Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Tuesday, April 20,

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.— Amen.

Memory Verse John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:5 Occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ! Part 2

“I am the Vine”, Jesus Christ is the conduit of our spiritual sustenance. A “conduit” defined as:

1) A channel or pipe that carries liquid to or from a place = The grace supply of all the spiritual sustenance we need to produce Divine Good.

2) A protective covering for other materials inside = The armour of God that protects the believer in spiritual warfare. Eph 6:10-20; Col 2:2-3

3) Somebody or something that conveys information, especially in secret = The Mystery Doctrine for the Church Age. Rom 16:25-26; 1 Cor 2:7; Eph 3:3-9; Col 1:26-27

1 Cor 2:7, “But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory.”

The great “I Am” statements of our Lord. John 6:35, “I am the bread of life.” John 8:12, “I am the Light of the world.” John 8:18, “I am He who testifies about Myself.” John 8:58, “Before Abraham was born, I am.” John 10:9, “I am the door.” John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd.” John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” John 15:1, 5, “I am the True Vine.” John 18:4-5, “I am He.” John 18:37, “I am a King.”

Principles: 1) Either you are walking under the control of the sin nature and producing human good or you are filled with the Holy Spirit producing Divine good.

2) Apart from what God has provided in Bible doctrine you can do nothing that is of a Divine nature.

This is compared to the parable of seed sowing in Luke 8:4-15, Mat 13:1-23 and Mark 4:1-20.

Occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest motivator in life, for Divine Good Production.

1) The sealing of the Holy Spirit guarantees the environment for Divine Good Production. 2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:11-14, 4:30

2) O. w/ C. demands total dependence on God’s grace provision in order to produce Divine Good. Psa 37:3-7a.

3) O. w/ C. is the basis for blessing in suffering that sustains you so that you are able to produce Divine Good. Psa 77:1-20

4) O. w/ C. is related to both stability and inner happiness. Psa 16:8-9

Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Tape # Occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ, Part 2 Upper Room Discourse, Part 360 John 15:5; Luke 8:4-15; Rom 16:25-26; Col 2:2-3 Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Tape # Occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ, Part 2 Upper Room Discourse, Part 360 John 15:5; Luke 8:4-15; Rom 16:25-26; Col 2:2-3 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2010