Skip to content
Share
I am
July 5, 2020

The True Vine

by Darius Dunson
Jesus tells us that He is the vine and we are the branches. What exactly does He mean by that? Apart from Him, we are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing! He is the source of everything that makes us who we are and all that we need. To receive what God has for us, become who He intended and live fruitful lives, we have to stay connected to Jesus. Let’s trust in Him as our supply!
Sermon Notes

John 15:1-5 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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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. 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.”
God is our source.
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.”

He Is:

  1. The source of our correction

God’s Pruning Involves:

  1. Divine Discipline
    John 15:2 NIV
    “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.”
    Hebrews 12:5-8 NIV
    And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you
    as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the
    LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For
    the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he
    accepts as his child.” As you endure this DIVINE DISCIPLINE,
    remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever
    heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t
    discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are
    illegitimate and are not really his children at all.
    Job 13:15, 20-21 NKJV
    Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him… “Only two things do not do
    to me, then I will not hide myself from You: withdraw Your hand far
    from me, and let not the dread of You make me afraid.”
    God’s Pruning Involves:
  2. Divine Direction
  3. Divine Disruptions
    Genesis 41:55-57 NIV
    When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh
    for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do
    what he tells you.” When the famine had spread over the whole
    country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the
    Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the
    world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the
    famine was severe everywhere.

He Is:

  1. The source of our provision
    John 15:4 NIV
    “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.”
    What does remaining in Him look like?
    • Prayer
    • Profession of God’s Word
    • Proximity to God’s people
    He Is:
  2. The source of our protection
    Song of Solomon 2:15
    The small foxes spoil the vine.
    … though foxes are carnivorous animals in the main, they also
    devour plants, so that besides digging their holes in the
    vineyards, and making tracks among the vines and gaps in the
    fences, they actually bite the young shoots of the vines and eat
    the grapes. (Cp. Theocritus, Id. v. 112, where vines are said to be
    spoiled by their deadly bite.) In vine-growing countries, as for
    instance in Australia, foxes when killed have been found with
    nothing in their stomachs but grapes.
    Declaration of Proverbs 3:5-12
    I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not to my own
    understanding. In all my ways I will acknowledge Him, and He shall
    direct my paths. I will not be wise in my own eyes; I will fear the Lord
    and depart from evil. It will be health to my flesh and strength to my
    bones. I will honor the Lord with my possessions and with the
    firstfruits of all my increase. So my barns will be filled with plenty,
    and my vats will overflow with new wine. I will not despise the
    chastening of the Lord, nor will I detest His correction. For I know the
    Lord corrects me because He loves me, just as a father loves his son.
Wherever you are
Take One Step