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John 15:1 (NLT)

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

The Grapevine

*A single vine has the potential to produce numerous grapes

*In the Old Testament the vine and grapes were used to symbolize the people of Israel and their fruitfulness or lack thereof

Psalm 80:8

Isaiah 5:7

*Christ is the vine and God is the gardener

Seeks maximum fruitfulness

Psalm 80:8 (NLT)

You brought us from Egypt as though we were a tender vine; you drove away the pagan nations and transplanted us into your land.

Isaiah 5:7 (NLT)

This is the story of the Lord’s people.

They are the vineyard of the Lord Almighty. Israel and Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected them to yield a crop of justice, but instead he found bloodshed. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of oppression.

John 15:2 (NLT)

He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.

2 Types of Pruning

*The vine represents those who claim the name of Christ.

Some are truly connected

Others are not

*Cutting off

Removed because of fruitlessness

Hinder the health of the other branches

*Cutting back

Promotes growth

Discipline and correction

John 15:3 (NLT)

You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you.

The Pruning of the Word

*The word of God in you, brings greater fruit from you

Proverbs 6:23

2 Timothy 3:16

*Striving for maximum fruitfulness

Good vs. the best

Proverbs 6:23 (NLT)

For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.

John 15:4 (NLT)

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.

Staying Put (meno)

*To remain or abide

In reference to place

*To sojourn, tarry

Not to depart

To continue to be present

*To be held, kept, continually

*In reference to time

to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure

*Of persons, to survive, live

*In reference to state or condition

To remain as one, not to become another or different

No Root...No Fruit

*The branch must be connected to be fruitful

A severed branch will bear no fruit

*One who is not filled with the indwelling presence of Christ cannot produce Christian fruit

John 15:5 (NLT)

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Remaining In Christ

*Acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son

1 John 4:15

1 John 4:15 (NLT)

All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

Remaining In Christ

*Acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son

*Receiving Jesus as Your Savior and Lord

John 1:12

John 1:12 (NLT)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Remaining In Christ

*Acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son

*Receiving Jesus as Your Savior and Lord

*Doing what God says

1 John 3:24

1 John 3:24 (NLT)

Those who obey God’s commandments live in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Holy Spirit lives in us.

Remaining In Christ

*Acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son

*Receiving Jesus as Your Savior and Lord

*Doing what God says

*Clinging to the Word of God

1 John 2:24

1 John 2:24 (NLT)

So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will continue to live in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.

Remaining In Christ

*Acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son

*Receiving Jesus as Your Savior and Lord

*Doing what God says

*Clinging to the Word of God

*Loving those in the body of Christ

John 15:12

John 15:12 (NLT)

I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.

Producing Fruit

*Christian character

Evidence of God’s presence

Galatians 5:22-23

2 Peter 1:6-8

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

2 Peter 1:6-8 (NLT)

Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. [7] Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. [8] The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.