The True Vine

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe are coming to the end of our u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/tag/spring-quarter-23/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003espring quarter of Sunday Schoolu003c/au003e lessons with only one lesson remaining after this one.  Our lesson this week is going to be a very familiar lesson if you have read, watched, or listened to u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/tag/tree-of-god-series/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003emy recent sermonsu003c/au003e and gone over my u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/a-well-planted-tree-of-god/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u002210609u0022u003elast bible study of this seasonu003c/au003e.  In our lesson this week, we are going to take a look at being a branch on the True Vine – Jesus Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eOn the True Vineu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn the opening verse of our lesson, we will see the familiar verse where Jesus states, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser (v.1).”  From this verse, there are a couple of things to touch on.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennFirstly, I want to consider the True Vine by speaking about what we know about vines in general.  Vines, we know, are u003cemu003eliving u003c/emu003eas they live by the nutrients their roots take in from the soil.  From all that they take in, vines can grow extremely long and they can also grow wildly.  Some vines produce fruit, like grape vines, while others vines, like wisteria, look beautiful but can choke out trees.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWith all of this in mind, vines need to be kept in check, right?  You wouldn’t want vines to grow wildly so, this is where the vinedresser steps in.  The vinedresser is there to keep the vine in check from growing wildly by diligently tending to it; he or she will constantly prune which, in the end, can be very helpful for fruit bearing vines.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, thinking about this spiritually, Jesus likening Himself to a vine is a u003cemu003eliving u003c/emu003evine that is constantly growing.   The Father, being the vinedresser, tends to the vine.  Jesus said that the Father, as the vinedresser, takes away the u003cemu003ebranches u003c/emu003ethat don’t bear fruit from the vine; the Father prunes the vine (v.2).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, on the true vine, we are told that there are branches that grow.  Who are the branches growing on the true vine?  The branches that grow on the true vine are those who have genuinely believed in Him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, if you think about it, this means that the branches growing on the true vine are growing from the minerals pulled in from the vine roots.  Plants take in water and other minerals through their roots and what is taken in travels up the stem or through the vine.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIf we u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/a-righteous-tree-of-god/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u002210727u0022u003eremember the tree from Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17u003c/au003e, for example, the roots of the true vine run through the u003cemu003erivers u003c/emu003eof God – that is the Word of God.  What does this mean?  The branches grow from the Word of God.  These branches should, therefore, bear fruit of u003cemu003egood u003c/emu003esustenance; a holy and righteous sustenance.  From the fruit that these branches bear, people should eat and grow to be holy and righteous.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eThe Father’s Gardening Worku003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, there is a question that arises because we are told that the Father prunes and takes away branches from the true vine that do not bear fruit.  So, what does it mean to be a branch growing on the true vine but then being taken away from it?  How does a branch grow from the true vine and u003cemu003enotu003c/emu003e bear any fruit?  Also, does this mean you are losing your salvation?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eTaking away branchesu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWell, Jesus has already told us what one must do in order to do the works of God, or in this case, bear His fruit.  Jesus said to those who had been searching for Him that in order to do the works of God, one must u003cemu003ebelieve u003c/emu003ein Him whom the Father sent (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A28-29u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 6:28-29u003c/au003e).  So, in order for one to bear good fruit, I would say that we must u003cemu003eactively u003c/emu003ebe in fellowship with the Lord; we must truly abide in Him.  Jesus says as much when we see Him say, “Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch u003cemu003ecannot bear fruit u003c/emu003eof itself, u003cemu003eunless u003c/emu003eit abides in the vine … He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit (v.4).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThere are many who profess to be of faith, and they u003cemu003edo u003c/emu003ebelieve in Christ, but the manner in which they live, it doesn’t always show.  What do I mean by this?  Well, for example, some of us are of faith but we aren’t diligent in our prayer life or our studies.  Some of us are of faith, but aren’t always moving with the kind of love that we should be practicing.  When one u003cemu003elives u003c/emu003ethis way, they aren’t living in a manner to bear any fruit of God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, what does God do?  He takes away the branch from the vine.  Does this mean that this one has lost their salvation?  Let us not think that just because God has taken away this branch that this person has u003cemu003elost u003c/emu003etheir salvation.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen you are truly u003cemu003ein u003c/emu003eChrist, you cannot lose your salvation.  In his letter, Peter wrote that our u003cemu003einheritanceu003c/emu003e (salvation/heaven) does not fade away and is u003cemu003ereserved u003c/emu003efor us; our salvation is u003cemu003ekept u003c/emu003eby the power of God through u003cemu003efaithu003c/emu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Pet.+1%3A4-5u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Pet. 1:4-5u003c/au003e).  Jesus said it in Himself, there is nothing nor nobody that can u003cemu003esnatch u003c/emu003eus of His nor the Father’s hands.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, when the Father takes away the non bearing fruit branches, He’s not taking them away to be thrown away forever; He is taking them away from fruit bearing.  Does this mean that it is OK for you u003cemu003enotu003c/emu003e to bear any fruit?  Absolutely not.  As Jesus said, if we abide in Him, then we u003cemu003eshould u003c/emu003ebe doing our absolute best to bear and grow much fruit.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eCompletely removing wild branchesu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe Father’s pruning work does not just stop with the branches growing off the true vine.  Again, if you have been listening to my recent sermons and went over the last bible study of the recent season, then you know there are other trees growing amongst us that aren’t attached to the true vine.  From those trees there are branches that grow and can u003cemu003eintersect u003c/emu003ewith the branches growing from the true vine.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, those other branches that don’t grow from the true vine can hinder the fruit bearing branches growing from the true vine.  What does the Father do about those branches?  Jesus said plainly, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw u003cemu003ethemu003c/emu003e into the fire, and they are burned (v.6).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDo you notice the difference in how Jesus spoke about the Father’s handling of those branches compared to the branches that grow from the true vine?  You see, these wild growing branches that are growing from trees of the world, are going to be treated much differently than those that are of Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe wild growing branches from the bad trees are going to be cut down and thrown into u003cemu003etheu003c/emu003e fire to burn up.  The reason that these branches are being removed is, again, because they can hinder fruit from growing on the good branches on the true vine.  Also, we should not miss the fact that this illustration speaks to what awaits those who are of wickedness and live in sin – they will be cast into u003cemu003eouter darknessu003c/emu003e and consumed by the fire.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eThe Father’s loveu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, again, the end goal here from the Father is that we bear fruit while we are growing from the true vine.  If you truly desire to bear good fruit, God will do everything to help you bear good fruit.  Jesus tells us that when we ask what we desire, it will be done for us (v.7).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSomething that a lot of us miss when it comes to the Lord giving us the desires of our heart is that our desires should be geared towards the Lord in order for us to receive.  Pay close attention to Jesus saying that the Father will give you the desire of your heart so that He can be glorified and so that we can u003cemu003ebear good fruitu003c/emu003e (v.8).  A lot of times, we just think that God will give us whatever we want but if our wants don’t align with us bearing good fruit, chances are high that you won’t receive what you asked from the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOur lesson begins to close out on a note of love that the Father has for the Son, and that the Son has for us, His diligent followers (vss.9-10).  Where we may be concerned about our living in the world, Jesus has shared with us that we don’t have to be concerned.  Why don’t we have to be concerned?  Because the Lord is u003cemu003ealways u003c/emu003etending to His vine which would then mean that He is always tending to us.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennBecause He loves us, Jesus tells us to love each other as He has loved us (v.12).  This is something you hear me speak about u003cemu003eall the time u003c/emu003ebecause love is essential to our faith!  If you aren’t moving with the love of God, there is simply no way that you can ever bear His fruit – it is impossible.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eChosen by Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOur lesson closes with Jesus saying, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and u003cemu003eappointed you u003c/emu003ethat you should go and u003cemu003ebear fruitu003c/emu003e, and that you fruit should remain (v.16).”  Then, one more time, Jesus says, “These things I command you, that you love one another (v.17).”  As Paul would say, “I would not have you be ignorant”; we are to love all of those around us with the love of God if we truly desire to bear fruit.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, what does it mean when Jesus says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and u003cemu003eappointed u003c/emu003eyou [to bear fruit]?”  God, we must remember, first loved us; it was not the other way around.  God first loved us and showed us His love by sending to us His u003cemu003eonly u003c/emu003ebegotten Son.  Mankind, I want you to understand, u003cemu003enever u003c/emu003etried to make up for its sin before the Lord reached out to us; man would have happily, u003cemu003eand ignorantlyu003c/emu003e, lived in sin.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo take away such ignorance of sin, we have been appointed – u003cemu003ecommissioned u003c/emu003e- to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+28%3A19-20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 28:19-20u003c/au003e).  We are to u003cemu003elet the world know u003c/emu003ethe good news of Christ.  The good news – the gospel – of Christ is that while all of us have sinned and lived wickedly, we can find mercy in God’s eyes and be forgiven.  Through the Lord’s mercy, there is salvation – deliverance – from sin.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAgain, when we testify of the Lord, we are bearing good fruit.  When we strive to feel the task that we have been appointed with, we are moving to be bearers of good fruit.  The good fruit u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003ethe Word of Godnnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e