4.29.2001 | PARABLES OF JESUS - THE VINE - John 15:1-8

Intro….Ron Anderson, Roch and Laurie..Ironman competitors..fluid intake...gotta have it...

Let’s come up with some examples together in these situations regarding what is needed to survive...

Whale, Very Cold climate?
Completely lost in the desert?
A first time tourist in Peru?
An astronaut?
In a life raft?

Review, what is the one main thing needed?

What about a Christian?

What did we talk about last week? (Being good soil, growing healthy...today…)

John 15:1-8

Jesus knew his disciples would constitute a distinct body or community with a definite function and he wished to prepare them for the change his departure would make in their manner of living.

The Vine was a common analogy then….maybe the internet today…

Stay connected the main source - vs. 1, 4-5, 7

No doubt here: the main source is Jesus and he’s connected to God. Jesus is the genuine stock. The major essential in horticulture is to plant the right kind of vine or tree in order to assure the proper quality of fruit. No fruit can be better than the vine that produces it.

Don’t think you can do it on your own - vs. 4-5

Here’s the deal: Either we can bear much fruit with Jesus, or bear no fruit without him. Continued production depends on constant union with the source of fruitfulness.
- The effectiveness of the believer depends on his receiving the constant flow of life from Christ.
- If the life of Christ permeates a disciple, fruit will be inevitable.

If we remain in God - vs. 7

(studying his word etc.) then we can “Ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.” That’s huge! Really true?

How do we stay connected to Christ the Vine?

Success in raising any crop depends largely on the skill of the farmer or gardener. The relation of the believer to God is that of the vine to the owner of the vineyard. He tends it, waters it, and endeavors to protect it and cultivate it so that it will produce its maximum yield.

Our very existence depends on our union with Christ.

More on vs. 7….

The connection is maintained by obedience and prayer. To remain in Christ and to allow his words to remain in oneself means a conscious acceptance of the authority of his word and a constant contact with him by prayer.

Do we really get whatever we want? Why is that not the case?

The prayer request must be related to a definite need and must be for an object God himself would desire. God is not promising to gratify our every whim. He’s not some grandpa with an endless supply of toys...As long as we are seeking God’s will…

What happens if we don’t stay connected to the main source? vs. 2-3, 6

What is some of the fruit (evidences) we bear as Christians?

(dry branch) So, if we’re not bearing fruit…we dry up, fall off. Lost the community.

“Cuts off”...the removal of dead wood and the trimming of live wood so that its potential for fruit bearing will be improved.

The verb translated "cut off" (aireo) means literally "to lift up" or "to take away"; the second, "trims clean" (kathaireo), a compound of the first, means "to cleanse" or "to purify." Here the translation "cut off" and "trim" is accurate, though it represents a special application of a more general term. Pruning is necessary for any vine. Dead wood is worse than fruitlessness, for dead wood can harbor disease and decay. An untrimmed vine will develop long rambling branches that produce little
fruit because most of the strength of the vine is given to growing wood. The vine-grower is concerned that the vine be healthy and productive. The caring process is a picture of the divine dealing with human life. God removes the dead wood from his church and disciplines the life of the believer so that it is directed into fruitful activity.

“Removes the dead wood” Someone who is consistently unproductive as a Christian (bearing no fruit) had better be disciplined by the church.

- Small example...If I contact you because I haven’t seen you in awhile….

“Prunes” Heb. 4:12
The proof of discipleship is fruit bearing. "By their fruit you will recognize them" Matt 7:20.

The reward for staying connected to the main source:

Bring glory to God.

Bear much fruit and it’ll be obvious who you belong to, you’re a disciple of Christ.
You’re not in the cold without a jacket, in the desert without water, a tourist without a map, in space without oxygen, at sea without fresh water...you get the idea.

Conclusion: Jesus is the Vine I swing from…

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