TALES OF THE VINE

“The Purpose is to Produce”

Pastor Duane Cross | 01.08.2012

“...Israel is the vineyard of the Lord...” Isaiah 5:7(NLT)

“In that day, sing about the fruitful vineyard. I, the Lord, will watch over it, watering it carefully. Day and night I will watch so no one can harm it.” Isaiah 27:2-3(NLT)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. ‘Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. ‘” John 15:1-8(NLT)

I. OUR PARTNERSHIP

* God the Father.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (John 15:1)

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” Psalms 139:1-6(NLT)

* Jesus is The True Vine.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” John 15:1(NLT)

* Believers are the branches.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches...apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5(NLT)

II. OUR PURPOSE

“Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NLT)

“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” John 15:8(NLT)

III. OUR PRODUCE

* The Internal Fruit of the Spirit.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:22-26(NTL)

* The External Fruit of Eternal Life.

“In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:10(NLT)

“You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe[a] for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” John 4:36-36(NLT)