1. LESSONS FROM THE VINEYARD John 15

2. Both the Vine and the Vineyard are biblical symbols of Israel. Ps. 80:7-16 "Restore us, O God Almighty...You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land..." Isa. 5:1-7 "The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel." Ezekiel calls Israel a vine. Hosea 10:1 "Israel is an empty vine..."

3. But, it appears… …that this symbol is never used apart from the idea of degeneration.

4. STUDY THE IDENTITY I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. v 1

5. Jesus is the true vine. Israel, God's intended vine had never been "true" (faithful, good). For its "badness" it had been abandoned.

6. the Father is the gardener He planted Israel - for his possession and pleasure. He abandoned Israel. He provided a true vine.

7. We are included in this picture as Branches Created to produce fruit. Created to be dependant on the vine. Evaluated by the "gardener" for whose pleasure we exist.

8. CHERISH THE INTIMACY Remain in me, and I will remain in you – v 4

9. The reality of life as a Branch is that: You either get pruned, or clipped completely off, and thrown into the fire. But each ‘Branch’ seems to be accountable for the choice of it’s own end.

10. There is a clear relational imperative "Remain in me" (v. 4). "Apart from me you can do nothing" (v. 5b). –We focus the skills, actions, rules, etc. –But Jesus focuses the relationship -- It is primary. "Remain in my love" (v. 9b). –We are romantic cripples because we have never learned to "be" loved. –We want to "feel" the feelings of love, but it’s hard for us to accept love. –Love is consuming

11. CHOOSE THE RESULT While every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be more fruitful. – v 2.

12. Fruitfulness If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. – v 5

13. Answers to prayer If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. – v 7

14. Joy that is complete I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. – v 11

15. We Know that…

16. These "I Am" sayings of Jesus can be traced in the furnishings of the Tabernacle

17. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

18. The beginning point is always Jesus In Him everything comes together.