Salem Church
Abide Within the Vineyard
September 17, 2023
Dr. John Welborn
Abide
Abide Within the Vineyard
John 15:1-8
Four Things Jesus will Say About Fruit in His Disciples:
- Fruit is a Defining Characteristic
- Fruit is a Lifestyle Characteristic
- Fruit is a Varying Characteristic
- Fruit is a Glorifying Characteristic
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. 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. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:1-8
Series Main Idea: The Key to a Truly Fruitful Life is Abiding in Jesus Everyday
Abide in Me (meinate en emoi): Live, Reside, Dwell in Jesus, Do Not Depart…
“Maintain vital, spiritual connection with Christ.” A.T. Robertson
“It takes time to grow into Jesus the Vine; do not expect to abide in Him unless you will give Him that time…Abiding requires day-by-day time with Jesus and the Father.” Andrew Murray
Main Idea: Abiding in the Vine Involves Appreciating the Elements of the Vineyard
I. The Spot for the Vineyard
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:14
“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Gen 12:1-2
“You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.” Psalm 80:8-9
“I am at rest in God alone.” Psalm 62:1a (CSB)
Main Idea: Abiding in the Vine Involves Appreciating the Elements of the Vineyard
II. The Soil of the Vineyard
“Give the grapevine a favorable environment and it will choose the vegetative route: that is, it will put its energies into making leaves and shoots. Effectively saying, ‘This is a fine spot, I’m going to make my home here.’ It won’t be too bothered about making grapes. But make things difficult for the vine, by restricting water supply, making nutrients scarce, pruning it hard & crowding it with close neighbors, and it will take the hump. It will sense that this is not the ideal place to be a grapevine. Instead of devoting itself to growing big and sprawling, it will focus its effort on reproducing itself sexually, which for a vine means making grapes.”Jamie Goode
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Main Idea: Abiding in the Vine Involves Appreciating the Elements of the Vineyard
III. The Smell in the Vineyard
“And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9
Series Main Idea: The Key to a Truly Fruitful Life is Abiding in Jesus Everyday
Main Idea: Abiding in the Vine Involves Appreciating the Elements of the Vineyard
“Left to itself, the grape plant will always favor new growth over more grapes…(but) a vineyard's only purpose is GRAPES.” Bruce Wilkinson // Which do we want?
Jesus’ Two Invitations to People:
Come to Me
Abide in Me
Sources & Further Reading Opportunities
Chasing Vines – Beth Moore (2020)
Abiding in Christ – Andrew Murray (1895)
Secrets of the Vine – Bruce Wilkinson (2001)
Lessons from the Vineyard – Vance Pitman (2014)
New American Commentary: John 12-21 – G.L. Borchert (2002)
Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament – Douglas Mangum (2020)
Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax (2017)
Tony Evans Book of Illustrations – Tony Evans (2009)
Word Pictures in the New Testament – A.T. Robertson (1933)
John 15:1-8 ESV