This message is Part 4 of the message series "I AM" by Pastor Chuck Bernal. In this message titled, "I AM The True Vine", Pastor Chuck discusses the lessons of the vineyard from John 15:1-11. Jesus uses the metaphor of the vineyard to talk about how we can produce God's fruit in our lives. Pastor Chuck explains what this passage really means, what fruit really is and our we can have a greater connection with Christ, the True Vine. This message was delivered at LifePointe Church in Crowley, TX on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

1. I AM THE
TRUE VINE
Pastor Chuck Bernal
March 5, 2017
I amthe true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no
fruit, whileevery branchthat does bear fruit he prunes so that it will bear morefruit . . . Remain
in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you
remainin me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do
not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are
picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear
much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved
you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I
have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy
may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I
haveloved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay downone’s lifefor one’s friends. You
are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does
not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned
from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever
you askinmy nametheFather will giveyou. This is my command: Loveeachother. (John 15:1-
2, 4-17 – NIV)
THE LESSON OF THE VINEYARD – WE ALL MATTER TO GOD
VINEYARD TRUTH 1: Jesus ____________________________________ us!
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain inmy love . . .
Loveeach other as I have loved you. (John 15:9)
VINEYARD TRUTH 2: Jesus _________________________________ for us!
Greater lovehas no one than this: to lay down one’s lifefor one’s friends.
(John 15:13)
VINEYARD TRUTH 3: Jesus ____________________________________ us!
You did not chooseme, but I chose you and appointed you
so that you might go and bear fruit . . . (John 15:16)
THE SUBJECTS IN THE STORY
I amthe true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no
fruit, whileevery branch that does bear fruit he prunes . . . (John 15:2)
THE TRUE VINE = _____________ THE GARDENER = The ______________
THE BRANCH = Every __________________________________
THE PURPOSE OF THE VINEYARD – TO PRODUCE FRUIT
FRUIT = “_________ - _____________” FRUIT = _________ ______________
When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
(Galatians 5:22-23 – LB)

2. But also our people must learn to engage in good deeds for necessary needs,
so that their lives will befruitful. (Titus 3:14 – LEB)
We are God’s creation. Hecreated us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we cando good works.
Long ago God prepared these works for us to do.
(Ephesians 2:10 – NIRV)
WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE?
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he
prunes so that it will bear more fruit . . . If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much
fruit. (John 15:2, 5)
LEVEL 1: ____________________ fruit LEVEL 2: ____________________ fruit
LEVEL 3: ____________________ fruit LEVEL 4: ____________________ fruit
God’s goal for my life is to produce “____________ __________________”
BEARING “MUCH FRUIT” – WHAT IS GOD’S PART?
I amthe true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no
fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful . . .
(John 15:1-2)
God the gardener _________________________ us! (His plan has a purpose)
Heraises the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from their misery . . . Hegave himself for us
to set us free from every wrong and to cleanseus so that wecould be his special people who are
enthusiastic about doing good deeds.
(Psalm 113:7/Titus 2:14 – GNB/ISV)
God the gardener _________________________ us! (Our pain has a purpose)
When punishment is happening, it never seems pleasant, only painful. Later, though, it yields
thepeaceful fruit called righteousness to everyone who has beentrained by it. (Hebrews 12:11 –
Voice)
BEARING “MUCH FRUIT” – WHAT IS OUR PART?
Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the
vine, and neither will you if you are not connected to Me. I am the vine, and you are the
branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will
accomplish nothing . . . Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you
can pray for whatever you want, and your prayers will be answered. (John 15:4-5, 7 –
Voice/CEV)
The branch must stay ____________________ to the vine (The Word & Prayer)