The True Vine & the Husbandman

A series here out of John 15.

You know, it's a little different to be sitting in the pew for a few weeks.

! But you know, it's one of those things that God gives you time to thank and to process with some things.

You know, because really the question is, is that oftentimes people begin to think they are what they do.

But you know what? We are not what we do.

We are who we are in Christ.

Because when we understand that difference, because you know, oftentimes today you find that people have problems of dealing with life

because they don't know the reason for life.

What's attached to it? You know, what's your purpose?

You know, people are seeking much in life of purpose and direction.

They're trying to find things to answer the questions of life, of who they are.

You know, why are you here?

You know, these are not questions that just require a generic answer.

They're questions that need to be truly thought through and considered of where and what it means.

And what God has given to us because they drive the very substance of your life.

Now I want you, I understand that, you know, I've never asked myself those questions.

You might not have used those words, but you've asked yourself those questions.

Might be in a little different form or thought process, but it's that idea of who am I and why am I here that makes a difference.

You know, every decision we make each day is guided by the answer that is settled in our mind on those questions.

We're driven by those things.

It becomes a lens through which we see life.

A lens in which things are brought in what we think is clarity to us.

You know, when we find answers, this world gives a lot of answers.

The problem is a lot of their answers might bring what people think is joy and fulfillment, but in the end is emptiness.

They miss the very reality of who and why they were created in the first place.

Because a wrong answer here will ultimately lead to frustration and despair.

You know, when you realize the importance of what Christ has done for us, but also the importance of who he is.

And this morning we're going to start into a series talking about the vine.

And we're going to look at who the vine is because we can find many things to occupy our time and our energy.

When we understand at the end of life we're left with the same doubts and the same questions.

We lay hold of something useful, something genuinely beneficial, only to discover that it will not do anything that is needed.

You know, I was thinking about that, you know, because a lot of times, especially for guys, you get a tool that guys like.

You know, they'll find their favorite tool.

You know?

And the problem is, is that they get attached to a tool and then suddenly they try to use it for everything.

You know, an adjustable wrench, a monkey wrench is a great tool.

But you know, when you try to use it on a round object, it's very useless.

That's usually when it turns into a hammer.

But you know what?

The harder you try to make it fit, all it does is make life more frustrating.

You know, I want you to understand as we begin looking at this, because the same is true for you and me.

Because we can look for things that give us a temporary answer, but under the weight of life it slips.

It does not meet what's needed.

The weight of life, the frustration and the failure, the objects of life, the sorrow, the guilt, the death, the ideas of eternity.

See, we struggle to get a grip on it.

And that's the reason Jesus here in John 15 is giving some encouragement and some direction to his disciples to say,

Guys, this is where you need to focus.

This is what's going to answer those questions.

This is what's going to give life purpose and meaning and direction, even in the midst of the trials and the struggles and the things that you don't understand.

Because I want you to see here this morning as we get ready to get into John 15,

Jesus didn't just give them a pat answer.

He didn't just give them an answer to a question.

He gave them a who that we need to abide in.

Because Jesus is the one the Father planted and tends and that we need to be attached to.

They've been given an answer.

They only need stay connected to it.

As we look here this morning, I want you to think on this thought.

That where a branch stays, a branch bears.

Where a branch stays, a branch bears.

That's going to be a thought process for us as we walk through the next few weeks, Lord willing.

And I want you to think and contemplate on that because John 15 is at a very difficult moment in time.

You know, sometimes we read John 13 and John 14, you know.

Oh, God's prepared for me.

He's coming again.

He's prepared a place for me.

That's great news.

I mean, that's exciting.

I'm glad.

But then John 15 kind of makes a transition.

Because he gets their attention.

You know, the supper is over and Judas has gone out.

And Jesus says at the end of chapter 14, arise, let us go hence.

So in other words, Jesus has the 11 and he's walking and they're going to the garden.

And we all know what's going to happen in the garden.

Judas is going to bring the men and they're going to arrest Jesus and they're going to take him and crucify him.

You know, Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen.

He knew exactly the struggle these men were going to face.

Because everything they had invested in was going to get turned upside down in their mind.

You know, sometimes when we get caught up and get our eyes off the right object, on the right person,

life gets upside down and doesn't make sense.

Have you ever thought about how the 11 disciples' life went upside down?

They had invested three and a half years of their life.

You are the one.

They were confident that Jesus was the one that they were looking for.

That had been prophesied, that they had been told from a youth,

this is the one.

And he's soon to go to a cross and die.

Their world went upside down.

As we look at John 15, I want you to pay attention closely.

Because what Jesus is doing is preparing his disciples for when life goes upside down.

You know what he's doing?

He's also recording for us what we need to do when life goes upside down.

When life goes what seems out of control to us, that God is still there.

He needs to keep our eyes focused on the right one.

Because I want you to understand that as he's walking towards the Mount of Olives,

he points to the vine.

He's not lecturing them.

He's giving them what they need to be steady as they watch what's going to unfold.

To understand the picture of that.

So if you found John 15 this morning, let's go ahead and stand for a moment here

in honor of the reading of the Word of God.

And I want you to look here and think here this morning.

Notice here in verse 1 of John 15, it says this,

Let's pray.

Heavenly Fathers, we come before you this morning.

Lord, we just thank you for who you are.

Lord, that no matter what, we can hold to you.

Lord, matter of fact, it's our responsibility to hold to you.

Lord, to grab a hold of you even though you have us.

Lord, at the moment of salvation, we are in you.

But Lord, oftentimes, we ignore the reality of the power that is within you.

That you give to us.

That you channel to us.

That you guide us and you direct us.

Lord, I pray that you save your hand upon each one here this morning.

Lord, you know each heart.

You know each life.

You know the struggles, the trials.

But Lord, help us to understand the importance of abiding in you.

The true vine.

And the vine that is pruned and cleaned by the husband and the father.

And Lord, we just love you and thank you in Jesus' name.

Amen.

May be seated.

You know, as we see here, Jesus reminds them that no matter what, they need to stay connected

to the vine.

Connection to the vine is important.

You know, the vine allows the husband to prune and to clean our lives that we might be fruitful.

Because Jesus here is not telling them, hey, just stay connected.

You'll grab a hold for life.

He says, no, when you grab a hold, when you understand that in the vine is where you're fruitful.

And we're going to look in a few weeks because Jesus here isn't just talking about winning souls.

He's talking also about Galatians 5 where you have the fruit of the spirit in your life.

If the fruit of the spirit is missing, you know what?

There's a connection problem.

There's a problem with connection.

And we're going to look here this morning.

Notice first here, Jesus tells them the true vine and the husband.

He gives this picture that they understand.

A clear picture.

Because there's only one way.

As he looks here, notice what he says.

Because I am the true vine.

The vine is a person, not a program.

You know, he tells them, I am the great I am.

Jesus has claimed and declared himself to be equal with God.

To be God.

He says, I am the vine and the father is the husbandman.

Now, I want you to understand what's taking place here.

Because we need to clarify something.

Because who's he speaking to here?

Context in the scripture is important.

Because you can never abide in the vine of Jesus Christ

if there's never been a moment in your life

when you understood you're a sinner

and called upon him to be a savior.

That his saving power is effectual in your life.

The Bible says that you're placed in Christ.

You are in Christ at the moment of salvation.

You're from one family and born again into another family.

There's a distinction of where you're placed.

And there's only one way and that's through Jesus Christ.

But we need to stay connected to the vine.

Now, I want you to understand, he's not talking to his disciples

about losing their place with him.

He's talking here directly.

This whole passage has to do with fruitfulness.

It has to do with dealing with life.

Because we have one of two ways to go through life.

You can go through life miserable.

You know, we walk around in a world, there's a lot of miserable people.

Discouraged, despaired.

And when life happens, we need to abide in the vine.

Hang on to him.

You know, it's not in who you are, but it's who you're in.

Because he is the one that matters.

To have life fulfilled, we must be in the vine.

But notice what Jesus says.

He makes a statement, a very bold statement.

He says, I am the true vine.

The vine is a person, not a program.

It's the great I am.

I want you to understand that Jesus is not just something that you participate in.

Jesus is the vine.

He is the one, the giver of life.

The Bible says that in him you have eternal life.

You're here because he gave life.

Life is essential to understand.

And Jesus tells and declares unto them this reality.

He says, I am the true vine.

I am the one.

You know, John 8, he says this.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.

This before this in John 14, he says, I am the way, the truth, and the life.

And no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

And now he says, I am the true vine.

I want you to know and understand something because if you're not in the vine of Jesus Christ,

you might be planted someplace else.

Because the reality is, is people will put themselves someplace.

They'll be attached to a wrong vine.

If there's a true vine, you know what it tells me?

There's a false vine.

The world offers a lot of things to get attached to.

That hold our attention, hold our focus.

Grab a hold of us.

When we see these things, that this branch is important because it is from the vine that our life brings forth.

It's a life.

It's a standing.

It's a vine is what brings forth sap and it's fruitful.

But you know what?

When you trim a vine and that branch is trimmed off, you know what?

It cannot produce fruit.

Now, I want you to understand this morning that what he's talking about here, he's talking to his disciples.

He's not telling them.

We'll talk about this in a few weeks.

But I want you to understand that when he's talking about cutting off from the vine, it isn't about losing your relationship with him, but losing your fruitfulness with him.

Because I believe there's a lot of Christians who aren't very fruitful.

The fruit that God wants to produce in your life is absent.

That fruit is what brings us through.

You know, 1 Corinthians 1 verse 30 says this.

1 Corinthians 1:30

It says, but of him are ye in Christ Jesus, of whom God has made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

You know, those are the things that we require because Christ is not one help amongst many.

He is the life of the branch.

You know, people look today for a lot of answers.

You know, it's amazing how many people look all sorts of places for answers.

You know, it used to be you go down to the self-help section of the bookstore.

Nowadays, people turn to YouTube and podcasts and, you know, some guru that specializes in something gives you a good speech.

And people guide their life from it and they miss the very thing.

This is not going to be.

It's a false branch.

Because I want to tell you something.

You know, a branch can look fruitful or look full.

It can be full of leaves and have no fruit.

A branch can look good and be empty.

What it looks like on the outside doesn't mean what it's producing.

Because when we understand that Jesus is contrasting this, because when Jesus says, I am the true vine,

I want you to understand in the disciples' mind, they already had a vine imagery in their mind.

You know, the Old Testament tells us this.

Jeremiah chapter 2 talks about Israel this way.

Jeremiah 2 · chapter mention

He says,

Yet have I planted thee a noble vine, holy or right seed?

How then art thou turned into a degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

You know, Israel was a picture of a vine in the Old Testament.

And they needed to be in what God wanted them to be.

And you know, Psalm 80 tells us this.

Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt.

Thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it.

Thou preparest room before it and discaused it to take deep root.

And it filled the land.

And down in verse 12 it says,

Why hast thou broken down her hedges?

That all they that pass by the way do pluck her.

Verse 14 goes,

Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts.

Look down from heaven and behold and visit this vine.

And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted.

And the branch that thou made is strong for thyself.

It is burned with fire.

It is cut down.

They perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

So I want you to understand what Jesus is giving to them is a fulfillment and a picture of even the Old Testament prophecy here.

This isn't new information.

It's fulfilled information.

Because Jesus says,

The vine, the true vine, is not the ritual.

It's not the process.

It's the faith in being in him.

He is the vine.

Always has been.

And he's the one that we need to stick close to.

Because Christ is the true vine who doesn't fail.

But I want you to notice something here.

Because this is a lot of times where people struggle.

This is the point of struggle.

Because when you get saved, it says,

I'm easy to hang on to Jesus.

But notice the next phrase in that verse 1.

It says,

And my father is the husbandman.

Now you might have read that many times.

I've spent the last five, six weeks thinking on this.

You know what?

The husbandman is really the problem we have.

I know you're getting a strange look.

The husbandman is the rub because the husband is the one that guides and directs the care of the vine.

You know what the husbandman's job is?

Is to do what's needed through the vine and the branches to make the plant fruitful.

We like Jesus.

We just don't like the husbandman.

And Jesus is telling his disciples, he says,

Hey, the father is going to prune you.

He's going to clean you up to make you fruitful.

You know what the problem is?

We like Jesus.

We like redemption.

But the cleanup process is rough.

The cleanup process is what makes us uncomfortable.

Because you know what the problem is with that?

We have to be obedient and willing to be pruned.

Because take a look here at verse 2.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away.

Wow.

Think about it for a moment.

Look over to Luke chapter 13.

Luke 13 · chapter mention

Luke chapter 13.

Luke 13 · chapter mention

Look down in verse 7.

Jesus is giving a parable here.

Notice what he says.

Then said he unto the dresser of the vineyard.

Who's the dresser of the vineyard?

The husbandman.

Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit of this fig tree.

And find none.

Cut it down.

Thy cumberth it to the ground.

And he answered and said unto him,

Lord, let it alone this year also.

Till I shall dig about it and dung it.

And if it bear fruit well, and if not,

then after that thou shalt cut it down.

You know what?

The problem wasn't the fluffy leaves.

The problem was there was no fruit.

You know, when you plant something,

I don't care how leafy it gets.

You know, we attempt at planting some tomatoes every year.

But you know what?

You never get excited about a bunch of leaves on a tomato plant.

It can be as fluffy.

I mean, we got some this year.

I mean, it's probably standing this tall out of the bed.

It's all well and good.

But you know what?

If it didn't produce tomatoes, it's what?

Worthless.

You know, this summer we had some dry spells.

You know, you try to get out there and water it,

but it's kind of tough sometimes.

But you know what?

The plant still produced fruit.

You know what it did?

It got rid of the leaves.

You saw the leaves wilt to produce the fruit.

Sometimes our problem is,

is we're so hanging on to the leafies,

what everybody else thinks,

to think, Lord, I can't be pruned of this

because of what somebody else thinks.

And God says you need to let go of your pride

and the sin that holds you

that you might be made clean

and you might be fruitful.

You think about the cause of fruitfulness

or fruitlessness.

So the cause of fruitlessness

isn't the lack of leaves.

I think we have a lot of people in church

that have a good job of looking fluffy.

Know the right religious language.

They know the right things to say.

They know the right things to make everybody happy.

The problem is they're a bunch of leaves

with no fruit

because their lives are miserable because of sin.

The Bible tells us that there are sins that beset us,

grab a hold of us,

that cause us to be unfruitful.

I want you to understand when it comes to sin,

but there's another direct area,

and that's rebellion.

You know, we're all going to struggle with sin,

but rebellion, rebellion's another level.

You say, preacher, how's that another level?

Rebellious attitudes of sin.

Yes, it is, but it's a different level

because it says, I know what I'm doing

and I'm choosing to do it anyways.

Sin magnified.

Rebellion takes form in many ways.

Rebellion can take place with disobedience.

I think there's a lot of people

not willing to submit to the truth of God's word

because of their pride of what they think,

of how they have processed life to say,

I'm not willing to put myself

under the authority of the word of God

to do what I ought to do.

They don't do that

because it makes me feel uncomfortable.

This life isn't about how comfortable

and bushy we can look.

Because at the end of life,

fluff gets you no place.

He wants us to be fruitful.

You know, let me throw one more up there.

How about complacency?

We live in a generation of comfort.

We measure everything about

how comfortable am I going to be doing it.

It makes me uncomfortable.

I'm not going to do it.

But when you prune a plant,

I guarantee you the process

doesn't always look good.

You know what?

Ultimately, it produces the fruit

that it's designed to produce.

Notice what it tells us here

as we go on in this passage here.

It tells us it's very clearly

this reality

of understanding what's happening

because God takes away those things.

Notice what he tells us here

in the passage.

It says,

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit,

he taketh away.

Now, taketh away,

I want you to understand,

is concerning your usefulness

and the Father's chastening

his correction of his own.

It's not means that God's going to

lose your salvation

or kick you out.

It's God's doing what's needed

to help you to be fruitful.

You go through this.

There's people who use this passage

and say,

See, you can lose your salvation.

That's not what it's talking about.

Context is important.

I believe that this passage

teaches you can lose salvation.

That means that apostles

could lose their salvation.

And everybody that I know

would think that's nuts.

As you're secure in him,

what he's talking about here

is fruitfulness.

To abide in him.

Holding on to him

because notice what he tells us here.

Look at the second part of verse 2.

It says,

In every branch that beareth fruit,

he purges it

that it may bring forth more fruit.

Boy, that's against us, isn't it?

Because sometimes we'll be saying,

Lord, look what's happening

and how you're using me

and what we're doing.

And God says,

Hold on.

You need to shave some more things

out of the way

that you can produce more.

A lot of times in life

when God is blessing

and things are happening,

we say,

Well, God, why did you allow that?

Jesus is answering that question.

He says that you might bring forth

more fruit.

Fruit in your life

might be something of substance.

It says he purges it.

That word purges

means pruning,

cutting away growth

that's alive

but unproductive

so the vine

concentrates on new growth.

understand that God doesn't prune you

out of his anger.

He prunes you because he cares.

Prunes you because he has something greater for you.

Comfortable thought.

Because we live in a generation

that thinks that God is,

he's always going to do what I think is good.

Have their eyes on the fluff

instead of the fruit.

fruit.

God allows things into our lives

that we might become more fruitful.

Some of it's enjoyable.

Some of it is painful.

It makes you uncomfortable.

not in his anger

that he does these things.

We don't have time this morning

but you can write down

Hebrews chapter 12

Hebrews 12:5–11

verses 5 through 11

talks about

his pruning of us,

his chastening of us.

God's chastening,

his correction,

his pruning is important

because it does something for us.

Look at Psalm 119.

Psalm 119 in verse 67

says this.

It says,

Before I was afflicted,

I went astray

but now have I kept

thy word.

A few verses down

in verse 71

tells us this.

It is good for me

that I had been afflicted

that I might learn

thy statutes.

I'll ask you a question.

Can you truly say that this morning?

The psalmist is saying here

is something very simple.

Thank you for pruning my life.

Understand those things.

Think about Job.

Job 23 verse 10

Job 23:10

says,

He says,

But he knoweth the way

that I take

and when he hath tried me

I shall come forth

as gold.

Like those verses,

the problem is

we struggle

with the husbandman

that produces those

things in our life.

By pruning us,

by cleaning us up,

by doing what needs

to be done in our life

to make us fruitful.

Because be fruitfulness

means being allowing

the husbandman

to guide and direct

what takes place

in our life.

You know,

think about the word

does the cleansing.

Look at verse 3.

Now you are clean

through the word

which I have spoken

unto you.

In other words,

that word clean here

is the same one

used earlier

to prune

or to purge.

You're purged

by the word of God.

You're pruned

by the word of God.

You're clean

by the word of God.

Jesus is the living word.

It tells us in John

in the beginning

was the word

and the word

was with God

and the word

was God.

John 1.14 says

the word was made flesh

and dwelt among us

and we beheld

his glory

and the glory

of the only begotten

of the Father

full of grace

and truth.

The problem

we often have

is we don't like

the cleaning process.

The cleaning process

and the pruning process

isn't very enjoyable.

I had

an accident

on a bike.

You know

when you're young

you do foolish things.

I was over in Japan

and we were all

trying to keep

ourselves busy

so me and some other guys

bought some mountain bikes

and we went out

mountain biking.

And so one of the guys

was pretty good

and he jumps over

this

wide trench.

You know

we're scooting down

this steep hill

and you get enough speed

and you jump the bike

and you go over the trench.

Well

I'm like

I can do that.

Sarah went in the trench.

We're Marines

we don't wear helmets

we don't do that

I mean we're men

we bike like men.

The side of my face

scraped up.

April remembers

getting pictures of this.

It's one of the reasons

of many

that she tells me

not to grow a beard

because she says

it'll look spatchy.

I did

down where we went

there was coral rock.

It's alive.

I have a coral in my face.

Sponges they use

at the doctor's office

with little plastic bristles.

I got the privilege

of getting my face scrubbed

one of those bristles

until they got

all the coral out.

The story is this

it was not comfortable

the cleansing

was beneficial

because if the cleansing

didn't happen

the coral would stay alive

and begin growing

within you.

the same reality

is for us

when it comes

to our life

Jesus is the vine

and God is the husband

that cleanses us

through the word of God

and sometimes

that cleansing

is painful

sometimes

it's very difficult

to deal with

needed

that we might be fruitful

to get rid of those things

that hinder us.

you know

Jesus

just a little later

here

tells him this

sanctify them

through thy truth

thy word

is truth

Psalm 119

says

wherewithal

shall a young man

cleanse his ways

by taking heed

thereunto

according to thy word

with my whole heart

have I sought thee

let me not wander

from thy commandments

thy word

have I hid in my heart

that I might not

sin against thee

James tells us

wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity

of naughtiness

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word

which is able

to save our souls

need

to abide

in the true vine

but allow the husbandman

to prune

and to clean our lives

be fruitful

need fluffy

leafy

Christians

that are comfortable

God wants

fruitful

Christians

talk about that here

in the weeks to come

because as we understand

first being the vine

and then the branch

understand there's today

there's many

who are false

fluffy branches

see a lot of people

who follow after

false fluffy branches

they think there's fruit

so they follow

when the vine

is the devil

that's attached to

attached to the vine

and we have done

that happens

when we're in Christ

at salvation

because this morning

there's three branches

in this room

everybody falls

under this category

first the branch

that was never

in the true vine

a false branch

you're still

in a vine

because every man

I want you to understand

is attached to something

Jesus gives

another example

of this

of what

is going on

he says

you have your father

the devil

you know

God talks about

in Deuteronomy

he says

their vine

is the vine

of Sodom

you can be

in a false vine

vine can grow

and look fluffy

and have leaves

for a lifetime

but never once

bore fruit

that God

would want to see

and there's only

one way

to change that

and that

to come

to the true vine

that is to trust

Jesus Christ

as your savior

when he says

for whosoever

shall call upon

the name of the Lord

shall be saved

because you need

to move

from a vine

that's false

and leads astray

and leads to hell

to a vine

that gives life

and fruitfulness

a vine

that gives purpose

and direction

security

different

you know

second

we find

that

I think

there's branches

with leaves

with no fruit

there's a fruitless

branch

you know

this morning

there's going

to be those

that are attached

themselves

to a false branch

there's going

to be those

who have attached

themselves

to the vine

at salvation

but they're fruitless

because they're

holding on

to things

that cause

a stumbling block

in their life

and God says

it needs to be dealt

with to move

forward

to be fruitful

you know

if your spiritual

life is stuck

you need to start

asking why

you're rebelling

against the one

who wants to prune

and clean you

that you might

be more fruitful

that might mean

giving something up

it might just be

a matter of obedience

to know what

I ought to do

to do it

you know

James tells us

he hath knoweth

to do good

and doeth it not

to him

it is

sin

it's direct

disobedience

tells us

he that covereth

his sin

shall not prosper

for whosoever

confesses

and forsaketh

them

shall have mercy

you know

this morning

I hope

you don't leave

this building

without it settled

to put away

those things

to let the same

word that convicted

you

of what God

wants to do

in your life

to that the word

has put through you

that the word

might cleanse you

that you might

come to him

and call upon him

but there's a third

branch here

this morning

that's

it's bearing

and being

cut

it's being

pruned

a pruned

branch

have you ever

wondered why

the pruners

have been

in your life

remember

pruning is not

in God's

anger

towards you

but because

of his care

for me

that I

had been

afflicted

that I

might learn

thy statutes

faith

comes

and is

active

when things

are trying

have a hold

of

you know

we need

to stop

resisting

the hand

that's making

you fruitful

and yield

your life

to him

if you

contemplate

on this

I want

to take

a moment

here

you know

I want

you to stop

and think

about yourself

preacher don't

tell you that

much

think about

yourself

but there

are times

we need

to think

about

ourselves

what kind

of branch

are you

if there's

a need

that God

is speaking

to you

I encourage

you to get

that taken

care of

this morning

as heads

are bowed

and eyes

are closed

today

I want

you to think

here just

for a moment

what kind

of branch

are you

don't settle

just for the

foliage

if God

has spoken

to you

won't you

come

as the

piano

plays

and just

call out

to him

whether that's

a need

of trusting

him for

salvation

confession

confessing

something

that says

Lord I

need to

let go

of my

pride

and say

Lord I

need to

take that

step

of obedience

that step

of faith

and yield

to him

you don't

walk out

the same

way you

came in

because you

can be

connected

to the

vine

you can

allow him

to begin

pruning

your life

Thank you.