lessons from the vineyard john 15. both the vine and the vineyard are biblical symbols of israel....
TRANSCRIPT
Both the Vine and the Vineyard are biblical symbols of Israel.
• Ps. 80:7-16 "Restore us, O God Almighty...You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land..."
• Isa. 5:1-7 "The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel."
• Ezekiel calls Israel a vine. • Hosea 10:1 "Israel is an empty vine..."
STUDY THE IDENTITYI am the true vine, and my Father is
the gardener. v 1
Jesus is the true vine.
• Israel, God's intended vine had never been "true" (faithful, good).
• For its "badness" it had been abandoned.
the Father is the gardener
• He planted Israel - for his possession and pleasure.
• He abandoned Israel.
• He provided a true vine.
We are included in this picture as Branches
• Created to produce fruit.
• Created to be dependant on the vine.
• Evaluated by the "gardener" for whose pleasure we exist.
The reality of life as a Branch is that:• You either get
pruned, or clipped completely off, and thrown into the fire.
• But each ‘Branch’ seems to be accountable for the choice of it’s own end.
There is a clear relational imperative
• "Remain in me" (v. 4). "Apart from me you can do nothing" (v. 5b).– We focus the skills, actions, rules, etc. – But Jesus focuses the relationship -- It is primary.
• "Remain in my love" (v. 9b). – We are romantic cripples because we have never
learned to "be" loved. – We want to "feel" the feelings of love, but it’s hard for
us to accept love. – Love is consuming
CHOOSE THE RESULT
While every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be more fruitful. – v 2.
Fruitfulness
• If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. – v 5
Answers to prayer
• If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. – v 7
Joy that is complete
• I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. – v 11