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PARABLES: Parable of the Vine

John 15:1-8

1. Fruitfulness is God’s normal.

Your marriage, your friendships, your ministry (and we all have one!), your business, your character, your emotional and spiritual health and well-being – God wants your life to work, and He wants it to work well! 
 
The main thought behind this parable is this: 
True, abundant fruitfulness comes from being attached to someone and something greater than yourself. 

2. God never intended for you to make it on your own. 

Abiding in Jesus is the secret to a flourishing, fruitful life. We must be connected to Jesus in a current relationship.

Our relationship with Jesus is the key to all fruitfulness.  So of course - that’s what the enemy will want to attack in our worlds.

All of Christianity revolves around this:  a personal relationship with Jesus. 

3. God never leaves branches alone. 

John 15:1-2

He takes away what is unfruitful.

He prunes what is fruitful. 

We need to have the same attitude toward our own lives. Every garden needs tending.  Some things are no longer fruitful – get rid of them. Some things need trimming in order to be more fruitful.

Know that every season of fruitfulness is preceded by a season of pruning. 

Pruning doesn’t always come with a warning sign. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get a heads-up: “Pruning is now happening.”  

It feels like things are being taken away, when in fact - God is clearing space for new growth.

4. God’s word, not circumstances, cleans us.

"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.   - John 15:3

The circumstance may drive you to the Word, but it’s the Word that will change you. 

Trials don’t make you better – the Word makes you better.

Wherever you are – you need a word from God

John 15:5

5. You can’t pull on the leaves and make the tree grow.

Fruitfulness can’t be manufactured or hurried. Fruit takes time, space, air and water. Tying apples to the tree may look like fruitfulness – but it’s artificial. 

Real fruitfulness indicates that there are roots deep under the surface. 

Psalm 1:1-3

The vine doesn’t have to strain, strive and try to bear fruit – it only has to stay connected to the vine.

Fruit is not for the tree that produced it.  God wants the tree to flourish for others. 

John 15:6

The possibility is real.  A branch that was once fruitful can dry up and be tossed out.  Relying on the past is no guarantee of current or future fruitfulness. 

6. It shall be done for you. 

Not by you – but for you.

How are things for you?

God isn’t calling you to try harder; He is calling you to come closer.