The True Vine
Presented by Glenn Griffin
July 10, 2019

John 15:1-11, 16  Jesus said “I am the true vine”

• This is the last of the 7 I AM statements in the Gospel of John by the Lord Jesus in relation to His person
• The Father is the husbandman or caretaker of the vine which includes the branches

KEY POINT

The secret as to how a believer can be fruitful and joyful on earth

• “Abide in Me” – In Christ To stay in this state “and I in You” continue in unbroken relationship

The character of the vine

• True – In contrast to all other for enabling fruit bearing

The uniqueness of the vine

• Fruit is produced only on new branch growth from the vine

The conditions to bearing fruit

• We need the Husbandman – The Father
• “Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away [lifteth up]…”
  • taketh away – 142 – airo – to take up or away; fig. to raise; by Hebraism(Hebrew expression)-to expiate sin
• “and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit”
  • purgeth – 2508 – kathairo – to cleanse ie (specifically) to prune; fig to expiate
  • “Now[even now] ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you”
  • “Ye are clean, but not all” John 13:10

The Vine – Lord Jesus Christ

• “Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.”
• “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.”

The damage of not abiding in the vine – Testimony Lost

• “If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
• withered – 3583 – keraino – to dessicate[dry thoroughly]; by impl. to shrivel

The fruit by abiding in the vine – Prayer Answered

• “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
• “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye[abide ye] in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.

The purpose and value of abiding in the vine

• “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be My disciples”
• “That My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
• “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain[abide]: that whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, He may give it to you.”