Contributor: Clem Roberts

INTRODUCTION

The book of John gave several insights of our Lord Jesus proclaiming Himself as I AM in various occasions. One of such of occasions is in our text here today where He declares “I am the true vine”. These few verses show us how our relationship with Christ and the Father should be.

Starting with Verse 1 Jesus said “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."

Every one of us should pause and ponder on this very first verse. If there is a true vine, then there is also a false vine. And if God is the dresser of the true vine, obviously we know who the dresser of the false vine is. The true vine is genuine and holy.

Verse 2: Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

• God takes away so that the affected branch does not affect the other branches
• For those that bear God takes care of them, so they keep bearing more fruit.

What is this fruit?
• Our Character
• Our attitude
• Holiness
• Righteousness
• Soul winning - You are saved but have you led anyone to Christ?

Verse 3: You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

How are we clean?
• we are already clean by the written word of God and
• by the spoken Word of Jesus Christ

verse 4: Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Verse 5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."

• The secret of fruitfulness is achieved by remaining connected to the source, and not in the branch making any kind of effort to produce the fruits.
• The branch is entire useless on its own.
• The branch is only to bear fruit.

Benefits of fruitfulness
• To give glory to the almighty God
• To bear more fruit
• God is honoured
• Evidence of being a true disciple

Disadvantages of not staying connected to the source.
• Get cut off from the source
• No more nutrients
• Dries up
• Thrown into the fire and they are burned

Verse 7: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
There is absolute power in obedience. It opens the door of the kingdom without delay.
• What is your ask? It shall be done God Jesus emphasized
• Do you have unanswered request or prayers? Check your obedience, are you abiding?
• Abiding cannot come without obedience
• Our obedience should be in Jesus Christ not people, not denomination or organisation.
• It is not a legal obligation. Obedience is the response to our love for God as He first loved us. It is borne out of our love for Him because He first loved us.

Verse 8: By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
• Fruit of Holy Spirit - character
• Fruit of holiness - conduct
• Fruit righteousness
• Fruit of the lips – our conversation
• Fruit of our Hands –service

CONCLUSION
God’s purpose is for us to flourish in His plans and our plans and bear fruits. Ps. 1:1- 6
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.