May 10, 2023

Dear Friends,

Tonight we will conclude our study of John 15:1-11, with tonight's study beginning with verse seven,  "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish...." I hope you can join us. Notes are attached.

And what will be the words and the desires of Christ, which are abiding in us?—to glorify the Father! “that you

bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (v 8)

not “fruit,” but “much fruit” – our lives are to be very fruitful—not static, and not without flourishing

result — in Christ’s service

“and so prove to be...” – which brings glory to Christ

This is the mindset that should govern our living and our praying

Jesus is describing the pathway of fellowship with Himself in seeking to glorify the Father. He is not providing

a formula for “How to glorify yourself through prayer”!

All of Christ’s prayers were answered—even at Gethsemane, because He prayed “not my will by yours be

done.”

A prayer that is Christ-breathed, a prayer that is a result of our unity with Christ, a prayer that leads to God’s

glory, will always be granted. This is life, this is prayer, as life is meant to be lived and prayer to be offered.

v 9 — “As the Father has loved me...”

Jesus’ invitation continues—this is to His disciples, yes, but it is a message to the world

agape – God defines love, love cannot be inconsistent with His character

The love we experience from Christ is the very love He receives from the Father

Far, far more than feelings, however strong those feelings may be

For one to desire and to seek the true good of the other, even at expense to oneself—a commitment to

the good of another

“Abide in my love”—a wonderful invitation! We want to! How do we do that?...

v 10 – “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love...”

This is not a deed + reward formula, this is a description of how things are (You cannot abide in the

sunlight if you go live in a cave.)

We cannot dwell in, live in, abide in, stay in the love of Christ, if we insist on separating our lives from

His. He cannot bless sinful, rebellious living.

We cannot define abiding in Christ in some way that does not involve keeping this commandments

Keeping His commandments—this is life, not to do so is death

“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”—John 6:63

“just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.”

Jesus Himself obeyed the Father

“ Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the

source of eternal salvation for all who obey him”—Hebrews 5:8-9

v 11 – “These things I have spoken...”

The goal is joy!

Shared joy!—Christ’s joy in us!

Do we want His joy? Then...

more lit. “These things I have spoken to you that my joy might be in you and your joy might be filled.”