The True Vine

I AM the True Vine

Lismore

Out of Isolation

Logo -Stu and Matt

Opening prayer

Lord, thank-you that we can gather today to hear your word. May it be your words we hear, guided by the Holy Spirit. May we each humble ourselves to learn what it is in this moment you want to teach us. May todays message spur us on to be bold to declare Your good news to the people you put on our hearts. Amen

In context to last week - sent out - felt I was vague on the love others

Reflect

What plant are you most proud of growing or kept a live (for a time)? why did that bring you joy?

What is your favourite metaphor from scripture? Why?

connection of metaphor with plants

Note the reference to plant anatomy in these verses

Roots - foundations, plants receive minerals and water in this space, surrounded by soil, as we are surrounded by God, the deeper our roots go the more we recognise

Colossians 2: 6-7: Roots

Trunk - is the vessel that has the water and minerals flow through it - this is like our habits and Spiritual disciplines that can be seen. Growing bigger with age and character. holds up the fruit

Isaiah 61:11: Sprouting

Brunches/leaves - where the energy comes from to grow, like food from heaven. Photosynthesis takes the sunlight and carbon monoxide and turns them into oxygen and sugar. The sun is the catalyst giving something for others and for itself -

Sun on the deck during isolation

God's moments or sensing the Holy Spirit - times you know God has turned up either in a time of joy or hardship and intervened.

Eucalypts - to withstand fire, drop limbs to encourage fire for growth

John 15:6 NIV

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

John 15:5: Branches

Fruit and seeds - to be desirable, seed new faith.

Matthew 13:31-32: Mustard seeds

Galatians 5:22–23: Fruit

Gardner's creation is all around us, Jesus is in it

Recognise

Read John 15:1-8

John15:1

John 15:1 NIV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Who enjoys gardening?

Great auntie Nellie - at least you can see where you have been

I love reflecting on God and taking in his creation.

reminded of the sin in the world that resulted in weeds. the job we have

Mission v8 Show yourself to be my disciples - love others

John 15:8 NIV

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Grapes are for producing large fruit, lives that are a testimony to Jesus.

People can be grafting in but also people will be thrown out.

Increase our urgency and immune to rejection. die to ourselves

Seeds germinate when they die to themselves

Jesus talking about His own death like last week.

John 12:24 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

When we die to our own desires and look to Jesus, he is the catalyst to producing more fruit, to becoming desirable fruit ourselves.

Fruit purpose - to spread the seed

remain in Jesus - as we are sent out

Respond

Jesus identities the secrets to effective mission

1. Pruning - cleaning off and cleaning up

John 15:2 NIV

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

To make more fruitful, a season of cutting back, to refocus, to relearn.

There is plenty in life to be doing but what has God called you to do? what gets in the way?

To say no to things - sometimes good things. this is something that I have had to learn.

Sometimes not pleasant - but later it produces a harvest

2 Peter 1:10 NIV

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,

Do you have a good rhythm abiding with Jesus? Are there things you need to prune in life?

2. Abide in Jesus

John 15:4 (NIV)

Abide in me, as I also abide in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must abide in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me.

Jesus works in us - season/rhythm - Annual, monthly, weekly, daily to abide, be reminded of God’s love for us so that we can demonstrate it to others.

It has been hard to get into a rhythm of abiding - low head, school back, isolation.

Daily - using the bible app on my phone

Weekly - an hour in study, a run or two

Monthly - a bushwalk

Annually - retreats

v10 Obey Jesus, remain in his love

3. Pray in Jesus name

John 15:7 NIV

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

The church advances on its knees - this afternoon prayer time - confession that I want to be better at this.

Share a God moment that comes from a time of prayer? What are you currently asking Jesus in prayer?

4. Love for fellow Disciples

- Russel is going to speak more on next week.

Closing Prayer

John 15:5 NIV

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.