2. Growth in the Vineyard John 15:1-8, 16-17 Vines are interesting They grow differently They need care Direction The right soil The right moisture and temperature

3. Jesus is the vine Movement and direction God is the gardener Soil, water, ties, trimming and pruning We are the branches The part of the vine that extends to bear fruit

4. John 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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.

5. It sounds like Jesus is saying… While some branches are pruned for further growth Branches which are not fruitful, are cut off from the kingdom If you are not fruitful you will be removed and thrown away

6. Setting 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Consistency We look at other part of John’s book

7. John 13 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father… 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.

8. John 13 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9. John 13 10 …And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

10. John 15 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

11. You can lose your salvation Stay close I know who are mine family Value the relationship Bask in it

12. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

13. If you stay connected You will be able to do something important for the kingdom Something of great value Something eternal

14. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

15. Romans 11 16 …if the root is holy, so are the branches. We do not live in the Old Testament We do not and can not earn our way to Christ We are heirs of the New Covenant We are connected to the root and the vine or we are not

16. Back to Judas One of the twelve He walked with Jesus Touched Jesus Heard Jesus preach, heal and do miracles He looked like a branch (Believer) But he was not

17. John 13 10 …And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

18. If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck it must be a duck This scripture says: Just cause you look like a duck and sound like a duck it does not necessarily make you a duck Sheep – goat (Matthew 25) “I don’t know you” Wolf in sheep’s clothing

19. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

20. If you are in the family Ask what you want… For the kingdom For God’s glory For the well-being of the church The well-being of God’s family

21. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

22. I chose you Appointed you For something important Be fruitful

23. You can not fool God If you are not bearing fruit… You might be fooling your own self The very starting point Love each other

24. God has a sense of humor Love each other Accept each other Warts and all This is the important beginning point From there we can continue the journey

25. I chose you Appointed you For something important Stay close and you will discover How I want you to be fruitful