A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church (very slow to upload; please be patient)
I. WITH JESUS GONE, WE PERSEVERE AS A BRANCH
A. BRANCHES ABIDE IN THE VINE
1. DEMONSTRATED IN SETTING
Jn 15:1,5a I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser . . . you are the branches.
a. Position of God the Son (Vine)
b. Position of God the Father (Farmer)
c. Position of Each Believer (Branch)
2. DEMONSTRATED IN SUSTENANCE
Jn 15:4-5b 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. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
3. DEMONSTRATED IN STAYING
Jn 15:6 Unless one abides in Me, he is thrown out like a [dead] branch and dries up. These are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
B. BRANCHES BEAR FRUIT FOR THE VINE
1. DEMONSTRATED IN SUPPORT
Jn 15:2 Every branch in Me that doesn’t bear fruit He lifts up, and every branch bearing fruit He cleans, that it may bear more fruit.
2. DEMONSTRATED IN STAINLESS
Jn 15:3 You’ve already been cleaned because of the Word that I have spoken to you.
3. DEMONSTRATED IN SERVICE
Jn 15:7-8 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, whatever you desire will come to pass. In this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, demonstrating you are My disciples.
C. BRANCHES FIND FULFILLMENT IN THE VINE
1. DEMONSTRATED IN SATISFACTION
Jn 15:9-10 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.
2. DEMONSTRATED IN SUFFICIENCY
Jn 15:11 I’ve spoken these things to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
II. WITH JESUS GONE, WE PERSEVERE AS A FRIEND
A. FRIENDS LOVE JESUS’ FRIENDS
1. DEMONSTRATED IN SELFLESSNESS
Jn 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
2. DEMONSTRATED IN SACRIFICE
Jn 15:13 No one has greater love than this, than one should lay down his life for his friends.
B. FRIENDS LOVE JESUS IN DEED AND WORD
1. DEMONSTRATED IN SUBMISSION
Jn 15:14 You are My friends if you practice what I command you.
2. DEMONSTRATED IN SUBSTANCE
Jn 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
C. FRIENDS LOVE FOLLOWING JESUS
1. DEMONSTRATED IN STANDING
Jn 15:16a You didn’t choose Me, but I chose you, placing you to go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide
2. DEMONSTRATED IN SUPPLICATION
Jn 15:16b so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.