Jesus In His Own Words: I AM…The True Vine

Jesus In His Own Words:

I AM…The True Vine

Opening Illustration:

Good morning friends and family. Welcome to Eastern Shore Baptist Church. I am so honored by your presence here this morning. If you are visiting with us today, thank you for worshipping with us. Again, if you are visiting with us this morning, let me inform you concerning the sermon series that we have been engaged in over the past several weeks.

Over the past 7 weeks, we have been in a sermon series entitled “Jesus In His Own Words”. This series has looked closely at the “I AM” statements of Jesus in John’s Gospel.

I am the Bread of Life from John 6.

I am the Light of the World from John 8.

I am the Door for the sheep from John 10.

I am the Good Shepherd again from John 10.

I am the Resurrection and the Life from John 11.

Last week we examined Jesus’ statement, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life from John 14.

Today we will look deep into God’s Word and we will hear Jesus’ final “I AM” statement: I am the Vine taken from John 15:1-11.

Jesus as He is communicating these truths makes the statement, “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. Here is how I read Jesus’ words, “If you want God’s power, if you want to feel His presence in your life, if you are looking for His protection and trying to discover His perspective, you better stay plugged into me.”

That is a pretty bold statement from a carpenter turned Rabbi born in Bethlehem.

While I was studying for this message, I came across a powerful illustration about staying connected to Christ.

When God made trees he spoke to the earth. When God made fish he spoke to the water. When God made man he said let us make man in our image. He breathed life from Him into us. These three things are alive. however they are not independent. If you pull the fish out of water it will die. If you pull the tree of out the dirt it will die. If you take man from God, we will die.

It is imperative that we stay connected to Christ. The big question is how. How do we stay connected to Christ. I hope to answer that question for you this morning.

Today’s Thought:

Take a moment this morning and fill out the “Today’s Thought” portion of today’s message. Christian, stay connected to Christ! There you will find victory in the vine! That’s right brothers and sisters, if you want to find victory, if you want to discover peace, then remain apart of the one true vine Jesus Christ.

Today’s Thought:

Christian, Stay Connected To Christ! There Is Victory In The Vine!

Today’s Quote:

Let me introduce you to J.C. Ryle this morning. Ryle lived in the 19th century in Liverpool. He was an evangelical Anglican bishop. Ryle was a brilliant scholar and theologian. He studied at the famed University of Oxford. His father was a very wealthy man who sadly went bankrupt after he graduated college. Ryle had plans for political office but after his father’s financial failure, the Lord changed his heart and redirected his vocation. He choose to serve God and tell others about Christ. He was a man familiar with suffering. Married three times. His first two wives tragically died. He strongly believed that the Jews should be allowed to return to their homeland and fought for God’s people to have their own nation. J.C. Ryle certainly understood the challenges and disappointments in life. After all, that is why many people turn their back on faith in Jesus. Not Ryle. He remained dedicated to Christ, committed to the Great Commission. Listen to what he said about abiding with Jesus Christ. “To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him-to be always leaning on Him, resting in Him, pouring our our hearts to Him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best friend.”

Today’s Quote:

“To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him-to be always leaning on Him, resting in Him, pouring our our hearts to Him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best friend.”

J.C. Ryle

Background and Context:

Before we read from John 15 this morning, I would like to take a moment and set up the scene for you. Id like to give you the background and context of our passage. Generally speaking the most important things that anyone will say are their last words. In John 15, we are privy to some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples. Jesus uses a metaphor to describe the correlation between God, Himself, and His disciples. John 15:1-11 captures the last and final days that Christ will spend with the disciples before His crucifixion. Jesus often taught the disciples complex spiritual truths with common, even mundane, illustrations. Today the metaphor is a vine, vine grower, and branches. The vine as you know represented Jesus, the vine grower represents His Father God, and the branches are the disciples.

This event takes place in Jerusalem. The people living in and around Jerusalem would have been extremely familiar with farming, vineyards, wine presses, grapes and the like. Therefore using a vine in His teachings would have been extremely relatable to the disciples. Images of farmers attending to vines, pruning branches that are damaged or unproductive, watching branches bear more fruit would have been easy concepts for the disciples to realize and understand.

Jesus talks about how God, His Father, will take those that are pruned from the vine and they will be tossed into the fire, or Hell. This was done not to scare the disciples, even though I am sure that it was scary. Jesus talked about this because He wanted His disciples to realize the importance of His teachings. He wanted them to be sober, mindful, and thoughtful.

So brothers and sisters, let us prepare to read from God’s Word, specifically John 15:1-11. I am reading this morning from the New Living Translation.

Statement of Belief:

We believe the Bible to be inspired, God breathed, infallible, and authoritative. We believe the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training believer’s in righteousness. God’s Word gives life. It provides peace in trouble and protection in tribulation. It is alive, active, and cuts to the core of the human soul. Since there is no other book like it, let us stand to show our reverence and respect.

Today’s Scripture:

John 15:1-11 NLT

"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. [2] He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. [3] You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. [4] 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 unless you remain in me. [5] "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. [6] Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. [7] But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! [8] When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. [9] "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. [10] When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. [11] I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Jesus’ Three Options For Living!

I. The Vine Life vs. 1-5

John 15:1-5 NLT

Point:

So according to Jesus, there is roughly three ways to engage or live this life. The first way to live is by the vine. Fill in the first blank for me this morning. Jesus’ three options for living is number one, the vine life.

Life attached to the vine and tended by the Master Gardner, God Himself.

So what does it look like to live by the vine. First off, when you live life attached to the vine, the one true vine, Jesus Himself, you have access to Jesus’ power. That’s right friend, when you are attached to the vine, you receive nutrients to live. Think about a grapevine for one second. The branches attached the vine receive from the vine necessary water. Without water, the branch does not have the ability to live. The vine doesn’t just transfer water, living water, it transfers necessary nutrients from the ground in which the vine is planted. The vine absorbs vital vitamins, fertilizers, even pesticides that prevent insects from ruining the branches. If the branch is not connected to the vine, the branch misses out on everything it needs to live. Christian, the branch is symbolic of me and you this morning. We must stay connected to Jesus. Jesus is the Vine. When we are connected to Christ, we receive the spiritual nourishment to feed and rejuvenate our souls and spirits. When we are attached and abiding in Christ, the one true Vine, He provides spiritual protection that guards us from demonic attacks. Quite literally, when we are attached to Jesus, we are connected to Godly power.

That’s not the only reason we should stay connected to the vine. The vine life doesn’t just provide us power and necessary tools for living. Staying connected to the vine also means that we are being productive…fruitful. Apart from the vine, we cannot produce fruit. “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 unless you remain in me.”

What kind of fruit am I talking about this morning? Well Scripture gives us an answer to that question. The Apostle Paul enlightens us to the fruit that is produced when we are connected to Jesus Christ. Listen to His words captured in Galatians 5:22-23.

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, gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.

Church, examine your life this morning. You know one of the most frequent questions that I get is “how can I know for sure that I am a Christian”. I get that question from people looking for some sort of assurance of their salvation. Honestly it is one of the easiest questions to answer. If you are a Christian, a true believer, saved and experiencing sanctification, then you will bear much Kingdom fruit. If you are not fruitful, you are not connected to the Vine. You are not living the vine life.

Are you loving?

Joyful?

Peaceful?

Patient?

Kind?

Good?

Faithful?

Gentle?

How about self controlled?

Well preacher, there is no way that one single person that live that sort of life? I beg to differ. True, it is hard to live with the fruits of the spirit at all times, but I have know Christians who daily mirror these traits. They are called mature believers.

If you are living the vine life, then you can have that same spiritual maturity in your life as well.

Point:

So, if you are living the vine life, you have the power of Christ flowing through you. You also have the production, the fruitfulness of your faith if you are attached to the vine. Here is one last point that Jesus gives to us this morning. If you are living the vine life you will be prepared by the Master Gardner, God Himself, the Father. Listen to what Jesus says about His Father,

“"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. [2] He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

If you are attached to the vine, if you the branch are attached to Jesus the vine, then the Gardner prunes you. What does that mean? It means exactly what it says. Living the vine life means that God prunes away all the sinful behavior of your life. That’s correct, the longer you life, the longer that you live this Christian life, God removes the spiritual cancers from you life. This means that the things that you once found attractive in your former ways of living are no longer attractive. God prunes that behavior from you because it does not lead to spiritual fruitfulness.

A practical example for me, if Im being transparent with you this morning, is my language. Im embarrassed to admit to all of you this morning that I struggled with my language in my youth. All my friends cursed regularly and I followed their lead. This was something that I found challenging even into my college years because my roommates cursed like sailors. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has pruned this behavior from me but even today, those words pierce my mind and thoughts. I struggle daily with keeping those words from leaving my mind and entering my mouth.

Why does God prune? Well Jesus gives us the answer. “He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” God prunes us so that we can produce even more for Him. Why do you think God pruned my language? Do you think I would be very productive as a pastor if I cursed and cussed all the time? Probably not. That sort of living would not be very conducive to a very productive pastorate.

Point:

So, are you fruitful? Fruitful does not mean perfect by the way. Fruitful means productive. Are you productive? If you are attached to the vine, Jesus Himself, you should have access to His power, His living water. What is God pruning for your productivity this morning?

The Apostle Paul was certainly pruned. He was very much so attached to the vine. Listen to what he stated in Galatians 2:20.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Jesus’ Three Options For Living!

I. The Vine Life vs. 1-5

II. The Vain Life vs. 6

John 15:6 NLT

[6] Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.

Point:

Well, I said that there were three ways of living according to Jesus. The first was the obvious and best way, living by the vine. Connected to Christ. But there is a second way that is not so good. That way is the Vain Life. No not VEIN, VAIN.

What does the Vain Life look like, can I describe it for you this morning? I can honestly say this, all of us, every single one of us in this room are guilty of living the Vain Life. The Vain life is all about self. The Vain Life is all about self security. The Vain Life is about making sure that you are at the front of the line. The Vain Life is all about power, popularity, fame, fortune, stuff and material possession.

If the Vine Life is all about Jesus then the Vain Life is all about me, myself and I. It is a way to live but it leads to the most heartache and disappointment.

What does Vain really mean? I looked it up. Here is Webster’s definition:

Having or showing undue or excessive pride in one’s appearance or achievements. Conceited.

Marked by futility or ineffectualness.

Having no real value, idle or worthless.

Anyone interested in living a life of no real value. A life marked by futility or a life of total ineffectualness?

Or course not. None of us would knowingly sign up for that, but we all do it nevertheless.

The Vain life is just opposite of the Vine life.

Point:

The Vain life is a faithless life. When we put faith in ourselves, it is impossible to have faith in God. The Vain Life is a fruitless life. This is where things can get very confusing. Did you know that there are two types of fruit: there is worldly fruit and there is spiritual fruit? Do you know that you can be rich is worldly fruit but poor in spiritual fruit? Did you know that you can be poor in worldly fruit but rich in spiritual fruit? Sometimes there is some crossover. There are even people in the Bible who were rich in both but it can be difficult to keep our eyes on Christ when we are rich in worldly fruit.

Let me be a bit more specific.

Worldly fruit may look like fame, prestige, money, power. This is the American dream don’t you know. These are the things that the world celebrates and craves. But spiritual fruitfulness is something that the world recoils from but that God values greatly.

Jesus knew this instinctively when He discusses our fruit in Matthew 7. How can you tell Christians from non Christians? How can you recognize the false teachers of the Gospel from the true teachers and preachers of the Gospel? Brothers and sisters, it’s all about their fruit.

Matthew 7:15-20 ESV

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Sadly the Vain Life is a faithless and fruitless life. There is one more think to consider about the Vain Life that may strike home for several of us this morning. The Vain Life is all about gratifying our flesh. How can you know if you are living the Vain Life? Simple! How much time do you spend trying to gratify your flesh. Our culture spends an inordinate amount of time gratifying our flesh. Addiction of all sorts in on the rise here in America. Addiction is something that initially brings pleasure or peace to our flesh but in the end captures us. Addiction holds our physical bodies, our mental state, our emotional well being, even our spiritual selves hostage. Sadly, our nation is made up of millions of addicts.

From pain pills to porn,

from sex to social media

From tattoos to tobacco

From vaping to video games

From caffeine to cigarettes

All of these addictions and more at first promise peace, pleasure, and happiness but they are just Satan’s violent harpoon that shoots itself deep into your spirit trapping you in your sin.

Brothers and sisters, if it is one thing that I have learned and I mean learned the hard way, you cannot spend all your waking hours gratifying your flesh, hiding your secret additions from your family and friends, and still believe that you are actually growing in your relationship with God. Jesus takes our fleshly pursuits serious. Listen to what Jesus says again in Mathew…

Matthew 5:27-30 ESV

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

What is Jesus saying? Does He really think that you should pluck our your eye? Does He really believe that you should cut off your hand? No. He is using hyperbole. He is saying these things for effect. The point that He is communicating is that addiction, the desire to please the flesh, will only leave your relationship with God broken and your relationships with those you love the most shattered.

No brothers and sisters, the Vain Life is no life at all. You know down deep if you are living the Vain Life. We all know and all of us are guilty at some point of living that life. But no more. Confess today that sin and leave it behind. Pray. Seek grace. It is not enough just to tell God that you want to be rid of that sin. You must confess it, out loud, to a trusted friend, a pastor, a Life Group leader, so that burden that you carry you will not have to carry alone any longer.

The Lord does not want us to live the Vain Life. We should follow the advice found in Proverbs 8. Fear the Lord.

Proverbs 8:13 ESV

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Jesus’ Three Options For Living!

I. The Vine Life vs. 1-5

II. The Vain Life vs. 6

III. The Victorious Life vs. 7-11

John 15:7-11 NLT

[7] But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! [8] When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. [9] "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. [10] When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. [11] I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Point:

This morning we have examined two ways of living. We can live the Vine Life or the Vain Life. This last point is very short. If you live by the Vine, you live Victorious. You will live the Victorious Life.

Are you looking for the Victorious Life this morning? If you are, it is not hard to find. It is not hidden from you.

If you want to live the Victorious Life, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Admit to God that you are a sinner. Romans 3 tells us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. You sir, you mam, you are a sinner and sin is a problem. Sin separates us from God. The prophet Isaiah tells us that our iniquities have separated us from a Holy God. God cannot and will not be in the presence of sin. Sin brings not only separation but it also has attached to it a death sentence. Us sinners are dead men and women walking. If we were to die in our sin and face a Holy, righteous, and perfect God, we would die forever and forever. Romans 6:23 reminds us that the wages of sin is death. In exchange for our sin, without the help of Christ, God pays us in death and separation. So, your admission of sin is serious.

But God!

But God, the two greatest words in all the Bible. In Romans 5, Paul states but God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Jesus took the penalty and payment of our sin so instead of receiving a payment of death, we know have the chance to receive a payment of life. Jesus died on the cross so that we may live…forever by the way! Once you admit that you are a sinner, will you believe that Jesus is who He said He was? Jesus tells us in John 14 that He is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father unless He comes through me. Do you believe that this morning?

If you do believe it, cry out to God. Ask Him for your grace and put your faith in Jesus Christ. Put your faith in Jesus to save you in the same way that you would put your faith in a parachute to save you if you jumped out of an airplane.

Brothers and sisters, will you bow your head with me this morning. If you are searching for the victorious life and you are ready to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, will you pray this prayer silently, in your mind and heart? As I speak will you pray with all of you heart and soul, mean these words as I say them aloud.

“Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.”

I John 5:4 ESV

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Invitation:

Attention: Abide In Christ…Advance In Your Faith!

Bibliography

Websites:

https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/101845/connected-to-god-by-glynda-lomax

https://banneroftruth.org/us/about/banner-authors/j-c-ryle/

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015&version=NIV

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-jesus-means-by-i-am-the-vine-you-are-the-branches.html

https://connectusfund.org/john-15-5-meaning-of-i-am-the-vine-you-are-the-branches