FHBC Sermon Notes

Shane is filling in for Jim tonight. Good topic. This is continuing from Shane's sermon on the same passage a couple of months ago.

Big list here of all the verses that use that phrase, "in Christ". Very compelling way of looking at all of scripture. We have nothing that we are not "in Christ"!

1. What is the nature of the relationship between us and Christ?

The illustration is right here in the passage. Like a vine, the center core bound to the root, and we are the branches.

In John 17 he goes further, comparing our relationship with him the trinitary itself.

V. 4 The branch relies on the vine, not the other way around. The branch cannot bear fruit if it is not getting nuriousment from the vine, if it is cut off from the vine.

What is fruit? Anything that pleases and honors God.

We can do none of this oursleves. It is both terrifying and liberating. If we stay in Christ we do not have to worry about the battle, we simply need to remain close to Jesus to fight.

The following illustration really fits this so well.



http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/06/27/two-hebrew-guys-named-smith-and-brown-on-the-night-of-the-passover/

In fact Jesus says of himself that he can do nothing of his own without the Father. Therefore, how can we complain, I don't want to have to depend on someone else.

2. What is the purpose of our relationship with Christ?

To bear much fruit, that the Father might be glorified.

The glory of the Father should be our fundamental motivation in all things. Is this true, is that my motivation?

My default motivation is in fact self-interest. Therefore, I must die, each day I must die. In Jesus I have life, in him I can bear fruit.

In the old testament, the vine was Israel, the chosen people, but they are called the vine over and over in showing that they bore no fruit. Therefore, Jesus is the true vine.

3. How do we remain in Christ?

V.10 by keeping his commandments we will abide in his love. Just as Jesus kept his Father's commandments and abide in his love.

Ch 12 - we also demonstrate this by loving one another. This is more than how we feel for one another. He puts a qualifier. We love as Jesus has loved us. He then takes it even further. We must love by laying down our lives for one another. Christ laid down his life. Not just for the people we like but for those that hate us as well.

And how is love defined?

• 1 John 3:16
  
• John 3:16
• Romans 8:32
• Galatians 2:20

How can we do this? It's impossible. Yet, that is the point. On our own we cannot. If we are in him, we can not say that, for it is mocking Christ's promise. It is calling him the liar. Christ is sufficient, Christ is good to his promises.