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Grace Bible Church
Pastor Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Tree of Life
Weekly Review
060919
JOH 15:7, “If you abide in ME [stay filled with the Spirit], and MY words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
Most of us believe what the prophet Isaiah wrote when the LORD said in ISA 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
This is an important principle to know because there are many things and many situations that we need to learn what GOD’s thoughts and GOD’s ways are concerning those things.
We know GOD is omnipotent (all powerful) but if there was a way to measure GOD’s power, what would be more difficult (humanly speaking) for GOD to do, to raise someone from the dead or to heal a marriage? The average person would say that the raising of the dead was much greater than healing a marriage, when, in reality, it is just the opposite.
Think about it, it is much more difficult for GOD to accomplish HIS will for man unless man uses his free will to line up with the will of GOD. As we continue to learn some of the main principles of doctrine from Joh 15, let’s continue again with some more of the background and the setting of the passage.
This will be a challenge to all of us concerning where we stand as far as our relationship with the LORD is concerned and what effect it has on all of us as far as our relationship and fellowship is with the Vine as we are His branches.
First, let’s look at the first 14 verses to get acquainted with some of the vocabulary that our LORD uses to describe the Vine and the branches and the relationship that we all have with the Vine {TLJC} as well as with the other branches {believers)}.
This is a passage that is just filled with doctrines after doctrines. One of the main principles of doctrine that I have had individuals say to me how impressed they were with it was when I pointed out to you the different doctrines that are found in John 15.
And I couldn’t agree more with those who were impressed with all of the different doctrines that are found in Joh 15, so, let’s begin with a reminder of the different doctrines that our LORD either mentioned or alluded to.
So, in JOH 15:1 our LORD says; “I am the true vine [that is the Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD and the Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union] , and My Father is the vinedresser [Doctrine of Logistical Grace].
True Vine = the Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD and the Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union.
Vinedresser – refers to the Doctrine of logistical Grace.
Then notice JOH 15:2, “Every branch in Me [that is “every believer in “Christ which took place through the Baptism of the Spirit”] that does not bear fruit [GAL 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit is mentioned.] He takes away [Doctrine of Divine Discipline];
Here we have “Every branch in Me = every believer in Christ which took place through the Baptism of the Spirit”
that does not bear fruit” = GAL 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit
He takes away = Doctrine of Divine Discipline;
’every branch that bears fruit = The doctrine of the Fruit of the Spirit; GAL 5:22.
He prunes it = suffering for blessing,
that it may bear more fruit [the Doctrine of Divine Good].
JOH 15:3-4, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you [that is the Doctrine of Salvation]. Abide in Me [fellowship with the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ], and I in you [GAL 2:20].
abide in Me = the Doctrine of Fellowship with the LORD
I in you = Doctrine of the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ.
JOH 14:20, “In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in “Me, and I in you.
Notice the different indwelling’s that are mentioned in this passage.
I am in My Father = His equality with GOD.
you are in Me = fellowshipping with Him.
I in you = indwelling of the LORD.
JOH 15:4, “Abide in Me [fellowship with the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ], “and I in you. As the branch cannot bear “fruit” of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.
“The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine” = the Doctrine of the Filling of the Holy Spirit.”
As we have noted many times before, the Filling of the Spirit is needed for every believer to live the spiritual life or else everything that you do will be evaluated at the Judgment Seat and will be classified as ashes or wood, hay and straw; 1CO 3:11-15.
This is why ISA 64:6 says to all mankind; “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”
Speaking of those who try to impress the LORD by producing good works, Isaiah says in ISA 44:20, He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
Remember that there are Two Basic Judgments for the human race;
- The “bema seat” judgment for all believers.
- The Great White Throne Judgment for all unbelievers.
Both of these judgments deal with the production of the individual and not the individual’s personal sins and failures.
JOH 15:4, “Abide in Me [fellowship with the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ], “and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself [human good verses divine good], unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.
So, we have GAL 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
“As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me [The doctrine of Positional Truth].
JOH 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches [Union with Christ]; he who abides in Me [fellowshipping with the LORD], and I in him [indwelling of TLJC], he bears much fruit [the production of GAL 5:22-23]. for apart from Me you can do nothing [the Doctrine of human good verses divine good].
Notice the different doctrines that our LORD is revealing either for the very first time or because we have learned to walk with Him by means of the Filling of the Spirit.
Now, let’s break down this verse.
“I am the vine” = JOH 14:6, The LORD is the way, the truth and the life.
“you are the branches” = Union with Christ;
he who abides in Me = Fellowshipping with the LORD,
and I in him [Indwelling of TLJC],
“he bears much fruit [the production of GAL 5:22-23].”
for apart from Me you can do nothing [the Doctrine of human good verses divine good].
JOH 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up. = the Doctrine of Divine Discipline.
and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [as wood, hay, and straw; 1CO 3:11-15].
JOH 15:7, “If you abide in Me [stay filled with the Spirit],
and My words abide in you [intake of doctrine],
ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you [the doctrine of Prayer].
JOH 15:8-12, “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and {so} prove to be My disciples. [This is the fruit bearing of GAL 5:22-23]. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love [The Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love] If you keep My commandments [guard His doctrines], you will abide in My love = fellowship with the LORD and His people. Just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.” = The fulfillment of the PPOG and the PSD of the believer]. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and {that} your joy may be made full = [The doctrine of Happiness or Contentment]. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. [The whole realm of the Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love].
Now, what is the Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love?
It is the virtuous power and the ability to love GOD because of who and what He is. It is the virtuous power and the ability to love yourself because of who and what our LORD created you to be by means of HIS grace.
It is also the virtuous power and the ability to love the brethren especially when we honor the Royal Family Honor Code toward each other.
What is the Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love?
It is the power and the ability we have to love all members of the Human race as GOD did. And then finally, impersonal love for all mankind is the power and the ability to love our enemies with a sincere love. Therefore, in JOH 15:13, we have the ultimate challenge of living the spiritual life as the LORD said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
JOH 15:14, “You are My friends, if you do what I command you [fulfillment of the PPOG and your personal sense of destiny].
Then there is the challenge of the invitation from our LORD to become His friends; JOH 15:15, “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
Then, this is one of the greatest principles of security that our LORD has ever given to us in JOH 15:16, when He said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and {that} your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.
Now, this is a passage that is just filled with doctrines after doctrines. Let me just read some of them and remember that miracles cannot accomplish what only GOD and His people can as they work together.
Here’s some of the doctrines that I mentioned:
The Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD;
The Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union;
The Doctrine of Logistical Grace;
The Doctrine of The Baptism of the Spirit;
The Doctrine of Divine Discipline;
The Doctrine of the Fruit of the Spirit;
The Doctrine of the Filling of the Spirit;
The Doctrine of Suffering for Blessing;
The Doctrine of Divine Good;
The Doctrine of Salvation;
The Doctrine of Fellowship.
The Doctrine of Human good verses Divine good;
The doctrine of Positional Truth;
The Doctrine of union with Christ;
The Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love;
The Doctrine of Happiness or Contentment.
The Doctrine of Election;
The Doctrine of Eternal Security.
The Doctrine of the Calling of GOD.
All of these doctrines are mentioned in some way throughout the passage either right to the point of the doctrine or used doctrinally in some way. I gave you this because I wanted you to see how truly miraculous it was for the disciples to receive all this information in some way especially because a lot of these doctrines were never taught to the disciples before, but now, they are going to get ready for the New Mystery Doctrines of the Church-age.
Some of them were not able to teach the mystery doctrines yet because they had not been taught mystery doctrine by the Apostle Paul as of yet.
Added to all this pressure, we also noted that a lot of GOD’s people are shocked at the way that the LORD works as well as the kind of people that our LORD works with.
And, whether you are shocked or free depends upon your understanding of the character and nature of GOD and the finished work of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
Again, the Principle: If you cannot see the LORD Jesus Christ dwelling in fallen man or those with Old Sin Natures you will not see Him at all.
When we see things according to GOD’s viewpoint and GOD’s ways with GOD’s thoughts then we will be able to take what we have learned and then go forward in the plan of GOD.
Now, look at Gal 5:16 which talks about walking by means of the Spirit and it is contrasted with carrying out the desires of the flesh -- so that there is obviously a battle within all of us going on.
We are either walking by means of the Spirit or we are carrying out the desires of the flesh, the old sin nature.
GAL 5:16-18, But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
One of the greatest problems that we all need to deal with is the problem of guilt which cause many believers to fake the Christian way of life. And as we noted Friday evening, this causes the believer to live like a phony, or a hypocrite, and they will always end up one way or another to become a stereotype.