5th Sunday of Easter – Sermon 176
Prayer to start
May the word of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
AMEN
Introduction
The gardens at Hampton Court Palace – contains what is believed to be the oldest grape vine in the world – planted in 1768 – by the then head gardener – Lancelot Capability Brown –
One of its roots is at least two feet thick – and some of its branches more than 200 feet long –
Despite its age – it still produces about 600 pounds of grapes per year – and although some of the smaller branches are 200 feet from the main stem – they still produce sweet delicious fruit – because they are connected to the vine –
Life flows from that root – and throughout the vine bringing nourishment and strength to each one of the branches –
In our Christian Faith – Jesus promises to do the same for us –
So this morning we have two very important questions to ask ourselves –
Are we fully connected to Jesus – the vine?
And – How much fruit are we bearing?
Point 1 Jesus is the vine – are we connected?
In today’s digital age – we’re all being encouraged to get connected – through our digital TV’s – our telephones – our computer broadband – our blackberries – and mobile phones –
It seems that everybody talking to everybody else – or is it called tweeting these days –
Getting connected brings those closest to us that bit nearer – even though they might live on the other side of the world –
But for all our e-mailing – and downloading – and Twitter and Face-book followings – one connection – says Jesus is far more important than any other – our connection to Him
‘I am the true Vine’, says Jesus – ‘and you are the branches’ – ‘Anyone who dwells in me, as I dwell in Him, bears much fruit: apart from me you can do nothing’
Jesus was preparing his disciples – for facing life without His visible presence –
Even though they would soon not physically see Him – it was important that they stayed close to Him spiritually
Like the other ‘I am’ sayings in John- Jesus chose this one – no only because of the picture it paints – but also because of the vine’s importance in Jewish history and tradition-
In the OT – the vine represents Israel – whom God brought out of Egypt – and planted in the promised land – but as – Isaiah later portrays in his vineyard song – the vine became ravaged by wild animals – and needed protecting – it produced wild grapes instead of good grapes –
God’s vineyard needed – re-establishing – so that His vine would become true again –
Jesus is telling us – that He is that true vine – He is the true Israel – on whom God’s purposes are now resting – and through whom God’s care now runs
Jesus’ picture of the vine isn’t just a clever idea from gardening – its about who Jesus is and who – we His followers have become –
Because we belong to Him – we too are part of His true vine – and through our intimate connection with Jesus – we receive all that God wants for it –
God’s only wish is that as His branches – we fulfill our Christian potential – and continue to grow strong and healthy – within the vine –
but the vine’s branches are not the end product – the fruit is – and that’s what the true vine is there for – to produce and multiply fruit for the gardener
Point 2 How much fruit are we bearing + Acts
I love gardening – in former times I’ve had allotments – grown many different types of fruits and vegetables – and my family have enjoyed – and benefited from much of what has been harvested –
These days though – much of our gardening efforts are focused on growing a few tomatoes and caring for the different flowers – in the garden –
One flower in particular – the Rose – needs a lot of care and attention – if its going to produce good blooms – and no amount of feeding or spraying will make up for one very important and vital activity – pruning
A rose bush if left to itself – will get straggly and tangled- and grow in on itself – It will also produce a lot of not so good roses – rather than a smaller number of beautifully formed blooms –
when we prune roses – we stop the bush wasting its energy on unproductive parts – that grow inwards – and prune to encourage new shoots that grow outwards – towards the light –
More or less the same thing happens with vines –
They too – need to be pruned – so that they grow towards the light –
without pruning they will become a tangled mess – left to themselves – they produce a lot of superfluous growth – which must be cut away if the vine is to remain true to itself – and produce only good quality grapes –
God prunes the vine – so that it does not waste its energies in unnecessary directions – as branches of the vine we too are individually pruned – so that we can produce a bountiful harvest – in the place and situations that we find ourselves in –
Its through the pruning and the tender loving care of the gardener – that the harvest will be multiplied –
In our reading from Acts – we are told about an encounter between Philip and an Ethiopian Eunuch who was also a treasury official in his own country
left to his own devices – Philip would probably have never crossed paths with such a man – but through God’s intervention – he was directed – to go South – to the desert road – where he met the Eunuch and was able to listen to Him –
Philip was in the right place at the right time – and more importantly he was the right person – to help this man to faith
The man’s interest in the passage in Isaiah – rapidly turned into enthusiastic commitment – when Philip was able to explain to him who Isaiah was talking about – and
that – Isaiah’s job description of the Saviour he was hoping God would send – had in fact found the right candidate in Jesus Christ –
After speaking with Philip about the Scriptures and about Jesus – the man – was so excited that as soon as he saw water he wanted to be baptised –
This story about the opening up of the Gospel to the non-Jewish world – is a model for us to follow – when thinking about our own fruit bearing
Philip was willing- to use the opportunity God had given him – to get alongside the man – and talk about Jesus – he used the scriptures and his own experience of Jesus – to help change this man’s life – and bring – Christianity into the power structure of another government
As Christians – we need to take time to reflect on our faith – and experience of Jesus – we need to ask ourselves honestly what Jesus means to us – and what difference He has made to our lives – then when the opportunity to speak out for Him comes along and – empowered by the Holy Spirit – we will not be found wanting –
God prunes and encourages us all in our faith – and through His guiding hands – the branches of the vine and the fruits of His Gospel are spread far and wide
Point 3 What sort of branch are we?
So we’ve talked about the vine – and fruit – what about us – its branches – what sort of branches do we make?
Are we a healthy branch – or one that needs some tender loving care?
Are we fulfilling our potential in the service of Christ? – or are we carrying a lot of dead wood that needs cutting away?
Jesus is the source of life – if we remain connected with Him – then there will always be a part of us – from which new shoots will grow –
Remaining in Jesus means remaining in the community that knows and loves Him – and celebrates Him as Lord – it means following His ways – and putting His wishes first – recognising Him as the Son of God –
As branches of the vine – we don’t go it alone – we need to stay – connected – through prayer and worship – knowing Him – and being known by Him – always
To produce good fruit – we must also be ready for the Father’s pruning knife –
When God sees us growing in the wrong direction – or turning away from the light – Because of His love for us – and for the sake of the vine – He will act to steer us – in a new direction – hoping that we will respond – as Philip did – when faced with an opportunity to multiply the fruits of the gospel –
Jesus asks the Father to give us as many opportunities as it takes – for us to fulfill – our purpose in His service – and though we repeatedly grieve him through our failure to grow – and bear fruit – He never gives up believing that the harvest may yet come –
Conclusion
So – are we connected? – are we producing a bountiful harvest for God?
In the Father we have a master Gardener that cares and nurtures His plant to last for eternity
And when His true vine bears good grapes – and God is glorified – then so will we
Prayer to finish
In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
AMEN