet in Jn 13:10 , where Jesus had used it of the disciples being cleansed from sin. This further confirms the proposed understanding of John 15:2 and John 15:6 (ED: AS REFERRING TO UNBELIEVERS) since Judas was specifically excluded from this statement (but not all of you). Clean (innocent , pure) (2513) katharos literally describes that which is free of dirt and thus clean. It describes that which is free from admixture or adulteration and thus is pure. Figuratively as in Jn 13:10, 15:3 katharos is used spiritually of one who is free of moral guilt, free from wrongdoing From a biblical standpoint the concept of cleansing is deeply rooted in both the Old and the New Testaments. Katharos - 26x/22v - clean(12), clear(3), innocent(1), pure(10). Matt. 5:8; Matt. 23:26; Matt. 27:59; Lk. 11:41; Jn. 13:10; Jn. 13:11; Jn. 15:3; Acts 18:6; Acts 20:26; Rom. 14:20; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Tim. 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:22; Tit. 1:15; Heb. 10:22; Jas. 1:27; Rev. 15:6; Rev. 19:8; Rev. 19:14; Rev. 21:18; Rev. 21:2 ILLUSTRATION ON PRUNING GRAPES - I’m (Steven Cole) not much of a gardener and apparently neither is Bruce Wilkinson. In his book, Secrets of the Vine ([Multnomah Publishers], pp. 55–57 - BORROW THIS BOOK), he tells about moving to the country one spring. The fence that he shared with his neighbor had a large grape vine on it and he and his family were looking forward to enjoying some nice grapes that fall. But a few days moving in, he noticed the neighbor out there hacking away at the vine with some large shears. He was worried that his neighbor was going to kill the vine! Trying to be diplomatic, he walked over and asked the neighbor, “You don’t like grapes, I guess?” “Love grapes,” he replied. Bruce tried to express his hopes that they could share some of the grapes, but his confusion and disappointment over what the neighbor was doing was obvious. After observing that he was a city boy and surmising that he didn’t know much about grapes, the neighbor explained, “Well, son, we can either grow ourselves a lot of beautiful leaves filling up this whole fence line. Or we can have the biggest, juiciest, sweetest grapes you and your family have ever seen. We just can’t have both.” He knew that to bear good fruit, that vine had to be pruned. And you can’t bear fruit for the Lord unless the heavenly Gardener prunes your life. Pruning isn’t very pleasant when it happens, but it yields a bigger, better crop of fruit in the long run. The fact is, when we come into the Christian life, we all bring a lot of the flesh and the world with us. God is gracious not to hack it all away at once, or we’d bleed to death! But if you want to be like Christ, it’s got to go. If that sounds unpleasant, keep in mind that His aim is that His joy would be in us and our joy would be made full (John 15:11). But you’ve got to submit to the pruning process, trusting that the Father knows what He’s doing. (Fulfilling Your Purpose in Life John 15:1-6) John 15:1-7 Pour it In! - The Word of God has cleansing power. One of the surest ways to live a victorious Christian life is to bathe ourselves daily in the purifying principles of the Bible—by reading it, studying it, and obeying it. A woman in a pagan area of the world became a believer and began attending Bible classes taught by the missionary who had led her to Christ. The teacher soon became discouraged because the new convert seemed to forget everything she was taught. One day the missionary remarked impatiently to the young Christian, "Sometimes I wonder what's the use trying to teach you anything. You forget it all anyway. You remind me of a strainer. Everything I pour into your mind runs right through." The student quickly responded, "I may not recall everything, but just as water passes through a strainer and makes it clean, what you have taught me from the Bible helps make me clean. I need that. That's why I keep coming back." The forgetful new Christian may not have retained all of the missionary's instruction, but as the truths of the Bible "poured through" her mind, she felt its cleansing effect. If we pour over God's Word, His cleansing power will pour through us. ILLUSTRATION - In Hampton Court near London, there is a grapevine under glass; it is about 250 years old and has but one root which is at least two feet thick. Some of the branches are 200 feet long. Because of skillful cutting and pruning, the vine produces several tons of grapes each year. See The Great Vine (See youtube video) Inside Out You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. — John 15:3 Today's Scripture : John 15:1-8 During an international publishing conference, a young Frenchman described his experience at a book- signing event. A woman picked up one of his books, browsed through it, and exclaimed, “At last, a story that’s clean!” He replied gently, “I write clean because I think clean. It’s not an effort.” What he expressed in print came from within, where Christ had altered the very core of his life. John 15 records Jesus’ lesson to His disciples about abiding in Him as the only means to a fruitful life. In the midst of His imagery of the vine and the branches, Jesus said: “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (v.3). Bible scholar W. E. Vine says that the Greek word for clean means “free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless.” A pure heart is the work of Christ, and only in His power can we remain clean. We often fail, but “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to . . . cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Renewal is an inside job. Admitting that we’re guilty, Acknowledging our sin, Then trusting in Christ’s sacrifice Will make us clean within. —Sper Confession to God brings cleansing from God. John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. Abide: John 6:68,69 8:31 Song 8:5 Lu 8:15 Ac 11:23 14:22 Ga 2:20 Col 1:23 Col 2:6 1Th 3:5 Heb 10:39 1Jn 2:6,24-28 2Jn 1:9 Jude 1:20,21 I: John 6:56 14:20 17:23 Ro 8:9,10 2Co 13:5 Eph 3:17 Col 1:27 As: Isa 27:10,11 Eze 15:2-5 Ho 14:8 2Co 12:8-10 Ga 2:20 Php 1:11 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE COMMAND TO DISCIPLES ABIDE IN THE VINE Abide (meno) in Me, and I in you - To say it another way “Live in such a manner that you are at home in Me and that I am at home in you.” (Read the short classic tract My Heart, Christ's Home) Jesus command to abide is in the aorist imperative which calls for our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey and stay. We are in an unbreakable union and that cannot be severed. However what can be broken by our unconfessed sin is our ongoing fellowship and communion with Christ. Unconfessed sin will also short circuit the supernatural supply of power from the Holy Spirit (cf Eph 4:30+, 1Th 5:19+) which in turn will negatively impact our bearing of spiritual fruit. THOUGHT - And remember that abiding in Christ should be our daily delight reflecting a lifelong intimate relationship with Him. If you are married, you understand this dynamic for after 50 years (I've been married 55 years) you are closer to each other than on the honeymoon! "There will be times when you feel closer and times when you feel more distant. But the key is to keep coming back to Him and to keep working on your relationship with Him. You can’t put it on autopilot." (Cole) When we walk with the Lord, In the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way While we do His good will, He ABIDES with us still And with all who will trust and obey. I don't know how close you are to Jesus, but I know this, that you are as close as you want to be. Fruitfulness for Christ depends on fellowship with Christ. Brian Bill on Abide (meno) in Me - This is a call to vigilance. We must stay closely connected to Christ at all times. To “abide” means, “to stay,” “to dwell or remain,” or “to settle in for the long term.” Jesus is saying something like this: “Live in such a manner that you are at home in Me and that I am at home in you.”.....John 15:8: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” This is not a suggestion but an imperative. When we settle in with the Savior we will demonstrate abundant fruitfulness and bring glory to God. Conversely, if we do not remain in fellowship with Christ, our baskets will be barren and we’ll bomb out spiritually
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Spurgeon - “Do not merely find a temporary shelter in me, as a ship runs into harbour in stormy weather, and then comes out again when the gale is over; but cast anchor in me, as the vessel does when it reaches its desired haven. Be not as branches that are tied on, and so can be taken off, but be livingly joined to me. ‘Abide in me.’” You must bear fruit, or else be cast away; but you cannot bear any fruit except by real union and constant communion with Jesus Christ your Lord.....Give good heed to that sweet word, beloved brethren, “Abide in me.” Do not seem to get into Christ, and then depart from him. Add constancy to all your other graces.....It is not a transient faith, it is not saying, “I was converted so many years ago;” but it is a living faith, an abiding faith, a constant vital union with Christ that marks the true heir of heaven.....Dear friends, beware of a Christless Christianity. Beware of trying to be Christians without living daily upon Christ. The branch may just as well try to bear fruit apart from the vine as for you to hope to maintain the reality of Christian life without continual fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ......There is the great canon of the Christian life. Hold fast to Christ. Not only live with him, but live in him. “Abide in me.” And on! let Jesus not be merely your companion now and then, on holy occasions, but let him abide in you; make your heart a temple; let him find his sweetest rest his home in you. (Expositions in John) Steven
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Spurgeon - They professed to know God, and some of them even thought that they were rendering acceptable service to God when they rejected his Son, whom he had sent unto them. (Exposition of John) They do not (ouk - absolutely do not) know (eido) the One Who sent Me - Who is they? This refers to the unbelieving world who are the persecutors and haters of Jesus, His word and His disciples. The One Who sent Me of course refers to God the Father. Jesus is clearly, unequivocally stating that the unbelieving, hostile world absolutely does not know the true and living God. The lost world thinks they know God, but Jesus clearly states they absolutely do not know God! This is an amazing declaration by Jesus! But you are probably objecting "Now wait a minute. I'm not a believer in Jesus and I know God." Jesus is not saying you do not know about Him, but is saying you do not truly know Him. The former knowing is a general sense that there is a God, but the latter knowing is found only in those with a personal relationship with Jesus. Why would Jesus be justified in making such a sweeping, condemning statement of every person in the world who does not believe in Him? The answer is simple. The only way to intimately know God the Father is to intimately know God the Son! Earlier in John's Gospel Jesus was answering a Jewish audience (monotheists who claimed to know God) who asked Him "“Where is Your Father?” to which He replied "You know (eido) neither Me nor My Father; if you knew (eido) Me, you would know (eido) My Father also.” (Jn 8:19+) Notice that Jesus answers the Jews with three uses of eido and declares dogmatically these Jews do not know God! You can imagine the thoughts racing through their minds at such an accusation! At this point, you might be saying "So what?" The point is that we get additional insight into Jesus' shocking statement about the Jews (and all unbelievers in the world) by carefully examining the Greek words for know. The Greek word for know in Jn 15:21 is eido (Textus Receptus is not correct - it has ginosko), the same verb Jesus used three times in John 8:19+. The Greek verb eido describes an absolute, positive, beyond a shadow of a doubt type of knowledge. Stated another way, eido describes is a perception, awareness, or understanding which is intuitive and which only the Holy Spirit can give in the realm of spiritual knowledge. The other word for know (ginosko) is distinguished from eido in that it generally speaks of knowledge obtained by experience. For example in Ro 1:20-21+ Paul records "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that (purpose) they are without excuse. For (term of explanation - explaining why they have no excuse) even though they knew (ginosko - they knew ABOUT) God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." In other words, Paul is saying that the CREATION gave clear, indisputable evidence that there was a CREATOR. That is a knowledge ABOUT God that the unbelieving world could discern from their experience (note use of ginosko). Yes, all the world knows ABOUT God to some degree because of this natural revelation in Romans 1, but they do not really know (eido) Him for Who He really is because that type of knowledge is only given by the Holy Spirit and only given to those who truly know God's Son by grace through faith! Bob Utley agrees with this explanation of "they do not know the One who has sent me" This obviously refers to the Father. It implies that the Jews as well as Gentiles do not know God. "Know" is used in its Semitic (OT) sense of personal relationship (cf. Gen. 4:1; Jer. 1:5). The lost world persecuted believers because (1) they belong to Jesus, who they also persecuted and (2) they do not know God! John
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Spurgeon - Our Lord did not mean that they would have been sinless if he had not come to them, but that his coming, and their rejection of him, had enormously increased and intensified their sinfulness. (Exposition of John) NET NOTE Jesus now describes the guilt of the world. He came to these people with both words (Jn 15:22) and sign-miracles (Jn 15:24), yet they remained obstinate in their unbelief, and this sin of unbelief was without excuse. Jesus was not saying that if he had not come and spoken to these people they would be sinless; rather he was saying that if he had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of the sin of rejecting him and the Father he came to reveal. Rejecting Jesus is the one ultimate sin for which there can be no forgiveness, because the one who has committed this sin has at the same time rejected the only cure that exists. Jesus spoke similarly to the Pharisees in Jn 9:41: “If you were blind, you would have no sin (same phrase as here), but now you say ‘We see’ your sin remains.” C H SPURGEON - Human responsibility (SEE FULL SERMON Human Responsibility) “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.” John 15:22 The liar, the fornicator, and the drunkard shall have their portion with unbelievers. Hell was made first of all for men who despise Christ, because that is the A1 sin, the cardinal vice, and men are condemned for that. Other iniquities come following after them, but this one goes before them to judgement. Imagine for a moment that time has passed, and that the day of judgement is come. We are all gathered together, both living and dead. The trumpet-blast sounds exceeding loud and long. We are all attentive, expecting something marvellous. The exchange stands still in its business; the shop is deserted by the tradesman; the crowded streets are filled. All men stand still; they feel that the last great business-day is come, and that now they must settle their accounts for ever. A solemn stillness fills the air: no sound is heard. All, all is silent. Presently a great white cloud with solemn state sails through the sky, and then—hark! The twofold clamour of the startled earth. On that cloud there sits one like unto the Son of Man. Every eye looks, and at last there is heard a unanimous shout—“It is he! It is he!” and after that you hear on the one hand, shouts of “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Welcome, Welcome, Welcome Son of God.” But mixed with that there is a deep bass, composed of the weeping and wailing of the men who have persecuted him, and who have rejected him. Listen! I think I can dissect the sonnet; I think I can hear the words as they come separately, each one of them, tolling like a death knell. What say they? They say, “Rocks hide us, mountains fall upon us, hide us from the face of him that sits upon the throne.” John 15:23 “He who hates Me hates My Father also. John 8:40-42 1Jn 2:23 2Jn 1:9 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries He who hates Me hates My Father (pater) also - Not only do those who do not know Jesus, not know the Father, those who hate Jesus also hate His Father. Once again we see the unity of the Father and Son and Jesus' clear claim of deity based on this oneness. Spurgeon - There is a hatred of God in all hatred of the Mediator. Men may say that they love God, and yet despise Christ, but it cannot be so. Christ is so truly God, and so clear a manifestation of God, that, if men knew God, they would certainly hate him if they hate Christ. (Exposition of John) John 15:24 “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. If: John 3:2 5:36 7:31 9:32 10:32,37 11:47-50 12:10,37-40 Mt 9:33 11:5 Mt 11:20-24 Mk 2:12 Lu 10:12-16 19:37-40 24:19 Ac 2:22 10:38 Heb 2:3,4 but now: John 6:36 Jn 12:45 Jn 14:9 Mt 21:32 hated Me and My Father: Ex 20:5 De 5:9 Ps 81:15 Pr 8:36 Ro 1:30 8:7,8 2Ti 3:4 Jas 4:4 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 12:45+ “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. TO HATE JESUS IS TO HATE HIS FATHER If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin - NET = "If I had not performed among them the miraculous deeds that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen the deeds and have hated both me and my Father." The IF is a second class condition which indicates Jesus did do the works which no one else did. But now they have both seen and hated (miseo) Me and My Father (pater) as well - The Jews had seen the incarnate Son of God and His miraculous works but they hated Him. And whoever hates the Son hates the Father Who sent the Son. Both seen and hated are in the perfect tense which describes the past completed action of the fact that they saw and hated Him and these attitudes continued without resolution. Jesus teaches that to reject Him is to reject His Father. Bob
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Spurgeon - "Abide in me."— John 15:4 - Morning and Evening Communion with Christ is a certain cure for every ill. Whether it be the wormwood of woe, or the cloying surfeit of earthly delight, close fellowship with the Lord Jesus will take bitterness from the one, and satiety from the other. Live near to Jesus, Christian, and it is a matter of secondary importance whether thou livest on the mountain of honour or in the valley of humiliation. Living near to Jesus, thou art covered with the wings of God, and underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Let nothing keep thee from that hallowed intercourse, which is the choice privilege of a soul wedded to THE WELL-BELOVED. Be not content with an interview now and then, but seek always to retain his company, for only in his presence hast thou either comfort or safety. Jesus should not be unto us a friend who calls upon us now and then, but one with whom we walk evermore. Thou hast a difficult road before thee: see, O traveller to heaven, that thou go not without thy guide. Thou hast to pass through the fiery furnace; enter it not unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thou hast the Son of God to be thy companion. Thou hast to storm the Jericho of thine own corruptions: attempt not the warfare until, like Joshua, thou hast seen the Captain of the Lord's host, with his sword drawn in his hand. Thou art to meet the Esau of thy many temptations: meet him not until at Jabbok's brook thou hast laid hold upon the angel, and prevailed. In every case, in every condition, thou wilt need Jesus; but most of all, when the iron gates of death shall open to thee. Keep thou close to thy soul's Husband, lean thy head upon his bosom, ask to be refreshed with the spiced wine of his pomegranate, and thou shalt be found of him at the last, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Seeing thou hast lived with him, and lived in him here, thou shalt abide with him for ever. C H Spurgeon - "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." — John 15:4 (READ THIS DEVOTIONAL IS YOU ARE SEEING LITTLE FRUIT!) Be most in those engagements which you have experimentally proved to draw you nearest to Christ, because it is from him that all your fruits proceed. How did you begin to bear fruit? It was when you came to Jesus and cast yourselves on his great atonement, and rested on his finished righteousness. Ah! what fruit you had then! Do you remember those early days? Then indeed the vine flourished, the tender grape appeared, the pomegranates budded forth, and the beds of spices gave forth their smell. Have you declined since then? If you have, we charge you to remember that time of love, and repent, and do thy first works. (Rev 2:4) Be most in those engagements which you have experimentally proved to draw you nearest to Christ, because it is from him that all your fruits proceed. (ED: NOTICE WHAT HE DOES NOT SAY -- YOU NEED TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT. NO! YOU GO TO THE VINE AND HE WILL BEAR FRUIT.) Any holy exercise which will bring you to him will help you to bear fruit. The sun is, no doubt, a great worker in fruit-creating among the trees of the orchard: and Jesus is still more so among the trees of his garden of grace. When have you been the most fruitless? Has not it been when you have lived farthest from the Lord Jesus Christ, when you have slackened in prayer, when you have departed from the simplicity of your faith, when your graces have engrossed your attention instead of your Lord, when you have said, "My mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved"; and have forgotten where your strength dwells-has not it been then that your fruit has ceased? Some of us have been taught that we have nothing out of Christ, by terrible abasements of heart before the Lord; and when we have seen the utter barrenness and death of all creature power, we have cried in anguish, "From him all my fruit must be found, for no fruit can ever come from me." We are taught, by past experience, that the more simply we depend upon the grace of God in Christ, and wait upon the Holy Spirit, the more we shall bring forth fruit unto God. Oh! to trust Jesus for fruit as well as for life. More Than Information Abide in Me, and I in you. — John 15:4 Today's Scripture :John 15:1-13 How is behavior altered? In his book The Social Animal, David Brooks notes that some experts have said people just need to be taught the long-term risks of bad behavior. For example, he writes: “Smoking can lead to cancer. Adultery destroys families, and lying destroys trust. The assumption was that once you reminded people of the foolishness of their behavior, they would be motivated to stop. Both reason and will are obviously important in making moral decisions and exercising self-control. But neither of these character models has proven very effective.” In other words, information alone is not powerful enough to transform behavior. As Jesus’ followers, we want to grow and change spiritually. More than two millennia ago, Jesus told His disciples how that can happen. He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Jesus is the Vine and we, His followers, are the branches. If we’re honest, we know we’re utterly helpless and spiritually ineffective apart from Him. Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride; I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr A change in behavior begins with Jesus changing our heart. More Than Information Abide in Me, and I in you. — John 15:4 Today's Scripture : John 15:1-13 How is behavior altered? In his book The Social Animal, David Brooks notes that some experts have said people just need to be taught the long-term risks of bad behavior. For example, he writes: “Smoking can lead to cancer. Adultery destroys families, and lying destroys trust. The assumption was that once you reminded people of the foolishness of their behavior, they would be motivated to stop. Both reason and will are obviously important in making moral decisions and exercising self-control. But neither of these character models has proven very effective.” In other words, information alone is not powerful enough to transform behavior. As Jesus’ followers, we want to grow and change spiritually. More than two millennia ago, Jesus told His disciples how that can happen. He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Jesus is the Vine and we, His followers, are the branches. If we’re honest, we know we’re utterly helpless and spiritually ineffective apart from Him. Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride; I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr A change in behavior begins with Jesus changing our heart. Oswald Chambers - Get a move on In the Matter of Determination. Abide in Me. John 15:4. The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by the Atonement, then I have to construct with patience the way of thinking that is exactly in accordance with my Lord. God will not make me think like Jesus, I have to do it myself; I have to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. “Abide in Me”—in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. It is not a bandbox life. Am I preventing God from doing things in my circumstances because I say it will hinder my communion with Him? That is an impertinence. It does not matter what my circumstances are, I can be as sure of abiding in Jesus in them as in a prayer meeting. I have not to change and arrange my circumstances myself. With Our Lord the inner abiding was unsullied; He was at home with God wherever His body was placed. He never chose His own circumstances, but was meek towards His Father’s dispensations for Him. Think of the amazing leisure of Our Lord’s Life! We keep God at excitement point, there is none of the serenity of the life hid with Christ in God about us. Think of the things that take you out of abiding in Christ—‘Yes, Lord, just a minute, I have got this to do; Yes, I will abide when once this is finished; when this week is over, it will be all right, I will abide then.’ Get a move on; begin to abide now. In the initial stages it is a continual effort until it becomes so much the law of life that you abide in Him unconsciously. Determine to abide in Jesus wherever you are placed. Bearing Grapes As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. —John 15:4 Today's Scripture : John 15:1-8 As I read a modern paraphrase of John 15:1-8, I began to reconsider my concept of what it means to be a fruitful Christian. Jesus said, “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of Me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing He prunes back so it will bear even more” (The Message by Eugene Peterson). Grapes—they’re the result of the life of the vine flowing through the branches. So often I have viewed fruitfulness in the Christian life as activities such as teaching Sunday school or leading a Bible study. These acts of service are good and worthwhile, but Jesus said that being fruitful is allowing His life to flow through me: “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (v.4). No one can bear “grapes” without being connected to Christ, the Vine. Fruitfulness is not primarily a matter of what I accomplish. It’s the result of my being in close fellowship with Him. Closer let me cling, my Savior— You're the all-sufficient Vine; You alone can make me fruitful, Blessed source of strength divine. —Bosch Fruitfulness for Christ depends on fellowship with Christ. BOB UTLEY'S SPECIAL TOPIC: "ABIDING" IN JOHN'S WRITINGS John's Gospel describes a special relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. It is a mutual intimacy based on Jesus' subjection and equality. Throughout John's Gospel Jesus speaks what He hears the Father saying, does what He sees the Father doing. Jesus does not act on His own, but on the will of the Father (i.e., John 5:19,30; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10,24). This intimate fellowship and servanthood sets the pattern for the relationship between Jesus and His followers. This intimate association was not the absorption of the individual (as in eastern mysticism), but an ethical, moral lifestyle of emulation (cf. John 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 3:16). Fellowship was cognitive (the worldview of the gospel as the Word of God) relational (Jesus was God's promised Messiah to be trusted in and leaned on) ethical (His character reproduced in godly believers) Jesus is the ideal man, the true Israelite, the standard of humanity. He reveals what Adam should have, and could have been (humanly speaking). Jesus is the ultimate "image of God." He restores the fallen divine image in mankind (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) by full, unique, and ultimate revelation of God (cf. John 1:18; 14:7-10; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:1-2) dying on our behalf (substitutionary atonement, cf. Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21) providing humans an example to follow (cf. John 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 1:7; 3:16) The term "abiding" (menō) reflects the goal of Christlikeness (cf. Rom. 8:28-30; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 1:4; 4:13; 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:3; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 2:4; 1 Pet. 1:15), which demonstrates the restoration of the image of God lost in the the Fall (cf. Genesis 3). This reunion of God and His ultimate creation, mankind, for the purpose of fellowship is the Apostle Paul's "in Christ" and the Apostle John's "abide in Me" (i.e., the main text is John 15). The key text on "abiding" is John 15, which is part of the upper room message (i.e., John 13-17) to Jesus' disciples the night of the Last Supper. It must be noted that this context is a warning, as well as a comforting promise. The branches that do not bear fruit (i.e., the sign of a true faith relationship with Jesus) are cut off and burned. Even the branches that bear fruit are pruned so as to produce more fruit. Fruit bearing is crucial imagery of a saved person (cf. Matt. 7:13-23; 13:1-23)! No fruit; no root! Notice John's usage: Abiding between the Father and Son the Father in the Son (John 10:38; 14:10,11; 17:21,23) the Son in the Father (John10:38; 14:10,11; 17:21) Abiding between Deity and the believer the Father in the believer (John 14:20,23; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-13,15) the believer in the Father (John 14:20,23; 17:21; 1 John 2:24,27; 4:13,16) the Son in the believer (John 6:56; 14:20,23; 15:4,5; 17:23) the believer in the Son (John 6:56; 14:20,23; 15:4,5,7; 1 John 2:6,24,27,28) Other abiding elements (positive) the word of God (1) negatively (John 5:38; 8:37; 1 John 1:10; 2 John 9) (2) positively (John 8:31; 15:2; 1 John 2:14,24; 2 John 9) the love of God (John 15:9-10; 17:26; 1 John 3:17; 4:16) the Spirit of God (1) on the Son (John 1:32) (2) in the believer (John 14:17) obedience is abiding (John 14:15-21,23-24; 15:10; Luke 6:46; 1 John 3:24) love is abiding in light (1 John 2:10) doing the will of God is abiding (1 John 2:17) anointing abides (1 John 2:27) truth abides (2 John 2) the Son abides (John 8:35; 12:34) Other abiding elements (negative) the wrath of God abides (John 3:36) abide in darkness (John 12:46) thrown away. . .burned (not abiding, John 15:6) sinning (not abiding, 1 John 3:6) not loving (not abiding, 1 John 3:14) not a murderer (not eternal life abiding, 1 John 3:15) he who does not live abides in death (1 John 3:14) Related Resources: What Does It Mean To Abide? Things Involved in Abiding - 20 pages on what it means to abide - James Rosscup - recommended reading (If it is unavailable try this trick - perform a search on the page number. It begins on page 106 (search that without quotes) and then do the same for the rest of the pages through page 126 and you should be able to read this important section on abiding). John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. vine: Ro 12:5 1Co 10:16 12:12,27 1Pe 2:4 same: John 12:24 Pr 11:30 Ho 4:8 Lu 13:6-9 Ro 6:22 7:4 2Co 9:10 Ga 5:22 Eph 5:9 Php 1:11 4:13,17 Col 1:6,10 Jas 1:17 2Pe 1:2-18 3:18 apart: Ac 4:12 can: John 5:19 9:33 2Co 13:8 Php 4:13 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE NECESSITY OF ABIDING FOR EFFECTIVE FRUIT BEARING I am (ego eimi - present tense - continually) the true (alethinos) vine (ampelos), you are the branches (klema) - This is a "horticultural" description of every true disciple of Christ. He is the Vine and we are in Him, secure eternally. He who abides (meno - present tense - continually) in Me and I in him, he (present tense - continually) bears much fruit (karpos) - Clearly continual abiding in the Vine is mandatory if one is to continually produce supernatural fruit. In Jn 15:4 Jesus gave the command to abide in Him and this passage explains why that is necessary if we would be fruitful branches. And as Jesus affirms in John 15:16 we are promised lasting fruit if we abide (John 15:16). Bob Deffinbaugh - His “abiding” in us is not exactly the same as our “abiding” in Him. By abiding in Him, we draw life and strength, and thus we bear fruit. As He abides in us, He imparts His life, truth, and strength to us. Thus, Christ is manifested both to us and through us. He does not draw His strength from us, but imparts it to us. Our abiding is that of dependence; His abiding is the gracious manifestation of His presence and power in and through us..... I would suggest that we render the term meno “make one’s home” or “make one’s abode.” To “abide” in Christ as the True Vine is to “make our home” in Him, just as He also “makes His abode” in us. If we wish to stress the “remain” aspect of the term, we might translate meno “to make our permanent home.”..... Let’s simplify this definition, and say that Jesus is instructing us to make Him our “home” as He makes His “home” in us. Think about what “home” means to us: Home is where your heart is; it is where you want to be (especially during holidays). Home is the place to which you return, the place to which you are eager to get back to (e.g., when you’ve been on vacation). Home is where you feel comfortable, and can really be yourself. Home is a place of safety and security. Home is where you bring your friends when you wish to have fellowship with them. Home is our base of operations; it is at the center of what we do. Home is where you find your strength for life; it is where you eat and sleep. Home is where the people and the things we love the most are found. (ED: Read the classic My Heart, Christ's Home) "You in me and I in you," are, in my estimation, the most profound truth ever revealed on this planet. -- Ray Stedman Ray
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Spurgeon - Not merely will you do very little, but you can do nothing at all if you are severed from Christ. You are absolutely and entirely dependent upon Christ both for your life and for your fruit-bearing. Do we not wish to have it so, beloved? It is the incipient principle of apostasy when a man wishes to be independent of Christ in any degree, when he says, “Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me that I may have something in hand, some spending money of my own.” No; you must, from day to day, from hour to hour, and even from moment to moment, derive life, light, love, everything that is good, from Christ. What a blessing that it is so!.....You know how the branch is in the vine, it is a component part of the vine; but do not forget that the vine is also in the branch,-that the sap, which is the very life of the vine, flows into every living branch. So we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, and he says to us, as the marginal reading has it, “Severed from me, ye can do nothing.” What! not even a little, Lord? Can we not do something good, something acceptable apart from thee? No; “Without me, ye can do nothing.” (Expositions in John) Spurgeon - This double abiding gives a double harvest. Christ in me, and I in Christ — I must be fruitful. Oh! beloved, look well to this. I am afraid we get at a distance from Christ. There is more danger of this in old professors than there is in young beginners. The young beginner is warm of heart. The very novelty of the thing keeps him near his Master, but oh! take care of slackening; you that have been long pilgrims, take care of slackening. It is so easy to grow cold in this cold world, and it is so hard to maintain the holy spiritual fervent, without which there is no spiritual health. (Expositions in John) David
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Spurgeon - The witness of the Spirit of truth still continues, and Christ’s disciples are still privileged to be co-witnesses, even wilt the Holy Spirit himself; let us take care to avail ourselves of this privilege whenever we can. (Exposition of John) He will testify (martureo) about Me - The job of the Spirit is not to draw attention to Himself but to give testimony concerning Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:26; 16:13-15; 1 John 5:7). Helper (Advocate, Comforter) (3875) parakletos from para = side of, alongside, beside + kaleo = to call) is the noun cognate of the verb parakaleo (see study) (cf also paraklesis) and literally means one called alongside. Parakletos describes one who stands by to help or render aid (especially in a court of law) or one who is summoned to the side of another to help, comfort, encourage, counsel, or intercede for, depending on the need. Interesting article from Wikipedia on Paraclete International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Paraclete Rod Mattoon - The word “para” means “along side” and “kaleo” means “to call.” John was the only one who used this term in the New Testament. The “parakletos” was the one called alongside to assist, help, defend, or intercede on the behalf of another or to give counsel. The advocate counseled, coached, and championed the cause of another in court. He was a helper, supporter, and a witness giving favorable testimony. In Rome, boys of good families replaced their toga with a purple stripe at the age of seventeen and put on a white toga of a man. They were then presented as speakers or advocates in the courts. The KJV, YLT translate parakletos as Comforter; the RV retains the word Comforter, but the margin gives Advocate and Helper and notes that the Greek is paraclete. The HCSB and RSV translate it Counselor. J. B. Phillips translates it "someone to stand by you." Knox translates it he who is to befriend you. NAS, ESV, Moffatt, Torrey and 20th Century NT all translate it Helper. NET, NLT and NAB translate it as Advocate (even Jn 14:16). As the NET Note below amplifies, none of these Names are perfect. NET NOTE says Advocate "or "Helper" or "Counselor"; Grk "Paraclete," from the Greek word parakletos. Finding an appropriate English translation for parakletos is a very difficult task. No single English word has exactly the same range of meaning as the Greek word. "Comforter," used by some of the older English versions, appears to be as old as Wycliffe. But today it suggests a quilt or a sympathetic mourner at a funeral. "Counselor" is adequate, but too broad, in contexts like "marriage counselor" or "camp counselor." "Helper" or "Assistant" could also be used, but could suggest a subordinate rank. "Advocate," the word chosen for the NET translation, has more forensic overtones than the Greek word does, although in John 16:5-11 a forensic context is certainly present. Because an "advocate" is someone who "advocates" or supports a position or viewpoint and since this is what the Paraclete will do for the preaching of the disciples, it was selected in spite of the drawbacks. Related Resources: PARACLETE - Bob Utley paráklētos - Gotquestions Nice outline on The Holy Spirit of God in John 14-16 by Danny Akin Testify (witness) (3140) martureo from mártus = witness = one who has information or knowledge of something and can bring to light or confirm something. English = martyr) in its most basic sense refers to a legal witness. Thus the verb martureo means to be a witness, to testify, to give evidence, to give testimony, to bear record, to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something. The words testified related to fact, not opinion, as in a courtroom setting. MARTUREO IN JOHN'S WRITINGS - A KEY WORD IN JOHN'S GOSPEL - Jn. 1:7; Jn. 1:8; Jn. 1:15; Jn. 1:32; Jn. 1:34; Jn. 2:25; Jn. 3:11; Jn. 3:26; Jn. 3:28; Jn. 3:32; Jn. 4:39; Jn. 4:44; Jn. 5:31; Jn. 5:32; Jn. 5:33; Jn. 5:36; Jn. 5:37; Jn. 5:39; Jn. 7:7; Jn. 8:13; Jn. 8:14; Jn. 8:18; Jn. 10:25; Jn. 12:17; Jn. 13:21; Jn. 15:26; Jn. 15:27; Jn. 18:23; Jn. 18:37; Jn. 19:35; Jn. 21:24; 1 Jn. 1:2; 1 Jn. 4:14; 1 Jn. 5:6; 1 Jn. 5:7; 1 Jn. 5:9; 1 Jn. 5:10; 3 Jn. 1:3; 3 Jn. 1:6; 3 Jn. 1:12; Rev. 1:2; Rev. 22:16; Rev. 22:18; Rev. 22:20 QUESTION - Who is the Spirit of truth in John 14:17? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - In John 14:17, Jesus says, “Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (ESV). Because the ESV capitalizes Spirit, modern readers can easily infer that the spirit in question is the Holy Spirit. To understand why Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of truth,” let us review the context of John 14. John 14 is part of the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17), a collection of teachings delivered by Jesus to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. In these final moments, the disciples were greatly distressed about the impending departure of their beloved friend, Jesus (John 14:1). For this reason, Jesus took an extended moment to calm their troubled hearts and reassure them that “another Helper” was on the way (John 14:16, ESV). The Greek term translated as “Helper” (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) is paráklētos. The form of this word is passive and means “one who is called alongside.” At the Son’s request, the Father will send another Helper to encourage and exhort the disciples. John’s use of the term another implies that the disciples already had a helper—the one who would soon depart from the earth. Although the Gospel writers never explicitly refer to Jesus as a paráklētos, the term is applied to Him in 1 John 2:1. Thus, in the context of John 14:16, Jesus promises to send His disciples a helper of the same type, and that helper would continue the ministry that Jesus began. In John 14:17, the identity of the helper is now revealed: He is the Spirit of truth (cf. John 15:26; 16:13). The Spirit of truth is God the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. The Father will send the Spirit to come alongside the disciples. He is called the Spirit of truth because He bears witness to the truth of Jesus Christ (see John 14:6). In contrast to the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of the devil, a being who does not hold “to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Because the unbelieving world remains ensnared by satanic falsehoods, they cannot receive the Spirit of truth (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14). Tragically, unbelievers prefer to walk by sight and not by faith, failing to understand that sight guarantees nothing. At the moment of His baptism, Jesus received the Holy Spirit: John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him” (John 1:32, ESV). So, in a sense, the Spirit of truth was already with the disciples. Following the departure of Jesus, however, the disciples will know the Spirit more intimately because He would be in them (cf. Romans 8:9–11 and Ephesians 1:13–14). Before the disciples began their ministry, Jesus instructed them to remain in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit: “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4–5ESV). Once the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were fully equipped to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ (verse 8). Believers should be thankful that the Spirit of truth is with us, in us, and upon us. For, without His guidance and light, we could not distinguish truth from error. John
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Spurgeon - Self-sufficiency slain (Full sermon Self-Sufficiency Slain) “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 You are not capable of performing the lowest act of the divine life, except as you receive strength from God the Holy Spirit. And surely, my brethren, it is generally in these little things that we find out most of all our weakness. Peter can walk the waves of the sea, but he cannot bear the derision of a little maid. Job can endure the loss of all things, but the upbraiding words of his false friends, though they be but words, and break no bones—make him speak far more bitterly than all the sore boils which were in his very skin. Jonah said he did well to be angry, even unto death, about a gourd. Have you not often heard that mighty men who have outlived hundreds of battles have been slain at last by the most trivial accident? And has it not been so with professed Christians? They stood uprightly in the midst of the greatest trials; they have outlived the most arduous struggles, and yet in an evil hour, trusting to themselves, their foot has slipped under some slight temptation, or because of some small difficulty. John Newton says: “The grace of God is as necessary to create a right temper in Christians on the breaking of a china plate as on the death of an only son.” These little leaks need the most careful stopping. The plague of flies is no more easy to be stayed than that of the destroying angel. In little as well as in great things the just must live by faith. In trifles as well as in nobler exercises the believer should be conscious of his own inability,—should never say of any act, “Now I am strong enough to perform this; I need not go to God in prayer about this; this is so little a thing.” Adolphe Monod - Too much taken up with our work, we may forget our Master; it is possible to have the hand full, and the heart empty. Taken up with our Master we cannot forget our work; if the heart is filled with His love, how can the hands not be active in His service? F B
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Spurgeon - Without Christ—nothing (full sermon Without Christ-Nothing) ‘Without me ye can do nothing.’ John 15:5 ‘Without me ye can do nothing.’ As I listened to the song within these words I began to laugh: I wonder if you will laugh too. It was to myself I laughed, like Abraham of old. I thought of those who are going to destroy the orthodox doctrine from off the face of the earth. How they boast of the decline and death of old-fashioned evangelism. I have read once or twice that I am the last of the Puritans; the race is all dying out. To this I object: I am willing to be esteemed last in merit, but not last as ending the race. There are many others who are steadfast in the faith. They say our old theology is decaying, and that nobody believes it. It is all a lie; but wise men say so, and therefore we are bound to consider ourselves obsolete and extinct. We are, in their esteem, as much out of date as antediluvians would be could they walk down our streets. Yes, they are going to quench our coal and blot us out from Israel. Newspapers and reviews and the general intelligence of the age all join to dance upon our graves. Put on your nightcaps, you good people of the evangelical order, and go home to bed and sleep the sleep of the righteous, for the end of you is come. Thus say the Philistines, but the armies of the Lord think not so. The adversaries exult exceedingly, but Christ is not with them. They know very little about him, they do not work in his spirit, nor cry him up, nor extol the gospel of his precious blood, and so I believe that when they have done their little best it will come to nothing. ‘Without me ye can do nothing’; if this is true of apostles, much more of opposers! If his friends can do nothing without him, I am sure his foes can do nothing against him. We Need Jesus’ Help Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 15:1–8 The day finally came—the day I realized my father wasn’t indestructible. As a boy, I knew his strength and determination. But in my early adult years, he injured his back, and I realized that my father was mortal after all. I stayed with my parents to help my dad to the bathroom, assisting him in dressing, even guiding a glass of water to his mouth—it was humbling to him. He made some initial attempts to accomplish small tasks, but admitted, “I can’t do anything without your help.” He eventually recovered to his strong self, but that experience taught both of us an important lesson. We need each other. The prayer “I can do nothing apart from You” is simple and powerful. What situations are you facing today that need prayer? How can you rest assured that God is with you and loves you? Father, I can do nothing apart from You. James Smith - WITHOUT ME JOHN 15:5 WITHOUT Christ a man is— In danger, like a lost sheep, Luke 15:4–6 As black as an Ethiopian, Jer. 13:23 As wretched as a forsaken infant, Ezek. 16:5–8 As loathsome as a leper, Mark 1:40 As powerless for good as a corrupt tree, Matt. 7:18 As poor as a bankrupt, Matt. 18:24–27 As hopeless as a severed branch,John 15:5 Learning From Leandra He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. — John 15:5 Today's Scripture : John 15:1-8 Leandra is 3 years old. She has bright brown eyes and a very good mind. One day I was babysitting her, and she was watching her brother Max play games on my computer. Suddenly she announced that she was going to get a snack. “I do it myself!” she said emphatically. “I’ll help you,” I said, and began to follow her. She repeated firmly, “I do it myself!” I watched her walk down the stairs. She turned, saw me, and said, “You stay upstairs, Grandpa. Keep an eye on Max.” I tried not to laugh. At the bottom of the stairs she turned back, put one hand on her hip, and said, “I mean it, Grandpa!” I backed out of sight and roared with laughter. Later I checked on her. She had opened the refrigerator, found some packaged pudding, and gotten “her” spoon, but she needed me to open the container for her. I thought later that there’s a lot of that spirit of independence in me. I too want to “do it myself” when it comes to growing and serving as a believer in Jesus Christ. Yet I need to realize that even though I may think I don’t need His help, I really do. Without it, I am unable to produce the kind of spiritual fruit Jesus talked about in John 15. Without Him I could do nothing, Without Him I'd surely fail; Without Him I would be drifting Like a ship without a sail. —LeFevre (c) 1963 The LeFevres You can depend on the Lord. Can the Lord depend on you? John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. he: Job 15:30 Ps 80:15 Isa 14:19 27:10 Eze 15:3-7 17:9 19:12-14 Mt 3:10 7:19 Mt 13:41 27:5 Heb 6:7,8 10:27 2Pe 2:20 1Jn 2:19 Jude 1:12,13 Rev 20:15 21:8 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 13:41-42+ “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:49-50+ “So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 21:18-19 (JESUS CURSED THE UNFRUITFUL TREE) Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He *said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. THE TRAGIC FATE OF FAILURE TO ABIDE IN CHRIST If anyone does not abide (meno) in Me - IF is a third class condition, indicating potential action (to not abide). This is not a reference to believing branches in John 15:5, because our union to Christ is inseparable. The covenant with Christ is unbreakable. The eternal life He gives is just that eternal. Furthermore believers would not fit the following description. In short, Jesus is describing unbelievers as those who do not abide in Him and thus have no "lifeline," no vital connection with His supernatural life. He is thrown away (ballo) as a branch (klema) and dries up (xeraino) - Literally cast outside (of the vineyard). He refers to the one who does not abide in the Vine and parallels the one who bears no fruit in John 15:2. This is a description of a dead, useless branch that withers away because it has no access to nourishing sap. It is notable that vine branches were useless for domestic purposes (firewood) because they burned too fast and too hot. Ray Stedman on anyone who does not abide in Jesus - Here is the case our Lord mentioned earlier when he said, of one aspect of the Father's work, "every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away." (Jn 15:2) Here is the process in which the branch is cut off, and then it withers -- grows dry and dull and dead. And many a churchgoer is in that state. They may have been members of churches for years, but there is no life evident at all. Eventually these branches are to be gathered and burned. I believe this is a reference to other such Scripture passages which say that the angels will be sent out to gather out all which offends in God's kingdom and cast it into the eternal fire where it will be burned. (ED: Mt 13:41-42+, Mt 13:49-50+) Judas was a paramount example of this (ED: THUS HIS NAME "SON OF PERDITION [apoleia]" Jn 17:12+). (Bolding added) It is useless if it is fruitless Spurgeon - There is a sad future in store for tares, according to another parable; but, somehow, there is a much sadder lot reserved for those that were, in some sense, branches of the vine,— those who made a profession of faith in Christ, though they were never vitally united to Him; those who for a while did run well, yet were hindered (Gal 5:7+). What was it that hindered them that they should not obey the truth? Oh, it is sad indeed that any should have had any sort of connection with that divine stem, and yet should be cast into the fire! ....That is all that can be done with fruitless vine-branches. You cannot make anything of them. Other trees yield timber, and are useful for various purposes; but, with the vine, it is as the prophet Ezekiel says, “Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon? Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?” It is useless if it is fruitless; and so is it with us, if we do not bear fruit unto God, we are of no service to him whatsoever......And oh! how many come to this end! They did seem to be all that the fruit-bearing branches are, but they were never saved souls, for saved souls always bring forth fruits of righteousness. Their salvation is proved by their fruitfulness. But these appeared to be all that the others were, and after a while they were discovered, and cast into the fire and burned. (Expositions in John) Merrill Tenney - An absolutely fruitless life is prima facie evidence that one is not a believer. Jesus left no place among his followers for fruitless disciples. The aorist verbs translated “is thrown away” and “withers” refer to accomplished action in the past. They are used here to emphasize the immediacy and finality of action. (BORROW The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Edition PAGE 350) And they gather (sunago) them, and cast (ballo) them into the fire (pur) and they are burned (kaio) - Gather (sunago) is the root of the word for synagogue, which in Jesus' day was filled with nothing but dead wood! The they here are those who are analogous to the son of perdition, for like Judas, they will end up in the eternal fires of hell. Burned (kaio) is used in Rev 21:8+ to describe "the lake that burns with fire (pur) and brimstone, which is the second death” and this would be compatible with where the fruitless branches will burn eternally. Edwin Blum comments that "These words have been interpreted in at least three ways: (1) the “burned” branches are Christians who have lost their salvation. (But this contradicts many passages, e.g., Jn 3:16, 36 [ED: ETERNAL LIFE INDICATES IT IS LIFE THAT LASTS FOR ETERNITY!]; Jn 5:24; Jn 10:28–29; Ro. 8:1.) (2) the ‘burned’ branches represent Christians who will lose rewards but not salvation at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:15). (But Jesus spoke here of dead branches; such a branch “is thrown away and withers.” [ED: HE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THEIR FRUIT BEING BURNED UP BUT THE BRANCHES THEMSELVES BEING BURNED UP!]) (3) the “burned” branches refer to professing Christians who, like Judas, are not genuinely saved and therefore are judged. Like a dead branch, a person without Christ is spiritually dead and therefore will be punished in eternal fire (cf. Matt. 25:46) Judas was with Jesus; he seemed like a "branch." But he did not have God's life in him; therefore he departed; his destiny was like that of a dead branch. (See Bible Knowledge Commentary - Page 325). Eugene Merrill - Two aspects are noted: the removal of dead wood and the trimming of live wood so that its potential for fruit bearing will be improved. The verb translated "cut off" (aireo) means literally "to lift up" or "to take away"; the second, "trims clean" (kathaireo), a compound of the first, means "to cleanse" or "to purify." Here the translation "cut off" and "trim" is accurate, though it represents a special application of a more general term. Pruning is necessary for any vine. Dead wood is worse than fruitlessness, for dead wood can harbor disease and decay. An untrimmed vine will develop long rambling branches that produce little fruit because most of the strength of the vine is given to growing wood. The vine-grower is concerned that the vine be healthy and productive. The caring process is a picture of the divine dealing with human life. God removes the dead wood from his church and disciplines the life of the believer so that it is directed into fruitful activity. (BORROW Expositor's Bible Commentary page 350) John Phillips on take away - As far as the Lord's immediate disciples were concerned, a vivid illustration of that was before them in the case of the apostate Judas. He had been cut off. There are many who have a false profession of faith. The evidence lies in whether or not these professing branches bear fruit. W Hall Harris - The imagery is almost certainly that of eschatological judgment, and recalls some of the OT vine imagery which involves divine rejection and judgment of disobedient Israel (Ezek 15:4-6, 19:12). NET NOTE - Such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire. The author does not tell who it is who does the gathering and throwing into the fire. Although some claim that realized eschatology is so prevalent in the Fourth Gospel that no references to final eschatology appear at all, the fate of these branches seems to point to the opposite. The imagery is almost certainly that of eschatological judgment, and recalls some of the OT vine imagery which involves divine rejection and judgment of disobedient Israel (Ezek 15:4–6, 19:12). Dries up (Withers) (3583) xeraino from xeros = dry) means to become dry, to dry up and figuratively to become stiff (Mk 9:18). Of plants that wither (Jas 1:11). In the passive voice means to be dried up (Mt 13:6; 21:19, 20; Mk 4:6; 11:20, 21; Lk 8:6; Jn 15:6; 1 Pe 1:24). Of fluids dried up (Mk 5:29; Rev. 16:12; Sept.: Ge 8:7; 1 Ki 17:7; Isa. 19:5). Of the body or its members, to wither (Mk 3:1, 3; 9:18; Sept.: 1 Ki 13:4; Pr. 17:22). In the sense of to be dry, ripe (Rev. 14:15; Sept.: Jer. 12:4; Hos. 9:16). Gilbrant - Twelve times it speaks of water or plants drying up, and once of the drying up of the issue of blood in the woman Jesus healed (Mark 5:29). The remaining uses are metaphorical for paralysis (Mark 3:1,3) or the “drying up” of the usefulness of the body (cf. Mark 9:18). (Ibid) Friberg's summary of xeraino - (1) literally dry out, parch, cause to wither (Jas 1.11); passive become dry, dry up (Rev 16.12); of the flow of blood stop (Mk 5.29); of plants wither, dry up (Mt 13.6); of grain that has finished growing ripe; metaphorically, of conditions for judgment ready (Rev 14.15); (2) figuratively and passive, of a damaged human body; of the whole body stiffen (up), become rigid (Mk 9.18); of a limb shrivel, wither, become useless (Mk 3.1). Fire (4442) pur refers to literal fire (Mt 13:40; 17:15; Mk 9:22, Lk 17:29; Acts 2:3; Acts 7:30; Acts 28:5; 1 Cor 3:15; Jas 5:3; Heb 12:18; 2 Pet 3:7; Rev 1:14; 4:5; 8:7; 17:16; 19:20. Pur is used figuratively of God inflicting punishment (Heb 12:29), of disunion (Lk 12:49), of the tongue that kindles strife and discord (James 3:5-6), of trials (1 Pe 1:7, Rev 3:18), at Pentecost (Acts 2:3 = " tongues as of fire "), of burning up useless works (1 Cor 3:10-15), as a description of doing something with great difficult in Jude 1:23 ("snatching them out of the fire"). Fire in the context of judgment, the eternal fire, the place of punishment (Mt. 13:42, 50; Mt. 5:22; 18:9; Mk 9:4 Mt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7 Rev. 14:10); the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; Rev 20:10, 14, 15; Rev 21:8). Gilbrant - The Greeks used pur extensively in both literal and figurative ways. It can refer to fire, burning, or lightning, but it can also denote violence, anarchy, or the fury of battle. In Greek philosophy fire was one of the four or five basic elements of life; some regarded fire as the source of everything. Stoic thought contained the idea that the present world would one day perish in a giant conflagration. Almost 500 instances of pur can be found in the Septuagint (Lxx); of these about 350 translate the Hebrew term ’ēsh. The Old Testament understands fire to be both a cleansing, purifying agent and an agent of destruction. God demonstrated His pleasure with fire upon the altar (Genesis 15:17; Lev 9:23f.; Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Chr 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1). But fire also demonstrated God’s displeasure and was a sign of His wrath and judgment (Genesis 19:24; Exodus 9:24; Leviticus 10:2; Numbers 11:1; 16:35; 2 Kings 1:10; Amos 1:4,7). In addition, the Lord God is described as a “consuming fire, even a jealous God” (Dt 4:24; 9:3; Isa 33:14). The New Testament reads pur on almost 75 occasions. In addition to the literal sense of the term, there are many other usages. Positively, pur describes the fire of the Spirit that John the Baptist said Jesus would bring to the earth (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; cf. Acts 2:3). Fire, furthermore, depicts trials and adversities that cleanse and purify the believer’s faith (1 Peter 1:7). Elsewhere, however, fire denotes the turmoil caused by an uncontrolled, evil tongue (James 3:5,6). Paul spoke of “burning” in the sense of passion’s force (1 Corinthians 7:9). God’s judgment is often symbolized by fire. Fire will be the standard of testing for everyone’s deeds in life (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). If his works stand the test he will receive a reward, but if they are consumed by the fire the reward is lost, although he is “saved, but only as through fire” (RSV). Fire, moreover, describes God’s judgment upon the ungodly at the end of the age. Christ will be “revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God” (2 Th 1:7-9). Jesus referred to hell as a place of fire, of unquenchable flame (Mt 5:22; 13:42,50; 18:8,9; 25:41; Mk 9:43,48; Lk 3:17). No less horrible is the idea of being eternally lost in the lake of fire (Rev 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:14,15; 21:8). God’s two witnesses in the last days call fire down to consume their opponents (Rev 11:5). The false prophet causes fire to fall from heaven (Rev 13:13), and fire consumes Babylon the Great (Rev 17:16; 18:8). God reveals His glory in fire. The glorified Son of Man is shown having eyes like the flame of a fire and feet like burnished brass (Rev 1:14,15). Seven lamps of fire burn in front of the heavenly throne (Rev 4:5), and the sea of glass is mingled with fire (Rev 15:2). (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) Burned (2545) kaio means to kindle or burn. It is used in an active sense and a passive sense - Active = light something, have or keep something burning or lit. Mt 5:15; Lk 12:35; Jn 5:35; Heb 12:18; Rev 8:8, 10; 21:8. Fig. Lk 24:32 Passive sense =. be burned Jn 15:6; 1 Cor 13:3. Friberg on kaio - (1) active - light something, kindle, ignite (Mt 5.15); (2) passive be lit, burn (Jn 15.6); figuratively, of fervent emotion burn, have strong feelings ( Lk 24.32); (3) of consuming by fire burn (up); passive be burned; 1Co 13.3 is understood as either martyrdom or voluntary burning of oneself. (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. my: John 8:37 De 6:6 Job 23:12 Ps 119:11 Pr 4:4 Jer 15:16 Col 3:16 1Jn 2:14,27 2Jn 1:1,2 ask: John 15:16 14:13 16:23 Job 22:26 Ps 37:4 Pr 10:24 Isa 58:8 Ga 4:2 5:16 1Jn 3:22 1Jn 5:14 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A PROMISE FOR PRODUCTIVE PRAYER If you abide (meno) in Me, and My words (rhema) abide (meno) in you - IF is a third class condition, indicating potential action (to abide). My words refers to all that Jesus taught, and realistically to all the OT, for it all pointed to Him (Lk 24:27, 44), and all the NT! Note Jesus switches imagery from Himself abiding in the disciples to His words abiding in the disciples. His words abide in us when we obey His words, His commands. They would also abide in us when we imbibe them (see Jn 8:31 below) if you want to grow closer to Jesus Christ, spend much time in His word, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal more of Christ to you. -- Steven Cole In John 8:31+ we see the corollary thought where abiding is evidence that one is truly a disciple of Jesus "Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide (meno) in My word, then you are truly (alethos - "the real deal") disciples of Mine." This abiding would also explain how His word would abide in us as His disciples. In other words, for His words to abide in us, we need to abide in His words. Does that make sense? If you say you are a disciple and you are NEVER in His words, that might be a warning sign that you are not truly one of His disciples. The key is to keep coming back to Him and to keep working on your relationship with Him Steven
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Spurgeon - Do not take that verse as a promise of unlimited answers to prayer, for it is nothing of the kind. Remember the “if” that qualifies it:....Do not think that all men can pray alike effectually, for it is not so. There are some whom God will hear, and some whom God will not hear. And there are some even of his own children, whom he will hear in things absolutely vital and essential, to whom he never gave carte blanche after this fashion: “Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” No, if you will not hear God’s words, he will not hear yours; and if his words do not abide in you, your words shall not have power with him. They may be directed to heaven, but the Lord will not listen to them so as to have regard unto them. Oh, it needs very tender walking for one who would be mighty in prayer! You shall find that those who have had their will at the throne of grace are men who have done God’s will in other places; it must be so. The greatest favourite at court will have a double portion of the jealousy of his monarch, and he must be specially careful that he orders his steps aright, or else the king will not continue to favor him as he was wont to do. There is a sacred discipline in Christ’s house, a part of which consists in this, that, as our obedience to our God declines, so will our power in prayer decrease at the same time......a man who is truly in Christ, as the branch is in the vine, and who is feeding upon Christ’s words, will be so influenced by the Holy Spirit that he will not ask anything which is contrary to the mind of God. Consequently, his prayers, though in one sense unrestricted, are really restricted by the tenderness of his conscience, and the sensitiveness of his spirit to the influence of the mind of God. (Expositions in John) Spurgeon -My very words. You must treasure up Christ’s teaching; you must obey his precepts. If ye do this, “Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” In this chapter we are taught once or twice that the power of prayer depends very much upon the closeness of our communion with Christ, and the completeness of our obedience to him. We are saved by faith in the Redeemer, but the joy of salvation, the very dignity and glory of it, will only come to those men who jealously watch themselves, and zealously obey their Lord and Master. (Expositions in John) NET NOTE - Once again Jesus promises the disciples ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. This recalls John 14:13,14+, where the disciples were promised that if they asked anything in Jesus’ Name it would be done for them. The two thoughts are really quite similar, since here it is conditioned on the disciples’ remaining in Jesus and His words remaining in them. The first phrase (If you abide in Me) relates to the genuineness of their relationship with Jesus. The second phrase (My words abide in you) relates to their obedience. When both of these qualifications are met, the disciples would in fact be asking in Jesus’ name and therefore according to his will. John
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Spurgeon - The secret of power in prayer (Full sermon The Secret of Power in Prayer) ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.’ John 15:7 Power in prayer is very much the gauge of our spiritual condition; and when that is secured to us in a high degree, we are favoured as to all other matters Suppose a man of God is in prayer, and he thinks that such and such a thing is desirable, yet he remembers that he is nothing but a babe in the presence of his all-wise Father, and so he bows his will, and asks as a favour to be taught what to will. Though God bids him ask what he wills, he shrinks and cries, ‘My Lord, here is a request which I am not quite clear about. As far as I can judge, it is a desirable thing, and I will it; but, Lord, I am not fit to judge for myself, and therefore I pray thee, give not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ Do you not see that, when we are in such a condition as this, our real will is God’s will? Deep down in our hearts we will only that which the Lord himself wills; and what is this but to ask what we will, and it be done unto us? It becomes safe for God to say to the sanctified soul, ‘ask what thou wilt, and it shall be done unto thee.’ The heavenly instincts of that man lead him right; the grace that is within his soul thrusts down all covetous lustings and foul desires, and his will is the actual shadow of God’s will. The spiritual life is master in him, and so his aspirations are holy, heavenly, Godlike. He has been made a partaker of the divine nature; and as a son is like his father, so now in desire and will he is one with his God. As the echo answers to the voice, so does the renewed heart echo the mind of the Lord. Our desires are reflected beams of the divine will: you shall ask what you will, and it shall be even so. Your Prayer Life - Bob Gass - BORROW Fresh Word for Today PAGE 280 (See Page 217 for another allusion to John 15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7) Jesus gives us a simple plan for building a prayer life. First, He says, “Abide in Me.” Center your life around Him! John leaned his head on Jesus’ breast—but Peter followed afar off. How close do you want to be? It’s up to you! Next, He says, “Let my words abide in you.” Soak yourself in the Scriptures! Learn to pray the Word! If you do, your prayer life will be transformed. Some mornings I “personalize” Psalm 34: “I will bless You Lord at all times, Your praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in You, Lord.” Or when I have a need, I pray, “Lord, You are my Shepherd, therefore I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1). When you pray the Word, your Father is pleased, your faith is activated, and your enemy will flee from you as he did from Jesus. Go ahead—try it! Next, before you look up—look in! David said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me” (Psalms 66:18). Achan’s secret sin had to be dealt with before Israel could go forward into the Promised Land. (See Joshua 7.) So does yours! The moment you’re conscious of sin, confess it, and when you have, be confident He has forgiven you, and move on rejoicing! (See 1 John 1:9.) USE THIS SIMPLE PLAN TO BUILD A PRAYER LIFE! Jon Courson - BORROW A Day's Journey PAGE 88- If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you. John 15:7 The word ‘abide’ means to ‘be at home in.’ The Psalmist didn’t say ‘Thy word have I hid in my mind’ or even ‘in my memory.’ He said, ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart…’ (Psalm 119:11, emphasis mine). Paul echoed him when he prayed in Ephesians 3:17, ‘that Christ may dwell in your hearts…’ [Emphasis mine.] Why does the Lord want Himself and His Word to abide in our hearts and not just in our heads? Because, affected by data, discussions, and information, the mind is incredibly fickle. I can change my mind 100 times in a single day concerning a single issue. So can you. But not so the heart. Think back to your dating days and you know how this works. If someone dumped you, even though you knew in your head that you were glad to be free of him or her, you would still find yourself feeling for him or caring about her. Why? Because the heart holds on. That’s why the Lord wants His Word to dwell there. How does this happen? For me the most practical way knowledge moves from the head to the heart is through meditation and contemplation. Spending time in the Word—in morning and evening devotions, in corporate study, in times when I’m waiting in line or waiting at a stoplight—allows it to sink in and permeate my inner man, to be at home in my life, to abide in my heart. Jon Courson - BORROW A Day's Journey PAGE 89- …Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 Our culture has lost the meaning of what real love is. Consequently, husbands and wives are saying, ‘I don’t have feelings for him or her anymore, so I’m leaving.’ But feelings aren’t the issue. Love is not an emotion or a feeling. It’s a decision. It’s an action. ‘My commandment,’ Jesus said, ‘is that you make the decision to love.’ Fighting the flu and not thinking very clearly as I was at my desk preparing for tonight’s study, I decided to take five minutes to rake some leaves and get some fresh air. No sooner had I walked out the door than a sister walked by, pushing her granddaughter in a stroller. ‘Do you have a minute, Jon?’ she said. ‘Well yeah, a minute is just about what I’ve got,’ I answered. But as soon as I spoke those words, I was convicted of an attitude that was amiss, so I walked over and began to converse with her. What she shared with me blessed my heart so deeply that I went back into my study totally refreshed.So too, you will come across people today who might initially seem to be an interruption in the raking of your leaves. But if you say, ‘Wait a minute. Here’s an opportunity for me to love,’ you know what will happen? As you make that decision, there will be a change in your emotions. The Lord will meet you in that place. I guarantee it. C H Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”—John 15:7. NOTE well, that we must hear Jesus speak if we expect him to hear us speak. If we have no ear for Christ, he will have no ear for us. In proportion as we hear we shall be heard. Moreover, what is heard must remain, must live in us, and must abide in our character as a force and a power. We must receive the truths which Jesus taught, the precepts which he issued, and the movements of his Spirit within us; or we shall have no power at the mercy-seat. Suppose our Lord’s words to be received, and to abide in us, what a boundless field of privilege is opened up to us! We are to have our will in prayer, because we have already surrendered our will to the Lord’s command. Thus are Elijahs trained to handle the keys of heaven, and lock or loose the clouds. One such man is worth a thousand common Christians. Do we humbly desire to be intercessors for the church and the world, and like Luther to be able to have what we will of the Lord? Then we must bow our ear to the voice of the Well-beloved, and treasure up his words, and carefully obey them. He had need “hearken diligently” who would pray effectually. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”—John 15:7. OF necessity we must be in Christ to live unto him, and we must abide in him to be able to claim the largesse of this promise from him. To abide in Jesus is never to quit him for another love, or another object, but to remain in living, loving, conscious, willing union with him. The branch is not only ever near the stem, but ever receiving life and fruitfulness from it. All true believers abide in Christ in a sense; but there is a higher meaning, and this we must know before we can gain unlimited power at the throne. “Ask what ye will” is for Enochs who walk with God, for Johns who lie in the Lord’s bosom, for those whose union with Christ leads to constant communion. The heart must remain in love, the mind must be rooted in faith, the hope must be cemented to the Word, the whole man must be joined unto the Lord, or else it would be dangerous to trust us with power in prayer. The carte blanche can only be given to one whose very life is, “Not I, but Christ liveth in me.” O you who break your fellowship, what power you lose! If you would be mighty in your pleadings, the Lord himself must abide in you, and you in him. A MAN purchased a lottery ticket that would pay him $100,000 if it turned out to be the lucky one. He asked my friend, a pastor, to pray that his number would be picked so he could give one-tenth of his winnings to the Lord. My friend hesitated, then said, "All right, but first let me ask you this: Are you willing to give God the same percentage of your present weekly income?" The fellow looked surprised and dismayed. "B-b-but I need that to live on," he stammered. This man's seemingly spiritual request was merely a cover-up for selfishness, and God doesn't honor such prayers. Scripture verses like Matthew 21:22, "whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive," are not sweepstakes promises that cater to our selfish nature, nor are they tickets to wealth and success. While the Bible contains many statements about God's willingness to hear and answer our prayers, John 15:7 defines the condition: We must live in fellowship with Christ and cherish His words in our hearts. The more we study God's Word, know the mind of Christ, and desire His will, the more we'll pray with right motives—and the more answers to prayer we'll see. Stagecoach Prayer Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. —John 14:13 Today's Scripture : John 15:7-14 Five-year-old Randy wanted a toy stagecoach for Christmas. While shopping with Mom, he found just the one he wanted. It was about 6″ long and had cool wheels and dark brown plastic horses pulling it. “Mommy, I want this one. Pleeeease!” he begged. As young children sometimes do, he threw a tantrum, insisting that he get that stagecoach for Christmas. Mom said, “We’ll see,” and took him home. Randy was sure he’d get what he asked for. Christmas morning came, and he opened the package confidently. Sure enough, it was the stagecoach he had begged for. He was so pleased. But then his older brother said, “You really did a dumb thing to insist on getting that coach. Mom bought you a much bigger one, but when you begged for that little one, she exchanged it!” Suddenly the small stagecoach didn’t seem so appealing. Sometimes we’re like that with God. We pray about a specific need and tell Him how He ought to answer. We beg and plead—and God may even give us exactly what we ask for. But He may have had something better in mind. Do not presume to know what’s best When you begin to pray; But say to God, “Your will be done,” Then trust His perfect way. —Sper Large asking results in large receiving. John 15:8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. is glorified: Ps 92:12-15 Isa 60:21 61:3 Hag 1:8 Mt 5:16 1Co 6:20 10:31 2Co 9:10-15 Php 1:11 Tit 2:5,10 1Pe 2:12 4:11 so prove: John 8:31, Jn 13:35 Mt 5:44 Lu 6:35 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Luke 6:43-44 “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. MUCH FRUIT GLORIFIES THE FATHER My Father (pater) is glorified (doxazo) by this, that (hina) you (present tense - continually) bear much fruit (karpos), and so prove to be My disciples (mathetes - learners) - Note the progression of fruit in John 15 - no fruit, fruit, more fruit (all Jn 15:2) and finally much fruit (Jn 15:5, 7). How do disciples glorify the Father? Remember that the idea of glorify is to give a proper opinion of, so when disciples glorify the Father, they show a proper picture of Him to the lost world. And so in Mt 5:16+ Jesus commanded those who would be His disciples to "Let your light shine (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) before men in such a way that they may see your good works (IN OTHER WORDS SUCH A WAY THAT THE WORKS DO NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO US BUT TO GOD), and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Here Jesus tells us how to let our light shine -- by bearing much fruit (good works). And just as with the good works Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount, the "much fruit" we bear should not draw attention to us but always point others (lost and found) to God the Father. THOUGHT - What genre of works/fruit would be most likely expected to accomplish this God glorifying end? Clearly, those works/fruit which are supernatural, the works/fruit which God by His Spirit performs (bears) through us in such a way that that there is no natural explanation for those works/fruit! Dear disciple doesn't your heart yearn to continually carry out those types of good works? Proof of discipleship is fruit bearing Merrill Tenney - Just as Jesus glorified God by his life, so the disciples would glorify God by theirs. (BORROW Expositor's Bible Commentary PAGE 350) Another way to look at this passage is to ask what is the proof that one is truly a disciple? Jesus is saying that bearing fruit is the external evidence that one is a disciple. THOUGHT - I am reminded of an old nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow?" This begs the question how does your garden grow dear disciple of Christ? Are you growing in Christlikeness? If you are, then you will likely be seeing growth in fruit (fruit...more fruit...much fruit)! It is not activity which glorifies God; it is character... Ray
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Spurgeon - How wondrously Jesus loves those who are truly, His! As the Father loved Him, so does He love us: that is, without beginning, without measure, without variation, without end. “Continue ye in my love;” that is, live in it, enjoy it, drink it in, be influenced by it....What a glorious word! I scarcely know a text more deep, more full than this. After the same manner as God the Father loves the Son — after that same sort does the Son love us.....Oh, drink this nectar down! It is as when Cleopatra dissolved the pearl into a single draught; for here is the choicest pearl of truth that ever was dissolved into a single verse to be a delicious draught for his people to drink: “As the Father hath loved me,” — as surely as the Father hath loved me; and, then, “as”— that is,— in the same manner “as the Father hath loved me,” — without beginning, without ending, Without measure, without change, “so have I loved you.” (Expositions in John) Bob
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Spurgeon - "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you." — John 15:9 His love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity As the Father loves the Son, in the same manner Jesus loves his people. What is that divine method? He loved him without beginning, and thus Jesus loves his members. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." You can trace the beginning of human affection; you can easily find the beginning of your love to Christ, but his love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity. God the Father loves Jesus without any change. Christian, take this for your comfort, that there is no change in Jesus Christ's love to those who rest in him. Yesterday you were on Tabor's top, and you said, "He loves me:" today you are in the valley of humiliation, but he loves you still the same. On the hill Mizar, and among the Hermons, you heard his voice, which spake so sweetly with the turtle-notes of love; and now on the sea, or even in the sea, when all his waves and billows go over you, his heart is faithful to his ancient choice. The Father loves the Son without any end, and thus does the Son love his people. Saint, thou needest not fear the loosing of the silver cord, for his love for thee will never cease. Rest confident that even down to the grave Christ will go with you, and that up again from it he will be your guide to the celestial hills. Moreover, the Father loves the Son without any measure, and the same immeasurable love the Son bestows upon his chosen ones. The whole heart of Christ is dedicated to his people. He "loved us and gave himself for us." His is a love which passeth knowledge. (Eph 3:19) Ah! we have indeed an immutable Saviour, a precious Saviour, one who loves without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end, even as the Father loves him! There is much food here for those who know how to digest it. May the Holy Ghost lead us into its marrow and fatness! Dogged Devotion In Your presence is fullness of joy. — Psalm 16:11 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 Maggie doesn’t care much for television. She would rather look out a window than stare at a small screen. Reading doesn’t thrill her either. She has been known to “chew” on books, but only in the strictly literal sense. Nevertheless, when Jay and I read or watch TV, Maggie participates. Even though she doesn’t enjoy what we’re doing, she enjoys being with us. Maggie is our very devoted dog. More than anything (well, just about anything) Maggie wants to be with us. The word dogged means “determined and persistent.” These words describe Maggie. They should also describe us. When we are devoted to God, we want to be with Him even when He’s doing something that makes no sense to us. We may ask, “Why, Lord?” when He seems angry (Ps. 88:14) or when He seems to be napping (44:23), or when the wicked prosper (Jer. 12:1). But when we remain devoted to God despite our questions, we find fullness of joy in His presence (Ps. 16:11). Never should our love be just a word, A passing phase, a brief emotion; But love that honors Christ our Lord Responds to Him with deep devotion. —Hess We find joy when we learn to abide in Jesus’ love. Jesus Loves You As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. —John 15:9 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 The substitute teacher was overwhelmed. She was helping to care for a small group of children at a school that specializes in students with severe disabilities. As she sat with a little boy who seemed extremely agitated, she leaned over to him and whispered in his ear, “Jesus loves you.” Immediately the boy’s agitation calmed, and he began to laugh and make happy sounds. Have you ever thought about the significance of the words “Jesus loves you”? Can anything be more simple, yet more profound? Consider what it means to have the Creator of all things know your name. Think of the comfort in knowing that the Great Physician has your best interests at heart. Ponder the security of knowing that the Good Shepherd is watching over you. Contemplate what it means that the Savior cared enough to die for you. Ponder too what Paul said. He asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:35). The answer: Nothing in all creation “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v.39). What does it mean to have Someone like that love you? It means life and peace and hope and joy. C H Spurgeon - Love at its utmost (Full sermon Love at Its Utmost) ‘As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.’ John 15:9 Meditate upon the love of Christ to you. It is a love ancient and venerable, tried and proved. He loved you when you were not; he loved you when you were, but were not what you should be. He has loved you into spiritual being; he has loved you so as to keep you in that being. He loved you so as to suffer and die, and he loves you so as to permit you ‘to suffer for his sake’. He has loved you so well as to bear with your ill manners, your shortcomings, your transgressions, your coldness, your backsliding, your lack of prayer, your hardness of heart, your little love to your brethren and all the other sins of which I will not now accuse you, for it is a time of love. He has loved you right on without pausing or slackening. Some of you have known his love these twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years, yes, some of you even more than that. It is no new thing with us to sing, ‘Jesus loves me.’ All this while he has never failed us once, nor done us an ill turn. The kindest husband that ever lived may sometimes be faulty, but this husband of our souls overflows with divine affection every day and all the day. We could not find fault or flaw in his love, if we were to try. Doubtless, in the future we shall have to make continued trial of his love, but we are sure it will endure every test. We may have rough ways to traverse, but he will tread them with us and we shall lean upon our Beloved. We may be very sick and faint, but he has borne our sicknesses and will sympathize with us. He has said, and we believe it, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ His promise is ‘Certainly I will be with thee’ and ‘even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you’. The longer we live the more abundant evidence shall we receive of that love of Christ, which at this moment is assuredly ours. A W Tozer - WE WERE OUTCASTS TOO As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. John 15:9 We confess, do we not, that we have a Christian responsibility to believe God’s Word and to obey God’s Truth? Then we should accept the fact that it is our task to practice the Christian virtues in the power of the Holy Spirit as we await the coming of Him who will come. The great spiritual needs around us should drive us back to the Gospel records of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. When evil men crucified Jesus, killed Him, they had no power to change Him. They could not alter the Person or the personality of the Son of God. Putting Him on the cross did not drain away any of His divine affection for a lost race. The best thing we know about our Lord and Savior is that He loves the sinner. He has always loved the outcast—and for that we should be glad, for we too were once outcasts! We are descended from that first man and woman who failed God and disobeyed. They were cast out of the garden, and God set in place a flaming sword to keep them from returning! (BORROW Mornings With Tozer PAGE 61) Andrew Murray LIKE CHRIST: Abiding in the Love of God. John 15:9-10 BRIEF EXCERPT - Our blessed Lord not only said, "Abide in me," but also, "Abide in my love." Of the abiding in Him, the principal part is the entering into and dwelling and being rooted in that wonderful love with which He loves us and gives Himself to us. "Love seeketh not its own;" it always goes out of itself to live and be at one with the beloved; it ever opens itself and stretches its arms wide to receive and hold fast the object of its desire: Christ痴 love longs to possess us. The abiding, in Christ is an intensely personal relationship, the losing ourselves in the fellowship of an Infinite Love, finding, our life in the experience of being loved by Him, being nowhere at home but in His love. (CLICK FOR FULL DEVOTIONAL) JESUS LOVES EVEN ME (BORROW AMAZING GRACE - KENNETH OSBECK - PAGE 58) (PLAY THE VOCAL OF THIS HYMN) Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876 As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (John 15:9) The wonder of Jesus’ deep love for each of us has been expressed in this text in beautiful but childlike language by the noted musician of early gospel music, Philip P. Bliss. After attending a service where the hymn “O How I Love Jesus” was sung repeatedly, Bliss thought, “Have I not been singing enough about my poor love for Jesus and shall I not rather sing of His great love for me?” Soon he completed both the words and music of one of the all-time favorite children’s hymn, which is widely sung and enjoyed by adults as well. Philip Bliss was the dynamic and very talented song writer and associate of evangelists D. L. Moody and Major Daniel W. Whittle. Bliss’ commanding height and impressive personality made his singing and song leading outstanding features in any evangelistic service. His gift for writing gospel hymns was also exceptional. Still widely used today are such other Bliss favorites as: “Wonderful Words of Life,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” “Hold the Fort,” “Hallelujah, What a Savior,” and “Almost Persuaded.” One of his music colleagues, George C. Stebbins, stated: There has been no writer of verse since his time who has shown such a grasp of the fundamental truths of the gospel, or such a gift for putting them into a poetic and singable form. The third stanza of this simple but very appealing hymn is especially meaningful when we realize that Philip Bliss died suddenly at the age of 38 in a tragic train accident. His many stirring hymns, however, have lived on. They all focus clearly on important biblical truths, but none is more moving than the reminder in this text that Jesus loves even me. (PLAY THE VOCAL OF THIS HYMN) I am go 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. Tho 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. O if there’s only one song I can sing when in His beauty I see the great King, this shall my song in eternity be: “O what a wonder that Jesus loves me!” Chorus: 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. For Today: Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 4:9–12 Take time to thank your Lord once more for His great love for you personally, a love that cannot be comprehended but can only be gratefully accepted by faith. Sing as you go— John 15:10 “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. keep: John 14:15,21 1Co 7:19 1Th 4:1 2Pe 2:21 1Jn 2:5 3:21-24 5:3 Rev 22:14 even: John 4:34 8:29 12:49 14:31 17:4 Isa 42:1-4 Mt 3:15-17 Heb 7:26 Heb 10:5-10 1Jn 2:1,2 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HOW TO ABIDE IN THE LOVE OF JESUS If you keep (tereo) My commandments (entole) you will abide (meno) in My love (agape) - This is a third class conditional statement which describes potential action. What is Jesus clearly stating? He is saying in essence that obedience is evidence of true discipleship (cf. Jn 8:31; Jn 14:15-21, 23-24; Lk 6:46). He is also saying that to grow closer to Christ, obey His commandments. You are not abiding in His love, if you are disobeying! Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey. Just as (term of comparison) I have kept (tereo - perfect tense ~ perfectly kept) My Father’s (pater) commandments (entole) and abide (meno) in His love (agape) - What was Jesus' example for His disciples to imitate? His perfect obedience to His Father's commandments. Notice He links love with obedience (again - cf Jn 14:15). This would seem to imply that He (and we by imitating Jesus) would or should be motivated to keep/obey the Father's commandments because of our agape love (recalling that love is not just a mindset but is accompanied by action, in this case, obedience to God). Spurgeon - “You shall live in the realization of my love if you live in obedience to me.” (Expositions in John) Ray
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.”—John 15:10. THESE things cannot be parted—abiding in obedience, and abiding in the love of Jesus. A life under the rule of Christ can alone prove that we are the objects of our Lord’s delight. We must keep our Lord’s command if we would bask in his love. If we live in sin we cannot live in the love of Christ. Without the holiness which pleases God, we cannot please Jesus. He who cares nothing for holiness knows nothing of the love of Jesus. Conscious enjoyment of our Lord’s love is a delicate thing. It is far more sensitive to sin and holiness than mercury is to cold and heat. When we are tender of heart, and careful in thought, lip, and life to honour our Lord Jesus, then we receive tokens of his love without number. If we desire to perpetuate such bliss we must perpetuate holiness. The Lord Jesus will not hide his face from us unless we hide our face from him. Sin makes the cloud which darkens our Sun: if we will be watchfully obedient and completely consecrated, we may walk in the light, as God is in the light, and have as sure an abiding in the love of Jesus as Jesus has in the love of the Father. Here is a sweet promise with a solemn “if.” Lord, let me have this “if” in my hand; for as a key it opens this casket. The Will of God - Bob Gass - BORROW Fresh Word for Today PAGE 122 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love. John 15:10, NASB Gladys Aylward (WHO WAS SHE?) was just a simple woman who did what she believed God called her to do. A movie, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, was produced showing what was accomplished through her. In 1920, she sailed to China, where she opened a home for orphaned children who’d been left to starve or wander the streets until the government placed them in warehouses. She’d read the words, “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs” (Isaiah 58:10–11, NIV). When the Japanese invaded China, Gladys was forced to flee, and she ended up on the island of Formosa with over 100 children to care for. In the face of extreme difficulty and danger, she devoted her life, becoming a mother to each of them. Years later, when she was honored, she explained her amazing work like this: “I did not choose this. I was led into it by God. I’m not really more interested in children than I am in other people. But God gave me to understand that this is what He wanted me to do—so I did it!” HAVE YOU DISCOVERED YET WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO? ARE YOU DOING IT? ONLY ONE LIFE TWILL SOON PASS ONLY WHAT'S DONE FOR (IN) CHRIST WILL LAST! HE KEEPS ME SINGING (BORROW AMAZING GRACE - KENNETH OSBECK - PAGE 200) (FEELING DOWN TODAY? PLAY HE KEEPS ME SINGING - AND CLAP AND TAP ALONG AS YOU SING!) Words and Music by Luther B. Bridgers, 1884–1948 If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:10–11) Joy is the flag which is flown from the castle of the heart when the King is in residence there. —Unknown Joy should be one of the chief characteristics of our Christian faith. In the New Testament the word chara is used 53 times to mean “joy.” Only a joyful exuberant Christian is a worthy representative of the transforming power of Christ’s gospel. But what is spiritual joy? It is much more than mere laughter or even happiness. It is a life that is at rest in the Lord, regardless of life’s circumstances. Such a life cannot help but have a strong impact on nonbelievers. If there were more singing Christians, there would be more Christians. Often our finest and most effective songs are sung during the midnight experiences of life. It is easy to sing when all is well. But to sing when all is dark requires the indwelling presence of Christ. Luther Bridgers, a Methodist pastor and evangelist from Georgia, is believed to have written both words and music for this joyful hymn in 1910, following the death of his wife and three sons in a fire at the home of his wife’s parents while he was away conducting revival meetings in Kentucky. (FEELING DOWN TODAY? PLAY HE KEEPS ME SINGING - AND CLAP AND TAP ALONG AS YOU SING!) There’s within my heart a melody—Jesus whispers sweet and low, “Fear not, I am with thee—peace, be still,” in all of life’s ebb and flow. All my life was wrecked by sin and strife. Discord filled my heart with pain; Jesus swept across the broken strings, stirred the slumb’ring chords again. Feasting on the riches of His grace, resting ’neath His shelt’ring wing, always looking on His smiling face—That is why I shout and sing. Tho sometimes He leads thru waters deep, trials fall across the way, tho sometimes the path seem rough and steep, see His feet-prints all the way. Soon He’s coming back to welcome me far beyond the starry sky; I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown; I shall reign with Him on high. Chorus: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus—Sweetest name I know, fills my ev’ry longing, keeps me singing as I go. For Today: Psalm 40:3; Proverbs 29:6; Isaiah 12:3, 5; 52:9; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19 Determine to live with a singing spirit; be a truly “praising Christian.” Carry this musical testimony with you as a help, knowing that— Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (FRUIT - Heb 13:15+) ILLUSTRATION OF ABIDING WHEN IT IS NOT EASY TO ABIDE - It’s relatively easy to obey the Lord when things are going well. But the test of obedience is when He takes you through difficult trials. At such times, you may not understand why these trials are happening, but like Abraham walking to Mount Moriah to sacrifice Isaac, you have to trust Him and obey. Elisabeth Elliot lost her first husband, Jim Elliot, to Auca Indian spears. She lost her second husband, Addison Leitch, to cancer. In an address to the Urbana Missions Conference (December, 1976), she told of being in Wales and watching a shepherd and his dog. The dog would herd the sheep up a ramp and into a tank of antiseptic where they had to be bathed. The sheep struggled to climb out, but the dog would snarl and snap in their faces to force them back in. Just as they were about to come up out of the tank, the shepherd used a wooden implement to grab the rams by the horns, fling them back into the tank, and hold them under the antiseptic again for a few seconds. Mrs. Elliot asked the shepherd’s wife if the sheep understood what was happening. She replied, “They haven’t got a clue.” Mrs. Elliot then said, “I’ve had some experiences in my life that have made me feel very sympathetic to those poor rams—I couldn’t figure out any reason for the treatment I was getting from the Shepherd I trusted. And He didn’t give a hint of explanation.” But, she pointed out, we still must trust our Shepherd and obey Him, knowing that He has our best interests at heart. It’s through obedience in times of suffering that we grow closer to our Savior, who suffered and died for us. (Growing Closer to Christ John 15:7-11) JOHN 14:15 READ: John 15:9—17 I HEARD some interesting comments at a conference about factors that motivate publishers to monitor the content of their magazines. Publishers are restrained by the following: (1) the fear of libel suits; (2) the tastes of their readers (who will stop buying the magazine if the content becomes too offensive); and (3) the publishers' code of ethics. About the same time, I heard a criminologist speak about the restraints in society that cause people to behave correctly: fear of going to jail, family morals, peer pressure, and fear of revenge. Whether in the publishing world or in society as a whole, certain influences keep us from immoral or destructive behavior. This led me to wonder, What keeps Christians from breaking the moral law of God? I notice, Lord, that You did not say "Keep My commandments and I will love You." You said, "Keep My commandments if you love Me." This seems to imply that those who don't love You cannot gain Your favor by obeying laws. Let this be a reminder to me that my motives are at least as important to You as my actions. LOVING HIM “ABIDE IN MY LOVE . . . THAT MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU.”—John 15:10–11 NASB Ever been in love? If so, you know what it means to be preoccupied. I met Martie in the fall of our freshman year at college. It didn’t take long for me to know that my heart had become hopelessly lost to her. When summer came, she went home to Cleveland, and I went on the road for two and a half months with a team of musicians representing our college. We had a great summer. Exciting experiences, interesting places to travel, and chances to meet all kinds of people filled our days. But no matter how new and exciting the trip, my mind kept returning to Martie. I hoped there would be a letter from her at the next church, that she would be home when I called. I wondered where she was, what she was doing, and what we’d be doing if we were together. And I was looking forward to the day we’d be together again. It’s like that for those of us who are developing an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus. Though busy in our daily routines, we find that He increasingly becomes the backdrop to all of life. We love to hear from Him in His Word, where we find out more about Him and more about what He wants us to know. We thrill to new discoveries about Him and His ways, and we listen carefully to His direction for our lives. We increasingly enjoy times of prayer, as we speak with Him and sense His communion with us. And we find ourselves longing for the day we will see Him. Loving Jesus is not an escape from life, nor is it a brief encounter on some monastic retreat. It’s the joy of staying in touch and the pleasure of knowing that, regardless of what a day may bring, the best day is still to come. It’s great to be alive . . . it’s even better to be alive and in love with Him! What preoccupies your heart? When was the last time Jesus had the privilege? (SEE Joseph Stowell's Strength for the Journey: Day By Day With Jesus - Page 228) Stay In The Sunshine If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love. —John 15:10 Today's Scripture : John 15:5-17 In his book The Best Is Yet To Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of a little girl in London who won a prize at a flower show. Her entry was grown in an old cracked teapot and had been placed in the attic window of a rundown tenement house. When someone asked how she managed to raise such a lovely flower in such an unlikely environment, she said she moved it around so it would always be in the sunlight. Durbanville then reminded his readers of Jesus’ words, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” (John 15:9). We learn from this that we too must keep ourselves continually in the warmth of Christ’s love. We abide in Christ’s love when we show love to others. Jesus made this clear when He said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love . . . . This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (vv.10,12-13). For Further Study What are some ways Jesus showed love? (Mt. 8:14-17; 15:32-39; 19:13-15; 27:33-35) How can we show Christ’s love to others? (Mt. 28:19-20; Gal. 5:13; 6:1-2; Col. 3:13) Our love for God is seen in our love for others. LOVING THOSE YOU’D RATHER NOT “IF YOU OBEY MY COMMANDS, YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY LOVE.”—John 15:10 Lucy reproved Linus after he had said that it was his life goal to be a doctor by retorting, “Linus, you can’t be a doctor. You hate mankind!” To which Linus replied, “Oh no, I love mankind. It’s people I can’t stand.” Most of us have spent a considerable amount of time around “mankind” and have noticed that people are often a major problem. Which makes Christ’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” a serious challenge (Matthew 22:39). Challenging because our “neighbors” may not be worth loving. So what is the reason we should love people? First, let’s consider what are definitely not reasons for loving people. It is not because people deserve it. They usually don’t. It’s not because people are easy to love. Our wounds and scars assure us that is not the case. It’s not because they will always love us back, they probably won’t. Rather, Scripture teaches us that the true motivation for loving people is our love for God. Which means that people are not the reason we love people. Loving them is just another way we tell God how much we love Him! In Matthew 22:37–39, the first and second commandments are inseparable: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Jesus said that He knows we love Him if we do the things He commands (John 15:10). Which means that He knows we love Him by the way we treat others—all of them. Of course, our response to that is usually, “Lord, you don’t know the people I know. I’ll double-tithe, but please don’t ask me to start loving these people!” But God still says, “If you really love Me, reach out and love people.” And, since He is always worthy of our love, we are free to consistently help, forgive, serve, pray for, and minister to everyone who comes across the path of our lives. Not necessarily because they deserve it, but because He does. What a liberating thought! Whom could you love today for Christ’s sake? John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. My joy may be in you: Isa 53:11 62:4 Jer 32:41 33:9 Zep 3:17 Lu 15:5,9,23,32 1Jn 1:4 your joy may be made full: John 16:24,33 17:13 Ro 15:13 2Co 1:24 Eph 5:18 Php 1:25 1Th 5:16 1Pe 1:8 2Jn 1:12 What Is “Fullness of Joy” and Do I Have It? - John Piper interview John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 16:24 (HAVE YOU EVER PRAYED AND ASKED GOD TO GIVE YOU JOY?) “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that (term of purpose) your joy may be made full. John 17:13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that (hina - term of purpose) they may have My joy made full in themselves. 1 John 1:4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. Romans 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 1 Peter 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF JESUS SPEAKING THESE THINGS? These things - Whenever you encounter this phrase, discipline yourself to pause and ponder the phrase, asking "What things?" This will always force you to review the preceding context and review is always a good thing. In dialoguing with the text, you are in effect communicating with the Spirit Who inspired the text and you are also learning to meditate on the text. Meditation is a discipline that will yield great benefits (See Psalm 1:1-3+ and Joshua 1:8+). And remember there is nothing mystical about meditation (in contrast to the false religions which teach mystical meditation which can even open oneself up to the demonic world!). In answer to the question "What things?" we see that Jesus is referring to things he has just spoken (in context) so observe those things in the previous section. You could also ask "What is the purpose of these things?" and you will quickly see there are two answers. The key phrase of course is "so that" which is another "hinge word" that helps you open the door (so to speak) to the meaning of a text. So that usually expresses either a result or a purpose, and both would be apropos in this passage. So what's the purpose/result of "these things" Jesus had spoken? I have spoken (laleo perfect tense = spoken in past and enduring impact) to you so that (hina - term of purpose) My joy (chara) may be in you, and that your joy (chara) may be made full (pleroo in divine passive = from God) - Note two purposes of what Jesus had spoken in the previous section. The first is that we could have the joy of Jesus in us which is nothing short of amazing. My joy is what He experienced, a joy which is supernatural, a feeling of inner happiness that is independent of what "happens," independent of whatever circumstances we encounter. Joy is the flag which flies over the castle of the heart when the King is in residence Ray
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Spurgeon - For, when Christ is not pleased with us, we are not likely to have joy in ourselves, Oh, that we may so live as to please Christ!...Christ would have his people happy; happy, however, with a holy joy, which is not, therefore, a dim and second-rate joy. It is the very joy of Christ, God’s people are to enjoy. (Expositions in John) Think of Jesus joy in Hebrews 12:2 "Who for the joy (chara) set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." His anticipation of future joy made His afflictions bearable. Secondly, the purpose of His words spoken is that our joy might even overflow! The same verb pleroo is used in Paul's command for believers to be filled with the Spirit, Who causes us to bear the fruit "of love, joy (chara) , peace...." (Gal 5:22+). In the early church we read that "the disciples were continually filled (pleroo) with joy (chara) and with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52+). And in one of the first churches Paul planted in Europe we read that these early disciples "became imitators of us (PAUL, TIMOTHY, SILAS) and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy (chara) of the Holy Spirit." (1Th 1:6+) Notice their joy was independent of their circumstances. THOUGHT - I wonder how many of us as Jesus' disciples are regularly, really experiencing the full joy (chara) of Jesus in our innermost being? If not, why not? Could it be that we are letting the world, the flesh and/or the devil steal our joy? Just thinking! (See "Joy Robbers") Donald Campbell wrote that describes "a deep and abiding inner rejoicing which was promised to those who abide in Christ (Jn 15:11). It does not depend on circumstances because it rests in God’s sovereign control of all things." It’s notable that in John’s Gospel, “joy” has only been used once in John 3:29 by John the Baptist. But as Jesus draws closer to the Cross, He uses it seven times (Jn 15:11 -2x, Jn 16:20, 21, 22, 24; Jn 17:13) Bob
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Spurgeon - Love’s crowning deed (FULL SERMON - Love's Crowning Deed) ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ John 15:13 Think much of His love and you will grow strong and vigorous in grace The atmosphere around the cross of Christ is bracing to the soul: think much of his love and you will grow strong and vigorous in grace. As dwellers in the low-lying Alpine valleys become weak and full of disease in the close, damp atmosphere, but soon recover health and strength if they climb the hill-side and tarry there, so in this world of selfishness, where the mean spirit of caring only for one’s own self reigns predominant, the saints become weak and diseased, even as worldlings are; but up on the hill-sides, where we learn Christ’s self-denying affection to the sons of men, we are braced to nobler and better lives. If men are to be truly great they must be nurtured beneath the wing of free grace and dying love. The grandeur of the Redeemer’s example calls his disciples to make their own lives sublime, and furnishes them both with motives for so doing and with forces to constrain them thereto. We may well tarry in the region of the love of Christ, because not only is it full of bracing influences, but it has an outlook towards the better shore. Shipwrecked mariners upon a desert island have been known to linger most of the day upon that headland which pushes furthest out into the main ocean, in the hope that, if they cannot catch a glimpse of their own country across the waves, they may possibly discern a sail which has left one of the ports of the well-beloved land; so it is that while we are sitting on the headlands of divine love we look across to heaven and become familiar with the spirits of the just. If ever we are to see heaven while tarrying here, i t must surely be from Cape Cross or Mount Fellowship, from that jutting piece of holy experience which runs away from the ordinary thoughts of men and approaches the heart of Christ. WHAT WONDROUS LOVE IS THIS (BORROW AMAZING GRACE PAGE 52) (PLAY WHAT WONDROUS LOVE IS THIS VOCAL BY SELAH) Anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. (Deuteronomy 21:23) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Not father or mother has loved you as God has, for it was that you might be happy He gave His only Son. When He bowed His head in the death hour, love solemnized its triumph; the sacrifice there was complete.—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow This beloved hymn, with its plaintive modal sound, is one of the best known of our authentic American folk hymns. Like all true folk music, the origins of this text and music remain unknown. It is simply the product of devout people who, when reflecting seriously on the sacrificial gift of God’s Son, respond spontaneously with amazed adoration for this “wondrous love.” One typical folk hymn characteristic found in these words is the repetition of key phrases such as “O my soul” and “I’ll sing on.” Since folk music is generally learned aurally without the assistance of the printed page or musical notation, such repetition is necessary. Note also how effectively the curving melodic lines enhance the thought and personal application of the words. The hymn first appeared in 1835 in a collection titled William Walker’s Southern Harmony. These simply stated words with their appealing music have since ministered to people everywhere, extolling the profound truth of Christ’s love for each of us. Allow the hymn to move you to awe even now. (PLAY WHAT WONDROUS LOVE IS THIS VOCAL BY SELAH) What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. When I was sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down, sinking down; when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul; Christ laid aside His crown for my soul. To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing; to God and to the Lamb I will sing; to God and to the Lamb who is the great “I Am,” while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing; while millions join the theme, I will sing. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on; and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on. For Today: Numbers 21:8; Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:14–18; 1 John 3:1; Revelation 1:5, 6 Reflect once again on the wondrous love of Christ in your behalf. Determine to share your Lord and His wondrous love with another. Laying Down Your Life - Henry Blackaby “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 Many people are confused about what true friendship means. These people don’t want to spend much time or effort on someone else’s behalf, so they stay away from friends who appear needy. Instead, they look for those who’ll give lots but won’t ask for much in return. They evaluate their friendships according to how much they can get out of them, not how much they can give. Their friends are objects, designed to provide fun and pleasure, but not worth any sacrifices in return. Relationships based on this assumption are not friendships; they are self-serving entanglements where one person uses another or where both parties use each other. The problem comes when one of them has a need or faces a crisis. A genuine friendship will weather the storms that are part of life, but a false friendship will collapse at the first sign of pressure. Jesus modeled true friendship. True friendship comes at a cost. It costs time, and it costs energy. According to Jesus’ standard, a true friend looks for ways to give in a friendship, not ways to get. A true friend doesn’t resent it when his friend is in need. A real friend doesn’t use her friends to serve her own purposes. Jesus knew what it meant to be a true friend. He left the glory of heaven to take on the weaknesses of a human body—that’s what he was willing to do for his friends. He subjected himself to betrayal, torture, and murder. That’s how far he was willing to go for his friends. When Jesus said there is no greater way to love your friends than to lay down your life for them, he spoke from experience. Examine your friendships in light of Jesus’ example. Have you been treating your friends as possessions—using them for your benefit? Or do you look for ways to give up your life for them? The way you view your friends will be evident in the way you treat them. (BORROW The Experience) Oswald Chambers - What do you make of this Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend … I have called you friends. John 15:13, 15. Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him. Peter said—“I will lay down my life for Thy sake,” and he meant it; his sense of the heroic was magnificent. It would be a bad thing to be incapable of making such a declaration as Peter made; the sense of our duty is only realized by our sense of the heroic. Has the Lord ever asked you—“Wilt thou lay down thy life for My sake?” It is far easier to die than to lay down the life day in and day out with the sense of the high calling. We are not made for brilliant moments, but we have to walk in the light of them in ordinary ways. There was only one brilliant moment in the life of Jesus, and that was on the Mount of Transfiguration; then He emptied Himself the second time of His glory, and came down into the demon-possessed valley. For thirty-three years Jesus laid out His life to do the will of His Father, and, John says, “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” It is contrary to human nature to do it. If I am a friend of Jesus, I have deliberately and carefully to lay down my life for Him. It is difficult, and thank God it is difficult. Salvation is easy because it cost God so much, but the manifestation of it in my life is difficult. God saves a man and endues him with the Holy Spirit, and then says in effect—‘Now work it out, be loyal to Me, whilst the nature of things round about you would make you disloyal.’ “I have called you friends.” Stand loyal to your Friend, and remember that His honour is at stake in your bodily life. Love Without Borders Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 Today's Scripture & Insight : Luke 22:39–46 During the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900, missionaries trapped in a home in T’ai Yüan Fu decided their only hope for survival rested on running through the crowd that was calling for their deaths. Aided by weapons they held, they escaped the immediate threat. However, Edith Coombs, noticing that two of her injured Chinese students had not escaped, raced back into danger. She rescued one, but stumbled on her return trip for the second student and was killed. Meanwhile, missionaries in Hsin Chou district had escaped and were hiding in the countryside, accompanied by their Chinese friend Ho Tsuen Kwei. But he was captured while scouting an escape route for his friends in hiding and was martyred for refusing to reveal their location. In the lives of Edith Coombs and Tsuen Kwei we see a love that rises above cultural or national character. Their sacrifice reminds us of the greater grace and love of our Savior. Lord, may the world see our love for each other—and the deeds that come from it—as a great testimony to the bond of unity we have in You. May they want to know You too. Only the light of Christ’s love can eliminate the darkness of hatred. True Sacrifice Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. — John 15:13 Today's Scripture : Romans 5:1-11 Eric was one of the good guys. As a police officer, he saw his work as service to his community and was fully committed to serving at all costs. Evidence of this desire was seen on the door of Eric’s locker at the police station, where he posted John 15:13. In that verse, our Lord said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Those words, however, were not merely noble ideals. They expressed Eric’s commitment to his duty as a police officer—a commitment that demanded the ultimate price when he was killed in the line of duty. It was a real-life display of the heart of true sacrifice. Jesus Christ lived out the powerful words of John 15:13 within hours of stating them. The upper room event where Jesus spoke of such sacrifice was followed by communion with the Father at Gethsemane, a series of illegal trials, and then crucifixion before a mocking crowd. ’Twas not a martyr’s death He died, The Christ of Calvary; It was a willing sacrifice He made for you—for me. —Adams Only Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, can declare guilty people perfect. A Friend To The End There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. —Proverbs 18:24 Today's Scripture : Proverbs 18:14-24 Traditionally, medical schools have trained their students to help patients live, while offering little instruction in helping them face death. But that is changing with the addition of courses in end-of-life care. Physicians are now taught that when they have used all their medical expertise without achieving a cure, they should seize the opportunity to stand compassionately beside their dying patients and be a friend. Death frightens many of us and makes us feel awkward in the presence of a terminally ill person. But our greatest opportunities to help someone in Jesus’ name may come during a person’s final days on earth. The Bible speaks of a friendship that knows no limits. “A friend loves at all times,” said the wise man (Proverbs 17:17). And “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Pr 18:24). Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). A friend is he who always knows When the cold wind of trouble blows, Who comes in dark and stormy night With friendship's glowing lamp alight. —Mason A true friend stays true to the end. To Have One, Be One A man who has friends must himself be friendly. —Proverbs 18:24 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 All of us need at least one or two close friends. A small boy defined a friend as “someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.” Henry Durbanville made this observation about friendship: “A friend is the first person to come in when the whole world goes out.” Solomon wrote in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times.” We can’t improve on that definition. To have someone who remains true to us under all circumstances is one of life’s choicest blessings. The support and encouragement that only an intimate friend can offer is sorely needed when the burdens of life weigh heavily upon us. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate friend, for He laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13). Proverbs 18:24 makes an important point and takes us beyond a description of what it means to be a friend. It says that “a man who has friends must himself be friendly.” The implication is clear: Friendliness must begin with us. We must take the initiative in developing relationships with others. Let us be to others what we desire for ourselves. When it comes to friends, to have one you must be one! By: Richard DeHaan I went outside to find a friend But could not find one there; I went outside to be a friend, And friends were everywhere! —Anon. Friends are seldom found; they are made. —Wentworth Heart For Others Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. — John 15:13 Today's Scripture : 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 As the young people set up for a concert in the town square in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the worst problem we anticipated was sunburn. The chorale from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was in Jamaica to encourage Christians and to spread the gospel through music. They had been looking forward to this outreach event. Midway through the concert, a woman who didn’t like the message of the music began shouting angrily at the chorale. Apparently, the God-honoring songs were more than she could stand. After several tense minutes, a bystander tried to quiet her. A fight ensued, and we began to fear for the safety of the young people. Finally, she ran away, and the chorale finished the concert. Later, I said to one of the girls, “Well, we won’t do that again,” indicating that our priority was to protect her and her friends. She responded, “If one person came to know Jesus, it was worthwhile, even if we were in danger.” Lord, let me to live from day to day In such a self-forgetful way That even when I kneel to pray My prayer will be for others. —Meigs God’s love in our heart gives us a heart for the lost. True Love Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. — John 15:13 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 15:9-17 During the rehearsal for my brother’s wedding ceremony, my husband snapped a picture of the bride and groom as they faced each other in front of the pastor. When we looked at the photograph later, we noticed that the camera’s flash had illuminated a metal cross in the background, which appeared as a glowing image above the couple. The photograph reminded me that marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for the church as shown on the cross. When the Bible instructs husbands to love their wives (Eph. 5:25), God compares that kind of faithful, selfless affection to Christ’s love for His followers. Because Christ sacrificed His life for the sake of love, we are all to love each other (1 John 4:10-11). He died in our place, so that our sin would not keep us separate from God for eternity. He lived out His words to the disciples: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). The Measure Of Love Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. — John 15:13 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 On October 2, 1954, First Lieutenant James O. Conway was taking off from Boston Logan Airport, flying a plane that carried a load of munitions. When his plane became airborne, he suddenly lost power over Boston’s bay. In an instant, Conway faced a brutal choice—eject from the plane and save his own life, or crash the plane into the bay causing his own death. If he ejected, however, the plane would crash into an East Boston neighborhood filled with homes and families. Amazingly, Conway chose to crash the plane into the bay—giving his life for the lives of others. In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” The willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect others shows a heart that cares more about the needs of others than the needs of one’s self. Someone once said that “the measure of love is what one is willing to give up for it.” God the Father loved so much that He gave up His Son. Christ loved so much that He gave up His life—even taking our sins on Himself and dying in our place. When Jesus gave His life for me, Enduring all the agony Upon the cross of Calvary, He showed the love of God. —Sper Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Christ. Sacrificial Love Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. — John 15:13 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 What does it mean to lay down our lives for Christ and for our friends? In John 15, notice Christ’s logic as He taught about sacrificial love. First He said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (v.12). Then He described the fullest extent of such love: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (v.13). Jesus died willingly for us and we should be willing to die for Him and our friends. Then He added, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (v.14). Jesus didn’t say we’re His friends only if we die for Him. We are also His friends if we obey Him. In God’s eyes, obeying Him as a living sacrifice is the way we lay down our life for Him (Romans 12:1). Similarly, we may not have to die for our friends, but there are other ways to make sacrifices for them. We can lay down our plans or tight schedules to focus on someone in need. Or we can lay down our possessions to make provision for the poor. Such sacrifices, though small, can be powerful ways to lay down our lives for our friends—if we sacrifice willingly and in the spirit of Christ’s love. By: Joanie Yoder We say we love humanity, But it is only true If we're prepared to sacrifice— For those God asks us to. —Sper The closer you are to God, the bigger your heart for people. Like A Lamb He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. — Isaiah 53:7 Today's Scripture: John 15:9-17 In 1602, Italian artist Caravaggio produced a painting called The Taking of Christ. This work, an early example of the Baroque style, is compelling. Created in dark hues, it allows the viewer to contemplate Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Two main elements of the scene depicted in the painting demand the observer’s attention. The first is Judas as he delivers the traitor’s kiss. Immediately, however, the viewer’s focus is drawn toward Jesus’ hands, which are passively clasped together to show that He offered no resistance to this injustice. Although He possessed the power to create a universe, Christ gave Himself up voluntarily to His captors and to the waiting cross. Long before this scene took place, Jesus told His listeners that no one could take His life from Him—He would lay it down willingly (John 10:18). This heart of voluntary surrender was prophesied by Isaiah, who wrote, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isa. 53:7). Love sent the Savior to die in my stead. Why should He love me so? Meekly to Calvary’s cross He was led. Why should He love me so? —Harkness The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heart of God. Who Cares About the Bear! - Two hikers were walking through the woods when they suddenly confronted a giant bear. Immediately, one of the men took off his boots, pulled out a pair of track shoes and began putting them on. “What are you doing?” cried his companion. “We can’t outrun that bear, even with jogging shoes.” “Who cares about the bear?” the first hiker replied. “All I have to worry about is outrunning you.” Jim Whitehead, quoted by Seymour Rosenberg in Spartanburg, S.C., Herald The Transfusion - There was an orphanage near an American Marine Base in Viet Nam. One day the Viet Cong fired mortar shells into the orphanage, killing dozens of children and wounding many more. A boy named Kai had a seriously wounded friend who needed a blood transfusion. Kai’s friend had a rare blood type and only Kai’s blood matched it. Little Kai had never heard of a blood transfusion but when the American doctors explained it would save his friend’s life, little Kai volunteered. As the blood began to flow from Kai to his friend, Kai began to whimper. When the doctors asked if it hurt, he said no. A little later he whimpered again. Again he told the doctors it did not hurt. The doctors asked, “What’s wrong, Kai?” With tears coursing down his light brown, dusty cheeks, Kai asked, “When am I to die, sir, when am I to die?” You see, little Kai didn’t know that you only give a little blood. He thought you gave it all, and he was willing to do so for his little friend. Source unknown A Young Hero - Jean, Nev. - A 13-year-old boy endured flames licking up his back as he passed his two little brothers out a window of their burning home, then managed to escape himself. “He stood there and handed me them babies out while he was cooking,” Jimmy Holsclaw said Saturday of his son, Jimmy. “He never looked up or hesitated a minute, he did just what he was supposed to do.” Jimmy was in critical condition Saturday in a hospital burn unit in nearby Las Vegas, suffering from second and third degree burns over almost half his body and severe smoke inhalation. His efforts early Friday saved the lives of his 3-year-old and 4-year-old brothers after the boys were trapped in a bedroom of their burning mobile home. - Spokesman-Review, February 12, 1984 No Greater Love Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. —John 15:13 Today's Scripture : John 15:1-13 Bill and his wife were driving through the Rocky Mountains when a near-miss with a truck caused their car to swerve off the road and plunge into the Colorado River. After scrambling out of their sinking vehicle, they frantically treaded water in the swift current. A truckdriver, who had seen the accident, ran ahead along the shore and threw a rope to them. Bill swam behind his wife and pushed her to where she could grab the rope—and the man pulled her out. Bill, however, was carried downstream and didn’t survive. He had given his life for the woman he loved. To give your life so another person can live is the ultimate proof of love. During the night that Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples of His intention to give His life in exchange for mankind. He told them: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). And then He set the ultimate example of self-sacrifice by going to the cross. He who gave Himself to save me, Now will keep me to the end; In His care securely resting On His promise I depend. —Bosch Christ’s sacrifice was what God desired and our sin required. A True Friend - A story is told by a train engineer. He was approaching a trestle and saw two young girls walking over it. They heard the train approaching and tried to run to safety, but one girl’s foot caught between the ties. They tried and tried to free it, but it was no use. Finally the one commanded her friend, “Run to safety and save yourself.” She did, but immediately turned and ran back to try to release her friend. It seemed hopeless. She again ran to safety, but again returned to her friend. This happened three times, as the train came closer and closer. Finally the train struck the two girls who were locked in an embrace, and together they fell into the river below. - Ken Gangel, Moody Founder’s Week, 2/4/83 The Widower - William Dixon was a widower who had also lost his only son. One day he saw a neighbor’s house on fire; although the aged owner was rescued, her grandson was trapped upstairs in the blaze. Dixon didn’t hesitate. Climbing an iron pipe on the side of the house, Dixon lowered the boy to safety, badly burning his own hands on the overheated pipe. Shortly after the fire, the boy’s grandmother died, leaving him alone. As the town council considered what to do, two men appeared requesting custody of the boy. One was a father who had lost his son and wanted to adopt the orphan as his own. The other was Dixon. The first man gave his reasons for wanting to adopt the boy, then Dixon stood before the council and simply held up his badly scarred hands. When the vote was taken, the boy went to him. Today in the Word, April, 1989, p. 36. He Couldn’t Swim - One summer morning as Ray Blankenship was preparing his breakfast, he gazed out the window, and saw a small girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Andover, Ohio, home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath a road and then emptied into the main culvert. Ray dashed out the door and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the foundering child. Then he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. Blankenship surfaced and was able to grab the child’s arm. They tumbled end over end. Within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something—possibly a rock—protruding from one bank. He clung desperately, but the tremendous force of the water tried to tear him and the child away. “If I can just hang on until help comes,” he thought. He did better than that. By the time fire-department rescuers arrived, Blankenship had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. On April 12, 1989, Ray Blankenship was awarded the Coast Guard’s Silver Lifesaving Medal. The award is fitting, for this selfless person was at even greater risk to himself than most people knew. Ray Blankenship can’t swim. -- Paul Harvey, Los Angeles Times Syndicate John 15:14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. my: John 14:15,28 2Ch 20:7 Song 5:1 Isa 41:8 Mt 12:50 Lu 12:4 Jas 2:23 if: John 2:5 13:17 14:21 1Jn 5:3 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HOW TO BE A FRIEND OF JESUS You are (present tense - continually - play Friends are Friends Forever) My friends (philos) if you do what I command (entellomai) you - Another blessing of obedience. What does our obedience demonstrate? That we are the friends of Jesus. Of course, be careful here. What you "DO" can be done in the wrong way! What do I mean by that? If you "DO" with a flesh driven spirit of legalism ("I don't smoke, I don't chew, I don't go with girls who do") then that is not the type of DOING Jesus is speaking about or desires. Jesus desires our DOING to be a product of our LOVING Him and His Father and in that atmosphere it is not us DOING it in our own strength, but His Spirit enabling our DOING. Does that make sense? Legalism will blunt the flow of grace in your life as quickly as overt, willful sin! What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! —Scriven Spurgeon - You cannot be his friends if you are disobedient to his commands. An act of disobedience is unfriendliness; ay, and the omission of obedience is unfriendliness to Christ. I wish we would always remember that every sin either of omission or of commission, is an unfriendly act towards our best Friend. (Expositions in John) Bob
João 15
Spurgeon - The friends of Jesus (FULL SERMON The Friends of Jesus) ‘Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.’ John 15:14 It is the highest honour in the world to be called the friend of Christ. It is the highest honour in the world to be called the friend of Christ. There is no title surely that excels in dignity that which was worn by Abraham, who ‘was called the Friend of God.’ Lord Brooke was so delighted with the friendship of Sir Philip Sydney that he ordered to be engraved upon his tomb nothing but this, ‘Here lies the friend of Sir Philip Sydney.’ There is beauty in such a feeling, but yet it is a small matter compared with being able to say, ‘Here lives a friend of Christ.’ O wondrous condescension that he should call me ‘friend.’ If I am indeed a true believer, not only is he my friend, without which I could have no hope here or hereafter, but he has in the aboundings of his grace been pleased to regard me as his friend, and write me down in the honoured list of intimates who are permitted to speak familiarly with him, as those do between whom there are no secrets, for their hearts are told out to him while he hides nothing from them, but says, ‘If it were not so, I would have told you.’ Beloved, in what a light this sets obedience to Christ’s commandments. The doctrine of our text transfigures obedience, and makes it the joy and glory of life. How precious it is, for it is a better seal to friendship than the possession of the largest gifts and influence. Christ does not say, ‘Ye are my friends, if ye rise to a position of respectability among men, or honour in the church.’ No, however poor you may be, and those to whom he spoke these words were very poor, he says, ‘Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.’ Obedience is better than wealth and better than rank. Jesus values his friends, not by what they have, or what they wear, but by what they do. Interesting background on friend in the ancient world - Article in Themelios - ‘I Call You Friends’: Jesus as Patron in John 15 by Daniel K. Eng ABSTRACT - This article proposes that John 15:13–16 draws on the language of Roman patronage, which impacts the understanding of Jesus’s sayings regarding friends. We will suggest that φίλος conveys a regent obedient to a royal patron. Thus, the role of Jesus’s friend is one of subordination, not equality. After an introduction to patronage, this article makes the case that Jesus portrays himself as the greatest patron. First, John’s farewell discourse points to the disciples being subordinates. Second, Jesus makes a contrast between slaves and friends, which is consistent with many patronal relationships. Third, Jesus describes himself as a broker, mediating benefit from the Father. Fourth, inscriptions and provincial coinage contained terms like ΦΙΛΟΚΑΙΣΑΡ (friend of Caesar), referring to regents of the emperor. Patronage best explains the saying, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (15:13).” Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice for subordinates makes his patronage greater than Caesar’s. (FULL ARTICLE) Two-Way Street “You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14 Ever had a one-way friendship? You know the drill—people who always need a favor but never give anything in return. Every time they come close, you can almost hear that sucking sound as they bring a new set of demands and needs. In these kinds of friendships, there is clearly something missing if you’re looking for the joy of shared friendship. I’ve often wondered if God ever feels that way about us with our constant barrage of questions, problems, and prayer requests. Of course, He wants us to cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7), and thankfully He stands ready and willing to help (Hebrews 4:16). But if we aspire to be a friend of God, we need to recognize that true friendship with God is a reciprocal deal. When Jesus talked about friendship, He told the disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). They probably had a hard time getting past the shock of the first part, “You are my friends . . . ” Any good Jew would have known that Abraham and Moses were the only two people in the Old Testament to have been called a “friend” of God. What a distinct privilege! But notice the second part, “if you do what I command.” Jesus made it clear that His true friends would be those who would show their allegiance to Him by doing what He told them to do: “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Jesus proved His friendship when He “laid down His life” for us. Now the question is, what will we do for Him? Although we can never out-give Him or come close to repaying Him, every day we have opportunities to display our friendship with Him when we extend kindness to someone, forgive an offender, and show compassion to the poor and the oppressed. So, welcome to the privilege of being God’s friend—and the privilege of proving it. After all, true friendship goes both ways! YOUR JOURNEY… In what ways has Jesus proved His friendship toward you? Make a list of things that come to mind, and look for other expressions of His friendship as you go through your day. Evaluate your friendship with God. Is it a fair-weather friendship with a few perks thrown in? Or do you feel that it is a privilege and a priority? Be honest! How can you express your friendship to Jesus? Are there some habits or routines in your life that need to change in order to prioritize this relationship? Father and Friend “You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14 A short clip on the evening news recently featured a suburban high school’s attempt to address the spiraling epidemic of teenage drinking. The reporter attended a parents’ forum at the school and then spotlighted reactions from the parents after the session. One mother had it right when she said, “I was reminded that I cannot be my child’s friend right now. I have to be my child’s parent. One day we will be friends, but for now, I’ve got to be the parent.” Ever since I heard that, her comment has been Velcroed to my brain. Not just in terms of parenting, but in terms of our relationship with God. Quite frankly, most of us would rather think of God as our friend rather than our parent. Thinking of Him as our buddy, or as the one who “has our back,” has a nice ring to it. And there’s nothing wrong with that perspective. He actually welcomes us to a friendship with Him. In John 15:14, He says, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” But it’s more than just friendship; it’s the obedience part as well. In fact, it’s not until we understand and appreciate the parental authority of God the Father in our lives by heeding His instruction and seeking to align our ways with His, that we will ever understand the true joy of being His friend. But we need to be careful here. Even our thoughts about God as Father can be a little out of whack. We like the idea of a benevolent Father who supplies our needs, who protects us, and who loves to give us good gifts. And while all those things are true, let’s not forget that it’s the parenting of God that puts protective boundaries in place through His law. It’s the gracious parenthood of God that provides warnings along the way when we choose to turn away from God’s commands. Then, when necessary, it’s His loving discipline that reproves and corrects us—even painfully, if necessary—to draw us back to Him and to His good and perfect will. Let’s face it, no one really likes discipline. We don’t want to be corrected. It’s not pleasant. But where would we be without it? Most of us, when we look back across the landscape of our lives can see numerous times when discipline was necessary to get us back on the right track. As the writer of Hebrews advised: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves . . . . Endure hardship as discipline” (Hebrews 12:5-7). But here’s the good news: “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). Just as parents look forward to the day when the reproof, correction, and discipline of parenting give way to companionship and friendship with their kids, it’s no different with our heavenly Father. Our humble response to His correction and discipline will allow us to enjoy more and more of His friendship. So the question is: When God thinks of you, does He say, “I look forward to the day when I can be her friend, but for now I have to be her parent”—or, have you matured to the point where you are enjoying God as your friend? If I hear Jesus correctly, glad and grateful obedience is the key! YOUR JOURNEY… Do you really understand and order your life around the truth that God is your Father, or are you more enamored with the idea of being His friend? According to John 15:14, what would it take for you to be His friend? What are we commanded to do in Hebrews 12:7? Is there a “hardship” in your life right now that just might be a measure of divine discipline? Of course, not all hardships fall into this category, but don’t be too quick to rule it out! In what ways have you experienced discipline and correction from your heavenly Father? How has it produced a “harvest of righteousness and peace” in your life? The Marks of Friendship You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 15:9–17 As a little boy growing up in Ghana, I enjoyed holding my father’s hand and walking with him in crowded places. He was both my father and my friend, for holding hands in my culture is a mark of true friendship. Walking along, we would talk about a variety of subjects. Whenever I felt lonely, I found consolation with my father. How I valued our companionship! The Lord Jesus called His followers friends, and He showed them the marks of His friendship. “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you,” He said (John 15:9), even laying down His life for them (v. 13). He showed them His kingdom business (v. 15). He taught them everything God had given Him (v. 15). And He gave them opportunity to share in His mission (v. 16). As our Companion for life, Jesus walks with us. He listens to our heartaches and our desires. When we’re lonely and downhearted, our Friend Jesus keeps company with us. And our companionship with Jesus is tighter when we love each other and obey His commands (vv. 10, 17). As we obey His commands, we will bear “fruit that will last” (v. 16). What does it mean for you to be a friend of Jesus? How has He revealed His presence to you? Heavenly Father, our friends will fail us, and we will fail them. But You never fail, and You’ve promised to be with us “to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Help us show our gratitude by serving You faithfully today. Seeing Well You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 15:12–17 Raleigh looks like a powerful dog—he is large and muscular and has a thick coat of fur. And he weighs over 100 pounds! Despite his appearance, Raleigh connects well with people. His owner takes him to nursing homes and hospitals to bring people a smile. Once, a four-year-old girl spotted Raleigh across a room. She wanted to pet him, but was afraid to get close. Eventually, her curiosity overcame her sense of caution and she spent several minutes talking to him and petting him. She discovered that he is a gentle creature, even though he is powerful. The combination of these qualities reminds me of what we read about Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus was approachable—He welcomed little children (Matt. 19:13–15). He was kind to an adulterous woman in a desperate situation (John 8:1–11). Compassion motivated Him to teach crowds (Mark 6:34). At the same time, Jesus’s power was astounding. Heads turned and jaws dropped as He subdued demons, calmed violent storms, and resurrected dead people! (Mark 1:21–34; 4:35–41; John 11). Jesus, thank You for the privilege of knowing You. I acknowledge Your gentle power. I worship You as the Son of God—full of grace and glory. What we think of Jesus shows in how we relate with Him. Friend Or Foe? You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. — John 15:14 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-15 Dick Sheppard served as a chaplain in the British army during World War I. One night he was lying in the dense blackness of no man’s land when he heard footsteps approaching. Unable to see who it might be, he was tempted to cry out, “Friend or foe?” Years later, on another dark night back in his homeland, Dick remembered that experience as he gazed up into the sky and wondered about the God of the universe. Again he felt like calling out, “Friend or foe?” Often in the blackness of some bewildering trial, unable to discern God’s purposes, we are tempted to question His goodness. Some even wonder whether there is a God; and if there is, whether He cares for us. Friendship with Jesus, Fellowship divine; O what blessed, sweet communion— Jesus is a Friend of mine. —Ludgate If Christ is your friend, you need not fear. F B
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Spurgeon - The law made man do this and that, but it communicated very little of the secret counsels of God; but there is a holy familiarity between Christ and his people, a sacred confidence which Christ has manifested towards us in revealing the very heart of God to us, and therefore we are put upon a very high standing, not as servants now, but as friends. O friends of Christ, show yourselves friendly by your entire obedience to his gracious will! (Expositions in John) See cross references on heard from My Father - Jn 3:32; Jn 8:26,40; Jn 12:49; Jn 15:15. Bask in the blessing of His friendship. -- Joseph Stowell It is notable that the verb (gnorizo) Jesus uses here for what is made known to Hi friends is a verb used especially of something unknowable by natural means but communicated by divine initiative (cf Eph 1:9+). This promise is worth meditating upon as it is an almost incomprehensible blessing that disciples, as friends of the King of kings, now have privileged access to all things the Father has made known to His Son! I am reminded of Romans 5:2+ which says that we as His disciples "have obtained our introduction (prosagoge = a means of admission into the presence of a person in high position!!!) by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. It is notable that as we walk through John, we observe a progression in intimacy between the Lord and His disciples from slaves (Jn 13:13,16), to friends (Jn 15:15) and finally to brothers (Jn 20:17). My Savior, My Almighty Friend My Savior and Almighty Friend When I begin to praise It seems Thy mercies have no end! I'm overwhelmed by grace. -- Isaac Watts THOUGHT - In light of the infinite grace of such a dear Friend, why are we so prone to wander and seek the leeks and garlic of this fallen world? Jesus gave us (SLAVES) this intimacy with God, so that he is no longer a distant stranger but our close friend William Barclay gives us insight into why disciples, who are slaves of Christ, could paradoxically also be called friends. - Doulos, the slave, the servant of God, was no title of shame; it was a title of the highest honour. Moses was the doulos of God (Deuteronomy 34:5); so was Joshua (Joshua 24:29); so was David (Psalm 89:20) (ED: SEE LIST BELOW). It is a title which Paul counted it an honour to use (Titus 1:1); and so did James (James 1:1). The greatest men in the past had been proud to be called the douloi, the slaves of God. And Jesus says: 'I have something greater for you yet: you are no longer slaves; you are friends.' Christ offers an intimacy with God which not even the greatest men and women knew before He came into the world. The idea of being the friend of God also has a background. Abraham was the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). In Wisdom 7:27, Wisdom is said to make people the friends of God. But this phrase is lit up by a custom practised at the courts both of the Roman emperors and of kings in the middle east. At these courts, there was a very select group called the friends of the king, or the friends of the emperor. At all times, they had access to the king; they even had the right to come to his bedchamber at the beginning of the day. He talked to them before he talked to his generals, his rulers and his statesmen. The friends of the king were those who had the closest and the most intimate connection with him. Jesus called us to be his friends and the friends of God. That is a tremendous offer. It means that no longer do we need to gaze longingly at God from afar; we are not like slaves who have no right whatsoever to enter into the presence of the master; we are not like a crowd whose only glimpse of the king is in the passing on some state occasion. Jesus gave us this intimacy with God, so that he is no longer a distant stranger but our close friend. Merrill Tenney adds that “The friend is a confidant who shares the knowledge of his superior’s purpose and voluntarily adopts it as his own.” Lowell
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Spurgeon - Because ye are not of the world … therefore the world hateth you. None of you can be the people of God without provoking envy; and the better you are, the more you will be hated. The ripest fruit is most pecked by the birds, and the blossoms that have been longest on the tree, are the most easily blown down by the wind. But fear not; you have naught to do with what man shall say of you. If God loves you, man will hate you; if God honors you, man will dishonor you. But recollect, could ye wear chains of iron for Christ’s sake, ye should wear chains of gold in heaven; could ye have rings of burning iron round your waists, ye should have your brow rimmed with gold in glory; for blessed are ye when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for Christ’s name’s sake; for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. WHOSE APPLAUSE? “IF YOU BELONGED TO THE WORLD, IT WOULD LOVE YOU AS ITS OWN.” —John 15:19 The impact of Satan’s system is coming into full bloom in America. In the past, life here was guided by the laws of Moses and the teachings of Christ. Honesty, integrity, character, purity, generosity, chastity, kindness, and hard work prevailed. Adultery, homosexuality, and abortion were unthinkable. For nearly everyone, divorce was not an option. Over the past four decades, the restraints of our national virtues have been declared out of style, and the absolutes of righteousness are no longer welcome in the public arena. The trouble for kingdom travelers is that, as people of truth, our presence is a source of reproof. The light is less than welcome in a world that loves darkness. As torchbearers we have been marginalized by a world system that is now in control of American culture. The Creator has been drummed out of education as secular theories of humanism and evolution explain the origin and purpose of life. Music, the media, movies, documentaries, and sitcoms paint Christians as incompetent, bigoted, nerdish, and thoughtless. Those of us who live under kingdom truth are often mocked and avoided by the world at large, and the pressure to conform creates considerable tension for us. Fewer things are more unsettling than the realization that our righteousness will inevitably cause us to face moments of rejection, discomfort, and in some parts of the world physical pain and even martyrdom. Yet, this is what it means to identify with Christ: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20 NASB). And in Matthew 16:24 He warned, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (NASB). Followers need to make up their minds early on as to whose applause they want to hear. Will it be, as Max Lucado says, the “applause of heaven,” or will it be the applause of this fallen, soon-to-be-judged world? What will it be for you? If faithfulness even in the face of rejection or ridicule is your choice, bow your head and ask Jesus for grace to be a cross-bearer when necessary for the worthy name of Christ. (SEE Joseph Stowell's Strength for the Journey: Day By Day With Jesus - Page 156) The World's Hatred Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. —John 15:19 Today's Scripture : John 15:18-16:4 When high school senior Angela Guidry submitted a copy of her valedictory speech to school administrators, the principal demanded that she leave out one part. It was the sentence that read, “To me the most important thing in your life is not whether you have a good education or a good job, but whether or not you have the Lord in your life.” The situation worsened when the school counselor saw the speech. According to a news report, she “engaged in a tirade of criticism” of Angela in the presence of other students and actually grabbed her arm to keep her from walking away. All the while she continued making derogatory and slanderous remarks about Angela’s religious beliefs. I want the love that always sweetly bears Whate'er my Father's hand may choose to send; I want the love that patiently endures The wrongs that come from enemy or friend. —Anon. If you're sure of God's approval, you need not fear the world's disapproval. C H Spurgeon - "I have chosen you out of the world." — John 15:19 Here is distinguishing grace and discriminating regard; for some are made the special objects of divine affection. Do not be afraid to dwell upon this high doctrine of election. When your mind is most heavy and depressed, you will find it to be a bottle of richest cordial. Those who doubt the doctrines of grace, or who cast them into the shade, miss the richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose the wines on the lees well refined, the fat things full of marrow. There is no balm in Gilead comparable to it. If the honey in Jonathan's wood when but touched enlightened the eyes, this is honey which will enlighten your heart to love and learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not a surfeit; live upon this choice dainty, and fear not that it will be too delicate a diet. Meat from the King's table will hurt none of his courtiers. Desire to have your mind enlarged, that you may comprehend more and more the eternal, everlasting, discriminating love of God. When you have mounted as high as election, tarry on its sister mount, the covenant of grace. Covenant engagements are the munitions of stupendous rock behind which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the surety, Christ Jesus, are the quiet resting-places of trembling spirits. "His oath, his covenant, his blood, Support me in the raging flood; When every earthly prop gives way, This still is all my strength and stay." If Jesus undertook to bring me to glory, and if the Father promised that he would give me to the Son to be a part of the infinite reward of the travail of his soul; then, my soul, till God himself shall be unfaithful, till Jesus shall cease to be the truth, thou art safe. When David danced before the ark, he told Michal that election made him do so. Come, my soul, exult before the God of grace and leap for joy of heart. John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. word: John 5:16 Jn 7:32 Jn 8:59 Jn 10:31 Jn 11:57 Jn 13:16 Mt 10:24 Lu 2:34 6:40 Ac 4:27-30 7:52-60 1Th 2:15 if they kept: 1Sa 8:7 Isa 53:1-3 Eze 3:7 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 5:16+ For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. John 7:32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him. John 8:59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. John 10:31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. THE SLAVE-MASTER PRINCIPLE AND PROPHETIC PROMISES Remember (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ - Jesus had only minutes earlier given a similar declaration saying "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him." (Jn 13:16+). The context in that saying was a call for the disciples (slaves) to love like their master and be willing to wash the other's feet. Now the context shifts to the world's persecution of their Master which foretold of their coming persecution. NET NOTE In this statement there is the implication that the disciples would carry on the ministry of Jesus after his departure; they would in their preaching and teaching continue to spread the message which Jesus himself had taught while he was with them. And they would meet with the same response, by and large, that he encountered. Spurgeon - It ought to be quite sufficient for the servant if he is treated as his Lord was; what higher honour than that could he wish to have? (Exposition of John) If (SINCE) they persecuted (dioko) Me, they will also persecute (dioko) you - The IF here and in the next sentence are both first class conditions and thus assume the following statement is true. Persecute pictures pursuit of a wild animal, like English dogs hunting down a fox. This is a prophetic promise, probably not a promise you will find in a book of God's Promises for Believers (I checked a book like this in my library and there were 5 mentions of verses from John 15, but guess which one was not mentioned? Rhetorical! You guessed it - John 15:20.) The hatred of the world of Jesus is manifest by persecution of His followers. Bob