Chat with Sahiro… Self Introduction How did you become a Christian? Why did you go to church and accept Jesus? Are there many Christians in Japan? Why do you think this is so? How can we pray for Japan?

Let’s pray for Japan together…

The Vine and the Branches Bible Reading: John 15:1-8

John 15:1-8 “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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also 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.

John 15:1-8 (continued) 5 “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. 6 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.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

3 Characters Gardener = God True Vine = Jesus Branches = Us

3 Characters: Gardener Gardener = God

John 15:2 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.

3 Characters: Gardener Gardener = God Cares and tends to the plant

Meet Spike… BEFORE AFTER

Dad’s chili plants

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

3 Characters: Gardener Gardener = God Cares and tends to the plant Because of Him there is an increase

1 Corinthians 3:6-7  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 

3 Characters: Gardener Gardener = God Cares and tends to the plant Because of Him there is an increase Cuts off and prunes

Hebrews 12:5b-11 5 "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

Hebrews 12:5b-11(continued) 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

3 Characters: Gardener Gardener = God Cares and tends to the plant Because of Him there is an increase Cuts off and prunes Application: We are suppose to bear fruit God brings about the increase we just need to surrender to his discipline

3 Characters: True Vine True Vine = Jesus Is the true vine not the ‘wild vine’

Isaiah 5:3-4 & 7 (Song of the vineyard) 3“Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? 7 The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

Jeremiah 2:21 I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?

John 15:4-5 Remain in me, as I also 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. 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.

3 Characters: True Vine True Vine = Jesus Is the true vine not the ‘wild vine’ Unattractive (humble)

Isaiah 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 Characters: True Vine True Vine = Jesus Is the true vine not the ‘wild vine’ Unattractive (humble) Spreading (reaching out to all people)

Matthew 18:14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

3 Characters: True Vine True Vine = Jesus Is the true vine not the ‘wild vine’ Unattractive (humble) Spreading (reaching out to all people) His fruit brings honour to God and cheer to man Application: We have already been made clean by the Word Everything we need is in Jesus – remain in Him

3 Characters: Branches Branches = Us Totally dependent on the gardener and vine: Needs to be pruned by the gardener Needs sustenance from the vine

John 15:6 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.

Luke 5:15-16 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Examples of Jesus praying Mark 1:35 (in solitary place) Luke 9:18 (before being approached by the disciples) Luke 9:28 (before the transfiguration) Luke 22:39 (on the Mount of Olives) Matthew 26:36 (in Gethsemane),

3 Characters: Branches Branches = Us Totally dependent on the gardener and vine: Needs to be pruned by the gardener Needs sustenance from the vine Linked to other branches through the vine

3 Characters: Branches Branches = Us Totally dependent on the gardener and vine: Needs to be pruned by the gardener Needs sustenance from the vine Linked to other branches through the vine Application: We need to submit to the discipline of God. We can do nothing if we are not remaining in Christ. Despite our differences we are united in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1: 10 10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,  in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 

Food for thought Gardener = God Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in your life? Are you humbly surrendering to the discipline of God? True Vine = Jesus Are you living in God’s righteousness or still in bondage to sin? Do you realise that all you need is in Jesus? Branches = Us Are you remaining/abiding in Jesus? Are you united with others through Jesus?

God’s promise if we remain (John 15:7-8) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.