(Begin by showing video “The Vine” by E-seentials – lasts 1 minute 2 seconds.)

REAL LIVING

“Jesus is the Vine”

Jesus is the only source of REAL life

John 15:1-8

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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.

 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. 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. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.”

1. Jesus is the SOURCE Vine

A. ALL healthy fruit-bearing branches have a source – the VINE.

· The VINE has roots – branches don’t.

· The VINE has a trunk – branches don’t.

· The VINE has sap – branches don’t.

B. The VINE determines the characteristics of the branches.

C. Genuine branches can only have one source – the Genuine VINE.

2. Jesus is the TRUE Vine

A. Jesus is not the “only” vine.

B. There are many other “false” vines.

· Psalm 80 describes a broken, infected and pillaged vine.

· Isaiah 5 describes a nonproductive vine.

· Jeremiah 2 describes a wild-weed vine.

C. A “false vine” is anything I am turning to as a “source for life” other than Jesus.

3. Jesus is the STRONG Vine

(5) “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”

“If you are a part OF Me you can do anything.”

(7) “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

(Matthew 6:33) “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”

(1 John 4:4) The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

(Philippians 4:13) I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

A. Sometimes God allows storms in my life - to show me I’m weak and need His strength.

B. I am only strong when I stayed plugged in to Jesus – the Strong Vine.

(Hebrews 11:27b) “he persevered” (NIV).

(Hebrews 11:27b) “he kept right on going” (TLB).

(Hebrews 11:27b) “he endured” (KJV).

(Hebrews 11:27b) “he was resolute” (NEB).

(Hebrews 11:27b) “he held staunchly to his purpose.” (TAV).

(Hebrews 11:27b-c) “he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible” (NIV).

C. He was strong because he stayed plugged into Jesus – the Strong Vine.