I AM The True Vine

I AM THE TRUE VINE

 Pastor Chuck Bernal March 5, 2017

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will bear more fruit . . .  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other.  (John 15:1-2, 4-17 – NIV)

 THE LESSON OF THE VINEYARD  –  WE ALL MATTER TO GOD

 VINEYARD TRUTH 1:  Jesus ____________________________________ us!

 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love . . . Love each other as I have loved you.  (John 15:9)

 VINEYARD TRUTH 2:  Jesus _________________________________ for us!

 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  (John 15:13)

 VINEYARD TRUTH 3:  Jesus ____________________________________ us!

 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit . . . (John 15:16)

 THE SUBJECTS IN THE STORY

 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes . . .  (John 15:2)

THE TRUE VINE = _____________  THE GARDENER  =  The ______________

 THE BRANCH = Every __________________________________

THE PURPOSE OF THE VINEYARD  –  TO PRODUCE FRUIT

FRUIT =  “_________ - _____________”  FRUIT =  _________  ______________

 When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23 – LB)

 But also our people must learn to engage in good deeds for necessary needs, so that their lives will be fruitful.  (Titus 3:14 – LEB)

 We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 – NIRV)

 WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE?

 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will bear more fruit . . . If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. (John 15:2, 5)

 LEVEL 1:  ____________________ fruit    LEVEL 2:  ____________________ fruit   

 LEVEL 3:  ____________________ fruit    LEVEL 4:  ____________________ fruit   

 God’s goal for my life is to produce “____________  __________________”

 BEARING “MUCH FRUIT” – WHAT IS GOD’S PART?

 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful . . .  (John 15:1-2)

 God the gardener _________________________ us!   (His plan has a purpose)

 He raises the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from their misery . . . He gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to cleanse us so that we could be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good deeds. (Psalm 113:7/Titus 2:14 – GNB/ISV)

 God the gardener _________________________ us!   (Our pain has a purpose)

 When punishment is happening, it never seems pleasant, only painful. Later, though, it yields the peaceful fruit called righteousness to everyone who has been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11 – Voice)

 BEARING “MUCH FRUIT” – WHAT IS OUR PART?

 Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, and neither will you if you are not connected to Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will accomplish nothing . . . Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayers will be answered.  (John 15:4-5, 7 – Voice/CEV)

 The branch must stay ____________________ to the vine (The Word & Prayer)