THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES –OR ARE YOU AN ABIDING CHRISTIAN

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Truth for the Heart

April 24, 2005

THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES

or ARE YOU AN ABIDING CHRISTIAN?

John 15:1-8

Part I

I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; 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. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

There are several pictures or metaphors in the New Testament depicting Christ’s relationship to His Church: The Head and the Body, the Shepherd and the Sheep; the High Priest and the Priesthood. These are easy to understand metaphors. In John 15:1-8 we see the picture of the Vine and the Branches. The main theme of this passage is fruit bearing (verses 2, 4, 5 & 8). I believe the fruit in John 15 is the fruit of Christ-like character we see in Galatians 5:22, 23.

LET’S IDENTIFY THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FRUIT-BEARING PROCESS – v.1

Christ is the true vine - In the Old Testament (Isaiah 5), the nation of Israel was depicted as the vine planted by Jehovah. But the nation proved unfaithful and unfruitful, so the Lord Jesus now presented Himself as the true vine, the perfect fulfillment of all the other types and shadows. It is noteworthy that much of what Jesus taught to His disciples was revolutionary (John 2:19-22; Matthew 5).

The Father is the Vine-dresser -The one who works the ground or tills the soil, a farmer. In this case God the Father is the One who cares for the vineyard.

Christians are the branches - That’s us! Those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

LET’S IDENTIFY GOD THE FATHER’S PART IN ENABELING US TO BEAR FRUIT – THE CARE AND CULVATING PROCESS -vs. 2, 3

The Restoring Process - Non fruit bearing branches (v. 2a ). The Greek word “airo” means “to lift up” (John 12:32, 34). The vineyard keeper in Israel today lifts up the downtrodden branches to the sunlight. He is not telling the disciples that they are in danger of being ripped out of the vine. He is assuring them that regardless of how far they may digress from their intended purpose of bearing fruit, there is always a restoring process that takes place. Christians can pull away from life. They can hide in the shade and darkness of obscurity – even when they are among other believers. They may go through self-condemnation, they may get involved in sin, lose their sense of self-worth in Christ. They may wrap the robes of isolation around themselves and turn inward. For all practical purposes they are no longer bearing fruit. THEY ARE A BRANCH IN THE DIRT! God the Father, as the vinedresser, has a marvelous way of moving into the situation with His special attention. For this procedure see I Corinthians 12:26 with context; Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 12:12,13 with context. In these passages we have encouragement and concern for the Body.

The Renewing Process - Fruit bearing branches vs. 2b, 3. (Verse 3 explains the pruning procedure.) The idea is that of cleansing. Healthy fruit bearing branches, in order to remain healthy and bear more fruit, must be pruned. The vinedresser cuts away the deadwood that would breed insects and disease. Sometimes whole bunches of grapes are cut away so that the future harvest will be healthier.

THE WORST THING GOD COULD DO TO YOU IS TO LEAVE YOU ALONE – TO IGNORE YOU! He is never closer to you than when He is pruning (Hebrews 12:1-8). No branch, fruit bearing or non-fruit bearing, is void of God’s care and cultivation. Are you experiencing God’s pruning today? If so praise God for it. He is preparing you for greater productivity. Part II next time.

God bless and have a great week.