April 28, 2024
The Vine
- Matt Nickoson
God has a name (Exodus 3:14) “YHWH” or “Yahweh”. It means, “I AM”.
Exodus 3:15b NIV
This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
John 15:1-2 NIV
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. "
God prunes us for our good!
How does God prune us?
1. Through His Word
John 15:3 NIV
"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you."2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2. Through the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:16-17 NIV
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22-23a NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God is a great Gardner who has provided everything you need for life and vitality!
John 15:4 NIV
“Remain (abide) 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.”
John 15:5 NIV
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:6 NIV
“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.”
John 15:7-8 NIV
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:9 NIV
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
John 15:10 NIV
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
John 15:11-12 NIV
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
3. Through our giving and receiving love from others in God’s Church.
John 15:13-14 NIV
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”