I AM THE TRUE VINE

“I AM THE TRUE VINE”
John 15:1-17

I. Jesus is our source for life at its best.
a. Doing it on our own is exhausting!
i. Great Depression- Run on the Bank- It’s a Wonderful Life
ii. FDIC- Jesus insures that we will have sufficient grace for every circumstance.
1. 2 Corinthians 9- 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
iii. Overdraft protection- 1 Peter 5:10- 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
b. Jesus wants us to have an abundant life IN HIM
i. John 10- 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
c. What does it mean to have life to the full?
i. Romans 14- 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
1. 1 Cor. 1:30- It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
2. Phil. 4- 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- Right Thinking
3. Neh. 8:10- Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
II. Only through Jesus can we bear lasting fruit that will be for the Father’s glory.
a. Can I bear fruit apart from Jesus?
i. The fruit that we bear apart from Jesus is temporary and not satisfying.
1. Living Water
ii. The branch broken off from the vine will wither. Likewise, it is impossible to live the Christian life without being part of the vine.
1. Psalm 1
iii. Living a Legacy- What we do for the Kingdom will be completed.
b. It is not our responsibility to live out the Christian life.
i. Through the Spirit, the Christian life is lived out through us, not by us.
ii. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5)
iii. Surrender to the Holy Spirit
1. Admit that you can’t do it- But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
2. Pour on the power! Matthew 17:20- He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
III. We need to remain in Christ and remain with each other!
a. Hebrews 10- 19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (THIS IS HOW YOU LOVE OTHERS) 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.