Internet Church Service – July 26, 2020 Our Lord’s last messages to His disciples was the principle of the Vine dresser, the Vine, and the Branches.

EMBEDDED VIDEO SERMON in HD – NOTES
Our Lord’s last messages to His disciples was the principle
of the Vine dresser, the Vine, and the Branches.

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name, and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME

from - Romans 8:38-39

Hymn #1

Hymn #2

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word or participating in a Communion Service, so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately directly to God the Father. This will assure that you are in fellowship with God the Father and the Holy Spirit’s convicting ministry, also called the convincing ministry will then be able to teach you as the Holy Spirit is the real teacher and the pastor’s message is the vehicle the Holy Spirit uses to convince you what you are learning is true or not.

1 John 1:9, says—“If we confess [simply name, cite or acknowledge to God the Father] our sins [known sins], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [known sins] and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [all unknown and forgotten sins];” NKJV (New King James Version); we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins to God; the issue for you is to believe by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life and you will be saved the very second you believe in Him:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Our Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Terms used by RMBM

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to
teaching the Word of God from the original languages and
making it available at no charge throughout the world.

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

Sermon

NOTES

Unlike the bible study, these notes are not just for reading without watching the video. These notes are more designed to follow along during the sermon and to bring up the “hover pop-up scripture references” (some websites may require to left click the link, if that doesn’t work then look them up in your Bible) when the Pastor asks everyone to turn to that passage in their bibles.

Sermon: Our Lord’s last messages to His disciples was the
principle of the Vine dresser, the Vine, and the Branches.

The Vinedresser [God the Father] and the Vine [our Lord Jesus Christ] and the branches [believers] all have a very interesting analogy.

Three of our Lord’s parables are connected with vineyards (as Matt 20:1 ff; Matt 21:28-33) both teach.

It is the challenge to produce divine good and not human good or Christian service which is acceptable to God as it is found in the vine and the branch metaphor of John 15:1-8.

We will begin to realize the “unique doctrine” that is behind “all the principles of doctrine” so that we can easily say with Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle.

A few things are mentioned concerning “The Word of God” which is being made ready for a spiritual intervention as well as being ready for anything or anyone that comes our way.

Psa 138:2 = a reference to the strength and the power of God’s Word to solve man’s problems.

Nothing can stop us if we do not want to be stopped.

Psa 138:2 I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness [2Pe 3:18] of the Old Testament] and

David says I give thanks also for Your truth [Your doctrine]; For Thou hast magnified Thy word or Your doctrine according to all Thy name to be above “ALL.”

What do we literally understand about the Divine Provisions that our Lord has given to all of His followers.

Psa 56 describes some of the most interesting principles of doctrine that the Lord provided for all of us to perceive, then to believe or metabolize and finally apply to us living in the spiritual life.

In Psa 56:3, we are given power over the problems of fear; Psa 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee.

In Psa 56:8, David taught his followers about the problems of reversionism or backsliding called David’s wanderings.

Psa 56:8, David writes: Thou hast taken account of my wanderings [my fallen away];

In Psa 56:8, our Lord is said to put our tears in His bottle (that is His bottle of our hurts and sorrows);

Our Lord identifies with believers who have failed and feel guilty about their failures.

Our Lord is concerned about the fact that many believers do not know how to handle their past and because of that they are plagued by guilt, by condemnation, by the sins of omission.

James 4:17 “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Psa 56:8, they are my tears and Your tears that are also in our Lord’s book; Psa 56:8 Thou hast taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Thy bottle; Are they not in Thy book?

There is also said to be a bottle for our tears inside us that talks about the pain and suffering friends whose names are written down in our Lord’s book.

Job 23:12 “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

We are now ready for the “Word of God” to be magnified in our lives as we are told throughout the Bible what the “Word of God” WAS and IS and “WILL BE” precious and few in the site of our Lord and our God.

1Th 5:24 “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

Prov 30:5 “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

We begin by reading the context that our Lord began to teach to His Disciples who were now becoming Apostles.

The Vine represents our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Vinedresser represents God the Father.

The Branch represents the Believer.

Prin: As a part of life in the “Cosmic System,” we still live the “special life of blessing and devotion” that is for our Lord to use whenever He is faced with the Principles of “Living and Giving” unto our Lord.

The apostle John uses the vine, the vinedresser and the branches as a metaphor to represent the relationship of the believer with the Lord Jesus Christ.

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another.

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Here we have the vine and the branches used as a metaphor to represent the unity between the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church-age believer.

The vinedresser metaphor refers to God the Father as the author of the Predesigned Plan of God.

The vine metaphor refers to the humanity of Jesus during the dispensation of the Hypostatic Union.

The vine is the basis for the production of divine good or fruit-bearing.

Fruit through the branch is a symbol of the Church-age believer producing fruit.

Prin: No fruit or production can be any better than the vine which produces it.

Because of positional sanctification, our union with the Lord Jesus Christ plus the grace provision of God, it is possible for the believer to produce divine good.

The vine metaphor emphasizes the fact that all precedence and all production of divine good in the Church-age comes from the vine – our Lord Jesus.

The branch is a metaphor for the Church-age believer.

“in me” is a reference to the believer in Union with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are the branches in Union with the vine, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“dead branches” representing dead works on the part of the believer or the production skills minus spiritual skills.

Production skills minus spiritual skills = we know what we should be doing as far as our production skills are concerned, but the average believer lacks the spiritual skills needed to fulfill the production skills.

1. Two Power Options.

2. Three Spiritual Skills.

3. Four Spiritual Mechanics.

The two power options are being filled with the Spirit and the power of the word of God.

The filling of the Holy Spirit is the first power option and the first spiritual skill in the spiritual life.

The filling of the Spirit converts human I.Q. into spiritual I.Q., so that we have equality to learn spiritual phenomena.

The third spiritual skill is the problem-solving devices deployed on the FLOT line of the soul also known as the Forward line of troops which is a military acronym.

3. Four Spiritual Mechanics. This refers to the filling of the Holy Spirit, metabolized Bible doctrine circulating in the soul, the ten problem solving devices, the execution of the PPOG [predesigned plan of God].

The “dead branches” represent dead works on the part of the believer or the production skills minus spiritual skills which means that we produce human good with human power.

As a branch with life from the Vine, the “live branches” represent the ability of the believer who knows that divine good only results from living by using the spiritual skills.

The spiritual skills refer to what the branch “in me” that does not bear fruit refers to the believer who does not produce divine good.

Dead works is not fruit-bearing and is punishable or subject to divine discipline.

In verses 2, God the Father removes and takes away all dead wood, dead branches, branches which produce dead works.

God the Father takes away or removes the dead works through disciplinary suffering in two categories: The law of volitional responsibility which produces a tremendous amount of self-induced misery; and then Divine Discipline.

Matt 7:17 “Every healthy tree produces good fruit. And every diseased tree produces worthless [degenerate, or evil] fruit.

Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit.

Matt 7:19 every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

1. The law of volitional responsibility which produces a tremendous amount of self-induced misery and divine discipline.

2. We also have the principle of pruning which is necessary to redistribute where the energy for divine production should go.

The branch that does bear fruit has to be pruned occasionally so that the spiritual skills will increase and maximize.

However, this is suffering for blessing.

Prin: Just as God provides divine discipline and punitive action for the non-fruit bearer, so God provides suffering for blessing for the fruit-bearer.

Now, in verses John 15:3-4, we are the cleansing of the branches for production.

Verse three is salvation cleansing of the branches.

Nothing in your life, including what you thought, what you said and what you do, can ever hinder your spiritual life = including your past.

Isa 43:25 “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

Isa 44:22 “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

Nothing that ever happened to you before salvation should be a hindrance to your worship of the Lord and the production of divine good.

John 15:4, where verse four refers to post-salvation cleansing of the branches, which is in 1Jo 1:9.

Post-salvation refers to the cleansing of the branches from personal sins which took place after your salvation and is found in 1Jo 1:9 for us as it was found in Psa 32 for the Old Testament believers.

John 15:4 looks like this; “abide in me [Fellowship], and I in you [command understanding doctrine]. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit from itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

The fact that “abide” is a command means that it is an experience after salvation and not a reference to positional sanctification.

Abide” = command to R&R (rest and relax);

Experience = lifestyle of the believer.

Positional = how our Lord looks upon all believers.
God for your life].

We are never commanded to be in Union with Christ and this is a command to remain in fellowship with God through the use of 1Jo 1:9, so that divine good can be produced.

The the branch in John 15:2 is positional sanctification, but the branch commanded to abide in John 15:4, is the believer mandated to experiential sanctification through the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 4, “I in you” = a command for the believer to learn and metabolize Bible doctrine where the Lord and His thinking is revealed in us — and that would be Gal 2:20 for every believer.

Hymn #3

The following link is to a good-news message describing how one can receive eternal life:
Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about of their eternal future.

Weekly Bible Study – July 27, 2020 We either walk by means of the Spirit or we carry out the desires of the flesh from the Old Sin Nature.

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: the “Logos Reftagger” scripture links are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), when finished reading, hover your cursor off the scripture reference link. If the Reftagger pop-up doesn’t show all the verses, left click on the “More” button in the Reftagger pop-up window and it will take you to the online bible. If RefTagger pop-ups don’t work on your computer, that’s OK, try right clicking the link then open in new tab or window; or if that doesn’t work, you can always use your Bible to look up the verses. Word or Phrase definition links may not have a website that opens.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your known unconfessed sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]; we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-15, 16, 17, 18, says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Alphabetical Listing of Terms & Abbreviations used:

STUDY TITLE:

We either walk by means of the Spirit or we carry out the desires of the flesh from the Old Sin Nature.

John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”

John 15:4-5, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Our first main point is found in Gal 5:16 which says that walking by means of the Spirit is contrasted with carrying out the desires of the flesh so that there is obviously a battle within all of us going on.

We are either walking by means of the Spirit or we are carrying out the desires of the flesh or the lusts from the Old Sin Nature (OSN )so that in Gal 5:16, the apostle Paul said to the Gentiles; But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

If we obey these commands we will live freely, and be filled with zeal for the LORD which is motivated by GOD the Holy Spirit; Tit 2:11-14.

When you do what this passage says, then you won’t feed the compulsions of lusts, selfishness, or even ungodly desires.

We know that because in Tit 2:11 we read; For the grace of GOD has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

Tit 2:12-14, deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and Godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope [Rapture] and the appearing of the glory of our great GOD and Savior, Christ Jesus [this refers to the Rapture or the Second Advent or the second Coming]; who [TLJC=The Lord Jesus Christ] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession.

Gal 5:14-18, “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

But if you bite and devour one another [spiritual cannibalism], take care lest you be consumed by one another.

But I say, “Keep on walking by the Spirit [a command to keep walking in the PPOG for our life by means of GOD the Holy Spirit], and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Why?

Because of Gal 2:20, we also need to remember that the Christian way of life is a super-natural way of life and, as such, it demands a supernatural means of execution.

Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

This is a supernatural means of execution, and as such, it serves us the resurrection zoe life we should all seek to attain.

Also, note that this life is said to be a life that is lived by means of faith in contrast with the Galatian attempt to live the Christian way of life by means of the flesh or by means of the Old Sin Nature.

Gal 3:1-6, You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you or [who has demonized you or demonized your soul] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed {as} crucified?

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish?

Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain if indeed it was in vain?

Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Even so Abraham believed GOD, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

The apostle Paul says; “Having begun by the Spirit are you now trying to be matured by means of your flesh or the old sin nature; Eph 5:18; Heb 4:12.

Gal 3:3, Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected or matured by the flesh?

And, as we noted last Sunday, this is when we all recognize that we have the ability to beware of becoming a Stereo-Type Believer.

And, as it seems to be like never before, but the Stereo Type Believer allows his old sin nature to rule his soul as a counterfeit spiritual nature with a counterfeit system of spirituality which produces pseudo-spirituality.

By pseudo-spirituality, I am referring to the carnal believer or the Stereo Type Christian.

So, what is the Stereo Type Christian?

1Co 3:1-6, And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ.

I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able {to receive it.} Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not {mere} men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul?

Servants through whom you believed, even as the LORD gave {opportunity} to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but GOD was causing the growth.

So, let’s look at what a Stereo-type Christian is?

1. The Stereo-type Christian is a believer filled with the mental attitude sins like fear, worry, anxiety, and especially, bitterness; Heb 12:15.

For in Heb 12:15, we read “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of GOD; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;”

It is important that we have all the facts, especially when we are faced with becoming a Stereo-type Christian.

2. The stereo type Christian is filled with fear, which includes worry and anxiety; 2Ti 1:7, For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.

Rom 14:22-23, The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before GOD. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because {his eating is} not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Look at 1Jo 4:16-18, We have come to know and we have come to believe the love which GOD has for us. GOD is love, and the one who abides in love abides in GOD, and GOD abides in him.

By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Rom 8:15 says, For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

3. The Stereo type Christian is also filled with hatred, which includes anger, even violence; John 15:16-20.

Look at the principle of hatred in John 15:16-20 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

(See also Matt 10:28, Luk 9:22, Eph 4:26).

4. The Stereo-type Christian also murders mentally or physically or in some cases, both; mental murder or physical murder 1Jo 3:13-15.

5. The Stereo type Christian loves to feel sorry for themselves and fall into sins related to self-pity or sins related to guilt. (Like Jonah; Elijah).

6. The Stereo type Christian activism include arrogance, pride, jealousy, implacability, bitterness, vindictiveness, inordinate ambition and inordinate competition, all motivational sins, and sinful thoughts.

7. The Stereo type Christian is filled with verbal sins which include gossip, maligning, slander, judging, lying, and verbal deception.

8. The Stereo Type Christian often gets involved with partying and usually their sins include chemical sins, sexual sins, criminal sins.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Weekly Bible Study – July 20, 2020 John 15:7, “If you abide in ME, and MY words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: the “Logos Reftagger” scripture links are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), when finished reading, hover your cursor off the scripture reference link. If the Reftagger pop-up doesn’t show all the verses, left click on the “More” button in the Reftagger pop-up window and it will take you to the online bible. If RefTagger pop-ups don’t work on your computer, that’s OK, try right clicking the link then open in new tab or window; or if that doesn’t work, you can always use your Bible to look up the verses. Word or Phrase definition links may not have a website that opens.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your known unconfessed sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]; we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-15, 16, 17, 18, says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Alphabetical Listing of Terms & Abbreviations used:

STUDY TITLE:

John 15:7, “If you abide in ME, and MY words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”

Most of us believe what the prophet Isaiah wrote when the LORD said in Isa 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

This is an important principle to know because there are many things and many situations that we need to learn what GOD’s thoughts and GOD’s ways are concerning those things.

We know GOD is omnipotent (all powerful) but if there was a way to measure GOD’s power, what would be more difficult (humanly speaking) for GOD to do, to raise someone from the dead or to heal a marriage? The average person would say that the raising of the dead was much greater than healing a marriage, when, in reality, it is just the opposite.

Think about it, it is much more difficult for GOD to accomplish HIS will for man unless man uses his free will to line up with the will of GOD. As we continue to learn some of the main principles of doctrine from John 15, let’s continue again with some more of the background and the setting of the passage.

This will be a challenge to all of us concerning where we stand as far as our relationship with the LORD is concerned and what effect it has on all of us as far as our relationship and fellowship is with the Vine as we are His branches.

First, let’s look at the first 14 verses to get acquainted with some of the vocabulary that our LORD uses to describe the Vine and the branches and the relationship that we all have with the Vine {TLJC} as well as with the other branches {believers)}.

This is a passage that is just filled with doctrines after doctrines. One of the main principles of doctrine that I have had individuals say to me how impressed they were with it was when I pointed out to you the different doctrines that are found in John 15.

And I couldn’t agree more with those who were impressed with all of the different doctrines that are found in John 15, so, let’s begin with a reminder of the different doctrines that our LORD either mentioned or alluded to.

So, in John 15:1 our LORD says; “I am the true vine [that is the Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD and the Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union] , and My Father is the vinedresser [Doctrine of Logistical Grace].

True Vine = the Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD and the Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union.

Vinedresser – refers to the Doctrine of logistical Grace.

Then notice John 15:2, “Every branch in Me [that is “every believer in “Christ which took place through the Baptism of the Spirit”] that does not bear fruit [Gal 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit is mentioned.] He takes away [Doctrine of Divine Discipline];

Here we have “Every branch in Me = every believer in Christ which took place through the Baptism of the Spirit”

that does not bear fruit” = Gal 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit

He takes away = Doctrine of Divine Discipline;

’every branch that bears fruit = The doctrine of the Fruit of the Spirit; Gal 5:22.

He prunes it = suffering for blessing, that it may bear more fruit [the Doctrine of Divine Good].

John 15:3-4, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you [that is the Doctrine of Salvation]. Abide in Me [fellowship with the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ], and I in you [Gal 2:20].

abide in Me = the Doctrine of Fellowship with the LORD

I in you = Doctrine of the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ.

John 14:20, “In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in “Me, and I in you.

Notice the different indwelling’s that are mentioned in this passage.

I am in My Father = His equality with GOD.

you are in Me = fellowshipping with Him.

I in you = indwelling of the LORD.

John 15:4, “Abide in Me [fellowship with the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ], “and I in you. As the branch cannot bear “fruit” of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.

“The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine” = the Doctrine of the Filling of the Holy Spirit.”

As we have noted many times before, the Filling of the Spirit is needed for every believer to live the spiritual life or else everything that you do will be evaluated at the Judgment Seat and will be classified as ashes or wood, hay and straw; 1Co 3:11-15.

This is why Isa 64:6 says to all mankind; “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

Speaking of those who try to impress the LORD by producing good works, Isaiah says in IsaA 44:20, He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Remember that there are Two Basic Judgments for the human race;

The “bema seat” judgment for all believers.
The Great White Throne Judgment for all unbelievers.

Both of these judgments deal with the production of the individual and not the individual’s personal sins and failures.

John 15:4, “Abide in Me [fellowship with the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ], “and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself [human good verses divine good], unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.

So, we have Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;

“As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me [The doctrine of Positional Truth].

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches [Union with Christ]; he who abides in Me [fellowshipping with the LORD], and I in him [indwelling of TLJC=the lord Jesus Christ], he bears much fruit [the production of Gal 5:22-23]. for apart from Me you can do nothing [the Doctrine of human good verses divine good].

Notice the different doctrines that our LORD is revealing either for the very first time or because we have learned to walk with Him by means of the Filling of the Spirit.

Now, let’s break down this verse.

“I am the vine” = John 14:6, The LORD is the way, the truth and the life.

“you are the branches” = Union with Christ;

he who abides in Me = Fellowshipping with the LORD,

and I in him [Indwelling of TLJC],

“he bears much fruit [the production of Gal 5:22-23].”

for apart from Me you can do nothing [the Doctrine of human good verses divine good].

John 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up. = the Doctrine of Divine Discipline.

and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [as wood, hay, and straw; 1Co 3:11-15].

John 15:7, “If you abide in Me [stay filled with the Spirit],

and My words abide in you [intake of doctrine],

ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you [the doctrine of Prayer].

John 15:8-12, “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and {so} prove to be My disciples. [This is the fruit bearing of Gal 5:22-23]. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love [The Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love] If you keep My commandments [guard His doctrines], you will abide in My love = fellowship with the LORD and His people. Just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” = The fulfillment of the PPOG = predesigned plan of God and the PSD = personal sense of destiny of the believer]. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and {that} your joy may be made full = [The doctrine of Happiness or Contentment]. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. [The whole realm of the Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love].

Now, what is the Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love?

It is the virtuous power and the ability to love GOD because of who and what He is. It is the virtuous power and the ability to love yourself because of who and what our LORD created you to be by means of HIS grace.

It is also the virtuous power and the ability to love the brethren especially when we honor the Royal Family Honor Code toward each other.

What is the Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love?

It is the power and the ability we have to love all members of the Human race as GOD did. And then finally, impersonal love for all mankind is the power and the ability to love our enemies with a sincere love. Therefore, in John 15:13, we have the ultimate challenge of living the spiritual life as the LORD said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:14, “You are My friends, if you do what I command you [fulfillment of the PPOG and your personal sense of destiny].

Then there is the challenge of the invitation from our LORD to become His friends; John 15:15, “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Then, this is one of the greatest principles of security that our LORD has ever given to us in John 15:16, when He said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and {that} your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

Now, this is a passage that is just filled with doctrines after doctrines. Let me just read some of them and remember that miracles cannot accomplish what only GOD and His people can as they work together.

Here’s some of the doctrines that I mentioned:

The Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD;

The Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union;

The Doctrine of Logistical Grace;

The Doctrine of The Baptism of the Spirit;

The Doctrine of Divine Discipline;

The Doctrine of the Fruit of the Spirit;

The Doctrine of the Filling of the Spirit;

The Doctrine of Suffering for Blessing;

The Doctrine of Divine Good;

The Doctrine of Salvation;

The Doctrine of Fellowship.

The Doctrine of Human good verses Divine good;

The doctrine of Positional Truth;

The Doctrine of union with Christ;

The Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love;

The Doctrine of Happiness or Contentment.

The Doctrine of Election;

The Doctrine of Eternal Security.

The Doctrine of the Calling of GOD.

All of these doctrines are mentioned in some way throughout the passage either right to the point of the doctrine or used doctrinally in some way. I gave you this because I wanted you to see how truly miraculous it was for the disciples to receive all this information in some way especially because a lot of these doctrines were never taught to the disciples before, but now, they are going to get ready for the New Mystery Doctrines of the Church-age.

Some of them were not able to teach the mystery doctrines yet because they had not been taught mystery doctrine by the Apostle Paul as of yet.

Added to all this pressure, we also noted that a lot of GOD’s people are shocked at the way that the LORD works as well as the kind of people that our LORD works with.

And, whether you are shocked or free depends upon your understanding of the character and nature of GOD and the finished work of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

Again, the Principle: If you cannot see the LORD Jesus Christ dwelling in fallen man or those with Old Sin Natures you will not see Him at all.

When we see things according to GOD’s viewpoint and GOD’s ways with GOD’s thoughts then we will be able to take what we have learned and then go forward in the plan of GOD.

Now, look at Gal 5:16 which talks about walking by means of the Spirit and it is contrasted with carrying out the desires of the flesh — so that there is obviously a battle within all of us going on.


We are either walking by means of the Spirit or we are carrying out the desires of the flesh, the old sin nature.

Gal 5:16-18, But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

One of the greatest problems that we all need to deal with is the problem of guilt which cause many believers to fake the Christian way of life. And as we noted Friday evening, this causes the believer to live like a phony, or a hypocrite, and they will always end up one way or another to become a stereotype.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Internet Church Service – July 19, 2020; The minority is used by our Lord in a powerful way, while the majority is to busy living for themselves.

EMBEDDED VIDEO SERMON in HD – NOTES
The minority is used by our Lord in a powerful way,
while the majority is to busy living for themselves.

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name, and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME

from - Romans 8:38-39

Hymn #1

Hymn #2

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word or participating in a Communion Service, so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately directly to God the Father. This will assure that you are in fellowship with God the Father and the Holy Spirit’s convicting ministry, also called the convincing ministry will then be able to teach you as the Holy Spirit is the real teacher and the pastor’s message is the vehicle the Holy Spirit uses to convince you what you are learning is true or not.

1 John 1:9, says—“If we confess [simply name, cite or acknowledge to God the Father] our sins [known sins], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [known sins] and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [all unknown and forgotten sins];” NKJV (New King James Version); we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins to God; the issue for you is to believe by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life and you will be saved the very second you believe in Him:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Our Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Terms used by RMBM

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to
teaching the Word of God from the original languages and
making it available at no charge throughout the world.

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

Sermon

NOTES

Unlike the bible study, these notes are not just for reading without watching the video. These notes are more designed to follow along during the sermon and to bring up the “hover pop-up scripture references” (some websites may require to left click the link, if that doesn’t work then look them up in your Bible) when the Pastor asks everyone to turn to that passage in their bibles.

Sermon: The minority is used by our Lord in a powerful
way, while the majority is to busy living for themselves.

Our Lord was about to reveal to His disciples the responsibilities that all of them are about to have especially now that they are ready to become apostles with the responsibility of being an apostle.

We are going to see the importance of the character and the integrity that the Apostles need = one of the greatest challenges for all of these apostles and that is going to be the subject of commitments.

One of the major problems that believers need to face head-on and not deny the existence of the vows, the promises, and the commitments that they made to God and before God.

Most believers do not make themselves accountable to the Lord and to one another, and therefore they are classified as “loser believers” who cannot be trusted.

They keep commitments but that is commitment to themselves.

They don’t care about what they are thinking!

They don’t care about what they are saying!

They simply “Do not care” about anything except themselves.

They lack the motivation that believers should live by because motivation is what gets you started whereas commitment leads to action.

Commitment is defined as a willingness to give your time and energy to something that you believe in and promise to do something that inspires you to be committed to making your dreams a reality.

“Commitment leads to action while action leads to victory and victory leads to the glorification of our Lord and Savior.”

We will always have two vital and important choices that we need to understand and apply = our commitments versus our fears.”

Vince Lombardi (Coach of the Green Bay Packers) = “Most people fail not because of a lack of desire but because of a lack of commitment.”

Interested = something special that you do only when it’s convenient. Committed = something you think is very vital for you to accept no excuses for falling into your commitment.

“Commitment is found in the choices that we make every day that lead to the results we are striving for” ie. The glorification of our Lord in our life.

When confronted with a challenge, the “committed believer” will search for a solution or an answer whereas the undecided heart searches for an escape.”

The issue is what decisions do we make when we are faced with the problem of handling our commitments.

We all are given a certain amount of doctrinal answers, and solutions, and guidance and directions concerning the problems we face as we go forward in the Predesigned Plan of God for our life.

This is when our Lord has options for us to choose — not freedom to do whatever we want to choose, but we have been given a choice to choose between two options.

1. The options to choose what the Creature wants.

2. The options to choose what the Creator wants.

It is options not freedom that we are given.

We have the options of choosing the plan of God (PPOG = predesigned plan of God) for our lives or the options of “living in the cosmic system.

“There are really only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out. There’s no such thing as life in-between” or the life of God in the souls of man; (ladies included).

Commitment = staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the emotions, that you had originally, to motivate you to a place From the Throne Room of God.

They will make vows and commitments and then not keep them and the sad thing is that many believers don’t even try to keep them!

We need to remember a few important principles that Judas made a commitment to with Jesus Christ our Lord was sitting on the throne of His heart.

Like the rest of the disciples, Judas left everything to follow our Lord.

By everything = anything that Satan and the Kingdom of darkness will try to use and abuse you as you go forward in the plan of God.

“the twelve” — Judas who the Lord gave All power– All authority — All demons = to cure diseases that He (OUR Lord) sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal to ALL who would listen.

Judas Iscariot was a gospel preacher!

Judas was also a teacher of doctrine.

Judas Iscariot was given the gift of healing for that dispensation which meant a specialize priesthood where only a few could have the power of the Spirit, and the Spirit was not in them but upon them.

Judas exercised authority over demons and in a few days after that the demons were gone, Judas went back to join the twelve.

Prin: Active involvement in ministry is a good and wonderful thing; but it is not, in itself, a guarantee of spiritual life or health.

We will be dealing with our subject of the Vine and the branches but until then — just go along for the ride and look at what our Lord says in this passage.

I am going to read a few verses here that will reveal to us the principle concerning how Judas was used in the plan of God.

The word many is the Greek adjective polloi which means “the majority.”

Prin: We will see the message behind this passage is the fact the minority is going to be used by our Lord in a powerful way while the majority is to busy living for themselves.

One of the verses that I use because of the seriousness of what is said — Matt 7:14 “For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.

Few are those who find it because few are those who look for it.

1sa 16:7 God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Jer 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

They come to you in sheep’s clothing because they don’t want you to see who they really are inwardly because who they are inwardly is disgusting to the justice and righteousness of our Lord.

Here they are = the sneaky little snakes at work with sheep’s clothing because they want to give the impression that they are holy and pure.

He never knew them although they prophesied in His name, and in His name they cast out demons and performed many miracles?’

It is one of the principles that are usually and easily overlooked in the story of Judas.

Judas walked with our Lord for three years.

Judas saw the greatest life ever lived up close and personal.

You can’t have a better model of faith than the Lord Jesus or a better environment for forming faith than Judas had in walking with the Savior.

Judas directly witnessed the miracles.

When Jesus fed the 5,000, Judas was there.

He took the bread and distributed it along with the other disciples.

When our Lord calmed the storm, Judas was there.

Judas also was there when our Lord Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Judas heard all the teaching of Jesus our Lord, too.

Judas heard the Sermon on the Mount, so he knew there is a narrow road that leads to life and a broad road that leads to destruction.

Judas heard the warnings Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, so he knew there is a hell to reject and a heaven to gain.

Judas heard the parable of the prodigal son, so he knew God is ready to welcome and forgive those who have wasted themselves in many sins…. however, none like Judas.

With Judas’s own eyes, he saw the clearest evidence.

With his own ears, he heard the finest teaching.

With his own feet, he followed the greatest example.

This man still betrayed Jesus, our Lord.

The human heart is beyond understanding; Jer 7:9 and there is something incomprehensible about a person who abandons the faith they once professed.

Judas’s story contains an important lesson for parents, leaders, and friends who grieve over someone they love who has abandoned the faith.

Where did we go wrong?

What more could we have done?

Did we fail in our teaching?

Did we fail in our example?

Judas teaches us that even the best example, the most compelling evidence, and the finest teaching—the ultimate environment for unconditional faith—cannot, in and of themselves, change the human heart.

Satan made a relentless assault on Judas’s soul, as he makes a relentless assault on everyone who chooses to follow Christ.

The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; John 13:2.

This evaluation overlooks the fact that Judas opened the door to Satan.

Prin: Once we open the door to things that are demonic, then we must be prepared for anything.

Judas had been stealing from the collective money bag, and when he kept this sin secret, Satan entered into him.

Judas made a deal with the chief priests and then sat down at our Lord’s table with known sins that he refused to confess, and Satan entered even further into his life.

Unconfessed sin always opens the door to Satan’s power.

Satan doesn’t gain a foothold in the lives of people who are walking in the light with our Lord Jesus, He only gains access when we open the door.

Judas went out into the darkness he had chosen.

When you get close to our Lord, one of two things will happen: either you will become wholly his, or you will end up more alienated from him.

The story of Judas reminds us that nothing good can come from giving up on Jesus Christ.

Only those who have never known our Lord can remain indifferent to Him.

For those who get close, the only outcomes are full devotion or eventual antagonism; and every day, each of us is heading in one direction or the other.

In an age when many are abandoning the faith they once professed, the story of Judas warns us to guard our hearts, lest we drift away.

The story of Judas also equips us to reach out to those who may be close to walking away from the faith themselves.

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to “be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire.”

The story of Judas reminds us that nothing good can come from giving up on Jesus Christ = He is of supreme value, and following Him is worth any cost.

Hymn #3

The following link is to a good-news message describing how one can receive eternal life:
Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about of their eternal future.

Weekly Bible Study – July 13, 2020 If you cannot see the LORD Jesus Christ dwelling in fallen man or those with Old Sin Natures (OSN) you will not see Him at all.

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: the “Logos Reftagger” scripture links are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), when finished reading, hover your cursor off the scripture reference link. If the Reftagger pop-up doesn’t show all the verses, left click on the “More” button in the Reftagger pop-up window and it will take you to the online bible. If RefTagger pop-ups don’t work on your computer, that’s OK, try right clicking the link then open in new tab or window; or if that doesn’t work, you can always use your Bible to look up the verses. Word or Phrase definition links may not have a website that opens.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your known unconfessed sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]; we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-15, 16, 17, 18, says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Alphabetical Listing of Terms & Abbreviations used:

STUDY TITLE:

If you cannot see the LORD Jesus Christ dwelling in fallen man or those with Old Sin Natures (OSN) you will not see Him at all.

As we continue to learn some of the main principles of doctrine from John 15, let’s continue again with some more of the background and the setting of the passage.

This will be a challenge to all of us concerning where we stand as far as our relationship with the LORD is concerned and what effect it has on all of us as far as our relationship and fellowship is with the Vine as we are His branches.

First, let’s look at the first 14 verses to get acquainted with some of the vocabulary that our LORD uses to describe the Vine and the branches and the relationship that we all have with the Vine {TLJC = The Lord Jesus Christ} as well as with the other branches {believers)}.

So, we begin in John 15:1, where our LORD says; “I am the true vine [that is the Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD and the Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union] , and My Father is the vinedresser [Doctrine of logistical Grace].

This is a reference to the Doctrine of the Deity of our LORD Jesus Christ along with the Doctrine of the Hypostatic-Union with emphasis on the Doctrine of Unity and logistics.

Then notice John 15:2, “Every branch in Me [that is “every believer in the Baptism of the Spirit”] that does not bear fruit, He takes away [Doctrine of Divine Discipline]; and every {branch} that bears fruit [The doctrine of the Fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:22], He prunes it [suffering for blessing], that it may bear more fruit [the Doctrine of Divine Good].

John 15:3-4, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you [that is the Doctrine of Salvation]. Abide in Me [fellowship with the indwelling of our LORD Jesus Christ], and I in you [Gal 2:20 ].”

Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.

John 15:5-14, “I am the vine, you are the branches [Union with Christ]; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up [the Doctrine of Divine Discipline]; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you [the doctrine of Prayer]. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and {so} prove to be My disciples. [Fruit bearing of Gal 5:22]. “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love [The Doctrine of Impersonal Unconditional Love]. If you keep My commandments [guard His doctrines], you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. = [The fulfillemt of the PPOG = predesigned plan of God and the PSD=personal sense of destiny]. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and {that} your joy may be made full = [The doctrine of Happiness or Contentment]. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you [fulfillment of the PPOG].

Now, this is a passage that is just filled with doctrines after doctrines. Some of these principles may shock some of you, some may not, but either way, whatever it is, GOD’s word is available for whoever desires His doctrines. Whether you are shocked or free depends upon your understanding of the character and nature of GOD and the finished work of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

If you cannot see the LORD Jesus Christ dwelling in fallen man or those with Old Sin Natures (OSN) you will not see Him at all.

In fact, this will be one of the most vital doctrines in the entire passage as I bring to your attention some men and women that GOD has manifested Himself through.

Now, before we go on to investigate the passage before us, keep in mind that we are being fully trained to handle the outside pressures of adversity so that they do not become inside pressures of stress in the soul. And so, another principle of doctrine we need to apply to our spiritual life is the Doctrine of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Something we all need at certain times.

Let’s begin by looking at some of the types of individuals that our LORD uses to glorify His Son Jesus Christ. Remember a few important reminders: First, our LORD reveals to us the type of believers He is willing to use…

For example, let’s take Abraham, who, in Rom 4:12 is called the Father of our Faith. Remember that when I point out to you the kind of believers our LORD will use, no matter what the problem is or may be, our LORD promises He will be with us wherever we go; Matt 28:20.

Matt 28:20, our LORD was teaching His disciples to observe all that He commanded them you and He also said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Gal 3:9, Abraham will be called faithful Abraham; Gal 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

And yet it was this very same person, Abraham, that GOD will use to accomplish His plan working together with others to glorify the plan of GOD for all those who desire to do just that! (Glorification of TLJC = The Lord Jesus Christ and also His word).

In Gal 3:8, we are told that GOD would justify all the Gentiles (non-Jews) by faith, He would preached the gospel to Abraham, {saying}, “All the nations shall be blessed in you.” Here is a man who lied twice (willfully) and refused to say that his wife Sarah was his wife but instead he chose to lie (willfully), knowing that it was wrong to do but he did it anyway.

Sarah was Abraham’s his half-sister; Gen 20:2-13.

Gen 20:1, Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar.

Now, before we go on a little background is needed.

Abraham and Sarah were step brothers and step sisters, but Abraham is willfully deceiving Abimelech the king of Gerah by saying that Sarah was his step sister and mentioned nothing about him and Sarah being married to Abraham.

Who did this?

Abraham, the father of our faith!

What did the father of our faith, Abraham, say to king Abimelech about Sarah?

Well, let’s read what the father of our faith said to King Abimelech.

Gen 20:2, And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

Right away we got problems.

The first and most obvious problem is that Abraham willfully lied to the king by giving him the impression that Sarah was his sister and not his wife.

Why am I showing you this problem? Why do I keep on saying that Abraham, the father of our faith, willfully sinned? I say that because those who say you can lose your salvation also say you can lose your salvation because all your future sins have not been judged and if you sin willfully there remains no more sacrifice for your sins.


In Heb 6:4-6, we have a passage that they quote and say that Heb 6:4-6, teaches because your future sins were not judged then you can lose your salvation because there is no more sacrifice for your sins.

Let’s look at it!

Heb 6:4-6, For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of GOD and the powers of the age to come, and {then} have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of GOD, and put Him to open shame.

Why is it impossible to renew ourselves to repentance? It is possible because there are no sacrifices that GOD would ever expect.

Why?

Because in Heb 10:10, By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Heb 10:23-25, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging {one another}; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.

And then, once again, there is a passage that they misquote and are academically dishonest by taking the scriptures out of context. For they will say if you go on sinning willfully after salvation there remains no more sacrifice for your sins. The problem is they distort one of the most important passages that deal with church attendance and not salvation.

Heb 10:26 says, For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Now, if we keep the passage in context we would say that this passage sounds something like this:

Heb 10:23-24, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

How?

Heb 10:25-26, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging {one another}; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully [and what is the willfull sin] after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

The father of our faith Abraham lied willfully, after he was saved; Gen 15:6.

Gen 20:1-2, Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar.
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

Right away we got problems.

Gen 20:3, But GOD came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.”

Notice the principle that when the husband fails to protect His wife, the LORD will intervene and protect His spiritual bride.

Gen 20:4-5, Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “LORD, wilt Thou slay a nation, even though blameless? Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.”


Here is a passage that teaches that there are times when the unbeliever lives looks better and acts better than the believer in reversionism.

Now, in Gen 20:6-13, Then GOD said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

So, Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened.

Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin?

You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?” And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of GOD in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife.

Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife; and it came about, when GOD caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her,

‘This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”

This is just one of the passages that we could use concerning the failures of GOD’s people and the victories that GOD’s people enjoy. The point is that our LORD desires for us to rest in His plan and beware of making certain decisions that go against the purpose of GOD for our life and the plan of GOD for our life.

In the case of Abraham, he failed many times but Abraham never lost his salvation because of anything that he thought, said, or did.

Let’s continue then with more spiritual analogies.

Next, we have Lot, a young man who continually made worldly choices and worldly decisions for himself as he did in Gen 13:7-11.

Look at Gen 13:7-11, And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

Then Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you?

Please separate from me: if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.

So, Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other.

Here is a man who chose the youthful vigor of carnality over the unique privilege of serving and following our LORD.

Choosing the wrong geographical location, Lot also associated with homosexuals and wicked evil men when he chose to live in Sodom and Gomorrah over the plan of GOD; Gen 13:12-17.

Gen 13:12-17, Abram (not Abraham yet) settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.

Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD. And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth [prosperity of our seed], so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.”

And so, this is a principle of doctrine that we should choose and take very seriously because of the importance of being in the right place at the right time.

Lot lost his prosperity, his wife and his reputation, Gen 19:24-38.

Now, concerning the ministries that GOD the Holy Spirit is said to graciously give to us and provide for us although we are given some fantastic blessings at the moment of salvation, none of these ministries make you feel better or any differently. There is no emotional experience with a spiritual connotation.

There’s nothing wrong with the emotions as long as they are used in the way our LORD created them to be used and that is for either the “legitimate emotion of sorrow or hurt” or the “legitimate emotion of laughter and rejoicing.”

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.