Authenticity

THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES

(John 15:1-11, 7.26.09)

• Sept. 04, 2009 = INTRODUCTION

• Sept. 06, 2009 = EXPLANATION

• Sept. 08, 2009 = REMAINING IN THE VINE

• Sept. 10, 2009 = ASKING, PRAYING, SEEKING…

Tags: Andrew Wong, The Branches, The Vine

THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES (John 15:1-11)

Explanation

This passage is a powerful illustration of the difference between a true Christian and one who only claims to believe. Jesus is the vine and God the Father is the gardener. The Father is responsible for pruning the branch that bears fruit so that it can continue to grow and bear more fruit. The word “prunes” is another word for purging or cleansing/purifying. A branch that bears fruit is worthy of continual nourishment and care. So the Father cleanses and purges that branch so that it can bear more fruit. The Father also has another responsibility, and that is to cut off any branch that does not bear fruit. Those branches are dead and have no life in them so they are worthless to Him. How do we know that a branch is dead? By its lack of fruit! There is no nourishment from the vine because it is not connected in a way that draws nutrients from the vine.

In the same way, Christians must be branches that bear fruit. Only Christians have a true relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Jesus is the Saviour and Lord of all believers, and only true believers bear fruit that is pleasing to God.

What kind of “fruit” is the passage talking about? What does the Bible say about the “fruit” that Christians bear?

The “fruit” that Christians bear is the following:

1. Fruit of repentance- Matthew 3:7-8. John the Baptist believed that the Pharisees were going to the river Jordan to be baptized so that they could somehow escape the wrath of God that was to come in the future (3:7) They were only concerned about their own religious activity and how it would benefit them- and they were not concerned about repenting and turning from their sin. The Pharisees did not have changed hearts- a heart of repentance. The baptism John was preaching about was a baptism that was for “repentance”. This repentance means to turn away from sin and trust in the living Kingdom of God! (This Kingdom is later explained as Christ’s ruling kingdom in the future when he returns). Ultimately, John was preaching for people to repent from their sins and turn to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ who was going to die and sacrifice his life for their sins. Is this repentance- this fruit in your life? Have you turned from your sin and turned to the forgiveness that is provided by Christ? It is surely only by Him that we can have forgiveness and hope for eternal life.
2. Fruit of the Spirit- Galatians 5:22-23- The fruits of the spirit are fruits that are demonstrated by outward expressions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits can only be seen by those controlled by the Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit controls us and compels us to act in a way that is pleasing to Him. Therefore, as we walk in the Spirit we will not gratify the sinful desires of the flesh, and we can be free to love others as Jesus loved us, show kindness as Christ did to his enemies, be patient in all circumstances like Jesus had been with the tax collectors of his day and those who did not understand his parables… These fruits are all available to us because Jesus is our Lord and Saviour and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live and walk as Jesus did. J Are these fruits evident in your life? Do you walk by His Spirit?
3. Fruit of good works- Ephesians 2:8-10- We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he prepared for us beforehand. God created us like a potter molding the clay, to become a vessel of honour useful to glorify Him. God prepares us, and molds us to do good works! This is work that glorifies Him. Work that is motivated by a love for Christ and a love to see people come to know Him. All things that we do, whether we eat or drink or anything that takes place in our lives, must be done with thankfulness and praise of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)
4. Fruit of holiness- Romans 6:20-22- This passage speaks about how we were all once slaves to sin. Bound by the sinful desires of our worldly nature we were once unable to worship or glorify God because we were not under his authority. Our life belonged to the world and we became slaves to its sinful tendencies. However, in verse 22, Paul says, ²²But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. We bear the fruit of holiness! Holiness, means being set apart for God, being completely different than the world, as God is different from the world. This fruit of holiness is evident in the believer’s life because as we follow our Lord Jesus, we become more like him and we grow in our desire to please Him. Our lives are characterized by the fruit of holy living and hatred towards sinful patterns and sinful behaviours. This fruit is the evidence that a believer is alive and has a relationship with Christ.

Tags: Ephesians 2:8-10, Explanation, Fruit of good works, Fruit of holiness, Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 10:31, Matthew 3:7-8, prunes, pruning, Romans 6:20-22, ruit of repentance