Sermon on 18 July 2021 by Ps Gaius
Introduction
We may think that it is our hard work that translates into our achievements. But God doesn’t want us to only depend on Him only sometimes. He wants absolute dependence – every moment.
Message
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5
1. Do not depend on our resources
We may have sufficient resources (money) and we may think that it is our own might that allows us to have these resources. We may have physical resources, but do these resources bring us closer to God? Is the Holy Spirit really alive in our lives? Are we feeling love, joy and peace in whatever we do? Is there a difficult task tomorrow, and despite that, do you have peace in your heart?
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. – Psalms 20:7
Sometimes when we have sufficient resources, we trust in Him less. Remember that the resources come from God. Go to the Lord in prayer and commit to Him. Give Him the glory.
2. Do not depend on our reasoning
We may think that our intellect can solve problems. God may give us a good brain, and this is so that we can better seek Him. Do not get puffed up.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5
The Lord may not immediately grant us what we pray for. For instance, if you pray for a promotion, you may not get it straightaway. God knows that you may have less time for Him. Therefore, in everything go to Him.
3. Do not depend on our reputation
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. – Zechariah 4:6
Always come back to the bible. We can do nothing without Jesus.
How can we be totally dependent on God?
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5
1. Relate to the Lord
John 15:5 talks about a relationship between the vine and the branches. If there is no connection between the vine and branches, whatever nutrients the vine produces, we cannot receive. We should behave the way Jesus behaves. This is how we show that we are followers of Christ. We abide in Jesus and Jesus abides in us.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. – John 15:1
2. Remain in the Lord
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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. – John 15:9-10
To abide in Jesus means to remain in His love. We will keep His commandments. God wants our everything – He wants our love with all our heart, mind and soul. We try our best to keep His commandments. Imagine a white piece of clothing with a stain. You will not tolerate even a small spot. If you abide in God, any unclean spot will be made clean by Him.
If we have the word of God in us, we will not be angry when people say things about us, or be upset when people do things to frustrate us. Let us always strive to be a good example of a follower of Christ.
If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. – John 15:6
If we are not connected to God’s love, we have no relationship with Him. We can’t go into His presence. If it makes you uncomfortable to be in God’s presence, feeling guilty about anything being shared, feeling that everything is against you, quickly come back to the Lord. Go to His word.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:7
God is like a loving Father, wanting to bless us. But we must first abide in Him. We must meditate upon the word of God. And what are the things that we will ask for? Would it be temporal things, or gifts that make you closer to Him, to glorify Him?
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. – John 15:3
3. Reap the fruit
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. – John 15:4
We are called to bear fruit, and such fruit is supposed to be sweet. If the fruit is not good, nobody will want the fruit.
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. – John 15:2
Pruning means cutting away the bad parts, so that it will not affect the healthy parts. Allow God to prune you. It is not comfortable, but it is necessary for the body to grow healthily. If God allows us to go through a difficult situation, do not avoid it. Because if we avoid it, our bad habits will continue to go. Through the situation, we allow Him to prune us, and we will emerge healthier, with more fruit.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5
The Lord created all of us, but He so humbly lived amongst us. He did not want to be king over us on earth.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. – John 15:8
Let us walk in the ways of Jesus. Jesus is gentle and humble. If we are also gentle and humble, others will know we are His disciples.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 15:16
There is no point having a beautiful fruit which lasts for only 1 day, which expires tomorrow. Let us be fruit that has no expiry date.
Closing
God does not want us to bear fruit once only. He wants us to bear more fruit, and also much fruit. And the more fruit we have, the more humble we should be. And let us fruit be lasting. Let us be totally dependent on God. To do this, we must have a relationship with Him. People must be able to recognise that we are His followers. Let us remain in His love. Our whole daily walk is guided by His love. God wants us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, wholly and acceptable to Him. Let us continue to bear fruit not for our own glory, but to build one another up.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11
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