#24 The Universal Spreading of Christ as the True Vine (4)

Brother Tom Goetz continues our series on the Universal Spreading of Christ as the True Vine!

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-2, 4-5, 7-8, 12, 16-17

IV. When we abide in Christ as the universal vine, we have the church life— vv. 12, 16-17; 1 Cor. 1:2, 9, 30; 6:17; 12:27:

A. The branches are one with the vine and with one another—John 17:11, 21-23.

B. The church life, the Body, is a life of loving one another; we need to love one another in the life of Christ, in the love of Christ, and in the commission of Christ—15:12, 16-17.

C. When we abide in Christ, we participate in the wonderful fellowship among the co-branches—vv. 4-5; 1 John 1:3-7:

1. The inner life of all the branches is one, and this life should continually circulate through all the branches—vv. 2-3.

2. The church life is the fellowship, the communion, the co-participation, the mutual enjoyment of Christ—1 Cor. 1:2, 9; 12:27.

3. All the local churches should remain in this unique fellowship—the fellowship of the Body—Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 10:16; 1 John 1:3.

4. Because we are in this one flow, we cannot be separated by space; no matter where we may be, we are all in the one fellowship—1 Cor. 1:9.