King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024
Chapters: John Chapters 15-16
Message: Abide in The True VINE
Hello My Friend,
Those who receive Christ as their Saviour do not realize what impact it makes on their lives, it is a true saying that it is impossible for those who are saved to go on living a sinful life. While salvation does not mean that one cannot fall into sin, it does mean that we do have an advocate by our side who vogues for us because our salvation is not based on our works, but solely upon our faith in Him. Jesus said this, [John 15:16-17 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.]
Yesterday, we read about Jesus washing the disciples feet and how He had given us an example to do unto others as we would want done to us. As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, John, continues His account of the conversation that Jesus had with them while Judas Iscariot took off when He let it be known to him that He knew that he was going to betray Him. Now, He proceeds to tell them how He is the VINE.
[John 15:1-6 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 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. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.]
[no more can ye, except ye abide in me.] Jesus, changed the religious world as the Jews and other believers would know it by becoming the one and only sacrifice needed not only to be cleansed of ones sins, but replace the need for animal sacrifices ever again. The blood of rams, lambs, and doves was never a permanent fix for the cleansing of ones soul, it was only a temporary means of atonement. With Christ’s one sacrifice, He made atonement also known as salvation, permanent, [Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.]
[If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch] This is directed to the Judas Iscariot’s of the world, those who know of Christ, walked with those who know Him, and even played the part of a Christian for a while, but never never truly believed. Everyone knows who Christ is, that does not mean that they all have the same faith in Him, and for that reason anyone who believes in any other form of the Gospel is not known to Christ, [Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.]
As much as we would like to believe that all Christians get along the honest truth is that they do not. Remember, Satan, will use any means to deter us, we just make it so easy for him to pin us against each other with such sins as envy, pride, or covetousness. Jesus, goes on to tell them and all of us how it is that we become fruitful in our walk with Him.
[John 15:9-15 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.]
[so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.] Perhaps the hardest part of being a Christian is showing the love that Christ has for us to all people, whether we like them or not, and whether or not we get along with them. Jesus, just gave me the best explanation of how it is possible to love all as He does and that is through the example of doctor and patient. Doctor’s are required to do whatever they can to try and save the lives of their patients regardless of who they are, and therefore, we too are required to give the soul saving Gospel to all, [Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.]
Keep in mind that loving as Christ does does not mean that we accept what they have done or that we need to become best buddies with them. It does mean that we have done our part, even if do not get the best reception of our efforts. Jesus, does warn them and all of us that since we are not of the world, we can expect that they are not going to return that love.
[John 15:19-23 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.]
[but now they have no cloke for their sin.] The world is oblivious to what sin is, they really do not know what they are doing. The religious world thinks they have no sin as they base their salvation on their obedience to their religion. What Jesus does is open their eyes to sin, in fact, He pierces their conscience as well as their ego, as He exposes the sin, and that is why they hate Him and everyone who follows Him as well. No one who truly loves God can for one moment hate Christ let alone deny that He is the Son of God. Sadly, there are more who claim to love God, but deny Christ and Jesus, goes on to explain why.
[John 16:1-6 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.]
[when the time shall come, ye may remember] This is why we are to continue to read the Bible, Jesus, not only reveals to us new things as we are able to bear them, He also reminds us that He has been with is from the very beginning of our faith, revealing something else, the importance of the Holy Spirit.
[John 16:7-13,16 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.]
[for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;] Did you know that when Jesus calls for His people during the tribulation that the Holy Spirit will go away? This is why it will be nearly impossible for anyone to be saved, it would truly be upon their faith in Christ without any influence from the Spirit, [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.]
[because the prince of this world is judged.] The prince of this world, Satan himself, started all this when he brought sin onto the earth after he tried to overthrow God, and was cast down to earth. Satan is the one responsible for the curse of death that was handed down to man for their sin, and for a while Satan basked in that glory having had a hand in the fall of man. That was until Jesus gave His life and broke that curse when He resurrected three days later. Now, it is only those whom believe in and accept Christ as their Saviour that Jesus will come back for when He returns, and as for Satan, He will be judged as well, [Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.]
[A little while, and ye shall not see me:] This statement left the disciples communing among themselves of what Jesus meant by that. Of course, Jesus knew that they had questions and actually spoke a Proverb.
[John 16:21-22,25-27 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.]
[your joy no man taketh from you.] That joy that we receive from Christ is unlike any joy that we will ever receive from anyone or thing here on earth. Do you know why so many Christians do live defeated lives? And do you know why so many are so miserable that they feel the need to attempt to take our joy? And do you know why so many go from church to church, job to job, and hobby to hobby? They do not have the joy in their heart and know cannot take away ours either. All of this tells me one thing, well, two. One; Christ, gives us joy or peace that surpasses and of our understanding, [Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.]
[I shall shew you plainly of the Father.] The things we learn as we walk with Christ, especially concerning Christ and how we are hated by both fellow Christians and the world can bring much sorrow, is something that we must learn about so that we can be prepared when they happen to us. Well, this prompted the disciples to ask if He was now speaking in Proverbs.
[John 16:29-33 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.]
[Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?] Now, they may have believed that Jesus was the Son of God and Christ, but did not fully comprehend what was going to happen within the next seventy-two hours. Christ is right there with us, He tells His disciples and all of us that His death will cause much sorrow for His believers, and while the world will rejoice, we will have the victory, and if He can overcome the world, so can we, [1 John 5:3-5 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.]
Today’s Prayer: God, We all know that this world is getting more evil by the day, not only is Satan taking over the world, he is even coming into the Church. Naturally, those who come to realize that they want more than just this life and that You are the way to a life that goes beyond this one seek You. However, what they fail to do is come to You through Your Son, who is the VINE. We who come to You, fully trusting that Jesus died to save us, confessing our sins, and accepting Him are not only granted full access to You we are filled with Your Spirit. Now, the rest of our days on earth, may we find joy in our hearts and peace that passes all understanding through Him, fully knowing that nothing and no one can separate us from You. Thank You, Jesus. We love You and pray in Your name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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