Jesus once asked, “Who do people say I am?”

How would your friends answer that question?

What about your family?

A. W. Tozer once said, “What you think about when you think about God is the most important thing about you.”

Jesus said (to the 11 disciples), “I am the vine, and my father is the gardener.  Every branch that does not bear fruit he cuts off while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes.” John 15:1

This is the 7th and final  ”I am” statement John records.  So what does the vine mean? 

The greatest challenge to spiritual growth is ourselves.  Narcissism is self love and self hate.  The problem is too much attention on self.  We live in a self-centered society.  If you do not believe me, I have two words for you – LEBRON JAMES.  We are a culture that celebrates the individual and admires the lone ranger hero.  So are you too self focused?  Are you focusing on what is wrong in your life?  Or are you focusing on what is right in your life?  What do you talk about?  What are you complaining about?  What consumes your attention?  What stresses you out?

JOHN 15:1-8

WHAT IS THE PICTURE? 

VINE = Jesus

GARDENER = God the Father

BRANCHES = Us

WHAT IS THE STORY?

Old Testament = the vine was the picture of Israel

• Bless the world (Genesis 12:1-3)
• Israel transplanted to the promiseland (Psalms 80-9-11)
• Israel failed (Isaiah 5:1-7)
• Judgment (Hosea 10:1-3; Ezekiel 19:10-14)
• Their cry (Psalm 80:12-19)

New Testament = Jesus is the True Vine  (Isaiah 53:1)

• Jesus is greater than us
• Jesus gives life
• Jesus brings growth

ARE YOU CONNECTED TO THE TRUE VINE?

When Jesus is your source of life it is a different way to see: life, death, and your problems

ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY GROWING?

ARE YOU PRODUCING FRUIT?