Do you like to watch movies? Do you have favorite movie scenes that you like to watch over and over?
When I planned this series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus, I have been looking at this “I Am” statement in John 15 with eager anticipation.
If you know me well, you know that John 15 is one of my favorite passages. If you have visited me in the church office, you will see a portion of John 15 hanging on the wall.
This passage grabbed a hold of my soul through a book titled, Abide in Christ by a nineteenth century pastor, Andrew Murray. The language is a little old-timey, but it is worth the read. I have a copy of you would like to borrow it.
John chapter 15 puts near the end of the upper room conversation that Jesus is having with the disciples following the Passover Meal. I am the vine Jesus says.
John 15:1-5 New King James Version
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
A little something for the children…
Why did Jesus compare himself to a vine?
What is Jesus trying to reveal about himself?
What relationship does God have to the vine?
What is our relationship with the vine?
What does it mean to abide?
What is the fruit that the branch is supposed to bear?
How is this relevant to us?
Come let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin
