Greetings friend, welcome back.
We are studying John 15 and have discovered Jesus calling Himself “the Vine,” meaning that He is the Source of Life, and we are the “branches,” as we receive life from Him. We saw how Joseph, a picture of Jesus Christ, was called “a fruitful vine” (Genesis 49:22) as he became the life-source for all his brothers; indeed, for all the world at that time.
Today we are going to continue studying John 15:
John 15:1-2 NIV I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. (2) He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
The desire of the Father, as the “Gardener,” and the Son as the “Vine,” is for all believers to be fruitful. God both removes branches that bear no fruit, and prunes (cuts back, lifts and cleans) branches that do bear fruit, to make them more fruitful.
John 15:3 NIV You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
Question 1. According to John 15:3, what does the Word do for believers?
You no doubt have discovered, as I have, how viewing pornography, giving in to self-gratification, committing adultery, or any other form of sexual impurity defiles us, bringing guilt and shame and a dark conscience. The sin defiles us, and then our guilt and shame cling to us as dirt to filthy clothing.
When Jesus went to the cross, He took your sin (past, present, and future) off of you, and at the same time shed His blood to cleanse you from that sin. Jesus became dirty and defiled with your sin that you might be washed clean and made new. This is why the first principle of freedom is to Wash At the Cross.
Please examine the following passages of Scripture and record your thoughts below:
Zechariah 13:1 NIV “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.”
Malachi 3:2-3 NIV But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. (3) He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.
Titus 2:14 NIV who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Question 2. What do Zechariah 13:1, Malachi 3:2-3, and Titus 2:14 have in common?
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