1 I AM THE TRUE VINE JOHN 15:1-17 The international ...

What’s that all about First of all, it means living a life of deep intimacy with
Jesus. A branch is totally dependent on the vine for that life-giving sap for its
nourishment and life. If it gets severed from the vine, it dries up quickly and dies
off. Without the grape vine, a branch can’t grow and develop any grapes. Now,
Jesus says here that He’s the “true” vine. That simply means that He’s the real,
genuine source of the spiritual life God wants for you. There are all kinds of
spiritual life out there. Some of it’s demonic. Some of it’s merely psychological.
Some of it’s made up. All the spiritual life God wants you to have flows through
Jesus. So, Jesus invites you into a deep intimacy with Himself. When you get
connected to Him, you find your hunger for truth satisfied. You find the purpose
of your life. You grow into your full potential as His creation. You make a
difference in the lives of others. Jesus had one word for it: joy. What does He
say here "‘I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your
joy, and your joy wholly mature.’” (John 15:11 MSG) That’s it – joy!
I still remember Jim Braswell. He was a fellow student at the high school I
attended. He was a year ahead of me so I didn’t know him well. I knew him well
enough, however, to see the dramatic change Jesus made in his life. Before he
became a follower of Jesus, Jim was sullen, withdrawn, critical, sarcastic and
angry. But during that year there was a real move of God across that high school
campus. Jim received Jesus as his Savior. He got plugged into the True Vine
and it made all the difference in the world. Jim became a spiritual leader on that
campus. He was positive, approachable, outgoing, gracious, compassionate and
bubbling over with joy. That’s one mark of a genuine encounter with Jesus. You
move from a withered life to a wonderful life.
A corporation extends its business through its branch offices. The initiative starts
with the parent corporation. In the same way, Jesus chooses His people. God
initiates a relationship with you – a relationship destined for deep intimacy. Being
chosen – that’s a key concept here. What did Jesus say “‘You didn't choose
me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't
spoil….’” (John 15:16 MSG) Just review all the things you’re chosen for in these
verses. You’re chosen for joy. You’re chosen for love. You’re chosen to be His
representative. You’re chosen to be His advertisement. You’re chosen to be
useful to Him. You’re chosen – believe it or not - to be Jesus’ friend.
Yes, we’re called Jesus’ servant and slave in other places, but notice what Jesus
says here. “‘I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't
understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you
friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.’” (John
15:15 MSG) Mid-eastern kings and emperors had a very select group of friends
who had access to them at all times. This group of friends had the closest and
most accessible relationship with the ruler that was possible. That’s what Jesus
wants to have with you. He actually made that friendship possible by shedding
His own blood on the cross. So, let me ask you a question: Would you describe
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