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PART 7 I AM THE VINE

I Am Part 7 Sermon February 26, 2023

I am:

- The Bread of Life

- The Light of the World

- The Gate for the Sheepfold

- The Good Shepherd

- The Resurrection and the Life

- The Way and the Truth and the Life

John 14:12 (NIV2011)

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 15:1-8 (NIV2011)

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 “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.

6 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. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

I am the true vine

Jesus is the source of spiritual fruit

Example: A branch separated from the vine

Jesus is the source of spiritual fruit

Christian character

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV2011)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Example: An oak tree’s leaves

Jesus is the source of spiritual fruit

Christian character

Christian contribution

John 15:5 (NIV2011)

5 “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.

Example: Inspect what you expect

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV2011)

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Christian fruitfulness varies

Christian fruitfulness varies

“bear fruit” (vs. 2)

“be even more fruitful” (vs. 2)

“bear much fruit” (vs. 8)

How to be a fruitful branch?

“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” (vs. 4)

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” (vs. 5)

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (vs. 7)

“Now remain in my love.” (vs. 9)

Christians bear much fruit by remaining in Christ

Clarify: Security of the believer

John 15:2 (NIV2011)

2 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.

Christians bear much fruit when they remain in Christ

Trust God’s pruning

Example: Track

John 15:7-10 (NIV2011)

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

10 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.

Christians bear much fruit when they remain in Christ

Trust the pruning process

Know and obey His commands

Example: Bungee Jumping

James 4:17 (NIV2011)

17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Christian fruitfulness knows no limit

Example: Baseball bat

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