April 2 AM
Spiritual Growth
1)Hinderances to
A)Lack of effort
B)Discouragement
C)Lack of use
D)Interferance
2)Steps to ensure spiritual growth
Spiritual growth is not automatic
1)there are hinderances
a)lack of effort spiritually lazy
if you do not grow, you will fall away
Proverbs 24:30-34-lazy gardener
you must put forth an effort
Hebrews 5:12-13-or you will fall away
b)get discouraged and quit
church troubles
personal problems
lack of encouragement
2 Corinthians 11:24-29-Pauls troubles
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 he did not lose heart
2 Corinthians 4:16- labor was not in vain
2 Corinthians 5:1-eternal home
trivial compared to a home in heaven
Galatians 6:9-be steadfast
c)lack of use
we become "rusty"
we have to use what God has given us
Hebrews 2:1 we may drift away
Never retire-faithful til death
Revelation 2:10
d)Interferance -crowd out spiritual life
work, school, social life
mark 4:18-19-choked the word and became unfruitful
cares of the world can take over
Have you let any of these to hinder you?
Steps to ensure growth
1)Become active in a congregation
do not delay
doing it to please God
Isaiah 6:8 Here am I Lord, send me
Don't criticize, show them what to do
2)Regular devotions-alone with God
3)Participation- Bible studies, mutual sharing
4)Become involved in leading people to Christ
John 1:40-46
we can lead someone to Christ
you will continue to grow by bringing people to Christ
2 Corinthians 13:5
5)Practice self examination
Ask yourself these things
*do I have a better knowledge today than I did a year ago?
*am I as interested in Christ today as I was when I was baptized?
*have you helped someone else become a Christian?
*am I enjoying life as a child of God?
*am I improving my life? Disposition, Becoming more like Jesus? Attitude
*do I set a good example for others?
*am I growing? Do I understand what it takes to grow?
Are you just religious enough to be miserable?
Make the choice to grow
He will assist you
John 10:10 I have come so you will have abundant life
April 9 AM
"THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER"
A Historical And Biblical Perspective
INTRODUCTION
1. "Easter Sunday" is an annual holiday celebrated by many...
a. Millions of people commemorate the resurrection of Jesus on this
day
b. Many consider it as "the most holy" of religious holidays
c. For some, it marks the only time they attend church services
(although Christmas runs a close second)
2. But were you aware...
a. That the church in the NT did not observe a YEARLY observance of
the Lord's resurrection?
1) The word "Easter" is found only once in the KJV Bible - cf. Ac
12:4
2) The word in the Greek is actually "Passover", and so
translated elsewhere in the KJV
3) "It is reasonably certain that the NT contains no reference to
a YEARLY celebration of the resurrection of Christ" (ISBE)
b. That the word "Easter" actually comes from "EASTRE", the
Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility?
1) To her was dedicated a month corresponding to our April
2) Her festival was celebrated on the day of vernal equinox
c. That many of the customs associated with Easter illustrate this
and other pagan connections?
1) The rabbit was sacred to the Germanic goddess 'Eastre', the
goddess of fertility and springtime...And if you stop to think
about it, rabbits are an extremely appropriate symbol for
springtime, because of what they are famous for--having more
rabbits.
A Historical And Biblical Perspective
INTRODUCTION
1. "Easter Sunday" is an annual holiday celebrated by many...
a. Millions of people commemorate the resurrection of Jesus on this
day
b. Many consider it as "the most holy" of religious holidays
c. For some, it marks the only time they attend church services
(although Christmas runs a close second)
2. But were you aware...
a. That the church in the NT did not observe a YEARLY observance of
the Lord's resurrection?
1) The word "Easter" is found only once in the KJV Bible - cf. Ac
12:4
2) The word in the Greek is actually "Passover", and so
translated elsewhere in the KJV
3) "It is reasonably certain that the NT contains no reference to
a YEARLY celebration of the resurrection of Christ" (ISBE)
b. That the word "Easter" actually comes from "EASTRE", the
Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility?
1) To her was dedicated a month corresponding to our April
2) Her festival was celebrated on the day of vernal equinox
c. That many of the customs associated with Easter illustrate this
and other pagan connections?
1) The rabbit was sacred to the Germanic goddess 'Eastre', the
goddess of fertility and springtime...And if you stop to think
about it, rabbits are an extremely appropriate symbol for
springtime, because of what they are famous for--having more
rabbits.
2) It appears there was a custom among ancient Egyptians and
Romans to give eggs as presents at this time of year. That
was intended to insure that the recipient would have a very
fertile or productive year.
3) Helms went on to say that hunting for Easter eggs may have
begun as the search for gifts from the sacred animal, the
rabbit, on the morning of the festival.
3. This ought to prompt some questions in the minds of Christians...
a. How did the YEARLY observance of Jesus' resurrection get started?
b. How did pagan names and traditions become associated with a
"Christian" holiday (esp. one considered "the most holy")?
c. What bearing should all this have on Christians today?
1) Should the Lord's church involve herself in such a holiday?
2) How about observing certain elements of it as individuals?
I. LOOKING AT EASTER FROM A "HISTORICAL" PERSPECTIVE
A. THE YEARLY OBSERVANCE OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION...
1. The practice began early, in the form of a "Christian"
Passover
a. The Passover was already an important feast to the Jews
1) Instituted by Moses, commemorating their deliverance
from Egypt
2) It was during this feast that Jesus instituted the
"Lord's Supper"
b. Many Jews continued to keep their Jewish customs and
religious festivals after their conversion to Christ
1) Paul was not averse to observing such Jewish customs
- Ac 18:18-21; 21:17-26
2) John and Philip were said to observe the Passover every
year (cf. Eusebius)
But the Passover (and other Jewish festivals) was never
bound upon the Gentiles (more on this later)
c. Shortly after the death of the apostles, some of the
"Jewish" festivals began to be observed as "Christian"
festivals
1) I.e., the Passover was now observed in memory of
Christ's death
a) Who died during Passover week
b) Who was offered as our Passover lamb for our sins
- cf. 1 Co 5:7-8
2) Thus began a YEARLY observance...
a) Even though Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as
the proper memorial to commemorate His death - cf.
Lk 22:14-20; 1 Co 11:23-26
b) Both biblical and historical evidence indicate that
this was a WEEKLY observance - cf. Ac 20:7; 1 Co 11:
20-22; 10:16-17
2. The yearly "Christian Passover" soon included other
observances as well...
a. Palm Sunday, the day Jesus made His triumphant entry into
Jerusalem prior to His death
b. Good Friday, the day He was crucified
c. Resurrection Sunday, the day He arose and which came to be
known as "Easter"
3. Celebrating these days was not without controversy...
a. In the 2nd and 3rd century there was much dispute over the
proper date
1) The churches in Asia Minor followed Jewish chronology
a) So they celebrated the Passover when the Jews did, on
the 14th of Nisan
b) The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, which meant
the day of the week would vary from year to year
c) Thus the day of Passover would vary, and with it the
day of celebrating Jesus' resurrection
2) Others observed the events on the day of the week in
which they occurred
a) So that the "Christian Passover" always fell on a
Thursday
b) The commemoration of Jesus' death would be on a
Friday
c) The celebration of the resurrection on a Sunday
b. This created quite a stir...
1) While some were sorrowfully commemorating the death of
Jesus, others were joyously celebrating His resurrection
2) Churches threatened to "excommunicate" one another
c. Even after the Jewish calendar was dropped, and it was
agreed to celebrate these holidays on the same days of the
week, there was still a problem...
1) There was no agreement on which calendar to use
(Gregorian or Julian)
2) Which explains the difference between the observances by
the Roman and Greek orthodox churches today
So the YEARLY observance of the resurrection originated from
human tradition, not the Bible itself, and proved to be a
source of turmoil among the churches
B. THE INTRODUCTION OF PAGAN CUSTOMS...
1. Assimilation of pagan ritual into "Christian" observances was
a common practice
a. When people took the gospel into a pagan area...
1) Many would not discourage the local residents to discard
their pagan rituals
2) Instead, they would attempt to give such customs a
"Christian" flavor
b. As Helms, quoted earlier, went on to say:
1) "With the advent of Christianity, the egg, still taken
as a symbol of life, was simply borrowed to be a symbol
of the Christian holiday."
2) "The earliest Easter eggs were dyed red to represent the
blood shed by Christ."
3) "Many cultures celebrated the advent of spring down
through history. When Christianity came along about
2,000 years ago, there was already a number of pagan
celebrations in place."
4) "People rarely discard a holiday. When a new system of
beliefs comes along, you simply come up with a new
mythic structure to explain why you were celebrating
that holiday in the first place."
2. The effect of such assimilation...
a. It eventually "neutralized" the pagan rituals
1) Who would have ever thought of "Easter" as the name of a
goddess?
2) Without the help of historical research, we would have
forgotten the pagan origins
b. But it also leaves many people with erroneous conceptions
1) E.g., having people believe that Christians have always
observed a yearly regarding the death and resurrection
of Jesus
2) E.g., in the case of Christmas, leading people to
believe that Jesus was actually born on December 25th,
not knowing that it was originally a Roman feast day
II. LOOKING AT EASTER FROM A "BIBLICAL" PERSPECTIVE
A. PAUL GAVE WARNINGS REGARDING FEAST DAYS...
1. Paul expressed his concern for the churches in Galatia - Ga
4:8-11
a. He does not say that their practice was wrong per se, only
that he is concerned
b. From the context, his concern pertained to "why" they were
doing these things
1) If they believed it was necessary to be saved, then
Paul's labor among them was in danger of being in vain
2) For seeking justification through the Law, religious
feast days, etc., causes one to fall from grace and
become estranged from Christ! - cf. Ga 5:4
2. Paul admonished the Colossians not to let anyone "judge" them
- Co 2:16-17
a. Some were seeking to bind the Law upon the Gentile
believers - e.g., Ac 15:1,5
b. Gentile Christians were told not to let any one judge
(condemn) them, for salvation is in Christ, not in the
keeping of the religious feast days of the Law
3. But as we noted before, Paul was not averse to observing
certain feast days himself
a. He did not hesitate to keep Jewish customs when expedient
- 1 Co 9:19-20
1) He had Timothy circumcised - Ac 16:1-3
2) He took a vow - Ac 18:18
3) He sought to keep a Jewish feast in Jerusalem - Ac 18:
19-21
4) He participated in purification ceremonies, which
included animal sacrifices - Ac 21:17-26; Num 6:13-20
b. However, in his teaching it was made clear:
1) It should be kept on an individual basis - cf. Ro 14:5-6
2) It should not be bound on others - cf. Ga 2:3-5
3) It had nothing to do with our justification in Christ
- cf. Ga 5:4-6
Where Paul drew the line was in making such matters church
doctrine or practice, where people were compelled to do
them
B. JESUS WARNED OF THE DANGER OF HUMAN TRADITIONS...
1. He rebuked the scribes Pharisees for their use of traditions
- Mk 7:1-13
a. They made their traditions necessary for all to observe
- Mk 7:7
b. In keeping their traditions, they laid aside the commands
of God - Mk 7:8-9
2. Traditions of men are wrong, then, when they:
a. Become matters of doctrine or required practice, bound upon
all
b. Displace the commands of God by the very keeping of the
traditions
Traditions are therefore like the feast days; in certain
situations they can be matters of expediency, but if we are
not careful they can become a stumbling block to us!
C. MAKING APPLICATION IN REGARDS TO EASTER...
1. The Bible is silent regarding any YEARLY observance of
Christ's resurrection
a. God and Jesus evidently did not deem it necessary for the
church
b. Any yearly observance is based upon human tradition, not
God's Word
2. As a human tradition, we must be very careful - cf. Mk 7:7-9
a. It cannot become a matter of doctrine, which is bound upon
others
b. It cannot displace the keeping of God's commandments (do
those who come only on Easter believe that it renders the
command in He 10:25 of no effect?)
3. An annual observance by the church is unwise, if not wrong
a. It intertwines human traditions with God's commands for His
church
b. It forces people to observe what is a human tradition
4. On an individual basis, however, if one wishes to esteem one
day above another:
a. It is between him and the Lord - Ro 14:5-6
b. Be careful not to condemn those who differ - Ro 14:4,10-12
c. Be sensitive to the convictions of others - Ro 14:13-19
5. As for the pagan elements...
a. Again, perhaps this is best left on an individual basis
b. My own understanding is that we are free in Christ to
change what may have been a religious practice at one time
for personal use as an expediency
1) E.g., using circumcision for personal hygiene
2) E.g., using colored eggs and hiding them for family
entertainment
CONCLUSION
1. My view of Easter is similar to how I view Thanksgiving...
a. I know that the idea of an annual observance is foreign to the
Scriptures
b. As Christians we should give thanks and celebrate Christ's
resurrection year around
c. But seeking to "continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine"
(Ac 2:42), the Lord's church should refrain from adding human
traditions to its work and worship
d. Yet I am grateful that I live in a country where at least once a
year people think about God's blessings, especially in the gift
of His Dear Son
2. My prayer is that people will do more than think about God's Son
once a year...
a. That we be thankful in every thing and on every day
b. That we live in the power of the resurrected Life which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord
1) Which comes by being in Christ
2) Which comes by living daily in service to Him who died for us,
and rose again!
"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the
power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live
with Him by the power of God toward you." - 2 Cor 13:4
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself for me." - Gal 2:20
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phil
4:13
Are you living daily for Christ, serving Him by the power of His
resurrected life?
Romans to give eggs as presents at this time of year. That
was intended to insure that the recipient would have a very
fertile or productive year.
3) Helms went on to say that hunting for Easter eggs may have
begun as the search for gifts from the sacred animal, the
rabbit, on the morning of the festival.
3. This ought to prompt some questions in the minds of Christians...
a. How did the YEARLY observance of Jesus' resurrection get started?
b. How did pagan names and traditions become associated with a
"Christian" holiday (esp. one considered "the most holy")?
c. What bearing should all this have on Christians today?
1) Should the Lord's church involve herself in such a holiday?
2) How about observing certain elements of it as individuals?
I. LOOKING AT EASTER FROM A "HISTORICAL" PERSPECTIVE
A. THE YEARLY OBSERVANCE OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION...
1. The practice began early, in the form of a "Christian"
Passover
a. The Passover was already an important feast to the Jews
1) Instituted by Moses, commemorating their deliverance
from Egypt
2) It was during this feast that Jesus instituted the
"Lord's Supper"
b. Many Jews continued to keep their Jewish customs and
religious festivals after their conversion to Christ
1) Paul was not averse to observing such Jewish customs
- Ac 18:18-21; 21:17-26
2) John and Philip were said to observe the Passover every
year (cf. Eusebius)
But the Passover (and other Jewish festivals) was never
bound upon the Gentiles (more on this later)
c. Shortly after the death of the apostles, some of the
"Jewish" festivals began to be observed as "Christian"
festivals
1) I.e., the Passover was now observed in memory of
Christ's death
a) Who died during Passover week
b) Who was offered as our Passover lamb for our sins
- cf. 1 Co 5:7-8
2) Thus began a YEARLY observance...
a) Even though Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as
the proper memorial to commemorate His death - cf.
Lk 22:14-20; 1 Co 11:23-26
b) Both biblical and historical evidence indicate that
this was a WEEKLY observance - cf. Ac 20:7; 1 Co 11:
20-22; 10:16-17
2. The yearly "Christian Passover" soon included other
observances as well...
a. Palm Sunday, the day Jesus made His triumphant entry into
Jerusalem prior to His death
b. Good Friday, the day He was crucified
c. Resurrection Sunday, the day He arose and which came to be
known as "Easter"
3. Celebrating these days was not without controversy...
a. In the 2nd and 3rd century there was much dispute over the
proper date
1) The churches in Asia Minor followed Jewish chronology
a) So they celebrated the Passover when the Jews did, on
the 14th of Nisan
b) The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, which meant
the day of the week would vary from year to year
c) Thus the day of Passover would vary, and with it the
day of celebrating Jesus' resurrection
2) Others observed the events on the day of the week in
which they occurred
a) So that the "Christian Passover" always fell on a
Thursday
b) The commemoration of Jesus' death would be on a
Friday
c) The celebration of the resurrection on a Sunday
b. This created quite a stir...
1) While some were sorrowfully commemorating the death of
Jesus, others were joyously celebrating His resurrection
2) Churches threatened to "excommunicate" one another
c. Even after the Jewish calendar was dropped, and it was
agreed to celebrate these holidays on the same days of the
week, there was still a problem...
1) There was no agreement on which calendar to use
(Gregorian or Julian)
2) Which explains the difference between the observances by
the Roman and Greek orthodox churches today
So the YEARLY observance of the resurrection originated from
human tradition, not the Bible itself, and proved to be a
source of turmoil among the churches
B. THE INTRODUCTION OF PAGAN CUSTOMS...
1. Assimilation of pagan ritual into "Christian" observances was
a common practice
a. When people took the gospel into a pagan area...
1) Many would not discourage the local residents to discard
their pagan rituals
2) Instead, they would attempt to give such customs a
"Christian" flavor
b. As Helms, quoted earlier, went on to say:
1) "With the advent of Christianity, the egg, still taken
as a symbol of life, was simply borrowed to be a symbol
of the Christian holiday."
2) "The earliest Easter eggs were dyed red to represent the
blood shed by Christ."
3) "Many cultures celebrated the advent of spring down
through history. When Christianity came along about
2,000 years ago, there was already a number of pagan
celebrations in place."
4) "People rarely discard a holiday. When a new system of
beliefs comes along, you simply come up with a new
mythic structure to explain why you were celebrating
that holiday in the first place."
2. The effect of such assimilation...
a. It eventually "neutralized" the pagan rituals
1) Who would have ever thought of "Easter" as the name of a
goddess?
2) Without the help of historical research, we would have
forgotten the pagan origins
b. But it also leaves many people with erroneous conceptions
1) E.g., having people believe that Christians have always
observed a yearly regarding the death and resurrection
of Jesus
2) E.g., in the case of Christmas, leading people to
believe that Jesus was actually born on December 25th,
not knowing that it was originally a Roman feast day
II. LOOKING AT EASTER FROM A "BIBLICAL" PERSPECTIVE
A. PAUL GAVE WARNINGS REGARDING FEAST DAYS...
1. Paul expressed his concern for the churches in Galatia - Ga
4:8-11
a. He does not say that their practice was wrong per se, only
that he is concerned
b. From the context, his concern pertained to "why" they were
doing these things
1) If they believed it was necessary to be saved, then
Paul's labor among them was in danger of being in vain
2) For seeking justification through the Law, religious
feast days, etc., causes one to fall from grace and
become estranged from Christ! - cf. Ga 5:4
2. Paul admonished the Colossians not to let anyone "judge" them
- Co 2:16-17
a. Some were seeking to bind the Law upon the Gentile
believers - e.g., Ac 15:1,5
b. Gentile Christians were told not to let any one judge
(condemn) them, for salvation is in Christ, not in the
keeping of the religious feast days of the Law
3. But as we noted before, Paul was not averse to observing
certain feast days himself
a. He did not hesitate to keep Jewish customs when expedient
- 1 Co 9:19-20
1) He had Timothy circumcised - Ac 16:1-3
2) He took a vow - Ac 18:18
3) He sought to keep a Jewish feast in Jerusalem - Ac 18:
19-21
4) He participated in purification ceremonies, which
included animal sacrifices - Ac 21:17-26; Num 6:13-20
b. However, in his teaching it was made clear:
1) It should be kept on an individual basis - cf. Ro 14:5-6
2) It should not be bound on others - cf. Ga 2:3-5
3) It had nothing to do with our justification in Christ
- cf. Ga 5:4-6
Where Paul drew the line was in making such matters church
doctrine or practice, where people were compelled to do
them
B. JESUS WARNED OF THE DANGER OF HUMAN TRADITIONS...
1. He rebuked the scribes Pharisees for their use of traditions
- Mk 7:1-13
a. They made their traditions necessary for all to observe
- Mk 7:7
b. In keeping their traditions, they laid aside the commands
of God - Mk 7:8-9
2. Traditions of men are wrong, then, when they:
a. Become matters of doctrine or required practice, bound upon
all
b. Displace the commands of God by the very keeping of the
traditions
Traditions are therefore like the feast days; in certain
situations they can be matters of expediency, but if we are
not careful they can become a stumbling block to us!
C. MAKING APPLICATION IN REGARDS TO EASTER...
1. The Bible is silent regarding any YEARLY observance of
Christ's resurrection
a. God and Jesus evidently did not deem it necessary for the
church
b. Any yearly observance is based upon human tradition, not
God's Word
2. As a human tradition, we must be very careful - cf. Mk 7:7-9
a. It cannot become a matter of doctrine, which is bound upon
others
b. It cannot displace the keeping of God's commandments (do
those who come only on Easter believe that it renders the
command in He 10:25 of no effect?)
3. An annual observance by the church is unwise, if not wrong
a. It intertwines human traditions with God's commands for His
church
b. It forces people to observe what is a human tradition
4. On an individual basis, however, if one wishes to esteem one
day above another:
a. It is between him and the Lord - Ro 14:5-6
b. Be careful not to condemn those who differ - Ro 14:4,10-12
c. Be sensitive to the convictions of others - Ro 14:13-19
5. As for the pagan elements...
a. Again, perhaps this is best left on an individual basis
b. My own understanding is that we are free in Christ to
change what may have been a religious practice at one time
for personal use as an expediency
1) E.g., using circumcision for personal hygiene
2) E.g., using colored eggs and hiding them for family
entertainment
CONCLUSION
1. My view of Easter is similar to how I view Thanksgiving...
a. I know that the idea of an annual observance is foreign to the
Scriptures
b. As Christians we should give thanks and celebrate Christ's
resurrection year around
c. But seeking to "continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine"
(Ac 2:42), the Lord's church should refrain from adding human
traditions to its work and worship
d. Yet I am grateful that I live in a country where at least once a
year people think about God's blessings, especially in the gift
of His Dear Son
2. My prayer is that people will do more than think about God's Son
once a year...
a. That we be thankful in every thing and on every day
b. That we live in the power of the resurrected Life which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord
1) Which comes by being in Christ
2) Which comes by living daily in service to Him who died for us,
and rose again!
"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the
power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live
with Him by the power of God toward you." - 2 Cor 13:4
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself for me." - Gal 2:20
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phil
4:13
Are you living daily for Christ, serving Him by the power of His
resurrected life?
April 9 PM
"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST"
INTRODUCTION
1. "Easter Sunday" is an annual holiday celebrated by many...
a. Millions of people commemorate the resurrection of Jesus on this
day
b. Many consider it as "the most holy" of religious holidays
c. For some, it marks the only time they attend church services
(Christmas runs a close second)
2. Christians in the first century did not have an annual observance of
this event...
a. The word "Easter" is found only once in the KJV Bible - cf. Ac
12:4
b. The word in the Greek is actually "Passover", and so translated
elsewhere in the KJV
c. "It is reasonably certain that the NT contains no reference to a
yearly celebration of the resurrection of Christ" (ISBE)
d. The annual observance is a human tradition, introduced in the
second and third centuries
3. Churches today who follow the New Testament pattern do not celebrate
"Easter" per se...
a. Like the church in Jerusalem, they are content to abide in the
apostles' doctrine - Ac 2:42
b. They note Paul's teaching regarding religious holidays - cf. Ga
4:9-11
c. They value Jesus' warning regarding the traditions of men - cf. Mt
15:9
4. This does not in any way demean the importance of the resurrection of
Christ...
a. It has great significance to the Christian
b. It is something we should think about often (certainly more than
once a year)
5. It is an appropriate subject even on "Easter Sunday", just as
sermons...
a. On thankfulness are around Thanksgiving
b. On mothers are on Mother's Day
Even though churches may not celebrate such holidays per se
I. IF CHRIST WAS NOT RAISED
A. GOSPEL PREACHING IS VAIN... (1 Co 15:14)
1. The preaching of the apostles is empty, meaningless
2. Because they proclaimed nothing more than a fairy tale, a story
of fiction
B. OUR FAITH IS VAIN... (1 Co 15:14)
1. Our belief in Christ would also be empty, meaningless
2. For our faith would be in a lie, a story of make believe, not
truth
C. THE APOSTLES WERE FALSE WITNESSES... (1 Co 15:15)
1. They swore that God raised Jesus from the dead - Ac 2:32
2. They claimed to spend 40 days with Him after the resurrection,
eating and drinking with Him - Ac 10:39-41
3. There is no way they could have been deceived or mistaken;
either they told the truth or they were deliberate liars,
deceivers, and frauds!
D. WE ARE STILL IN OUR SINS... (1 Co 15:17)
1. It would have been a liar or lunatic that died on the cross
2. No such person could have provided a sacrifice that was holy
and without blemish
E. BELIEVERS HAVE PERISHED AT DEATH... (1 Co 15:18)
1. Their faith would have been in a false Messiah
2. They would have had no atonement for their sins
3. Dying in their sins, there would be no hope
F. CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE PITIED... (1 Co 15:19)
1. Because we believe in a false Messiah
2. Because our faith in Him leads us to refrain from much worldly
pleasure
3. Because we are often ridiculed or persecuted for our faith
II. IF CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED
A. IT VERIFIES OUR JUSTIFICATION... (Ro 4:24-25)
1. Jesus claimed His blood would be adequate - Mt 26:28
2. By raising Jesus from the dead, God demonstrated His acceptance
of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins! - Ro 8:33-34
B. IT DEMONSTRATES THE POWER AVAILABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN... (Ep 1:
18-20)
1. Power available at our conversion - Co 2:11-12; 1 Pe 3:21
2. Power available to live the Christian life - Ro 8:11-13; Ph 2:
12-13; 4:13; Ep 3:20; 6:10
C. IT GIVES US HOPE CONCERNING OUR OWN RESURRECTION... (1 Pe 1:3)
1. His resurrection gives us a living hope! - 1 Pe 1:21
2. Especially concerning the resurrection of believers! - 1 Th 4:
13-14
D. IT DEMANDS OUR COMPLETE LOYALTY... (Ro 14:9)
1. He was raised and then exalted to become our Lord - Ac 2:32-36;
Ep 1:20-23
2. Thus our lives and service belong to Him - Ro 14:7-8; 2 Co 5:15
CONCLUSION
1. The impact of the resurrection of Jesus should not go unfelt in our
lives...
a. As a historical event it has everlasting implications
b. For both the believer and the unbeliever
2. The believer must never lose sight of the significance of the
resurrection...
a. Do our lives demonstrate that we serve a risen Lord and Savior?
b. Do we possess the hope, peace, and strength that the reality and
power of His resurrection gives to the Christian?
3. The unbeliever also needs to examine the significance of the
resurrection carefully...
a. It verifies the deity of Jesus, that He has all authority - Ro
1:4; Mt 28:19; Ac 2:36
b. It verifies the truthfulness of what He taught, such as...
1) No one can come to the Father but through Him - Jn 14:6
2) His blood was shed for the remission of sins - Mt 26:28
3) He came to offer abundant life - Jn 10:10
4) He went to prepare a place for us - Jn 14:2
5) He shall come again - Jn 14:3
6) There will be a resurrection of the dead and ensuing judgment
- Jn 5:28-29; 12:48
c. If Jesus rose from the dead, then one must believe in Him! - cf.
Jn 8:24
May we never forget "The Significance Of The Resurrection of Christ" in
our lives!
INTRODUCTION
1. "Easter Sunday" is an annual holiday celebrated by many...
a. Millions of people commemorate the resurrection of Jesus on this
day
b. Many consider it as "the most holy" of religious holidays
c. For some, it marks the only time they attend church services
(Christmas runs a close second)
2. Christians in the first century did not have an annual observance of
this event...
a. The word "Easter" is found only once in the KJV Bible - cf. Ac
12:4
b. The word in the Greek is actually "Passover", and so translated
elsewhere in the KJV
c. "It is reasonably certain that the NT contains no reference to a
yearly celebration of the resurrection of Christ" (ISBE)
d. The annual observance is a human tradition, introduced in the
second and third centuries
3. Churches today who follow the New Testament pattern do not celebrate
"Easter" per se...
a. Like the church in Jerusalem, they are content to abide in the
apostles' doctrine - Ac 2:42
b. They note Paul's teaching regarding religious holidays - cf. Ga
4:9-11
c. They value Jesus' warning regarding the traditions of men - cf. Mt
15:9
4. This does not in any way demean the importance of the resurrection of
Christ...
a. It has great significance to the Christian
b. It is something we should think about often (certainly more than
once a year)
5. It is an appropriate subject even on "Easter Sunday", just as
sermons...
a. On thankfulness are around Thanksgiving
b. On mothers are on Mother's Day
Even though churches may not celebrate such holidays per se
I. IF CHRIST WAS NOT RAISED
A. GOSPEL PREACHING IS VAIN... (1 Co 15:14)
1. The preaching of the apostles is empty, meaningless
2. Because they proclaimed nothing more than a fairy tale, a story
of fiction
B. OUR FAITH IS VAIN... (1 Co 15:14)
1. Our belief in Christ would also be empty, meaningless
2. For our faith would be in a lie, a story of make believe, not
truth
C. THE APOSTLES WERE FALSE WITNESSES... (1 Co 15:15)
1. They swore that God raised Jesus from the dead - Ac 2:32
2. They claimed to spend 40 days with Him after the resurrection,
eating and drinking with Him - Ac 10:39-41
3. There is no way they could have been deceived or mistaken;
either they told the truth or they were deliberate liars,
deceivers, and frauds!
D. WE ARE STILL IN OUR SINS... (1 Co 15:17)
1. It would have been a liar or lunatic that died on the cross
2. No such person could have provided a sacrifice that was holy
and without blemish
E. BELIEVERS HAVE PERISHED AT DEATH... (1 Co 15:18)
1. Their faith would have been in a false Messiah
2. They would have had no atonement for their sins
3. Dying in their sins, there would be no hope
F. CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE PITIED... (1 Co 15:19)
1. Because we believe in a false Messiah
2. Because our faith in Him leads us to refrain from much worldly
pleasure
3. Because we are often ridiculed or persecuted for our faith
II. IF CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED
A. IT VERIFIES OUR JUSTIFICATION... (Ro 4:24-25)
1. Jesus claimed His blood would be adequate - Mt 26:28
2. By raising Jesus from the dead, God demonstrated His acceptance
of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins! - Ro 8:33-34
B. IT DEMONSTRATES THE POWER AVAILABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN... (Ep 1:
18-20)
1. Power available at our conversion - Co 2:11-12; 1 Pe 3:21
2. Power available to live the Christian life - Ro 8:11-13; Ph 2:
12-13; 4:13; Ep 3:20; 6:10
C. IT GIVES US HOPE CONCERNING OUR OWN RESURRECTION... (1 Pe 1:3)
1. His resurrection gives us a living hope! - 1 Pe 1:21
2. Especially concerning the resurrection of believers! - 1 Th 4:
13-14
D. IT DEMANDS OUR COMPLETE LOYALTY... (Ro 14:9)
1. He was raised and then exalted to become our Lord - Ac 2:32-36;
Ep 1:20-23
2. Thus our lives and service belong to Him - Ro 14:7-8; 2 Co 5:15
CONCLUSION
1. The impact of the resurrection of Jesus should not go unfelt in our
lives...
a. As a historical event it has everlasting implications
b. For both the believer and the unbeliever
2. The believer must never lose sight of the significance of the
resurrection...
a. Do our lives demonstrate that we serve a risen Lord and Savior?
b. Do we possess the hope, peace, and strength that the reality and
power of His resurrection gives to the Christian?
3. The unbeliever also needs to examine the significance of the
resurrection carefully...
a. It verifies the deity of Jesus, that He has all authority - Ro
1:4; Mt 28:19; Ac 2:36
b. It verifies the truthfulness of what He taught, such as...
1) No one can come to the Father but through Him - Jn 14:6
2) His blood was shed for the remission of sins - Mt 26:28
3) He came to offer abundant life - Jn 10:10
4) He went to prepare a place for us - Jn 14:2
5) He shall come again - Jn 14:3
6) There will be a resurrection of the dead and ensuing judgment
- Jn 5:28-29; 12:48
c. If Jesus rose from the dead, then one must believe in Him! - cf.
Jn 8:24
May we never forget "The Significance Of The Resurrection of Christ" in
our lives!
April 16 AM
"SECRETS OF THE ABUNDANT LIFE"
INTRODUCTION
1. Suppose I could offer you a life that is guaranteed to give you...
a. A "joy" that is greater than any other
b. A "blessedness" that is happiness in its fullest measure
c. An "assurance" of entering the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
d. A "peace" that surpasses understanding
-- Would you be interested?
2. I cannot, but Jesus does...!
a. He came to provide the way to an abundant life - Jn 10:10
b. He shares with us the "secrets" to this life through His teaching
- Jn 15:11
3. Through His teachings, then, we can learn the "Secrets Of The
Abundant Life"...
a. Many of which are found in this very chapter (Jn 15)
b. Where Jesus pictures Himself as the Vine and His disciples as the
branches - cf. Jn 15:1-5
I. THE SECRET OF LIVING IS BEARING FRUIT
A. DIFFERENT KINDS OF FRUIT WE CAN BEAR...
1. Winning souls to Christ and helping them to grow - Ro 1:13
2. Sharing with those in need - Ro 15:28
3. Developing a Christ-like character - 2 Pe 1:5-8; Ga 5:22-23
4. Praising God and giving thanks - He 13:15
These are "fruits" that we can bear as branches of the Vine
B. THE BENEFITS OF BEARING SUCH FRUIT...
1. Joy for those who win souls - 3 Jn 4; 1 Th 2:19-20
2. Happiness for those who share with others - Ac 20:35
3. Assurance for those who develop a Christ-like character - 2 Pe
1:8-11; Ga 5:23b
4. Peace for those given to thanksgiving - Ph 4:6-7
Such are the "benefits" of the abundant life Jesus offers
II. THE SECRET OF BEARING FRUIT IS ABIDING
A. NOTE THE USE OF THE WORD "ABIDE"....
1. Jesus uses the word "abide" ten times - Jn 15:4-10
2. We must abide in Him, and He in us, to bear fruit
3. Without Him, we can do nothing
The secret to bearing fruit is abiding in Christ! - Jn 15:5
B. ABIDING IN CHRIST EMPOWERS THE CHRISTIAN....
1. Paul wrote what the power in Christ meant in his own life - Ph
4:13
2. He wanted others to know of the power available to them - Ep 1:
18-20; 3:20
3. He gave examples of how this power could transform people
- e.g., 1 Co 6:9-11
-- Abiding in Christ empowers us to bear fruit, and thereby
experience the abundant life!
III. THE SECRET OF ABIDING IS OBEYING
A. OBEYING THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS...
1. By keeping His commands we abide in His love - Jn 15:10a
2. By keeping His commands we will be His friends - Jn 15:14
3. By keeping His commandments we abide in Him - 1 Jn 3:24a
-- Obedience is the key to abiding in Christ!
B. THE PRINCIPLE OF ABIDING THROUGH OBEYING...
1. Governed Jesus' relationship with His Father while on earth
a. He kept His Father's commandments, and so abided in His love
- Jn 15:10b
b. Passages which illustrate Jesus' desire to keep His Father's
Will - Jn 4:34; 5:30; 6:38
2. And should govern our conduct as Christians as well
a. We abide in Christ by keeping His commandments - 1 Jn 2:3-6
b. Otherwise we are liars if we profess to know Him and do not
keep His word!
One cannot abide in Christ without obeying His commands!
IV. THE SECRET OF OBEYING IS LOVING
A. THREE DIFFERENT REASONS TO OBEY...
1. We can obey because we have to (the level of fear)
a. In order to avoid punishment
b. Like a child who obeys his parents to avoid a spanking
2. We can obey because we need to (the level of selfishness)
a. In order to get what we want
b. Like a teenager who obeys his parents to gain favors
3. We can obey because we want to (the level of love)
a. Because we love the person we are obeying
b. Like mature children who obey their parents out of love
People often obey Jesus they feel like they have to or need to
B. JESUS DESIRES OBEDIENCE OUT OF LOVE...
1. He appeals to our sense of love - Jn 14:15,23
2. He knows that without love our obedience will falter - Jn 14:24
3. The secret to consistent obedience is loving!
a. Those who obey because they have to or need to will never be
consistent
b. Once they meet their feeling of necessity, they cease to be
obedient
c. As an example, take the command to assemble - cf. He 10:25
1) Those who obey only because they feel they have to or
need to will assemble as little as it takes to salve
their conscience
2) Those who obey because they want to, out of love for
Jesus and their brethren, will assemble at every
opportunity
Why do we obey Jesus? Have we matured to obeying Jesus out of
love?
V. THE SECRET OF LOVING IS KNOWING
A. THIS SHOULD BE SELF-EVIDENT...
1. Love between husband and wife is based upon knowledge and
understanding
2. Strong friendships are also based upon knowing each other well
3. Brethren who love one another are those who have made the
effort to know each other
Should we expect it to be any different with Jesus?
B. THE MORE WE KNOW JESUS, THE MORE WE LOVE HIM...
1. Especially as we grow in understanding His love for us - cf. Jn
15:13; 1 Jn 3:16
2. We are more likely to walk in love, if we know His love for us
- Ep 5:2
Increase our knowledge of Jesus, then, and our love for Jesus
will increase!
VI. THE SECRET OF KNOWING IS READING
A. THIS IS ALSO SELF-EVIDENT...
1. As seen in our humanly relationships
a. Where there is communication, relationships grow
b. Where there is none, relationships flounder
2. Even more so with our relationship with God and Jesus
a. The more we communicate, the better we know
b. And how does Jesus communicate with us? Through His Word!
The only reliable source for Jesus' words is the Bible
B. THE MORE WE READ, THE BETTER WE KNOW JESUS...
1. As simple as it sounds, Bible reading is the catalyst to the
abundant life
a. By reading we come to know
b. By knowing we come to love
c. By loving we come to obey
d. By obeying we come to abide
e. By abiding we come to bear fruit
f. By bearing fruit we experience the abundant life
2. Yet many Christians neglect the Word of God
a. Even though its value in bearing fruit is seen even in Psa
1:1-3
b. How sad when we now have the full revelation of the New
Testament
Neglecting the Word of God is why many do not experience the
abundant life!
CONCLUSION
1. In Jn 15:11, we find Jesus saying...
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full."
2. My purpose for sharing these "secrets" has been the same...
a. Every person ought to be filled with the joy of Christ
b. Every person ought to experience the abundant life He offers
Let the words that Jesus spoke, revealed only in the Word of God, the
Bible, be the catalyst that begins the chain reaction leading one to a
truly abundant life!
INTRODUCTION
1. Suppose I could offer you a life that is guaranteed to give you...
a. A "joy" that is greater than any other
b. A "blessedness" that is happiness in its fullest measure
c. An "assurance" of entering the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
d. A "peace" that surpasses understanding
-- Would you be interested?
2. I cannot, but Jesus does...!
a. He came to provide the way to an abundant life - Jn 10:10
b. He shares with us the "secrets" to this life through His teaching
- Jn 15:11
3. Through His teachings, then, we can learn the "Secrets Of The
Abundant Life"...
a. Many of which are found in this very chapter (Jn 15)
b. Where Jesus pictures Himself as the Vine and His disciples as the
branches - cf. Jn 15:1-5
I. THE SECRET OF LIVING IS BEARING FRUIT
A. DIFFERENT KINDS OF FRUIT WE CAN BEAR...
1. Winning souls to Christ and helping them to grow - Ro 1:13
2. Sharing with those in need - Ro 15:28
3. Developing a Christ-like character - 2 Pe 1:5-8; Ga 5:22-23
4. Praising God and giving thanks - He 13:15
These are "fruits" that we can bear as branches of the Vine
B. THE BENEFITS OF BEARING SUCH FRUIT...
1. Joy for those who win souls - 3 Jn 4; 1 Th 2:19-20
2. Happiness for those who share with others - Ac 20:35
3. Assurance for those who develop a Christ-like character - 2 Pe
1:8-11; Ga 5:23b
4. Peace for those given to thanksgiving - Ph 4:6-7
Such are the "benefits" of the abundant life Jesus offers
II. THE SECRET OF BEARING FRUIT IS ABIDING
A. NOTE THE USE OF THE WORD "ABIDE"....
1. Jesus uses the word "abide" ten times - Jn 15:4-10
2. We must abide in Him, and He in us, to bear fruit
3. Without Him, we can do nothing
The secret to bearing fruit is abiding in Christ! - Jn 15:5
B. ABIDING IN CHRIST EMPOWERS THE CHRISTIAN....
1. Paul wrote what the power in Christ meant in his own life - Ph
4:13
2. He wanted others to know of the power available to them - Ep 1:
18-20; 3:20
3. He gave examples of how this power could transform people
- e.g., 1 Co 6:9-11
-- Abiding in Christ empowers us to bear fruit, and thereby
experience the abundant life!
III. THE SECRET OF ABIDING IS OBEYING
A. OBEYING THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS...
1. By keeping His commands we abide in His love - Jn 15:10a
2. By keeping His commands we will be His friends - Jn 15:14
3. By keeping His commandments we abide in Him - 1 Jn 3:24a
-- Obedience is the key to abiding in Christ!
B. THE PRINCIPLE OF ABIDING THROUGH OBEYING...
1. Governed Jesus' relationship with His Father while on earth
a. He kept His Father's commandments, and so abided in His love
- Jn 15:10b
b. Passages which illustrate Jesus' desire to keep His Father's
Will - Jn 4:34; 5:30; 6:38
2. And should govern our conduct as Christians as well
a. We abide in Christ by keeping His commandments - 1 Jn 2:3-6
b. Otherwise we are liars if we profess to know Him and do not
keep His word!
One cannot abide in Christ without obeying His commands!
IV. THE SECRET OF OBEYING IS LOVING
A. THREE DIFFERENT REASONS TO OBEY...
1. We can obey because we have to (the level of fear)
a. In order to avoid punishment
b. Like a child who obeys his parents to avoid a spanking
2. We can obey because we need to (the level of selfishness)
a. In order to get what we want
b. Like a teenager who obeys his parents to gain favors
3. We can obey because we want to (the level of love)
a. Because we love the person we are obeying
b. Like mature children who obey their parents out of love
People often obey Jesus they feel like they have to or need to
B. JESUS DESIRES OBEDIENCE OUT OF LOVE...
1. He appeals to our sense of love - Jn 14:15,23
2. He knows that without love our obedience will falter - Jn 14:24
3. The secret to consistent obedience is loving!
a. Those who obey because they have to or need to will never be
consistent
b. Once they meet their feeling of necessity, they cease to be
obedient
c. As an example, take the command to assemble - cf. He 10:25
1) Those who obey only because they feel they have to or
need to will assemble as little as it takes to salve
their conscience
2) Those who obey because they want to, out of love for
Jesus and their brethren, will assemble at every
opportunity
Why do we obey Jesus? Have we matured to obeying Jesus out of
love?
V. THE SECRET OF LOVING IS KNOWING
A. THIS SHOULD BE SELF-EVIDENT...
1. Love between husband and wife is based upon knowledge and
understanding
2. Strong friendships are also based upon knowing each other well
3. Brethren who love one another are those who have made the
effort to know each other
Should we expect it to be any different with Jesus?
B. THE MORE WE KNOW JESUS, THE MORE WE LOVE HIM...
1. Especially as we grow in understanding His love for us - cf. Jn
15:13; 1 Jn 3:16
2. We are more likely to walk in love, if we know His love for us
- Ep 5:2
Increase our knowledge of Jesus, then, and our love for Jesus
will increase!
VI. THE SECRET OF KNOWING IS READING
A. THIS IS ALSO SELF-EVIDENT...
1. As seen in our humanly relationships
a. Where there is communication, relationships grow
b. Where there is none, relationships flounder
2. Even more so with our relationship with God and Jesus
a. The more we communicate, the better we know
b. And how does Jesus communicate with us? Through His Word!
The only reliable source for Jesus' words is the Bible
B. THE MORE WE READ, THE BETTER WE KNOW JESUS...
1. As simple as it sounds, Bible reading is the catalyst to the
abundant life
a. By reading we come to know
b. By knowing we come to love
c. By loving we come to obey
d. By obeying we come to abide
e. By abiding we come to bear fruit
f. By bearing fruit we experience the abundant life
2. Yet many Christians neglect the Word of God
a. Even though its value in bearing fruit is seen even in Psa
1:1-3
b. How sad when we now have the full revelation of the New
Testament
Neglecting the Word of God is why many do not experience the
abundant life!
CONCLUSION
1. In Jn 15:11, we find Jesus saying...
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full."
2. My purpose for sharing these "secrets" has been the same...
a. Every person ought to be filled with the joy of Christ
b. Every person ought to experience the abundant life He offers
Let the words that Jesus spoke, revealed only in the Word of God, the
Bible, be the catalyst that begins the chain reaction leading one to a
truly abundant life!
April 23 AM
"SECRETS OF THE ABUNDANT LIFE"
The Secret Of Living Is Bearing Fruit
INTRODUCTION
1. Suppose I could offer you a life that is guaranteed to give you...
a. A "joy" that is greater than any other
b. A "blessedness" that is happiness in its fullest measure
c. An "assurance" of entering the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
d. A "peace" that surpasses understanding
-- Would you be interested?
2. Of course, I myself cannot offer such a life; but Jesus can and does!
As He stated in Jn 10:10...
"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it
more abundantly."
3. Jesus offers this "abundant life" not only by His sacrificial death
on the cross, but also by His teachings recorded by His apostles;
notice Jn 15:11...
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full."
4. Through His teachings, then, we can learn the "Secrets Of The
Abundant Life"...
a. Many of which are found in this very chapter (Jn 15)
b. Where Jesus pictures Himself as the VINE and His disciples as the
BRANCHES - cf. Jn 15:1-5
5. As "branches" we are to bear "fruit", and this leads us to the first
of several "Secrets Of The Abundant Life"...
"The Secret Of Living Is Bearing Fruit"
I. DIFFERENT KINDS OF FRUIT WE ARE TO BEAR
A. WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST AND HELPING THEM GROW...
1. Paul speaks of this kind of "fruit" in Ro 1:13
2. One of the characteristics of a branch bearing fruit is that it
produces a product identical to itself
3. Therefore, one way a disciple bears fruit is by producing
another disciple!
B. SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED...
1. Paul speaks of contributing to the poor as a "fruit" in Ro 15:
25-28
2. In His own way, Jesus certainly did this - cf. 2 Co 8:9
3. So if the "Vine" did this, we should expect His "branches" to
do the same - cf. 1 Jn 3:16-18
C. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...
1. Notice that the "fruit" of the Spirit is the development of
certain graces - Ga 5:22-23
2. One who abounds in such qualities is growing in the "knowledge
of Jesus Christ" - 2 Pe 1:5-8
3. Indeed, he is being "renewed...according to the image of Him
who created him" - cf. Co 3:9-11
D. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS...
1. The author of Hebrews describes such activities as a sort of
"fruit" - He 13:15
2. Again, the "Vine" was known for such behavior - cf. Lk 10:21;
Jn 11:41
3. Should His "branches" do any less?
II. THE BENEFITS OF BEARING SUCH FRUIT
A. THERE IS GREAT "JOY" FOR THOSE WHO WIN SOULS...
1. John says that there is "no greater joy" - 3 Jn 3-4
2. Paul's converts at Thessalonica were his "pride and joy" - cf.
1 Th 2:19-20
3. So those involved in the winning and confirming of souls for
Christ find great joy as they see the fruits of their labors
B. THERE IS GREAT "HAPPINESS" FOR THOSE WHO SHARE THEIR
POSSESSIONS...
1. They learn by experience the truthfulness of Jesus' teachings
2. Who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" - Ac
20:35
3. The word "blessed" can be translated "O how very happy", so
there is greater happiness in giving than in receiving
C. THERE IS GREAT "ASSURANCE" FOR THOSE WHO DEVELOP CHRIST-LIKE
CHARACTER...
1. Those in whom "the fruit of the Spirit" is produced are free
from any condemnation of law - cf. Ga 5:23b; Ro 8:1
2. Those who abound in the "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"
(i.e., develop the graces described) have the assurance of an
"abundant entrance" into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
- 2 Pe 1:8-11
3. For example, those who love in deed and truth have an assurance
of their salvation - 1 Jn 3:18-19
D. THERE IS GREAT "PEACE" FOR THOSE GIVEN TO THANKSGIVING...
1. For those with the "attitude of gratitude", there is the "peace
of God" - cf. Ph 4:6-7
2. A peace which...
a. "Surpasses all understanding"!
b. "Will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"!
CONCLUSION
1. A life filled with...
a. Joy
b. Happiness
c. Assurance
d. Peace
...surely that is the "abundant life"!
2. Thus "The Secret Of Living Is Bearing Fruit", and this "abundant
life" is available to only those who will "bear fruit" as "branches"
of the "True Vine" (Jesus Christ)!
3. But is there a secret to bearing fruit? Indeed there is, and our
next lesson will seek to discern from Jn 15 what that secret is.
For the time being, if you have not yet become a "branch" of the "True
Vine", have you given serious consideration to becoming one...?
The Secret Of Living Is Bearing Fruit
INTRODUCTION
1. Suppose I could offer you a life that is guaranteed to give you...
a. A "joy" that is greater than any other
b. A "blessedness" that is happiness in its fullest measure
c. An "assurance" of entering the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
d. A "peace" that surpasses understanding
-- Would you be interested?
2. Of course, I myself cannot offer such a life; but Jesus can and does!
As He stated in Jn 10:10...
"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it
more abundantly."
3. Jesus offers this "abundant life" not only by His sacrificial death
on the cross, but also by His teachings recorded by His apostles;
notice Jn 15:11...
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full."
4. Through His teachings, then, we can learn the "Secrets Of The
Abundant Life"...
a. Many of which are found in this very chapter (Jn 15)
b. Where Jesus pictures Himself as the VINE and His disciples as the
BRANCHES - cf. Jn 15:1-5
5. As "branches" we are to bear "fruit", and this leads us to the first
of several "Secrets Of The Abundant Life"...
"The Secret Of Living Is Bearing Fruit"
I. DIFFERENT KINDS OF FRUIT WE ARE TO BEAR
A. WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST AND HELPING THEM GROW...
1. Paul speaks of this kind of "fruit" in Ro 1:13
2. One of the characteristics of a branch bearing fruit is that it
produces a product identical to itself
3. Therefore, one way a disciple bears fruit is by producing
another disciple!
B. SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED...
1. Paul speaks of contributing to the poor as a "fruit" in Ro 15:
25-28
2. In His own way, Jesus certainly did this - cf. 2 Co 8:9
3. So if the "Vine" did this, we should expect His "branches" to
do the same - cf. 1 Jn 3:16-18
C. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...
1. Notice that the "fruit" of the Spirit is the development of
certain graces - Ga 5:22-23
2. One who abounds in such qualities is growing in the "knowledge
of Jesus Christ" - 2 Pe 1:5-8
3. Indeed, he is being "renewed...according to the image of Him
who created him" - cf. Co 3:9-11
D. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS...
1. The author of Hebrews describes such activities as a sort of
"fruit" - He 13:15
2. Again, the "Vine" was known for such behavior - cf. Lk 10:21;
Jn 11:41
3. Should His "branches" do any less?
II. THE BENEFITS OF BEARING SUCH FRUIT
A. THERE IS GREAT "JOY" FOR THOSE WHO WIN SOULS...
1. John says that there is "no greater joy" - 3 Jn 3-4
2. Paul's converts at Thessalonica were his "pride and joy" - cf.
1 Th 2:19-20
3. So those involved in the winning and confirming of souls for
Christ find great joy as they see the fruits of their labors
B. THERE IS GREAT "HAPPINESS" FOR THOSE WHO SHARE THEIR
POSSESSIONS...
1. They learn by experience the truthfulness of Jesus' teachings
2. Who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" - Ac
20:35
3. The word "blessed" can be translated "O how very happy", so
there is greater happiness in giving than in receiving
C. THERE IS GREAT "ASSURANCE" FOR THOSE WHO DEVELOP CHRIST-LIKE
CHARACTER...
1. Those in whom "the fruit of the Spirit" is produced are free
from any condemnation of law - cf. Ga 5:23b; Ro 8:1
2. Those who abound in the "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"
(i.e., develop the graces described) have the assurance of an
"abundant entrance" into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
- 2 Pe 1:8-11
3. For example, those who love in deed and truth have an assurance
of their salvation - 1 Jn 3:18-19
D. THERE IS GREAT "PEACE" FOR THOSE GIVEN TO THANKSGIVING...
1. For those with the "attitude of gratitude", there is the "peace
of God" - cf. Ph 4:6-7
2. A peace which...
a. "Surpasses all understanding"!
b. "Will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"!
CONCLUSION
1. A life filled with...
a. Joy
b. Happiness
c. Assurance
d. Peace
...surely that is the "abundant life"!
2. Thus "The Secret Of Living Is Bearing Fruit", and this "abundant
life" is available to only those who will "bear fruit" as "branches"
of the "True Vine" (Jesus Christ)!
3. But is there a secret to bearing fruit? Indeed there is, and our
next lesson will seek to discern from Jn 15 what that secret is.
For the time being, if you have not yet become a "branch" of the "True
Vine", have you given serious consideration to becoming one...?
April 30
"SECRETS OF THE ABUNDANT LIFE"
The Secret Of Bearing Fruit Is Abiding
INTRODUCTION
1. In our previous lesson we saw that "The Secret Of Living Is Bearing
Fruit"...
a. As disciples of Jesus, we are to Him as branches are to the vine
b. Bearing fruit is our primary responsibility as branches
c. In the very act of bearing fruit, we experience the "abundant
life" that Jesus offers:
1) "Joy" for those who win souls to Christ
2) "Happiness" for those who share with the less fortunate
3) "Assurance" for those developing Christ-like qualities
4) "Peace" for those offering the fruit of prayer and praise
2. In contrast, those "branches" that do not bear fruit are in danger of
becoming cut off from the vine...
a. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;" - Jn
15:2a
b. In other words, those disciples who do not bear fruit will be "cut
off" from Jesus by the Father! - Jn 15:1-2a
c. How then can we be sure to be fruitful as branches of the vine?
I. DISCERNING THE SECRET OF BEARING FRUIT
A. NOTICE HOW OFTEN JESUS USES THE WORD "ABIDE"...
1. In ten verses, he uses the word ten times! - Jn 15:4(3),5,6,
7(2),9,10(2)
2. Why is this word mentioned over and over again? Because...
B. THE SECRET OF BEARING FRUIT IS ABIDING!
1. A branch does not bear fruit by struggling, but by abiding in
the vine...
a. When you walk through a vineyard, do you detect tension and
struggle among the branches as they bear fruit?
b. No! Instead there is a calm & confident resting - an
abiding - as branches draw their life from the vine in order
to bear fruit
2. In the Christian life, we experience first a "union", then a
"communion"...
a. When we become Christians, there is first a "union" with
Christ
1) Paul describes this union as taking place in baptism -
cf. Ga 3:27; Ro 6:3-5
2) Having "put on Christ" and being "united together" with
Him, our union with Him is like that of a branch to a
vine - Jn 15:5a
b. As we "abide" in this union, we have "communion" or
fellowship with Christ in a very close and personal way -
Jn 15:4a
3. This "communion" or mutual abiding with the vine (Christ)
enables the branches (disciples) to bear fruit!
a. The branch receives from the vine the strength necessary to
bear fruit; so the Christian receives from Christ strength
to do what he could not do on his own - Jn 15:4-5
b. Of the strength or power available to those in Christ, Paul
often wrote...
1) In his own life, and in the lives of others - Ph 4:13,
19; Co 1:29
2) He wanted others to know of the great power available to
them - Ep 1:18-20; 3:20
3) He often gave examples of how this power could transform
people
a) E.g., the Corinthians - 1 Co 6:9-11
b) Even himself - 1 Ti 1:12-16; 1 Co 15:9-10
II. EVIDENCES OF ABIDING IN CHRIST
A. BEARING MUCH FRUIT - Jn 15:5b
1. This is the most obvious sign
2. When one is consistently bearing the sort of fruit described in
the previous lesson, that is certainly good evidence of a close
relationship with Christ!
3. Whereas the lack of fruit can be an indication of one of three
things...
a. Either there never was a "union" to begin with
b. Or there was a union, but "communion" is not taking place,
leaving one in jeopardy of being "cut off"
c. Or there was a union but the branch has already been cut
off!
B. THE FATHER'S PRUNING - Jn 15:2b
1. We should expect to see evidence of the Father's work in our
lives, in which...
a. Things that would hinder us are being "cut away"
b. We are ever being developed so as to be more "fruitful"
2. One way that the Father does this is through the Word...
a. Notice Jn 15:3 - "clean" (katharos) is closely related to
"prune" (kathairo)
b. The Word of God can be a very powerful instrument in the
hands of the Lord - cf. He 4:12-13; Ep 6:17
c. As we read or hear it, it can expose us for what we really
are, and when received properly, help us make great changes
- cf. Ja 1:22-25
3. So if we are not constantly growing through the influence of
the Word of God, clearly we are not abiding in Christ!
C. A GROWING SENSE OF DEPENDENCE - Jn 15:5c
1. We will come to realize that apart from Christ we can do
nothing (of real, lasting value)
2. But those who abide in Christ will become like Paul, who
realized the true source of his strength: his union with
Christ! - cf. 2 Co 3:5; Ga 2:20; Ph 4:15
D. OUR PRAYERS BEING ANSWERED - Jn 15:7,16
1. As we abide in Christ, we will find our prayers being answered
2. Of course, such answered prayers will depend upon several
factors:
a. That we keep His commandments and do the things that please
Him - 1 Jn 3:22
b. That our requests be according to God's will - 1 Jn 5:14
c. That our requests not be for selfish gain - Ja 4:3
3. But one who abides in Christ should be able to look back and
see evidence of answered prayers (though not always answered in
the way we expected)
E. LOVE FOR CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE - Jn 15:9,12
1. Since God is love (1 Jn 4:8) and Christ is God (Jn 1:1),
those who abide in Christ will abide in love - 1 Jn 4:7-8
2. Indeed, Christ commands us to love one another - Jn 15:17
3. And those who do not love the children of God , have not known
God - 1 Jn 3:14; 4:8,20-21
F. AN INNER JOY - Jn 15:11
1. Not the absence of trial or trouble, but a joy borne of the
assurance that Christ has overcome the world, and that we can
also through Him - Jn 16:33; cf. Ph 4:4
2. Indeed, one of the first visible signs of backsliding (of not
abiding in Christ) is the loss of joy, especially about things
spiritual! - cf. Ps 32:3; 51:12
CONCLUSION
1. These, then, are just a few of the evidences that we are abiding in
Christ...
a. Bearing much fruit
b. The Father's pruning
c. A growing sense of dependence
d. Our prayers being answered
e. Love for Christ and His people
f. An inner joy
2. To be sure, not every believer who abides in Christ will have ALL
these blessings in the SAME DEGREE at the same time...
a. But they will be present in some measure, and they will be strong
enough to be evident (to ourselves at least, if not always to
others)
b. And they should always be INCREASING! - Jn 15:2; cf. 2 Pe 1:8
3. It is good for us as branches to examine ourselves regularly to see
if we are truly abiding in Christ - cf. 2 Co 13:5
a. For the secret of the abundant life is bearing fruit
b. And the secret of bearing fruit is abiding in Christ
c. And so if we are not abiding in Christ, we cannot enjoy the
abundant life!
But what's the secret of abiding in Christ? Our next lesson will
examine THAT secret...
The Secret Of Bearing Fruit Is Abiding
INTRODUCTION
1. In our previous lesson we saw that "The Secret Of Living Is Bearing
Fruit"...
a. As disciples of Jesus, we are to Him as branches are to the vine
b. Bearing fruit is our primary responsibility as branches
c. In the very act of bearing fruit, we experience the "abundant
life" that Jesus offers:
1) "Joy" for those who win souls to Christ
2) "Happiness" for those who share with the less fortunate
3) "Assurance" for those developing Christ-like qualities
4) "Peace" for those offering the fruit of prayer and praise
2. In contrast, those "branches" that do not bear fruit are in danger of
becoming cut off from the vine...
a. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;" - Jn
15:2a
b. In other words, those disciples who do not bear fruit will be "cut
off" from Jesus by the Father! - Jn 15:1-2a
c. How then can we be sure to be fruitful as branches of the vine?
I. DISCERNING THE SECRET OF BEARING FRUIT
A. NOTICE HOW OFTEN JESUS USES THE WORD "ABIDE"...
1. In ten verses, he uses the word ten times! - Jn 15:4(3),5,6,
7(2),9,10(2)
2. Why is this word mentioned over and over again? Because...
B. THE SECRET OF BEARING FRUIT IS ABIDING!
1. A branch does not bear fruit by struggling, but by abiding in
the vine...
a. When you walk through a vineyard, do you detect tension and
struggle among the branches as they bear fruit?
b. No! Instead there is a calm & confident resting - an
abiding - as branches draw their life from the vine in order
to bear fruit
2. In the Christian life, we experience first a "union", then a
"communion"...
a. When we become Christians, there is first a "union" with
Christ
1) Paul describes this union as taking place in baptism -
cf. Ga 3:27; Ro 6:3-5
2) Having "put on Christ" and being "united together" with
Him, our union with Him is like that of a branch to a
vine - Jn 15:5a
b. As we "abide" in this union, we have "communion" or
fellowship with Christ in a very close and personal way -
Jn 15:4a
3. This "communion" or mutual abiding with the vine (Christ)
enables the branches (disciples) to bear fruit!
a. The branch receives from the vine the strength necessary to
bear fruit; so the Christian receives from Christ strength
to do what he could not do on his own - Jn 15:4-5
b. Of the strength or power available to those in Christ, Paul
often wrote...
1) In his own life, and in the lives of others - Ph 4:13,
19; Co 1:29
2) He wanted others to know of the great power available to
them - Ep 1:18-20; 3:20
3) He often gave examples of how this power could transform
people
a) E.g., the Corinthians - 1 Co 6:9-11
b) Even himself - 1 Ti 1:12-16; 1 Co 15:9-10
II. EVIDENCES OF ABIDING IN CHRIST
A. BEARING MUCH FRUIT - Jn 15:5b
1. This is the most obvious sign
2. When one is consistently bearing the sort of fruit described in
the previous lesson, that is certainly good evidence of a close
relationship with Christ!
3. Whereas the lack of fruit can be an indication of one of three
things...
a. Either there never was a "union" to begin with
b. Or there was a union, but "communion" is not taking place,
leaving one in jeopardy of being "cut off"
c. Or there was a union but the branch has already been cut
off!
B. THE FATHER'S PRUNING - Jn 15:2b
1. We should expect to see evidence of the Father's work in our
lives, in which...
a. Things that would hinder us are being "cut away"
b. We are ever being developed so as to be more "fruitful"
2. One way that the Father does this is through the Word...
a. Notice Jn 15:3 - "clean" (katharos) is closely related to
"prune" (kathairo)
b. The Word of God can be a very powerful instrument in the
hands of the Lord - cf. He 4:12-13; Ep 6:17
c. As we read or hear it, it can expose us for what we really
are, and when received properly, help us make great changes
- cf. Ja 1:22-25
3. So if we are not constantly growing through the influence of
the Word of God, clearly we are not abiding in Christ!
C. A GROWING SENSE OF DEPENDENCE - Jn 15:5c
1. We will come to realize that apart from Christ we can do
nothing (of real, lasting value)
2. But those who abide in Christ will become like Paul, who
realized the true source of his strength: his union with
Christ! - cf. 2 Co 3:5; Ga 2:20; Ph 4:15
D. OUR PRAYERS BEING ANSWERED - Jn 15:7,16
1. As we abide in Christ, we will find our prayers being answered
2. Of course, such answered prayers will depend upon several
factors:
a. That we keep His commandments and do the things that please
Him - 1 Jn 3:22
b. That our requests be according to God's will - 1 Jn 5:14
c. That our requests not be for selfish gain - Ja 4:3
3. But one who abides in Christ should be able to look back and
see evidence of answered prayers (though not always answered in
the way we expected)
E. LOVE FOR CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE - Jn 15:9,12
1. Since God is love (1 Jn 4:8) and Christ is God (Jn 1:1),
those who abide in Christ will abide in love - 1 Jn 4:7-8
2. Indeed, Christ commands us to love one another - Jn 15:17
3. And those who do not love the children of God , have not known
God - 1 Jn 3:14; 4:8,20-21
F. AN INNER JOY - Jn 15:11
1. Not the absence of trial or trouble, but a joy borne of the
assurance that Christ has overcome the world, and that we can
also through Him - Jn 16:33; cf. Ph 4:4
2. Indeed, one of the first visible signs of backsliding (of not
abiding in Christ) is the loss of joy, especially about things
spiritual! - cf. Ps 32:3; 51:12
CONCLUSION
1. These, then, are just a few of the evidences that we are abiding in
Christ...
a. Bearing much fruit
b. The Father's pruning
c. A growing sense of dependence
d. Our prayers being answered
e. Love for Christ and His people
f. An inner joy
2. To be sure, not every believer who abides in Christ will have ALL
these blessings in the SAME DEGREE at the same time...
a. But they will be present in some measure, and they will be strong
enough to be evident (to ourselves at least, if not always to
others)
b. And they should always be INCREASING! - Jn 15:2; cf. 2 Pe 1:8
3. It is good for us as branches to examine ourselves regularly to see
if we are truly abiding in Christ - cf. 2 Co 13:5
a. For the secret of the abundant life is bearing fruit
b. And the secret of bearing fruit is abiding in Christ
c. And so if we are not abiding in Christ, we cannot enjoy the
abundant life!
But what's the secret of abiding in Christ? Our next lesson will
examine THAT secret...
