Christian Life - WHy the Christian Life is Better - John 14 and 15 - November 7, 2010

Bible Study – Christian Life – Why the Christian Life is Better – November 7, 2010.

This is lesson one (1) in our final series on apologetics. This series is entitled “The Case for Christian Life.”
Our scripture is John 14:15-18, 27-31a and John 15:11-16.


In our studies, so far, we have considered “The Case for GOD”, The Case for JESUS” and we end with “The Case for Christian Life.” Being a Christian is all about relationship with CHRIST. When I speak of relationship, the degree of a Christian’s relationship with CHRIST can and will depend upon his/her degree of commitment to HIM. The depth of a person’s relationship with CHRIST depends upon his/her willingness to rely upon HIM, trust HIM, yield control of his/her life to HIM, learn from HIM, put into practice what HE asks him/her to do and the list goes on.


When CHRIST was born on earth, HE was 100% human and at the same time HE was 100% Divine. HE was completely obedient to HIS FATHER’S commands. HE did not make any decisions outside the will of GOD. HIS disciples saw HIM as both human and divine. They asked HIM to show them GOD, the FATHER. CHRIST told them, if you want to see GOD then look at ME. The way to GOD is through CHRIST. HE said in John 14:6 - 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.


Some may ask, “Why do I need to go through CHRIST to get to GOD?” The answer is simple. GOD is HOLY and no human is or will ever be pure enough to approach GOD. The blood of CHRIST paid the price for sin for all who believe in HIM. Because HE shed HIS blood for the remission of sins, all people have the opportunity to be born into the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth. But each person has to accept by faith what CHRIST did for him/her. Faith in CHRIST imputes righteousness to all who believe and confess CHRIST as their SAVIOR. A born-again believer is a Christian who has been made righteous by the shed blood of CHRIST. As a result he/she can approach GOD freely 24/7 with any problem, question, need, concern, comfort or praise just to name a few. GOD becomes a Christian’s FATHER through the miracle of rebirth. JESUS is a Christian’s brother WHO gave HIS life for him/her and as a result, became his/her SAVIOR.


CHRIST in you makes you a Christian. It is not the church, temple or synagogue you attend. CHRIST is the promised Messiah.


In the selected scripture, CHRIST is preparing HIS disciples for HIS death and resurrection which will take place in the next few days. HIS disciples knew HE had special powers and was sent from GOD. However, they thought HE was going to establish an earthly kingdom and was going to deliver them from Roman rule.


Let’s read John 14:15-18:
15 “If you love Me, you will keep[9]My commandments.[10] 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another • Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be[11]in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.


JESUS was preparing HIS disciples for the most difficult time of their lives. JESUS knew that HE had a relationship with HIS disciples. They were a tight knit group who had experienced many different things. HE also knew that they did not fully comprehend what HIS mission was all about. JESUS, in essence, was telling them that “If you love ME, hold tight to what I have taught you because a very dark time is coming. You will be challenged to abandon everything I have taught you. But if you really love ME, hold tight to the truth because you know that I AM truth.” HE knew they would be scattered and confused when HE gave up HIS earthly life on the cross. HE knew that it was vital that they have something to insure them that their faith in HIM was not in vain.


HE knew that HIS disciples would look upon HIS death as the end. Christ knew that HIS death would be the beginning of the day of redemption for all who would believe. HE also knew that HIS disciples, with the exception of Judas, would one day completely understand and comprehend the purpose of HIS death. HE knew that GOD would raise HIM from the dead, which would be the proof of HIS purpose and the guarantee to all who would believe in HIM.


It is no different for Christians today. It takes Christians time to process salvation and understanding their relationship with CHRIST. We must grow and mature Spiritually. We have dark times in our lives as well. We must learn to practice in the dark what we learn in the light. When dark times come in our lives, we must hang on to truth. We may have to recall the moment of our salvation and remember that GOD is our refuge and strength in the time of trouble. HE stands ready to come to our aid when we call upon HIM. HE will never leave us or forsake us. Christians belong to HIM because HE bought them with a price and HE did not give HIS life for them to dump them.


Notice that JESUS said “I will ask the FATHER, and HE will give you another person, like ME, to be with you forever.” The “you” applies to all who will believe in HIM until HE returns to earth after HIS ascension. HE was speaking of the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO indwells every true believer at the instant he/she believes in CHRIST. The HOLY SPIRIT was not just for the disciples but for all believers.


Notice HE said, “The HOLY SPIRIT is the Spirit of Truth.” The world cannot receive HIM because sin blinds those in the world to HIS presence. Those in the world who live according to the flesh are blinded to the presence of Spiritual truth.


CHRIST told HIS disciples that they know the Spirit of Truth because HE, the very embodiment of truth, had been along side of them through their journey with HIM. The passion of CHRIST made ready for the human body to house the HOLY SPIRIT for all who ask CHRIST to forgive them of their sins and believe that HE gave HIS life for them upon the cross. What does 2 Corinthians 5:21 tell us?


21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.


That is why we need CHRIST. Faith in HIM imputes righteousness to all who believe in HIM. Therefore, all true believers in HIM receive the HOLY SPIRIT which indwells him/her forever. The HOLY SPIRIT is the down payment or security deposit GOD invests in every believer as his/her guarantee that his/her faith in HIM is not in vain. Truth lives within every Christian and is the best warranty ever written. It is GOD’S guarantee that every believer will join HIM in heaven once this earthly life is over. Do you have this assurance? If not, why not? Ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life right now. Now thank HIM for coming in and go tell someone what you have just done. Some may look at you strangely but those who know the truth will rejoice with you.


So what about this guarantee? Here is some scripture:


Second Corinthians 5:5 - 5 And the One who prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.


Second Corinthians 1:21-22 - 21 Now the One who confirms us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.


Ephesians 1:13-14 - 13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—in Him when you believed—were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment[12] of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession,[13] to the praise of His glory.


Ephesians 4:30 - 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit, who sealed you[17] for the day of redemption.


Romans 8:16 - 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,


The HOLY SPIRIT confirms the fact that we are the children of GOD. WOW!!! It does not get any better than knowing that as a believer, you are the child of the GOD FOREVER!!! REJOICE!!!


Let’s read John 14:27-31a:
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world[12]is coming. He has no power over Me.[13] 31 On the contrary, [I am going away]* [14]so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do.


JESUS continued to teach and prepare HIS disciples. What is the peace that CHRIST will leave with HIS disciples? CHRIST knew the truth. HE knew WHO HE was and HIS ultimate destiny. HE was secure in knowing the FATHER. When Christians know the truth and secure in their faith in CHRIST they know heart confirmed peace.


JESUS knew that HIS disciples would have difficulty processing all that was about to happen. Their world will be turned upside down Spiritually. But HE knew that it would be turned right-side up after HIS resurrection and ascension because HE would send the HOLY SPIRIT to enlighten them of all truth. The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT is the abiding presence of GOD. The HOLY SPIRIT enlightens, teaches, reveals, confirms, seals, empowers and confirms every true believer’s eternal security.


GOD allows us to go through difficult times in order for us to process, comprehend and understand the connection between physical occurrences and their relationship to the Spiritual awaking. Spirituality is personal. You cannot ride on my experience and neither can I ride on yours. I can learn from you and you can learn from me. But each of us will stand before GOD and have to answer to HIM for our faithfulness and obedience.


Keep in mind that we were not made for time but for eternity.


Also, keep in mind that before GOD made the world HE knew us. Ephesians 1:4: for He chose[3] us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] In love[5]


Let’s read John 15:11-16:
11 “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is My command: love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master[2]is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.


CHRIST knew the joy of obediently serving the FATHER and HE wanted HIS disciples then and now to know this same joy. It is unspeakable joy. There is no greater joy than knowing that you are obediently serving the living GOD completely as HE desires for you to serve. It is not a service out of coercion but out of love, respect and a heart filled with the knowledge of HIS love for you. HE is worthy of everything you do as HE directs you. It is not the doing for the sake of doing but the doing because it serves HIS plan and purpose. You are part of HIS grand plan. That is exciting and joy to the max.


CHRIST told HIS disciples that HE gave HIS life for all who would believe upon HIM. This is the same message to people today. Notice HE used the word “friends.” GOD does not make us robots but gives us the freewill to choose. CHRIST paid the price for sin just for you and for me. It is up to each person to accept or reject HIM. When we choose HIM, HE chooses us to bear spiritual fruit.


We are chosen to bear spiritual fruit. Fruit has seeds and fruit is designed to bear more fruit. HE wants Christians to be obedient followers. Christians must keep in mind that they must remain grafted to the vine so they will be healthy branches. JESUS spoke to HIS disciples in John 15:1-8: The Vine and the Branches


1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[1]My disciples.


The title of our lesson is “Why the Christian Life is Better.” Why is it better? It is because we are grafted into the vine. Apart from the vine, CHRIST, we can do nothing. Christians who believe in CHRIST have the confirmation and security that their faith in CHRIST is solid. It is not false hope but an assurance that the passion of CHRIST has delivered them from their past, present and future sins and eternal death. The Christian life is better because every Christian has the presence of GOD in his/her life as evidenced by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.


The HOLY SPIRIT is the abiding presence of GOD in us. It doesn’t get better than that!!!