[THE TRUE VINE]                                                                   03.08.2020

I Am Series | Pastor Tracy Cook

TEXT John 15.1-8 NKJ

“1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

  • THE SOURCE OF CHRISTIAN LIFE IS CHRIST.

2 principles in pruning:

  1. Dead wood must be ruthlessly removed.
  2. Live wood must be cut back drastically.
  • THE SECURITY OF CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ABIDING IN CHRIST.

Romans 8.1 “No condemnation for those who are in Christ.”

Results of abiding in Christ:

  1. Effective prayer life, v7 3. Continual joy, v11
  2. Obedience 4. Love

Galatians 2.20; Philippians 4.13

  • THE SUCCESS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE IS FRUIT-BEARING.

Matthew 7.16 “You will know them by their fruits.”

Order of progression:

Fruit, v2 every branch that bears fruit He prunes

More Fruit, v2 that it may bear more fruit

Much Fruit, v5 He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit

 

Galatians 5.22-23; John 15.9-11; Revelation 21.22 – 22.5