18.Apr.2008 Jesus as the Gardner

John 15:1-6 – When we’re connected to the vine and growing from the vine we become round, plump, appealing and ready to pick. We should be the fruit that people want to take a big bite out of! Not the fruit that’s round, hard and stuck on the vine.

Being on the vine means that we’re put through a process in order to become the appealing, plump fruit we desire to be. Because of the different seasons of life we must go through different processes and endure various weathers before we are complete.

John 15: 1-2 “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”

God may be pruning you. If you think this is happening you must ask yourself: How connected am I to God? Have I sought after God? Checking our connection with God is how we make sure we’re going to produce good fruit.

Church is supposed to challenge us. Faith is not provided by people, jobs, etc. Those things are misguiding securities. Security comes from walking with God. It cannot be based on things that we accomplish in life. Biblical joy is not based on circumstances of life. Real joy is based on the excitement of what God is doing.

You are called to walk the walk of faith.

“I’m hurt, I don’t feel safe…” We must remember – BUT GOD!

Do not walk by challenge, walk by God. This requires faith. Our security rests in our faith walk. It is a decision to walk. Our true amount of security is in direct proportion to the type of fruit that we produce.

Connect with God.

How do we connect with God? Read our Bibles, pray, go to church – anything that keeps our hearts open. We cannot walk if faith if we don’t have a regular prayer life, bible reading and consistent church attendance. Find your way of connecting with God and do it often! We must be enhancing our connection with God. Constantly check your connection with God because it’s not about comfort zone. Sometimes we settle because we are trying to make life uncomplicated or easy.

• Good fruit comes from our connection with God. Living with God, submitting to leaders….
• Are you more connected to sports, activities or relationships than you are to God?
• Ask yourself: Do you have what you have because of your connection to the vine?
• Good fruit comes from acting out Godly principles in order to have freedom. In marriages: commit to loving and serving regardless of your human desires. In jobs: go after interviews, humbling jobs, etc. In children: don’t see the devil in everything. We serve a supernatural God. A BIG God always conquers a small devil.