The Three Relationships of Life – Part One – Our Relationship with Jesus. (John 15: 1-11)

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Study Notes:

Introduction: The Universality of Problems

• Everyone faces problems, often related to human relationships (friends, family, work).
• Problems with money, time, and relationships are common.
• Jesus' parting instructions to His disciples focused on relationships.

Context of John 15:1-11

• Part of the Upper Room Discourse, transitioning from the Upper Room to the walk through the Kidron Valley.
• Jesus talks about relationships, particularly our relationship with Him.

The Metaphor of the Vine and Branches

• John 15:1-3: Jesus as the true vine, God as the gardener.
  • God "prunes" fruitful branches to make them more fruitful.
  • The Greek term for "cuts off" can also mean "lifts up," implying support and care for unfruitful branches.

The Concept of Pruning

• John 15:2: Pruning involves removing distractions and non-essential parts of our lives to focus on spiritual growth.

Abiding in Christ

• John 15:4-9: Emphasis on the necessity of remaining in Christ to bear fruit.
  • Without Christ, we can do nothing significant. Abiding in Christ leads to much fruit, while not abiding results in spiritual barrenness.

Consequences of Not Abiding

• John 15:6: Unfruitful branches are thrown away and burned, symbolizing spiritual discipline and loss of impact.
• Interpretations vary: some see it as a metaphor for divine discipline rather than literal hellfire.

How to Abide in Christ

• John 15:10: Obedience to Jesus' commandments is key to remaining in His love.

Benefits of Abiding in Christ

• Fruit Bearing:
  • Becoming more like Christ and influencing others.
  • Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and winning others to Christ.
• Answered Prayer:
  • Aligning prayers with God's will leads to fulfillment of those prayers.
• Fulfilled Purpose:
  • Glorifying God by living as true disciples and fulfilling our purpose.
• Feeling Loved:
  • Experiencing a deeper sense of God's love through obedience.
• Complete Joy:
  • Full and lasting joy comes from remaining in Christ's presence.

Practical Application

• Abiding in Christ starts with aligning our lives with His teachings and commands.
• Pruning may feel uncomfortable but leads to greater spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
• Remaining connected to Christ is essential for overcoming problems and challenges.

Conclusion

• Prioritize remaining in Christ: let His word guide, His love fill, and His joy strengthen you.
• Commit to

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