I AM THE TRUE VINE
JOHN 15:1-10
Introduction:
This is the last of the seven great “I AM” statements in John. Here the Lord Jesus declares “I am the true vine,” Here the Lord speaks of Himself in humble terms. He that is the Sun of righteousness, and the bright and morning Star compares himself to a vine. Look at these verses and you will find the greatness of our Savior as he cares and protects the branches of His vine.
The fruit mentioned here is not the winning of souls to Christ, but rather a life of righteous, loving obedience.
I. I AM THE VINE
A. Israel was God’s choice vine, Isaiah 5:7, “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”
1. God lavished care and attention on the vine, Isaiah 27:2-3, “In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. 3 I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.”
2. God longed for fruit, but Israel produce rotten fruit, Jeremiah 2:7-8, “And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.”
B. Jesus is the True Vine of God, v. 1.
1. He is the Branch of the Lord, Isaiah 4:2, “In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”
2. He is a root of Jesse, Isaiah 11:10, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”
II. THE GARDNER IS THE FATHER
A. The Father cultivates and protects the vine; He is the husbandman, v. 1.
B. He desires fruit (mentioned 8 times in this chapter), vs. 2, 4-5, 8, 16.
1. A progression is seen:
a. Fruit, v. 2; Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
b. More fruit, v. 2; Philippians 1:11, “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
c. Much fruit, vs. 5, 8; Colossians 1:9-10, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it , do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
2. The fruit which God desired from Israel was loving obedience, righteousness, and justice, Isaiah 5:7, “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”
a. God looked for Judgment or Justice in Jerusalem, Proverbs 8:20, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:”
b. He found oppression or bloodshed.
c. God looked for righteousness in government, Amos 5:7, “Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,”
d. He heard a cry of distress.
CONCLUSION:
The fruit that the Lord is looking for in the believer is loving obedience to His commandments. The blessings of God are tied to that obedience. Christians today are not enjoying God’s blessings because of the lack of obedience to His commands.