Scripture References: John 15:1-16; Isaiah 5; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:10

Intro: Welcome. We continue exploring our church's mission, focusing on living surrendered to the Spirit. In John 15, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure using the powerful metaphor of the vineyard. He calls Himself the "True Vine," revealing how we can live fruitfully even when He isn't physically present.

Key Points:

1. Jesus: The True Vine (v. 1): Jesus declares "I am the True Vine," connecting Himself to God (the great "I AM") and contrasting Himself with Israel, God's original vineyard that failed to produce good fruit (Isa 5). Jesus is the only reliable source of life and fruitfulness.
2. The Father: The Vinedresser (v. 1-2): God the Father actively cultivates the vineyard. He removes branches in Christ that bear no fruit (lacking genuine connection/life) and prunes fruitful branches to increase their yield.
3. Our Call: Abide in Him (v. 4-5): The primary command is to "abide" – remain, stay connected, dwell – in Jesus. Fruitfulness is impossible apart from this vital connection to the Vine. This requires intentional effort.
4. Practices for Abiding (v. 7-10):
   • Word: Let Jesus's words remain in you through meditation.
   • Prayer: Ask in His name, aligning with His will.
   • Love: Consciously rest and receive His love for you.
   • Obedience: Keep His commands, as obedience fosters intimacy.
5. The Goal: Bear Fruit (v. 2, 5, 8, 16): The result of abiding is bearing fruit – reflecting Christ's character (love, joy, peace, etc.) through our words, character, and actions (Eph 2:10). This fruit carries "seeds" of the kingdom to impact others.
6. The Process: Pruning for More Fruit (v. 2): The Vinedresser prunes fruitful branches, cutting away hindrances ("shade canes," clutter) so they can receive more from the Son (S-O-N) and produce more and much fruit. Pruning often occurs in difficult "winter" seasons but is evidence of God's loving preparation for greater fruitfulness, not punishment.

Conclusion: Life in Christ is about connection to Him, the True Vine. Through intentional abiding (Word, prayer, love, obedience), we draw life from Him. This enables us to bear fruit that reflects His character and spreads His kingdom. Trust the Vinedresser's pruning process; it's designed for greater abundance.

Call to Action:

• Evaluate your connection: Are you actively abiding in Jesus?
• Practice abiding daily through Scripture, prayer, receiving His love, and obedience.
• If you're being pruned, trust God's purpose. Ask Him what He's preparing you for.
• Pray for increased fruitfulness in your life – fruit that blesses others and glorifies God.

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