Sermon Tone Analysis

The Believers Threefold Relationship

This chapter is a continuation of our Lord's last words to His bewildered disciples, and reveals:

This chapter is a continuation of our Lord's last words to His bewildered disciples, and reveals:

This chapter is a continuation of our Lord's last words to His bewildered disciples, and reveals:

1. OUR RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST

Our union with Him implies:

1) Oneness of Life.

"I am the Vine, ye are the branches" ().

The life that is in the branch is the same life that is in the vine.

It is the sap of the vine that works in the branch.

So it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure ().

2) Entire Dependence.

"Without the vine the branch can do nothing, but wither and die" ().

"If a man abide not in Me, he shall become like a branch broken off and withered."

Fruitlessness in the Christian life is the evidence of a broken relationship.

Grapes will not grow on a sapless branch.

Paul knew the power of this inworking Spirit.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me" ().

Being filled with His Spirit is the prime condition of fruitbearing.

3) Co-operation.

"Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit" ().

The vine might say to the branch: "Without me ye can do nothing."

The branch might also say to the vine: "Without me ye can do nothing."

But in united effort both can accomplish their destined purpose.

Without Christ the Church can do nothing that will glorify the Father But we dare not say that without the Church Christ can do nothing, for He could easily send legions of angels as heralds of the Gospel; but He hath chosen those redeemed by His Blood and saved by His grace to be His witnesses.

Herein lies the Church's responsibility.

2. OUR RELATIONSHIP TO ONE ANOTHER

1) All One in Christ.

The branches are all in the one vine.

"I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit" ().

We are His workmanship.

Created in Christ Jesus unto good works ().

Every single believer is a member of His Body, and, as such, members one of another.

2) One in Love.

"Love one another as I have loved you" ().

This is Christ's new commandment to His new born people ().

It was the message they heard at the beginning of their Christian life ().

Alas, that we are so slow to learn it.

One may have gifts, great wisdom, and faith; but without love, nothing ().

3) One in Work.

We have but one Master, and one purpose in life: that is, to bring forth fruit that shall remain ().

For this end He gave this gracious promise: "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you" ().

3. OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORLD

Our position in the world is one of:

1) Separation.

"Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world" ().

Having been made new creatures in Christ Jesus, we are now, in character, strangers and foreigners in the world.

Separated unto God, and saved from the wrath that is coming upon a world that "lieth in wickedness" ().

2) Opposition.

Because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you ().

This is the hatred of Cain, who slew his brother because his own works were evil and his brother's righteous ().

The believer's life is opposed to the spirit that is in the world.

He cannot hate ungodly men, but he can, and does, resist all that savors of the Devil.

To pray for our enemies is Christ's example of passive resistance.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master ().

3) Bearing Witness.

"The Spirit shall testify of Me, and ye also shall bear witness."

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We are His witnesses, and so is also the Holy Spirit ().

On the testimony of these two witnesses shall His Word be established.

When His Word burns in our hearts like "fire shut up in our bones," then, like Peter and John, we will be constrained to say: "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" ().

"Ye are My witnesses."

There is a woe unto those who hide their light ().