Experiencing God

In The Church

Its Like Being Part of A Vine

Pastor John Isaacs Kingsway Community Church June 12, 2011

Meaning of Church
Dictionary

1. A building used for Christian worship. 2. A religious service. 3. A Christian denomination.

The Church Doesnt Have A Name Ekklesia (Greek) Translated church and used 115 times in New Testament.

Meaning of Ekklesia

A Gathering of the Called Out

Metaphors Used To Describe The Church 1. Body 2. Bride 3. Army 5. Sheep Fold 6. Family 7. Temple

4.Vine

Being Connected To God s People Is Like Being Part of

A Vine

Isaiah 5:1-2
1

Now I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a rich and fertile hill. 2 He plowed the land, cleared its stones, and planted it with the best vines.

In the middle he built a watchtower and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks. Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes, but the grapes that grew were bitter.

Jeremiah 2:21
But I was the one who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?

Ezekiel 19:10-14
10

Your mother was like a vine planted by the water s edge. It had lush, green foliage because of the abundant water. 11 Its branches became strong strong enough to be a ruler s scepter. It grew very tall,

towering above all others. It stood out because of its height and its many lush branches. 12 But the vine was uprooted in fury and thrown down to the ground. The desert wind dried up its fruit and tore off its strong branches, so that it withered and was destroyed by fire.

13

Now the vine is transplanted to the wilderness, where the ground is hard and dry. 14 A fire has burst out from its branches and devoured its fruit. Its remaining limbs are not strong enough to be a ruler s scepter.

Hosea 10:1
How prosperous Israel is a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit. But the richer the people get, the more pagan altars they build. The more bountiful their harvests, the more beautiful their sacred pillars.

Psalm 80:8-13
8

You brought us from Egypt like a grapevine; you drove away the pagan nations and transplanted us into your land. 9 You cleared the ground for us, and we took root and filled the land.

Our shade covered the mountains; our branches covered the mighty cedars. 11 We spread our branches west to the Mediterranean Sea; our shoots spread east to the Euphrates River. 12 But now, why have you broken

10

down our walls so that all who pass by may steal our fruit? 13 The wild boar from the forest devours it, and the wild animals feed on it.

John 15:1-17
1

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 4 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. 6 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. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father s commandments and remain in his love.

11

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one s life for one s friends.

are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

14You

16

You didn t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

The Vine Metaphor Reveals 1. Jesus is the True Vine 2. Father is Gardener 3. Believers are Branches 4. Purpose is Fruit

Four Degrees of Fruit Bearing 1. No Fruit

John 15:2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn t produce fruit.

Four Degrees of Fruit Bearing 2. Bears Fruit

John 15:2 He prunes the branches that do bear fruit.

Four Degrees of Fruit Bearing 3. Bears More Fruit

John 15:2 He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more fruit.

Four Degrees of Fruit Bearing 4. Bears Much Fruit

John 15:5 Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.

Four Degrees of Fruit Bearing 4. Bears Much Fruit

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

Four Degrees of Fruit Bearing 1. No Fruit 2. Bears Fruit 3. Bears More Fruit

4. Bears Much Fruit

What Is The Fruit We Are To Produce? 1. Numeric Growth? 2. New Converts? 3. Fruit of the Spirit?

4. Agape Love

What Is The Process To Bearing Much Fruit? 1. Pruning?

2. Abiding

John 15:4-5
4

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. 5 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.

What Does It Mean To Abide In Jesus? 1. Active Part

We are to work at remaining in Him. This is something we do.

What Does It Mean To Abide In Jesus? 1. Active Part

Study The Bible Prayer Fellowship Obedience

What Does It Mean To Abide In Jesus? 2. Passive Part

We are to allow Him to remain in us. This is something He does.

What Does It Mean To Abide In Jesus? 2. Passive Part

Yielded Submissive Surrendered Resting In Him

The Greek Word Translated Abide is MENO Remain, stay, last, endure, live, dwell, continue