The Spirit-Filled Life V - Abiding In The Vine
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Scripture: John 15:1-16

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 07 January 2001 9 am English Service

Introduction: In our series on the Spirit-filled life, we have dealt with the topics of faith (which is dependence), grace (which enables Christians to be "supermen"), overcoming temptations (by appropriating the divine nature in us at the moment of temptation) and the indwelling Spirit (who is our infinite fountain of grace). Today we will learn four things about abiding in Jesus, the Vine.

He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:1-3): These verses teach that the usefulness of believers increase through cleansing by God. God "taketh away" every persistently unproductive branch. Since this passage refers to born-again Christians ("every branch in me"), "taketh away" refers to service, not salvation. In other words, persistently unproductive Christians are removed from ministries, so that they will realize their need to wake up and so that they will not discourage and dampen the zeal of those who are seriously serving God. Farmers remove dead branches because they are a burden on the tree and harbor pests and diseases. God also "purgeth" (ie, cleanses) those who are seriously serving God. Farmers prune (ie, cut) the branches so that the nutrients will be used for fruit production rather than for supplying food to unnecessarily long branches. Many non-sinful things in our life take up too much of our time and energy and need to be removed so that we can be more productive Christians. Farmers also remove (separates) dead leaves from branches because they may harbor pests and diseases. Sins must also be removed from our lives. God is the "husbandman" (farmer) who "purgeth" (ie, cleans) away our sins and worldliness so that we can become more productive Christians. God uses His Word to clean us ("Now ye are clean through the word"). Personal holiness is vital for productivity.

The branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine (John 15:4-6): These verses teach that the inflow of the Spirit (for usefulness) occurs through dependence on Christ. The word "abide" occurs five times in these three verses. "Abide" ("meno" in Greek) means "remain." Obviously, this does not refer to salvation, which is everlasting. A clear interpretation of "abide" is found in 1 JOH 3:24 ("And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him"). "Dwelleth" is "meno" in Greek. Since we do not keep all of God's commandments, how do we dwell in Him? The previous verse tells us the answer ("And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment"). Believing on Christ plus loving one another is referred to as "a commandment' (singular). In other words, we must depend on Christ ("abide") to make us productive soulwinners. We must continually depend on Christ and continually believe that He will empower us for service to others. "For without Him we can do nothing."

If ye abide in me, ye shall bear much fruit (John 15:7-8): These verses teach that the purpose for the Spirit's inflow is for the Spirit's outflow in ministry. When God's Word abides in us, we will pray in God's will and our prayers will be answered ("If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you"). See 1 JOH 5:14,15. When God's Word abides in us, our prayers will not be dominated by selfish requests to satisfy our desires and comforts but will be intercessory prayers for the unsaved - and such prayers will be answered, so that we will "bear much fruit." When we "bear much fruit" we shall be recognized as God's disciples and glorify Him ("Herein is my Father glorified.... so shall ye be my disciples").

That ye should go and bring forth fruit (John 15:9-16): These verses teach that the outflow of the Spirit occurs through ministry for usefulness. In v. 13, Jesus tells them of His great sacrifice and salvation. Then He tells them "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit" (v. 16). God has ordained us to "go" (present tense "keep on going") and "seek and save that which is lost" (LUK 19: 10). God "prunes" us so that we will bring "more fruit" (v.2) and then "much fruit" (v.5). We must also produce converts who should "remain" (v. 16) - depending on Christ, and thus repeat the cycle of soul-winning. The objective of the Great Commission is reproduction of fruitful Christians (ie, the complete cycle of evangelize, baptize and disciple).

Conclusion: A believer is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. This temple has two doors -one for entry and one for exit. The entry door is called "Faith" - because through faith God's grace comes in. The exit door is called "Love" - because through love God's grace in us flows to others. God desires to pour His life into us, and we may love others and bring them into God's love. Inflow without outflow results in the Dead Sea. Outflow without inflow results in emptiness. When our lives are cleansed of sin and worldliness, God's grace can flow through us to others. Let us unchoke our lives and be channels of blessings - and glorify God.

This sermon is the fifth in a 6-part series on The Spirit-Filled Life.