"Jesus the True Vine"

Scripture Reference: John 15: 1-5

1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.(KJV)

Jesus is the true vine, as truth is opposed to pretence and counterfeit; he is really a fruitful plant, a plant of renown. He is not like the wild vine which deceived those who gathered of it (2 Ki. 4:39), but a true vine. Unfruitful trees are said to lie (Hab. 3:17), but Christ is a vine that will not deceive. Christ is that true vine symbolized by Judah’s vine, which enriched him with the blood of the grape (Gen. 49:11), by Joseph’s vine, the branches of which ran over the wall (Gen. 49:22), by Israel’s vine, under which he dwelt safely, (1 Ki. 4:25.2). Believers are branches of this vine, and Christ is the root of the vine.

The Father is the husbandman, the land-worker. He had an eye upon Christ, the root; He upheld him, and made him to flourish out of a dry ground. God has an eye upon all the branches, and prunes them, and watches over them, that nothing hurt them. The sense of duty taught us by this similarity, which is to bring forth fruit, and, in order to this, to abide in Christ. We must honor God, and do good, and exemplify the purity and power of the religion we profess; and this is bearing fruit

Pastor Craig Smith in the Sunday’s sermon, described John 15:1-5 as “A Formula for Fruitful Living.” From a vine we look for grapes (Isa. (Isa. 5:2), and from a Christian we look for Christianity; this is the fruit, a Christian temper and disposition, a Christian life and conversation, Christian devotions and Christian designs. We must honor God, and do good and exemplify the purity and power of the religion we profess; and this is bearing fruit.

Pastor Smith’s message was based on three principles:
1. Jesus is the one and only vine
2. God the Father is the gardener (husbandman)
3. We are nothing but a branch.

Christians are to remember that Jesus is the center of God’s plan and the source of the believer’s power. We are to be faithful and let no trials turn us away from the truth. Continue closely in unity with Christ so our souls may receive help that is required to preserve and save us to eternal life.

"Where Is God?"

Scripture Reference
John 11:32-36

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "LORD, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, LORD," they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

Here was a house where the fear of God was, and on which his blessing rested; yet it was made a house of mourning. Grace will keep sorrow from the heart, but not from the house. When God, by his grace and providence, is coming towards us in ways of mercy and comfort, we should, like Martha, go forth by faith, hope, and prayer, to meet him.

Sunday June 13, 2010 was a sad time for our pastor and church family, a dear friend departed this life. As believers we have read the words of Christ about the great things of the the eternal world. And as we gathered for worship the questions in my heart were "we have studied the things of eternity, do we believe them truth?" Would the crosses and comforts of this present time make such an impression on us if we did not believe?

Pastor Collins, full of emotion asked "Where is God?" When we are overwhelmed with pain we often do not see clearly. As believers we are to cast our burdens upon the Lord, "He will sustain us" -- hold us together and hold us up! It's our faith, life, love, and final salvation that is uppermost to God. Our greatest cares and burdens He promises to take care of.

In all the afflictions of believers Christ concern for them was shown by his kind inquiry after the remains of his deceased friend(verse 34). Being found in fashion as a man, he acts in the way and manner of the sons of men. It was shown by his tears. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Believers are to draw from this example that we may comfort the afflicted.

Believers remember that Christ has taken upon Himself our greatest burden. He took up the cross for our sins. He did this when we did not seek Him! Shall He not hold us up and hold us together now, without question? Peter writes to us: "Cast all your care upon Him, for HE CARES FOR YOU." (I Peter 5:7)

"Just When I Need Him Most"

Scripture Reference:

Luke 18:35-43

35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.

42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."

43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (NIV)

Pastor Collins’ illustration of Luke 18:35-43 on Sunday June 6, 2010 was that of a man who was not just blind but destitute. He was the symbol, of someone who knew life was about to be altered. The blind man was the image of mankind, which Christ came to heal and save. Christ encourages poor beggars, who men frown upon, and invites them to come to him, and is ready to entertain them, and bid them welcome

Have you ever encountered a special moment of grace, a once in a life-time opportunity you knew you could not pass up? This was such a moment for the blind beggar. Hearing the noise of the crowd, he realized that the number of people on the road crowding into the city was much larger than usual. Crying out to whom ever could hear him, "What is going on?" One of the bystanders said, (v. 37) "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He knew who Jesus was and had heard of his fame for healing, but until now had no means of making contact with the Son of David, a clear reference and title for the Messiah. He was determined to get near the one person who could meet his need.

Christ knows all our wants but he want to hear them from us (v. 41): “What do you want me to do for you?” By taking our case before God, with a specific request of our wants and burdens, teaches us the significance of the mercy we are in search of; The blind beggar poured out his soul before Christ, when he replied, “Lord, I want to see.” When we pray we should be precise.

When things in our life decline, and we’re at the point of despair; We can’t see the sunshine for the rain. The storm has lasted so long, that we have exhausted all resources. We must go to Christ, like the blind man, earnestly pleading that he open our eyes, and show us clearly the excellence of his teachings, and the value of his salvation.

Jesus praises the blind beggar for recognizing who he is with the eyes of faith and grants him physical sight as well. (v.42)"Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Christian friends do you recognize your need for God's healing grace and do you seek Jesus out, with persistent faith and trust in his goodness and mercy?