Ready For Inspection(Fruit That Remains)

I am delighted to have this opportunity to share in this celebration with Dr. D. Darrell Griffin and the people of the Oakdale Covenant Church. For our time together this morning, I want to share a message from the gospel of John, chapter 15, summarizing verses 1-16, with an emphasis on verse 16.

No doubt this is one of the more familiar passage of John’s gospel because it speaks of the True Vine. This is one of the several mentioned “I Am” statements of Jesus Christ. John gives us several of them. “I am the Good Shepherd.” I am the way, the truth and the life. I am the resurrection and the life. I am the living water. I am the door.

Here yet again, we have another “I Am” statement that places emphasis on the importance of true connection. So important was this thematic expression until Jesus uses an illustration that was both relevant and practical. He uses the example of a vine and its branches. Living in a agricultural society, it was easy for the disciples to grasp what he was communicating to them. Israel is a land filled with vineyards and the production of good wine or the fruit of the vine was common in his day. So this illustration would really drive Jesus’ point home.

Not only was the illustration important, but the timing of this conversation was also important because in just a few days, crucifixion would take place and the loyalty and steadfastness of the disciples would be tested like never before. To that end, It was important that the disciples have this reminder tucked away inside the crevices of their souls. They were going to have to remember the importance of staying connected to the vine no matter what.

What a timely exhortation this is. You see, it was easy to stay focused and stay on task as long as the Savior was with them, but his suffering, his debasement, and ultimately his death would create a different set of circumstances that would challenge their faithfulness and commitment. It would shake them to the core. His absence would cause them to wonder whether or not they had wasted their time walking with Jesus.

And so, on the way to Calvary he shares with them this message and reminds them that at some point inspection time is coming and it is going to be crucial that they spend their time doing exactly what they were chosen to do.

He starts out with a strong reminder. “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” The reason why I chose you is that you would be productive; fruitful. The kind of fruit you were chosen to bear is that kind that lasts. If you do this, then you can be assured that your prayer life will be honored and you will get what you ask.

In other words, Jesus has an expectation of his disciples and truthfully, He has that same expectation for Oakdale today. Jesus expects Chose you, not the other way around. Jesus chose you to be fruitful/productive. The kind of fruit you are expected to bear is the kind that lasts, remains, does not perish or vanish away. If you do this, then there is a promise, “your prayer life will be rewarded with results.”

Let’s unpack this text. Against the backdrop of verse 16 is the tapestry of verses 1-15. Jesus makes a declarative statement; “I am the True Vine and my Father is the gardner (vinedresser.)” The implication is that there are some imitators out there. There are some other vines that try to pass themselves off as authentic, but Jesus makes certain that he goes down on record telling his disciples whats what.

He further explains the role of his Father (the gardener) is to make sure that the branches produce fruit. He does this by engaging in a process called pruning. To prune is to cut away the that which hinders and stagnates growth. It is to remove anything that is attached but not productive, attached but not receiving the nutrients from the vine that produces fruit, and also to remove clusters that may be too thick to produce good fruit. Pruning involves cutting away and cutting involves pain, but the cutting is the only way to guarantee that the branch will continue to bear fruit.

For the disciples, Jesus says to them, “My word has already pruned/ cleansed you.”

The importance of connection/union… verse 4 says, “Abide or remain in me, and I will remain in you because it is impossible to bear fruit if there is no connection. Plain and simple, “For without me you can do nothing!” The goal is to produce fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.

Verse 6 give a rather stark promise; “Anyone who does not remain connected to the vine becomes useless and is collected, gathered into a pile, and burned. “ This is not a picture of the loss of salvation, but rather the uselessness of a believer that does nothing more that hang around taking up precious space, sucking up precious nutrients, but producing no fruit.

The fig tree illustrations.