1. Jesus is the vine John 15:1-11

2. Jesus is the vine

3. Jesus is the great ‘I am’Jesus is the great ‘I am’ God of all our yesterdaysGod of all our yesterdays God of all our tomorrowsGod of all our tomorrows God of todayGod of today He is … God of the nowHe is … God of the now He is ‘the true vine’ – he supports usHe is ‘the true vine’ – he supports us

4. Jesus is the vine 3 important relationships:3 important relationships: our relationship with Christ (1-11) … ‘remain’ – unionour relationship with Christ (1-11) … ‘remain’ – union our relationship with others (12-17) … ‘love’ – communionour relationship with others (12-17) … ‘love’ – communion our relationship with world (18-27) … ‘hate’ - disunionour relationship with world (18-27) … ‘hate’ - disunion

5. Jesus is the vine 3 keys to understanding the chapter:3 keys to understanding the chapter: it’s addressed to believers – the disciples in Upper Roomit’s addressed to believers – the disciples in Upper Room it’s based on a metaphor – a vine and its branchesit’s based on a metaphor – a vine and its branches it’s all about abiding – how we can become productiveit’s all about abiding – how we can become productive

6. Jesus is the vine Our union with Christ is …Our union with Christ is … a living union – he wants us to bear fruita living union – he wants us to bear fruit a loving union – he wants us to enjoy hima loving union – he wants us to enjoy him a lasting union – he doesn’t want us to be afraida lasting union – he doesn’t want us to be afraid

7. Jesus is the vine 4 main symbols in chapter: the vine is Jesus (1) the global gardener is God (1) the branches are believers (2) the fruit is the product of Christlikeness in our lives (2)

8. Jesus is the ‘true’ vine (1) – he is the Real McCoyJesus is the ‘true’ vine (1) – he is the Real McCoy The past vine – Israel – she produced wild grapes (Isa. 5)The past vine – Israel – she produced wild grapes (Isa. 5) The future vine – the Gentile world system (Rev. 14)The future vine – the Gentile world system (Rev. 14) The present vine – JesusThe present vine – Jesus

9. Jesus is the vine God is the gardener (1)God is the gardener (1) He is always on the jobHe is always on the job He knows his stuffHe knows his stuff He does it wellHe does it well He lifts us up if we’re downHe lifts us up if we’re down He prunes us so that we will be more fruitfulHe prunes us so that we will be more fruitful

10. Jesus is the vine He does what is best for the branchHe does what is best for the branch He does what is beneficial to the life of the vineHe does what is beneficial to the life of the vine Fruit comes naturally – it is produced by the vine itselfFruit comes naturally – it is produced by the vine itself Apart from Christ, I can do nothing and I am nothing (5)Apart from Christ, I can do nothing and I am nothing (5)

11. Jesus is the vine Jesus is living his life through meJesus is living his life through me ‘fruit (2) … more fruit (2) … much fruit (5) … fruit that will last (16) …’‘fruit (2) … more fruit (2) … much fruit (5) … fruit that will last (16) …’ He wants us to be fruitful – to find our potential realisedHe wants us to be fruitful – to find our potential realised

12. Jesus is the vine Pruning is not pleasantPruning is not pleasant It shows God’s care and commitment to the branchesIt shows God’s care and commitment to the branches God is most glorified by a bigger crop that is also a better cropGod is most glorified by a bigger crop that is also a better crop A short growing season awayA short growing season away

13. Jesus is the vine 4 big blessings when we abide in Christ …4 big blessings when we abide in Christ … answered prayer (7)answered prayer (7) God is glorified in us (8)God is glorified in us (8) motivated by love (9-10)motivated by love (9-10) joy in abundance (11)joy in abundance (11)

14. Jesus is the vine take home message … be a broadband believer get connected and get connected and stay online 24/7