The Value of the Vine –
Part 1
What Can Be Learned from a Grape Vine?
John 15
June 25, 2017 PM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I.
Introduction
A.
In John chapter 15, Jesus is preparing His disciples for his soon death
the next morning.
B.
He has so many things He would like them to know and understand, but
there was no more time.
C.
John Chapters 14-16 are His final teachings about the life He had called
them to live, just before He is crucified
D.
These are some of THE most important things that every Christian needs
to ponder and learn and live by
1.
Love one another, as much as Jesus loved us (13)
2.
Jesus was going away, but would come again (14)
3.
Jesus is the way to God, and IS God (14)
4.
The Comforter was coming (14)
5.
And now, in chapter 15, Jesus points to a vine in a vineyard and teaches
His disciples about their relationship to Him
II.
Background on the Parable
A.
The Garden - Vineyard
1.
Most everyone had a garden in those days, and had to live off of their
garden
2.
So this was not complicated for them to get like it is for us
city-slickers
3.
The best kind of garden in those days had vineyards in them
4.
Vineyards were very important to Israel’s economy. The juices from grapes
were used in so many things in their lives: for sugar, for refreshment,
for medicine, for water purification…
5.
The Garden is this life
B.
The Vine
1.
It is a long slender stem of a plant that carries nutrients and water from
the roots to the branches
2.
A tree trunk does the same thing, and is therefore LIKE a big vine
3.
The vine is the centre piece between the root and the branches. The
mediator that bridges the ground to the branches
4.
Two different kind of vines and vineyards:
a.
Mainly GRAPE vines
b.
And FIG vines
5.
The Vine is Jesus Christ
C.
The Gardener
1.
Gardens NEVER grow on their own – only weeds and thistles, and nettles do
that
2.
So, to have a garden, SOMEONE has to be the Gardener – known as the
HUSBANDMAN – the one who tended to the crops
3.
Without a faithful, hardworking gardener, a fruitful garden would never
happen
4.
So, thank God for Gardeners!
5.
The Gardener is God the Father
D.
The Branches
1.
A branch is at the top or end of the vine where leaves, flowers, and
hopefully fruit grows
2.
To a branch, there is only one vine
3.
Even though there is only one vine, there are many branches attached along
that vine
4.
A branch can be short, medium or long
5.
Their only purpose is to spread out along the vine and get as much sun as
possible so that they can produce fruit, and hold onto it until it is
picked by the Gardener
6.
The Branches are all believers
E.
The Fruit
1.
The greatest purpose of any living thing is the production of fruit
a.
A tree may be a great shade in the summer, a fun place to climb
b.
But without fruit, it has no real benefit to the world, and is only a
taker
c.
It has given nothing back
2.
The greatest value in living thing is found in its fruit
3.
A forest, a field, a life, without fruit, without any new life, will die
4.
And the Fruit? Well, we will see what all it is later!
III.
Message – Part 1 (John 15:1-5)
A.
The Most Important Truth of John 15 – Jesus is the Vine (John 15:1,5)
1.
Seven times Jesus reveals He is “the I am” - God in the Flesh (Ex 3)
a.
I am the bread of life... come down from heaven. John 6:35
b.
I am the light of the world. John 8:12 Not “a” light, but THE Light
c.
I am THE door. John 10:9
d.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
e.
I am the resurrection, and the life. John 11:25
f.
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but
by me. John 14:6
g.
Lastly, I am the vine, ye are the branches. John 15:5
2.
So, Jesus is THE Vine
a.
This proves there is only one source for the life of a branch life. Not
many different sources
b.
He is our main concern – stay close and connected to Him
3.
Jesus is the TRUE Vine
a.
There are many kinds of vines to attach yourself to
1)
False vines
2)
WILD vines
3)
Vines that God did not plant
b.
This does away with: Mohammed, Allah, Vinshi, Buddha, Confusius, Stephen
Hawkings, Richard Dawkins, Bill Nye, Neil de Gass
c.
It also does away with: Mother Mary, Pope so and so, angels, fairys, and
the like!
4.
As the true vine, Jesus is the author, and the sustainer of our life –
without Him, we could do nothing. We would have no life at all!
5.
THIS great truth must be pondered and really believed, if you want to bear
fruit as Christian
B.
We are Only Branches (John 15:5)
1.
Two important truths:
a.
We have no life without the vine
b.
We have no value without fruit
2.
The Vine supplies life to the branches
a.
We need absolutely everything that
the Vine provides just to exist and produce fruit
3.
We are IN the Vine (2Cor 5:17; Rom 8:1) – placed in to the vine (Christ)
4.
Therefore there is a oneness of life from the root to the branches – all
one!
5.
Interestingly, a branch can have the semblance of life – can look like it
is fine
a.
Leaves… But no fruit
b.
Fruitfulness is a by-product of that union of life – closeness to Jesus
c.
Next week we will look at barrenness and powerlessness
6.
Our reason for being born again is not to produce leaves
7.
But so that we can produce fruit
C.
What is Our Fruit?
1.
A Christian’s fruit is:
a.
The by-product of our connection to
the Vine (john 15:4)
1)
Simple, abiding union with Christ is the main condition of all
fruitfulness.
2)
Fruit is possible only on condition of union with Him. He is the
productive source of it all
b.
The goal and purpose of Bible pastors and teachers in your life (Rom 1:13;
c.
It is only spiritual fruit – not worldly success at all
d.
Jesus is referring to good fruit (Mt 3:10; 7:16-20)
e.
The fruit is first for God (Rom 7:4; 1Cor 9:7)
f.
Can be choked by the world we allow into our life (Mk 4:7; Lk 8:14)
g.
Can grow again after chastening! A product of chastening (Heb 12:11)
2.
If you have no fruit, you are cursed (Mt 21:19; Mk 11:14; Lk 3:9; Jude
1:12)
3.
Various fruits according to the Bible:
a.
The Nine Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23; Eph 5:9)
b.
Righteous living (Mt 3:8; Philp 1:11). Even holiness (Rom 6:21,22)
c.
Children (fruit of the womb)
d.
Praise (Heb 13:15)
e.
Wisdom (James 3:17,18)
f.
Patience (James 5:7)
g.
Power with God – getting what you ask for!
4.
So, why aren’t more of those fruits in our lives? That’s for next week!
IV.
Next Week
A.
What the Gardener Does, and Why
B.
Why Pruning?
C.
What the Vine does for us
D.
What Christ Expects of us
E.
The Big Deal About Barrenness
V.
Conclusion
A.
In chapter 15, Jesus points to a vine in a vineyard and teaches His
disciples what one great truth?
About how important their relationship to Him is!
B.
What is The Garden / the Vineyard referring to?
C.
Who is The Vine?
D.
How does He refer to Himself?
1.
As the TRUE vine
E.
Who is The Gardener?
1.
The Gardener is God the Father
F.
Who are The Branches?
1.
The Branches are all believers
G.
The greatest value in living thing is found in its what?
1.
Its fruit
2.
The greatest purpose of any living thing is the production of fruit
H.
As the true vine, Jesus is the author, and the sustainer of our life –
without Him, we can do ___________
1.
Nothing. We would have no life at all!
I.
True important truths about us branches:
1.
We have no life without the __________ vine
2.
We have no value without ___________ fruit
J.
If you have no fruit, you are what?
1.
Cursed
K.
List a few spiritual fruits according to the Bible:
1.
The Nine Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23; Eph 5:9)
2.
Righteous living (Mt 3:8; Philp 1:11). Even holiness (Rom 6:21,22)
3.
Children (fruit of the womb)
4.
Praise (Heb 13:15)
5.
Wisdom (James 3:17,18)
6.
Patience (James 5:7)
7.
Power with God – getting what you ask for!
L.
Next week we will try to focus more on why there aren’t more of those
fruits in our lives.