I Am the Vine

John 15:1-9

We have come a long way since our last break

Chapter 11- Lazarus raised from the dead

Chapter 12- Jesus condemns the Jews for their unbelief

Chapter 13- Jesus washes His disciples’ feet

Chapter 14- Jesus foretells His departure and promises His Spirit

I Am statements throughout the book

They express who Jesus is

He is God

John 8:58- Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

He is and has all we need

They expose what we most need

We are not self-sufficient

We are in desperate need of God’s grace

This book has revealed what specific grace we need

6 of 7

6:35- I Am the Bread of Life

Whoever comes to me will not hunger, whoever believes in me will never thirst

We need our souls to be satisfied

8:12- I Am the Light of the world

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness

We need our hearts and minds to be enlightened

10:7- I Am the Gate

If anyone enters by me he will be saved

We need a way into the flock of God

10:11- I Am the Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep

We need care and protection

11:25- I Am the Ressurrection and the Life

Whoever believes in me, through He die, he shall never die

We need eternal life

14:6- I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life

Noone comes to the Father except through me

We need to know Truth which gives guidance and life

They beckon our response

Every time Jesus expressed one of these statements, there is a call for a response to it

The Jews overwhelmingly rejected Him

They scoffed at Him

They hated Him

They found His call to be far too costly

They accused Him of being a liar

His disciples believed and loved Him

(v.1) I Am the True Vine

Israel was the old vine

Psalm 80:7-8- Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

Israel was an inadequate vine

Ezekiel 19:10-14- Bible

There are many false vines

So many places present themselves as true sources of life and satisfaction

The problem is that grapes don’t grow on thorn bushes

They are simply a deceiving mirage

Good works

Relationships

Health

Financial and career success

Politics

Social progress

Jesus is the only true Vine

He is the only life-giver

You will never find life and vitality apart from Him

He is the only provider

You will never have the deep needs of your soul met apart from Him

He is the only God

You will never know and enjoy the One who made you apart from Him

Abide in Him

Next week

We will look more deeply at what this means for us

Begin to ask yourself:

If Jesus really is the True Vine how ought I to live and how ought I to relate to God through Christ?

Does it change anything?

If so, has it?