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Learning to Serve – Sword Sharpening Hilltop Church Men’s Bible Study March 3 rd , 2008

Learning to Serve – Sword Sharpening Hilltop Church Men’s Bible Study March 3 rd , 2008 John, Chapter 15. John 15. Quick Review! Chapters 13-17 are known as “The Upper Room Discourse” Last week……John 14 The presentation of His grace as He approached the hour of crucifixion

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Learning to Serve – Sword Sharpening Hilltop Church Men’s Bible Study March 3 rd , 2008

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  1. Learning to Serve – Sword Sharpening • Hilltop Church Men’s • Bible Study • March 3rd, 2008 • John, Chapter 15 Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  2. John 15 • Quick Review! • Chapters 13-17 are known as “The Upper Room Discourse” • Last week……John 14 • The presentation of His grace as He approached the hour of crucifixion • His concern for His disciples • “Let not your heart be troubled…….” • The disciples had four questions for Jesus • 1. “Lord, where are you going?” • 2. “How can we know the way?” • 3. “Show us the Father” • 4. “How can You manifest Yourself to us and not to the world?” Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  3. John 15 • What is the setting for John 15? Where are they? • John 14:31 ends with Jesus saying to His disciples: “Arise, let us go hence.” • They don’t arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane until Chapter 18 • There is some speculation that they were still in the upper room • The hour is getting late….both literally and figuratively • They were now only hours away from His trials and crucifixion Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  4. John 15 • In Chapter 14, we had the presentation of His Grace • In Chapter 15, we see what OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS to that grace • It will focus on our “Union” with Christ, as well as our “Communion” with Him • John 15 addresses “intimate believers ” • John 15 is commonly known as the “Vine and Branches” Chapter • Israel is often referred to in scripture as a “vine” Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  5. John 15 Psalm 80:8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. • Psalm 80 refers to Israel as a vine… • Hosea 10 speaks of Israel as an empty vine…. • In Isaiah 5:1-7 We see an interesting prophecy concerning a vineyard Hosea 10:1 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  6. John 15 Isa 5:1 Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: Isa 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. Isa 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? Isa 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: Isa 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  7. John 15 • Isaiah 5 goes on to list 6 woes upon the “vine” Israel • Isa 5:8 Woe unto them that join house to house……(Materialism) • Isa 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! (Sound familiar?) • Isa 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: (Flaunting Iniquity) • Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…….. (Inverted Morals) • Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (There is a way that seemeth right to a man…..) • Isa 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine…….Isa 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! (Bribery, perversion of justice) Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  8. John 15 • Obviously, those verses refer to Israel and the judgment or woe that would come on them as a result • Do those verses remind you of anyone else? • Do you think God will judge America? • Moving on……John Chapter 15… • We will explore the following relationships: • Vs. 1-11: Our relationship with Christ • Vs. 12-17: Our relationship with each other • Vs. 18-16:4: Our relationship with the world Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  9. John 15 • Vs. 1: (Read) • Jesus proclaims His 7th “I AM” statement in the book of John • The “Vine” was a national symbol of Israel • The gate of the Temple had a Golden Vine on it. • The “Vine” was actually stamped into the Maccabean coins of that day Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  10. John 15 • Vs. 1 (Cont’d) • “I am the true vine” • True = alēthinos, distinguishes from that which is false or unreal • Could be an implication of a “false” vine • The purpose of the vine is to bear fruit • “My Father is the husbandman” • Husbandman = vinedresser or farmer • Isaiah 53:1-2a Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  11. John 15 Isa 53:1 Whohath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. • The Husbandman is responsible for: • Protecting Care • Watchfulness • Faithfulness • A vine that is cared for and carefully pruned by the husbandman will consistently bear fruit! Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  12. John 15 • Vs. 2: (Read) • “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:” • What does that mean? • There are several views: • Apostasy of a True Believer • Never a true believer, only professed salvation • The “taking away” refers to fruit only, not salvation Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  13. John 15 • Vs. 2 (Cont’d) • Taketh away = airō (ah'ee-ro) • The same root for “resurrection” • Also means to “lift up” • Sometimes the husbandman simply lifts a branch to the sunlight so it has a opportunity to bear fruit • …and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit. • What does it mean to “purge” it? • What are some practical ways we as branches are purged? Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  14. John 15 • Purgeth = kathairō • Literally means to cleanse • Cleaning with the goal of resulting in more and more fruit • Vs. 3 (Read) • “Now ye are clean…..” meaning already clean • “……..through the word that I have spoken unto you” • How are we (after salvation) kept clean? • Through the Word… • Ps. 119:9, 67, 71, 2 Cor. 7:1 Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  15. John 15 • Vs. 4 (Read) • Abide in Me and I in you are two different things • “I in You “= a position, salvation • “Abide in Me” is our responsibility • “Abide” literally means to remain, stay or endure • Notice the branch is useless without the vine (it cannot bear fruit of itself) • “Abiding” requires obedience and vigilance • Our entire dependency should be on Him and Him ONLY! Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  16. John 15 • Vs. 5 (Read) • “……The same bringeth forth much fruit:” • Statement of fact: True branches bear fruit! • We should examine our fruitfulness! • The secret to being fruitful is literally in abiding in the Vine • Vs. 6 (Read) • “Cast forth as a branch and is withered” • Again the same views as verse 2 • Possibly loss of salvation • Profession without salvation • Believer losing his rewards Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  17. John 15 • “Man” in verse 6 is singular • “and men gather them” (plural) • May indicate that what is being referred to is rewards • Can a believer lose his rewards in heaven? 1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  18. John 15 • Vs. 7 (Read) • Both a command and a promise • “Ye shall ask what ye will…..” • Thelethe aitesasthe: force of a direct order • Not “if you ask”…but • “Ask” • “…..and it shall be done unto you.” • Who is this intended for? • Anyone in close communion with Him! • “If ye abide in Me” Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  19. John 15 “…..ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you — because this indwelling of His words in them would secure the harmony of their askings with the divine will.” Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary 1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  20. John 15 • Vs. 8 (Read) • “Herein” points back to the union with Christ and forward to fruitbearing • Neither the union with Christ or the fruit bearing are an end to themselves, but rather to the end of bringing glory to the Father • “Genesesthe” : “So shall ye be” • It is in the future tense • This indicates that true discipleship is a growing experience Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  21. John 15 Fruit of a Believer • 1. The fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph 5:9) • 2. The Fruit Unto Holiness (Rom. 6:22) • 3. The Fruit of Righteousness (Heb. 12:11, Phil. 1:11) • 4. The Fruit of the Lips (Heb. 13:5) • The Fruit of our hands (Prov. 31:16, 31; I Cor. 3:10, 14) • The Fruit of the Righteous (Prov. 11:30 Rom. 1:13) • The Fruit of the Womb (Implied in Rom. 7:4) • 1. Evidenced in our Character • 2. Evidenced in our Conduct • 3. Evidenced in Contentment • 4. Evidenced in our Conversation • 5. Evidenced in our Service to God • 6. Converts • 7. Children (Spiritual) Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  22. John 15 • What happens when we no longer bear fruit? Are we in semi-retirement? • When we cease to bear fruit, we cease to glorify the Father! • We fall short of the discipleship level we could have attained! • God’s service does not have a retirement plan! • We are to continue to bear fruit as long as we draw breath! Psalm 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  23. John 15 • Read vs. 9-11 • Vs. 9: “……Continue ye in my love.” • Not saying: “Continue to love Me” • Is saying: “Continue in the possession and enjoyment of My love for you” • Vs. 10: “If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in my love”: • Does this mean if we don’t keep His commandments we no longer are loved by Him? • Our Obedience to Him is a love response. • Is our lack of obedience (at times) an indication of how we love Him? Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  24. John 15 • Vs. 11: • …..that “My joy” (Jesus speaking) might remain in you, • Literally means that our obedience in keeping His commandments brings HIM joy • ….That your joy might be full. • Did the disciples have joy at this particular moment? • Why didn’t He say “your happiness be full” My joy - This expression probably denotes the happiness which Jesus had, and would continue to have, by their obedience, love, and fidelity. Their obedience was to Him a source of joy. (Barnes Notes) Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  25. John 15 • Vs. 12-13 (Read) • Vs. 12: ……My commandment, that ye love one another • This was the “new commandment” that Jesus had told them of earlier in the evening • Love was to characterize all their mutual relationships John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  26. John 15 • Vs. 13: “Greater love hath no man than this….. • At this point, we are only hours away from the greatest display of sacrificial love that was ever shown • Jesus laid down His life for His friends • Vs. 14 (Read) • Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you : • If we hold ourselves in absolute subjection to Him. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  27. John 15 John 15:15 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. • Vs. 15: • Who in the Old Testament was known as the “friend of God?” • Abraham: (2 Chron. 20:7, Isa. 41:8, Jas. 2:23) • Did God make a special “revelation” to Abraham? Gen 18:17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; (Sodom and Gomorrah) Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  28. John 15 • Vs. 15 (Cont’d) • What about Daniel and John? • Both are referred to as “Beloved” • God gave special revelations to both, who were given prophetic insight to the last days • What about us…..are we the friends of God? • What revelation do we have about things to come? 1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  29. John 15 • Missler: “The true believer in Jesus Christ will not be surprised when the rapture occurs”. • What do you think of that statement? • Vs. 16 17-(Read) • Vs. 17: “These things I command you that you love one another” • Notice this is not a suggestion…. • …..It is a commandment! • (A commandment by the same person that wrote the “10 Suggestions” on the tables of stone) Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  30. John 15 • Vs. 17 (Cont’d) • References: • John 13:34 ….a new commandment…that ye love one another • Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; • Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; • 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  31. John 15 • Starting in Verse 18, the discourse changes direction • Relationship with the world (John 15:18- 16:4) • Mere hours before Jesus’ Crucifixion, He gives His disciples a solemn warning • “The World will HATE you!” • The word hatred is used 7 times • miseō = detest, abhor, hate • Vs. 18 - 25 (Read) • Jesus warns the disciples that they should anticipate opposition from the world • Up to this point, how had the disciples been persecuted? Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  32. John 15 • There is really no evidence that His disciples had faced any persecution up to this point • Luke 10: 70 “other” disciples sent out 2 x 2, returned rejoicing. • Matt. 15:2, Luke 19: Pharisees were critical of the disciples, but nothing approaching persecution. Really directed at Jesus as “their Master” • John 18:8: The disciples were let go in the Garden of Gethsemane. • John 21:23: The disciples were fishing unmolested Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  33. John 15 • Vs. 18: “If the world hate you…” • “If “ can be misleading • It’s really not a question of “if” as we’ll see as we go on • “Ye know that it hated me before it hated you” • Again the Good Shepherd “goes before” His sheep • Vs. 19: Jesus tells His disciples that He has “chosen them out of the world” John 10:4a And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  34. John 15 • Where did the attack on Jesus come from? • Where would the attacks on the disciples come from? • Will we suffer Persecution? • What should our response be to persecution? 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Matt: 5:12 Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  35. John 15 This whole passage should make us rethink our attempts to be popular! • Vs. 20: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord” • He literally had just said that to them earlier in the same evening when He washed their feet • In John 13 it was a reference to serving one another • Here it is a warning to “expect hostility” • diōkō = persecute, • to pursue with hostile intent 1Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  36. John 15 • Vs. 21: …….they know not Him that sent Me – • Ignorance on their part (but they were the religious leaders!) • They SHOULD HAVE known Him!! • Vs. 22: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin” • What was their (Pharisees and religious leaders) sin? • Vs. 24: ….but now they have both seen and hated both Me and the Father Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  37. John 15 • Vs. 22 (Cont’d) …..but now they have no “cloak” for their sin. • What does that mean? • Degrees of Punishment? • See also Matt. 11:21-24, Hebrews 10:28-29 Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  38. John 15 • Vs. 25: …………that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE. • The written word testifies against Israel Psalm 35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. Psalm 69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  39. John 15 • Per Missler, Our natural state is that of “haters of God” • Do you agree with that statement? • See also all of Romans Ch. 1 and Romans 3 Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  40. John 15 • Vs. 26 – 27 (Read) • Jesus speaks of “The Comforter” which He will send • Para toupatrosekporeuetai: • Translated here “From the Father” • Might be better translated “From beside the Father” • Speaks of the Trinity • Equal in Nature • Separate in Person • Submissive in Duties Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  41. John 15 Joh 16:13 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 show you things to come. Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. • Vs. 26 : “He shall testify of me”: • The Holy Spirit never testifies of Himself Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  42. John 15 • Book of Ruth – • Boaz: The Kinsman Redeemer • Naomi – Type of Israel • Ruth- The Gentile Bride • Who introduced Ruth to Boaz? Unnamed Servant • Ruth 2:4-6 • In Genesis 22 we see Abraham offering Isaac acting out prophecy • 2000 years later on the exact same spot we see Jesus offered as an offering for sin Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  43. John 15 • Two Chapters later we see Abraham sending his servant to get a bride for Isaac, again symbolic of what is to come • Abraham is in the role of the Father • Isaac is in the role of the Son • The unnamed servant is acting in the role of the Holy Spirit • Bride is the role of the Church • (We know the name of the servant, but not from this passage. His name was Eleazar….which is interpreted “Comforter) Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  44. Yet every single, detail, every name, every number is there by God’s design! John 15 66 Books! Written over Several Thousand Years! 40 Authors • God’s Word is Truly Amazing! Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  45. John 15 Mastering the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

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