The Vine and Branches
Jesus is the True Vine, those that follow Him are the Branches. John chapter 15.
Jesus’s statement about God the Father as the Gardener: I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch that that bears no fruit. He prunes so that it will be more fruitful. vs1-2
Jesus’s instruction: 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. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. vs. 4-5.
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. vs. 6. Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus would be an example.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. vs. 7. The eleven Disciples are in the position of pruned branches ready to bear fruit.
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. vs. 8.
History of the Vineyard in the Bible:
“Noah began to be a man of the soil and he planted a Vineyard.” Genesis 9:20. This was after the Genesis flood.
Israel referred to as God’s Vineyard. Isaiah 5:1-7. “My well-beloved hath a vineyard…the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel…he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes…I will lay it waste…for the Vinyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel and the men of Judah his pleasant plant…”
Israel referred to as a noble Vine. Jeremiah 2:21,23,19. “I planted thee as a Noble Vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange Vine unto me?” God brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt but many turned away from God.
Israel referred to as Vine that yields fruit. “Israel is a luxuriant Vine yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more alters he built…” Hosea 10:1.
Below is the Message Audio.
Below is the underlinedlink to the typed notes pdf