Two Year Gospel Study Week 70

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 12
Scripture: Psalm 91,John 14:15-31, John 15, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Acts 14:22,Matthew 10:22, 2 Timothy 3;12, Matthew 5:10-12.

Psalm 91 tells us that our God can be trusted. This psalm has words that Jesus depended on and held onto as He headed Up to Jerusalem. He was able to face the trial, trouble and tribulation that came on the road to the cross.

Our story today picks up with Jesus saying, “If you love me, keep my commands.” This is not about earning eternal life, it’s about our relationship of love with The One who showed His love for us at the cross. As we love Him we show that in genuine obedience (keep my commands). God’s desire is that we mature in faith and that our very lives reflect Him through our speech and behavior and that we model Christ’s example.

Then Jesus shares that He will send an Advocate to help. This Advocate is the One who speaks truth. A counselor, encourager, comforter who will help us and be with us forever - The Holy Spirit. God’s supernatural presence and power in our lives. We are not called to live a life believing that God exists - we are called to live a supernatural life - we are called to live a life utterly dependent on the presence of God the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Jesus assures His disciples and us that we are never alone. Jesus says, “I am in my Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” (This is relationship). Jesus goes on to tell them the Holy Spirit (The Advocate) is coming and will be with us, and then He encourages them not to worry or be afraid.  These words are for us today - He will never abandon us - We can trust Him.

Jesus tells them He gives them peace - not the kind of peace the world gives, but His peace. Shalom. Shalom describes a relationship with the Living God where everything is done in harmony with His plan and purpose.  It is supernatural peace. And we are encouraged to allow it to overwhelm our hearts and souls.

As we continue reading Jesus tells us He is the True Vine, and God the Father is the Gardener. Pastor addresses a concern that most Bible translations may have this line inaccurately translated. Most Bibles say the Gardener “cuts off” branches that bear no fruit.  However, let’s explore how a vineyard gardener actually cares for a vine with branches that are bearing no grapes. What he does is he lifts up the branches from the ground and brings them into the sun, lifting them up and securing them in a way they can produce fruit.  Pastor believes this is what Jesus is saying here - that this is not a word of law, but instead a word of comfort.  Jesus says “every branch IN ME that is not producing fruit, the Father lifts up so that it can produce fruit.  

Pastor’s argument is this: the Bible translations tell us Jesus says, “the Father cuts off every branch IN ME that bears no fruit .” But then Jesus says if you abide IN ME you will bear much fruit.” Where is continuity in these verses?  Let’s take a look at the original Greek. The verse says: “He “airō” every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He “koptō” to make it even more fruitful.” The words used in the original Greek are airō and koptō. airō can mean to cut off but the primary meaning of the word is to be lifted up. koptō means to be cut off (pruned). 

As we learned earlier those who care for grapevines - tell us that a grapevine only produces fruit when it is lifted up from the ground and lifted into the sun. When we are in Jesus and not producing fruit, the Gardener (the Father) lifts us up, airō us up into the “Son” so that we will produce fruit, we are not cut off but lifted up. And when we are producing fruit the Gardener prunes, koptō us so that we will produce even more fruit. When we remain in Jesus - the Vine - we will bear fruit because the Father - Gardener - lifts us up and prunes us so we produce more fruit.

Jesus goes on to talk about:
    ⁃    True joy
    ⁃    Loving others
    ⁃    That He calls us “friend”
    ⁃    Answered prayer
    ⁃    Persecution 

These are the things Jesus shared on the night He was betrayed and arrested because He loved His disciples and He loves us and He wants us connected to Him - abiding in Him and prepared for what is to come.

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Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries.  Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.