The True Vine:
A disciple is one who seeks to share the faith with others, but the Vineyard of the Lord which is the house of Israel failed to produce fruits for the Lord. The book of (Isaiah 27:3). (TLB) tells us, “Israel is my vineyard” but “the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people that will produce it’s fruit.” Jesus made it clear we are called to produce fruits, and sharing the faith produces fruit.
Apostle Peter advises us to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who ask a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15) (NKJV). NIV says “But do this with gentleness and respect). This is because Satan blinds unbelievers, the veil on their hearts, so we must draw them gently to Christ Jesus, draw them with love to Jesus.
Before I attended Seminary, I argued and cursed unbelievers, for worshipping idols, but they are truly blinded.
Please do not worry if you are rejected, for many also rejected Jesus.
The True Vine (John 15:1-7)
Brothers and sisters, In this passage, Jesus is relaying to us, He is the True Vine, and God the Father is the Vinedresser, so to bear much fruit in our personal lives or ministry, we must abide in Jesus.
When one abides in Him, He removes every unfruitful branch in us, but we must also let go of our desires and follow Him in truth, let go of the cares of the world because these are considered dead. For the branch that bears fruit, He removes all things that hinder it from flourishing, which inhibits spiritual growth.
Jesus’ first believers (the Disciples) incorporated (united) in Him, the True Vine. They trusted Him, hoped in Him, and loved Him. Jesus is the True fulfillment of the Vine.
The new generation of God’s people originated from Christ, organically united to Him as branches emanating (spread out from) from the Vine. (Jesus). Jesus confirms this in a parable, “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.” (Luke 13:6).
V. 4 of John 15 says, “Abide in Me and I in you; as the branch cannot bear fruit in itself unless it abides in the Vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.”
We must abide in Jesus, love Him dearly for without Him we are totally lost in this wicked evil wilderness we call home. Please let go of your old ways and allow the old man in you to be crucified, that old man which grows corrupt, full of deceit, lies, lust, pride and so forth. And be renewed, for our Lord is Holy. Scripture declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2nd Corinthians 5:17).
Old things must truly become new.
The way one thinks, the way one talks, your whole character must change, for Christianity is change.
And V. 7 of John 15 concludes by saying, “If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done.”
Jesus also that we pray with The Word, to read the Word, and the condition of prevailing prayer is to abide in Christ with one’s whole heart Who is The Word, the True Vine.
Jesus said, “Amba if you love Me, read the Word because I am the Word” (ambaministries.com).
Brothers and sisters, praying with the Word of Jesus Christ keeps the prayer conformed to the Will of God. He cannot say no to His Word. Prayer is you, reading His Word back to Him. Jesus’ disciples paid great attention to His teachings, the disciples also asked Him questions, Jesus taught them, and they absorbed His teaching and prayed in His will.
As Christians, we are required to abide in Jesus because He is our strength. In our weaknesses, He aids us and tells us what to say and how it should be said. For example, my first missionary trip to Bangalore India, Jesus downloaded messages to me which I quickly wrote down on a paper, and in most Churches, He took over the sermon/message, speaking and pleading with the unbelievers. For example, will you allow your son to carry a cross for anyone? To be whipped for anyone? To suffer hunger and thirst for anyone? To be nailed on the cross for anyone? The unbelievers were very sorrowful.
As mankind, we belong to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, so we are His Vineyard. Each individual Christian is a branch on the Vine, so Jesus shows us that we are to bear much fruit, but first, we must abide in Him to bear fruit, and this is the sign of true discipleship.
In Qoas Brazil, I was asked to speak to men in a rehab center, and the first words that came out from my mouth before I stood up was Jesus, please help me, and I was filled with boldness. The words flowed through my mouth which edified the men. Also in Bangalore, I was asked to speak to Pastors, and fear gripped me, so I said Jesus please help me, and our precious Lord downloaded a message to me for the Pastors and I was also filled with boldness. What an awesome Father.
He is our All in All.
“I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. 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. You are already clean because of the words which I have spoken to you. 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. “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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:1-7) (NKJV).