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00:02 Good morning church.
00:18 Today a mentoring pastor is preaching in
00:24 English. So have mercy on me.
00:33 Thank you.
00:39 Although I am preaching John chapter 15, I will not be giving a long
00:46 introduction. I will assume that you know the book of John because it was
00:52 preached recently. Can you remember that one of the ways that the apostle John
00:58 described Jesus was through the seven I ams. Today
01:03 I will talk about I talk about the last I am where Jesus says I am
01:11 uh I am the true vine. Let's pray.
01:16 Our father in heaven guide me as I speak your word today. Open the ears and
01:23 hearts of your people. Help me speak to the hearts of everyone here so that we
01:29 can bear fruit for your glory and your kingdom. Thank you in Jesus name. Amen.
01:37 As we all know growing includes biological,
01:43 mental, emotional and spiritual. Biological growth is a natural
01:50 development. Unless there are health issues. In the same way, if there is no
01:57 spiritual growth, then there is something wrong. Can you imagine a cute baby
02:07 with a choppy face, a bright eyes, making babblely sounds? What a wonderful
02:14 picture. But just imagine this child remains remains a cute choppy babbling
02:20 baby at the age of six or even 15 or
02:26 older. We will find this incredible worrying and not acceptable.
02:35 In the same way, if the young little children misbehave, have tempered tantrums, throw things,
02:43 bang door, and fight for toys. Parents will not overreact but
02:51 discipline them gently. What if this behavior does not change
02:57 but continue as they grow into adulthood? Can you imagine an adult losing their
03:05 temper, shouting, throwing things and banging
03:10 doors? Sad, isn't he?
03:15 Obviously, when the emotional growth does not match the physical growth,
03:20 there is something wrong. We all agree that growth is a natural
03:28 necessity. Let's see what Jesus is telling us in these verses. I will explain in these three points.
03:37 First, pruning is a necessary process of growth. Second, the purpose of the
03:44 branch is to bear fruit. Third, spiritual maturity grows only by abiding
03:50 in Christ. Pruning is a necessary process of
03:55 growth. John chapter 13-16 was Jesus favor speech which began
04:03 during the Passover meal. After the dinner as they walked towards the garden
04:08 of cases that probably passed the vineyard Jesus used the vine to describe
04:15 relationships. Vines always symbolized the Israelites in the Old Testament. For example,
04:23 in Isaiah chapter 5:7, the vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the
04:30 nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. God
04:37 chose the Israelites as people to be a testimony among the Gentiles through the
04:44 analogy of Finyan, but they failed.
04:49 In John 15, Jesus proclaimed that he is the true vine and his father is a vine
04:56 dresser. It seems that a new kingdom would come and a new people will come to
05:02 this kingdom. The vine will not grow and bear much
05:08 good fruit naturally if it is not cared for or pruned. In this passage, Jesus
05:14 proclaimed that God is the vine dresser who has done the cleaning and pruning
05:21 and Christ is the vine. The responsibility of the branches is to
05:26 bear fruit. The issue here is not the vine who is Jesus or the
05:34 vine dresser who is God. The issue is the branches
05:39 that is us his people. There are two types of branches. Those
05:46 that are fruitbearing or barren branches. The vine dresser will
05:51 definitely cut off the branches that are decayed and do not bear fruit.
05:57 Reflection. Jesus wanted to teach his disciples about spiritual growth through the vine
06:05 analogy. Does anything hinder us to grow as children of God?
06:14 A new shirts is a metaphor for endless desires.
06:20 Brothers and sisters, what have you been thinking of recently?
06:27 What is the latest Korean movie? Where is the next place for travel?
06:35 Where is the new bar tea store located?
06:41 What is the latest cadget? And so on and so on. You see, our minds
06:49 and hearts are occupied with so many desires.
06:54 How much time do we have left to develop our relationship with
06:60 God and with one another?
07:05 The withered branch symbolizes unchanged and not teachable or flesh. For example,
07:13 strong character and opinionated personality. These are people who say, "I'm like
07:20 this. What more do you want from me?" Also, personal experience is valued
07:28 above the word of God. Some members insist that the way how they have done
07:34 things has always worked. Even when scripture says differently, they are not
07:40 happy to change. Another hindrance is poor attitude.
07:47 These are people who often mourn. I'm tired. I'm suffering. I'm busy. I
07:54 can't. All these kind of personalities don't change easily, right?
08:02 However, God needs us to be transformed to be Christlike. Therefore, pruning is
08:09 a non-negotiable process in our Christian walk. No matter how beautiful, fresh, green,
08:18 and bright the nuces on the branches are, some will be cut off
08:24 so that the good branches can be bear much fruit. God wants to remove anything
08:31 that hinders our growth. Don't you think it is painful when desires like hobbies,
08:39 food, movies that you love are taken away? Will that make you angry?
08:48 This is God's way of helping you to grow. The word of God works as a pruning tool
08:55 when his truth confronts us. In 2 Timothy 3:16, all scripture is God
09:03 breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in
09:08 righteousness. Let me wrap up this point with this conclusion.
09:14 Giving up rights is an essential process of growth in Christian life.
09:20 Are you willing to be pruned and shaped by God?
09:26 The purpose of the branch is to bear fruit. How do we know that you and I are
09:33 growing and bearing fruit in our lives? The growth of a plant like the vine is
09:39 obvious through appearance, height, length, density of leaves,
09:47 strength of the plants and the fruit produced. But how are we going to measure a
09:53 healthy Christian life? The evolution of human
09:58 development is not only through appearance or physical change but inner being as well.
10:06 Try to evaluate this concept. First, a good student, a good student is
10:14 one who goes to school regularly. Please think about it. Excellent
10:20 children are gentle and quiet. The obedience employee is a person who
10:27 always say yes.
10:33 Boss, you're so happy with this, right? Are these true values?
10:39 Let me put it another way. Spiritual Christians are active in church ministry are tithed regularly.
10:47 Devoted Christians are gentle and never complain.
10:53 The most obedient saints will be silent and say yes all the time.
10:59 All the saints here. Will it be good enough to assess good
11:06 Christian growth only through this observations? Yes. No.
11:14 Brilliant. Brilliant. It will be like saying a vine with many
11:20 shoots and leaves is proof of excellent growth. However, the purpose of a vine
11:27 is to bear fruit. Wouldn't it be better to access
11:32 Christian growth through the attitudes, thoughts, and emotions of a person in
11:38 how they handle relationships? How do we measure close sincere
11:45 fellowship against superficious relationships? We can observe how people sit together
11:53 in a group like today or how families talk to each other.
12:01 Let us measure romance. When you approach someone you like,
12:08 you will use many words to express yourself, right? Take time to pursue her and you
12:17 will use many sweets words and flowery language
12:23 then romantic language which is called sweet nothings
12:30 but it's nice to hear and make us feel good.
12:35 After the marriage, few words are needed.
12:42 The goal has been achieved. All the words have been spoken.
12:53 It is finished.
12:59 Now children are born. Stress begins for necessary things.
13:05 Communication become cold. Sarcastic comments become normal.
13:12 Then comes O with self-t talk time. In the time of silence
13:18 when nobody wants to talk to you, so you talk to yourself.
13:24 The final stage is when you talk nonsense. This is very sad. Is this grow or decay?
13:35 Spiritual growth can be shown through our relationship with God and with one another. How do we build up our
13:42 relationship with God and one another? Jesus tells his disciples to just remain
13:48 in him which means abide, dwell, continue and endure. Did you know that
13:57 Jesus invited his disciples into the relationship with the Holy Trinity?
14:03 This was a privilege. Some people like Judas did not treasure and remain.
14:11 Those who love Christ will bear fruit naturally through abiding in him and
14:16 keeping his commandments. What does fruit symbolize in this context?
14:22 Could it be love? Love one another. Obedience,
14:29 winning a lost soul, a disciple's character. What is fruit?
14:37 It is essence of the vine. Simply put, living out the image of
14:43 Christ is the fruit of a Christian life.
14:48 This is a vine. Can you produce mangoes?
14:56 This is not natural. I produce a faith. If the branch is part from the vine, it
15:04 can do nothing. The branch will wither and be thrown away into the fire to be
15:09 burned. This seems to be pointing to the betrayer of Judas. Although Judas was
15:15 with Jesus and walked with Jesus for some years, but his heart was not
15:21 sincere. Similarly, those who do not remain in Christ will not grow to be Christlike.
15:28 There will be no spiritual maturity. This is standard growth.
15:34 How should a disciple's life be liked? Does his life reflect Jesus Christ? Are
15:40 we juicy but fig mingles or true fruit of the wine?
15:48 Let me read up this second point with this conclusion. Spiritual maturity reflects the depth of
15:55 faith. Therefore, spiritual maturity grows only by abiding
16:02 in Christ. From the analogy of the vine, Jesus
16:10 moves on to talk about the relationship between him and his disciples.
16:15 Let me rephrase the flow of this verse. these verses.
16:20 First, true relationships are based on the relationship with the Trinity God.
16:28 Second, abide in Christ through keeping his commandments.
16:38 Third, the full join of Christ will be with his disciples.
16:44 The greatest love forth the greatest love is the sacrificial love for one another.
16:54 Friends of Christ are those who obeyed his commands. Six,
17:01 the disciples did not choose Jesus. Jesus Christ chose them.
17:06 Seven, the disciples were appointed to bear everlasting fruit. Eight, God will
17:13 answer their prayer to enable them. Nine, the disciples must love each
17:19 other. The main point of Christ's final message to his disciples is that they should
17:26 love one another. Christ Jesus has mentioned this at least three times from chapter chapter
17:34 chapters 13- 16. Jesus stated this in chapter 13:34-35.
17:42 A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
17:48 must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if
17:53 you love one another. Sorry. 15:12
17:59 My command is this. My command is this. Love each other as I have loved you.
18:08 This is my command. Love each other. This is a new commandment that Jesus
18:15 gave them repeatedly. The repetition shows the importance of this point in the entire message.
18:22 Therefore, we can conclude that fruit of Christian growth is loving one another.
18:29 There is only one way to show fruit in our lives in the body of Christ through
18:34 the fellowship and relationship between brothers and sisters. Then the world then the world will know who are
18:41 Christians disciple through the way they treat their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ love one
18:48 another. I conclude this point with
18:54 love for one another is the evidence of who is connected to Christ.
19:02 My dear brothers and sister, who doesn't want to grow in Christ?
19:08 We all know that we should grow spiritually to bear fruit.
19:14 The problem is that we can't do it. This will lead us to the painful
19:20 question. Why can't we do it? Why do you remember how you were filled
19:27 with enthusiasm when you first came to Christ? I remember I remember how I wanted to
19:35 sacrifice my whole life to Jesus. I wanted to serve him all of my life. I
19:41 wanted to follow him no matter how hard it would be. Now at my baptism baptism I solemnly
19:48 made a vow. Have you made these kinds of passionate vows before? Yes, I believe that some of
19:56 you have. What has been stopping you?
20:05 Why are you not fulfilling on your promises? Why
20:13 many Christians give up their passions for Christ due to their life issues?
20:24 My dear brothers and sister, have you given up?
20:29 Have you been hurt by someone that you trust?
20:34 Are you worried for your future? Are you feeling lonely because your
20:40 buddies have left you one by one? You had sincere convictions until you
20:47 faced difficult times. You felt that you were abandoned by God. You concluded
20:53 that he did not know anything about your situation and did not care about you.
21:00 So here we are. Am I right, my dear brothers and
21:06 sisters? Do you really believe that God is not aware of your sorrow and does not
21:13 understand what you have gone through? Do you know that Christ strived to grow
21:19 since he was young? In Luke 2 verse 52, the Bible says, "And
21:27 Jesus grew in wisdom and statue and in favor with God and men." Jesus struggled
21:33 with growth even though he is the son of God. He gave up his divine authority. He
21:39 performed miracles for the sick and people in need, but not once for
21:45 himself. He did not surrender himself to the devil's temptations to turn the
21:51 stones into bread while fasting for 40 days. He did it for you and for me. Even
21:60 in the fragile state of being a man, Jesus obeyed his father's commands until
22:06 his last breath. He did it for you and for me. His life was full of God grace
22:15 and truth. John 1:14, the word became flesh and
22:21 made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory and the glory of the the one
22:26 and only son who came from the father full of grace and truth. He showed his
22:32 mercy to marginalized people through his healing hands and delivered them from
22:38 difficulties as well. He always rebuked the
22:44 hypocritical religious leaders but was also compassionate with those who sought
22:49 just like Nicodemus who came at night. The love and compassions of Jesus has
22:55 been clearly shown to the world.
23:01 Jesus perfectly synchronized his growth and obedience with his father timeline.
23:07 Jesus Christ is the perfect son who abided in trinity by keeping all commandments and living it out.
23:16 He did it for you and for me.
23:25 During the day of Jesus life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with
23:30 fervent cries and tears to one who could save him from death. And he was heard
23:36 because of his reverent submission. Son though he was he learned obedience from
23:42 what he suffered and once made perfect he became the source of eternal
23:47 salvations for all who obey him. You see
23:52 Jesus persevere to grow while struggling by abiding in his father. Our Lord Jesus
23:59 knows your situation, your pain, and your loneliness. He
24:06 walked the same path that we do. We often fail along the journey, but he
24:12 endured and persevered for our sake. Jesus understands your silent pain.
24:21 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to embodize with our weaknesses,
24:28 but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are. Yet he did not
24:35 sin. My dear brothers and sisters, growing as children of God can be
24:41 painful and hard due to our sinful nature and the evil from the fallen
24:46 world. But thanks be to God, our Lord Jesus Christ has set an example for his church
24:52 and opened the way for us to grow freely through abiding in him. This will lead
24:59 us to spiritual maturity and Christ likeness.
25:04 My dear brothers and sister, are you willing?
25:09 I really hope we are willing because growth is the choice to keep on going.
25:16 Maturity is willingness to bear the cost. The good news is that you can fulfill
25:23 this through abiding in Christ. Our father in heaven is waiting for us.
25:29 Jesus Christ has secured our place in heaven. The Holy Spirit is guiding us.
25:36 Let us bear kingdom fruit. Let us love God and love one another.
25:41 God, he is so good. He deserves all our praises and honors.
26:03 Amazing [Music]
26:16 love that welcomes me.
26:22 The kindness of mercy [Music]
26:30 that walk with God wholeheartedly
26:36 [Music] my soul undeserveying
26:43 God. You're so good.
26:50 God, you're so good.
26:58 God, you're so good.
27:03 You're so good to
27:08 me.
27:14 Behold the cross age to age
27:21 and hour by hour.
27:28 The dead are raised, the sinners save
27:36 the work of your power.
27:41 God, you're so good,
27:48 God. You're so good,
27:55 God. You're so good.
28:01 You're so good to
28:06 me. God,
28:11 you're so good.
28:17 God, you're so good.
28:24 God, you're so good.
28:29 You're so good to me.
28:36 I am blessed. I am cal. I am healed. I
28:42 am home. I am save Jesus name.
28:50 I faith and fil with your power for the glory of
28:59 Jesus name. I am blessed. I am come. I am healed. I
29:09 am whole. I am senior. Jesus name.
29:17 I favor anointed fil with your power for the glory of
29:26 Jesus name. [Applause]
29:36 [Music] suffering.
29:42 Lord, I will remember
29:47 [Music] what Calvary has bought for me
29:56 both now and forever.
30:01 [Music] God,
30:06 you're so good. [Music] God,
30:12 you're so good. God,
30:19 you're so good. You're so good
30:25 to me.
30:30 God, you're so good.
30:36 God, you're so good.
30:43 God, you're so good. You're so good
30:51 to me, God.
30:58 You're so good,
31:03 God. You're so good,
31:09 God. You're so good.
31:14 You're so good to me.
31:21 I am blessed. I am called. I am healed. I am home. I am safe in Jesus name.
31:34 I faith anointed filled with your power for the glory of
31:43 Jesus name. I am blessed. I am called. I am healed.
31:52 I am whole. I am saving Jesus name.
32:00 I favor anointed filled with your power for the glory of
32:09 Jesus name.
32:19 God, you're so good.
32:25 God, you're so good.
32:33 You're so good. You're so good
32:40 to me. [Music]
32:49 [Applause]
33:08 God is so good to you and to me
33:13 this morning. Let us respond to him with thankful heart.
33:20 I encourage you to reflect on this first.
33:26 Are you willing to give up the rights that might hinder you in obeying God?
33:35 Brothers and sisters, let us close our eyes and meditate
33:40 and how good our God is. He loves you. He understands you. He knows your silent
33:48 pain. This might make you stop to grow.
34:03 Jesus asked his disciple come to him and abide in him then you will bear fruit
34:08 naturally. Brothers and sisters, if you feel that
34:13 you need to make a decision or response to him, you can raise your h hand when I
34:21 ask this few response or thought. Are you willing to give up the rights
34:28 that might hinder you obeying God? You feel that you're willing to do that?
34:35 Please raise your hand. Thank you, God.
34:43 Thank you, God. Second, are you willing to bear with your brothers and sisters in Christ even if they are not as mature
34:52 as you are? Will you be their stumbling block or
34:57 stepping stone or even springboard for the spiritual growth? Are you willing to
35:04 be their stepping stone? Are you willing to be there
35:11 springboard? If you're willing, please raise your
35:16 hand. We want to build a gospel centered
35:21 community. Love our brothers and sisters among us
35:28 even though our community. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Third,
35:35 are you willing to keep our Lord's command to love one another no matter how hard and impossible the situation
35:42 is? I really hope we are willing to do that.
35:50 Are you willing to keep his commands even though you have helpless
35:58 maybe very hard for you and you feel that it's impossible for you
36:04 but you say to Lord yes I will keep it I will keep it just like Jesus
36:12 keep his promise until his last breath on the cross. Are you
36:17 willing to do that? If you're willing, please raise your hand. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord.
36:25 Growth is the choice to keep on going. Maturity is willingness to bear the cost
36:33 and that is gospel. And that is his follower.
36:39 We are follower of Christ. We're willing to do all these things.
36:44 Now I hand over the time
