The True Vine and The Branches
📖 The True Vine & The Branches
Pastor Jeff Smith
7/6/25/25
John 15:1-6
Text: John 15:1-6
Theme: The Correlation and Connection Between the Vine and the Branches
Opening Thought:
In this parable, Jesus presents Himself as the true vine, contrasted with the counterfeit vine—the devil (Deut. 32:32-33). Jesus is of the true vine of Israel—through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David—not the false lineage of Ishmael or Esau.
The branches, in this context, were the disciples preaching the gospel of the kingdom before Calvary and during the tribulation period. Although this passage is not about the body of Christ in the church age (nor about eternal security), it holds vital devotional and practical truths for us today.
In the church age:
Jesus is the Husbandman.
The Church is the Vine.
Individuals & churches are the branches through which the gospel of the grace of God is preached.
Also, the Father and the Son are distinct persons within the Trinity, each with separate ministries.
I. The Conditions of the Branches 🌱
A. Non-Fruit Bearing Branches ❌
Not Saved
Not Keeping God's Commandments, Words, or Sayings
Walking in the Flesh, Not the Spirit
B. Fruit-Bearing Branches ✅
Saved – 1 Cor. 1:18
Sanctified – 2 Tim. 2:20-21
Submitted – James 4:7
Serving – Romans 12:11
C. Fruit Comes from the Holy Spirit 🍇
Galatians 5:22-23 – The Holy Spirit produces the fruit; we only bear it.
✨ Application: Examine yourself: Is your branch bearing fruit or is it dead?
II. The Care of the Branches 🛠️
1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
A. Cutting Off Dead Branches ✂️
What killed the branches?
Dead works
Dead emotions
Dead religion
Dead relationships
B. Cleaning the Living Branches 💧
Bugs, diseases, mold, dead shoots, suckers (spiritual troubles)
Galatians 5:12 – I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
C. Preventative Care: The Word of God 📖
Psalm 119:11 – The word hidden in the heart keeps us from sin.
Pruning Tool: Hebrews 4:12 – The Word is quick and powerful.
Pesticide: Psalm 119:9; Ephesians 5:26 – The Word cleanses and protects.
✨ Application: God cares for you enough to prune you and clean you through his words so you can grow spiritually and bear fruit.
III. The Casting Away of the Branches 🔥
A. Withered – Faded, dried, and shrunk.
B. Burned – Only good for firewood.
Isaiah 64:6
Jeremiah 8:13
C. What Jesus wants for your life: Psalm 1:3 – And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
✨ Application:
Too many Christians are castaways because they have faded into obscurity, dried up spiritually, or shrunken in adversity.
IV. The Crux of the Branches 🎯
A. Bear Fruit for Jesus Christ
Fruit
More Fruit (John 15:2)
Much Fruit (John 15:5)
B. Be in Fellowship with Jesus Christ
Daily abiding in Him.
C. Be Faithful to Jesus Christ
Consistent, enduring service.
D. Believe You Can Do Nothing Without Jesus (John 15:5)
✨ Application:
Abide in Christ, keep his words, and walk in the Spirit; the Lord will produce the fruit. Without Him, you can do nothing.
Closing Challenge: If you see no fruit in your life, you are in extreme danger of being cut . Are you willing to go to extreme measures to bear fruit for Christ? Let the word of God prune you, let the Holy Spirit fill you, and abide in Jesus Christ, the True Vine.
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Luke 13:6-9
[6] He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. [7] Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? [8] And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: [9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.