{"id":2591,"date":"2018-04-29T08:15:48","date_gmt":"2018-04-28T22:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2591"},"modified":"2018-04-29T08:15:48","modified_gmt":"2018-04-28T22:15:48","slug":"a-grape-vine-explains-all-29-04-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2591","title":{"rendered":"A Grape Vine Explains All 29-04-2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Grape Vine Explains All.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Acts 8: 26 – 40;\u00a0 <\/span>John 15: 1 – 8<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Our relationship with Jesus simply explained and explosively defined.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

From time immemorial the grapevine has been a highly valued plant. Vines and vineyards are mentioned often in the Bible. The vine or vineyard became the symbol of the relationship between God and people. The image of the vine was so important that Jesus says;\u00a0\u201cI am the true vine<\/i>, and my Father is the vinegrower<\/i>\u201d.\u00a0 <\/span>And then in a few sentences further on says; \u201cI am the vine, you are the branches<\/i>\u201d. [Jn 15: 1,5]\u00a0 <\/span>It couldn\u2019t be clearer: God is the vinegrower, Jesus the vine and we are the branches.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We read in the OT in Psalm 80; You <\/i>(God) brought<\/i> a vine <\/i>out of Egypt<\/i>; you drove out the nations and planted it<\/i>. The prophets used the image of the vine.\u00a0 <\/span>Isaiah saw Israel as God\u2019s vineyard; For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts<\/i> is the <\/i>house of Israel<\/i>, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting<\/i>. [Is 5:7]\u00a0 <\/span>Jeremiah (2: 21) tells us that God planted Israel as a choice vine<\/i>, from the purest stock<\/i>.\u00a0 <\/span>Hosea spoke of Israel as a luxuriant vine<\/i> that yields fruit<\/i> [10:1].\u00a0 <\/span>In the great Temple of Jerusalem there was a carving of a great golden vine over the entrance to the Holy of Holies.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We might understand what Jesus means by claiming to be the \u2018true vine\u2019 by recognising that the Bible never uses the image of the vine as a sign of Israel\u2019s faithfulness.\u00a0 <\/span>Isaiah\u2019s picture of Israel is that the vineyard has run wild. Jeremiah sees the vine as degenerate and Hosea as empty of fruit. Psalm 80 acknowledges that Israel as the vine needs restoration. Jesus is saying that if the people have proved to be a degenerate, wild and an empty vine he will be the vine for us.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It is not surprising to see that we humans make for poor vines that bear the fruit of God, for the cultivation of vines is a specialised task. It may be the case that it is easy to grow ornamental vines as vines are hardy plants and grow vigorously. However cultivating vines to produce fruit is another matter. The vinedresser needs to give regular attention to the plant.\u00a0 <\/span>The soil needs to be carefully prepared. A new vine must not bear fruit in its first two or three years. The vine needs vigorous pruning each year for it to be fruitful. The vine produces two kinds of branches: one fruit bearing and the other non-fruit bearing. The non-fruit-bearing branch must be cut off so the fruit-bearing branch can enjoy the full value of the vine. This basic information will help us understand the imagery Jesus is using. We are the branches, Christ the vine and God the\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

vine grower! The connection is vital between the three. Leave one out and you have a wild plant of little use and in some instances a destructive plant.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

God the vine grower. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It is God who plants us, prepares us and sustains us. It is the particular work of the Holy Spirit who sustains and nurtures us. Before Jesus spoke about being the \u2018true vine\u2019 and we \u2018the branches\u2019 he had said to his disciples that he was leaving them, and that was for their good.\u00a0 <\/span>He was going to be with the Father and the Holy Spirit would come and nurture and sustain them. John recalls Jesus\u2019 teaching in these words.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.\u201d<\/i> [Jn 14: 25-27]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We are not alone and God has given us the Holy Spirit. It is so important for us to call upon the Holy Spirit to bless and build us up in the faith.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Christ Jesus is the \u2018true vine\u2019. The true vine is the vine that has been properly cared for, grown, matured and regularly pruned to produce the best fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus is the vine \u2013 the best and the truest. He has shown the quality of the vine in his love and truth that he exhibited in his care and compassion for us. His truth and love is demonstrated through his obedience to God\u2019s plan, his humility in serving us, and his sacrificial love for all. Jesus let God \u2018prune\u2019 him through suffering. Jesus\u2019 servanthood shows the true nature of love and truth. Christ Jesus is the Vine \u2013 the true vine of life.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We are the branches.\u00a0 <\/span>His disciples and all of us who follow and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, are connected to the \u2018true vine\u2019.\u00a0 <\/span>We belong to the best of love and truth. We bear the fruit of truth and love.\u00a0 <\/span>We don\u2019t do it alone. We bear that fruit that flows through the vine to us. The very sap of the \u2018true vine\u2019 flows through to the branches and leaves. Without getting too technical the movement of sap is critical to the vitality of a plant and its fruitfulness.\u00a0 <\/span>The connection of branch to stem is essential. The flow of sap begins with the water absorbed into the roots and moving through the plant stem, branches and finally the leaves where it escapes. Jesus is appealing to us saying let the sap of God \u2013 the Holy Spirit \u2013 flow through us into the world. We don\u2019t have to be the vine \u2013 we just have to be the branches of the true vine.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The branches are pruned. The branches of the vine cannot be left to themselves. They need training to climb the vineyard lines so the grapes hang in the open air and not drag on the ground.\u00a0 <\/span>When the fruit-bearing season is over they are to be pruned.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What does this image say to us spiritually?\u00a0 <\/span>Does it not make sense that we who follow Christ Jesus and are seen as the branches of Jesus also need to be pruned?\u00a0 <\/span>The pruning of a vine is a time of restoration and regrowth.\u00a0 <\/span>Is the lesson for us that we need to rest too and reflect on what we have done? We need to learn our lessons and be renewed by the Holy Spirit.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As I write this I think of the two weeks study leave I have just had. It was very rewarding but it was not easy. It is not easy disciplining oneself. At one stage I had to stand back from my studies and writing and take a break. I took more time off than I had wished to, but it was ultimately more helpful and creative. Study can be a time of assessment and facing new ideas and challenges. I think that is a kind of pruning.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Suffering is another kind of pruning. No matter the cause of the suffering it is a time of gathering our strength and reflection. The level of suffering can be awfully draining and exhausting, but it is also a time when we learn so much about ourselves and grow in strength. Paul wrote about this quite a bit and so did the writer of 1 Peter. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians and said;\u00a0\u201cBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, \u2026 who consoles us in all our affliction, <\/i>so that we<\/i> may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation \u2026 .\u00a0 <\/span>We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself.\u00a0 <\/span>Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death <\/i>so that<\/i> we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead<\/i>.\u201d [See 1 & 2 Cor 1] Could we begin to see our suffering as a kind of pruning that will result in being strengthened?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I think if we would let God use our suffering we would become blessings to others. The way we approach these seasons of suffering will determine God\u2019s blessing and our enrichment or not. I think the ANZAC experience shaped this country for the better in the end, but I would not wish that suffering on anyone. Neither do I think God wished it, but God could use it.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When I reflect on the weakness of the Church in the Western world I wonder if God is not putting us through a season of pruning, so that we can re-grow and be renewed to bear fruit for the generations to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus said, God the Father is the vineyard keeper; he is the \u2018true vine\u2019 and we the branches that bear fruit. \u00a0 <\/span>All we have to do is be good fruit bearing branches. At what stage are we?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Have we borne fruit and now need pruning; or,\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

have we borne no fruit and are ready to be cast upon the rubbish heap?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Most importantly, are we willing to be pruned by God?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What might that look like for us?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

*******<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Peter C Whitaker, Leighmoor UC:\u00a0 <\/span>29\/04\/2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

pcwhitaker@icloud.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\/ www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Grape Vine Explains All.\u00a0 Acts 8: 26 – 40;\u00a0 John 15: 1 – 8 Our relationship with Jesus simply explained and explosively defined. From time immemorial the grapevine has been a highly valued plant. Vines and vineyards are mentioned often in the Bible. The vine or vineyard became the symbol of the relationship between God and people. The image of the vine was so important that Jesus says;\u00a0\u201cI am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower\u201d.\u00a0 And then in a few sentences further on says; \u201cI am the vine, you are the branches\u201d. [Jn 15: 1,5]\u00a0 It couldn\u2019t be clearer: God is the vinegrower, Jesus the vine and we are the branches. We read in the OT in Psalm 80; You (God) brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. The prophets used the image of the vine.\u00a0 Isaiah saw Israel as God\u2019s vineyard; For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting. [Is 5:7]\u00a0 Jeremiah (2: 21) tells us that God planted Israel as a choice vine, from the purest stock.\u00a0 Hosea spoke of Israel as a luxuriant vine that yields fruit [10:1].\u00a0 In the great Temple of Jerusalem there was a carving of a great golden vine over the entrance to the Holy of Holies. We might understand what Jesus means by claiming to be the \u2018true vine\u2019 by recognising that the Bible never uses the image of the vine as a sign of Israel\u2019s faithfulness.\u00a0 Isaiah\u2019s picture of Israel is that the vineyard has run wild. Jeremiah sees the vine as degenerate and Hosea as empty of fruit. Psalm 80 acknowledges that Israel as the vine needs restoration. Jesus is saying that if the people have proved to be a degenerate, wild and an empty vine he will be the vine for us. It is not surprising to see that we humans make for poor vines that bear the fruit of God, for the cultivation of vines is a specialised task. It may be the case that it is easy to grow ornamental vines as vines are hardy plants and grow vigorously. However cultivating vines to produce fruit is another matter. The vinedresser needs to give regular attention to the plant.\u00a0 The soil needs to be carefully prepared. A new vine must not bear fruit in its first two or three years. The vine needs vigorous pruning each year for it to be fruitful. The vine produces two kinds of branches: one fruit bearing and the other non-fruit bearing. The non-fruit-bearing branch must be cut off so the fruit-bearing branch can enjoy the full value of the vine. This basic information will help us understand the imagery Jesus is using. We are the branches, Christ the vine and God the\u00a0 vine grower! The connection is vital between the three. Leave one out and you have a wild plant of little use and in some instances a destructive plant. God the vine grower. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 It is God who plants us, prepares us and sustains us. It is the particular work of the Holy Spirit who sustains and nurtures us. Before Jesus spoke about being the \u2018true vine\u2019 and we \u2018the branches\u2019 he had said to his disciples that he was leaving them, and that was for their good.\u00a0 He was going to be with the Father and the Holy Spirit would come and nurture and sustain them. John recalls Jesus\u2019 teaching in these words.\u00a0 \u201cI have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.\u201d [Jn 14: 25-27] We are not alone and God has given us the Holy Spirit. It is so important for us to call upon the Holy Spirit to bless and build us up in the faith. Christ Jesus is the \u2018true vine\u2019. The true vine is the vine that has been properly cared for, grown, matured and regularly pruned to produce the best fruit.\u00a0 Jesus is the vine \u2013 the best and the truest. He has shown the quality of the vine in his love and truth that he exhibited in his care and compassion for us. His truth and love is demonstrated through his obedience to God\u2019s plan, his humility in serving us, and his sacrificial love for all. Jesus let God \u2018prune\u2019 him through suffering. Jesus\u2019 servanthood shows the true nature of love and truth. Christ Jesus is the Vine \u2013 the true vine of life. We are the branches.\u00a0 His disciples and all of us who follow and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, are connected to the \u2018true vine\u2019.\u00a0 We belong to the best of love and truth. We bear the fruit of truth and love.\u00a0 We don\u2019t do it alone. We bear that fruit that flows through the vine to us. The very sap of the \u2018true vine\u2019 flows through to the branches and leaves. Without getting too technical the movement of sap is critical to the vitality of a plant and its fruitfulness.\u00a0 The connection of branch to stem is essential. The flow of sap begins with the water absorbed into the roots and moving through the plant stem, branches and finally the leaves where it escapes. Jesus is appealing to us saying let the sap of God \u2013 the Holy Spirit \u2013 flow through us into the world. We don\u2019t have to be the vine \u2013 we just have to be the branches of the true vine. The branches are pruned. The branches of the vine cannot be left to themselves. They need training<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Leighmoor.Master","author_link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/author\/leighmoor-master"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Sermons<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"A Grape Vine Explains All.\u00a0 Acts 8: 26 – 40;\u00a0 John 15: 1 – 8 Our relationship with Jesus simply explained and explosively defined. From time immemorial the grapevine has been a highly valued plant. Vines and vineyards are mentioned often in the Bible. The vine or vineyard became the symbol of the relationship between…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2591"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2592,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2591\/revisions\/2592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}