I Am The True Vine

In John 15 we find that Jesus is the true vine. Several thoughts can be extracted from the very phrase "I am the true vine."

First, when a vine is mentioned in the Bible, it most usually speaks of a grape vine. The analogy of a vine is used here to illustrate how much we depend upon Jesus as our vine, because we are only the branches, branches which have been grafted in by God's wonderful grace.

When instituting the Lord's Supper, our Lord tells us that the drink is the "fruit of the vine." This fruit is his blood, which he bled forth in redemption for our sins. This is the precious fruit of the Vine, Jesus Christ.

Jesus told his disciples in John 15 that they should bring forth fruit. This is our fruit as branches. The main manifestation of this fruit is love one for the other. We can understand why the branches would love the Vine, because that is the source of their nourishment. In John 6, when the false disciples had gone away from Jesus and followed him no more, Jesus asked the disciples if they, too, would go away. They explained that they had nowhere else to go. But what reason would there be for one branch to love another branch? This commandment, though, Jesus gave to his disciples, that they should love one another.

Then there is a winepress for those who have rejected His warning of judgment. We read in Rev. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Due to the fact that Jesus is the TRUE Vine, there must by assumption be FALSE vines. The scriptures warn us time and time again about false Christs, a false gospel, and a way that seems right to a man. These false Christs preach something besides the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is his death, burial and resurrection.

Have you been grafted into the Vine? Are you a true branch, a child of God, born from above? Do you have your complete trust in Jesus Christ? We are the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:26). Repent of your sins; turn and trust Jesus Christ, his death, burial and resurrection today! Then you will be able to draw from that great nutrition that comes only from the Vine, Jesus Christ; and you will be privileged to share with him the rewards of the fruit of the work of God in your life.

LBC Reunion

Yes, I know I missed the LBC reunion. I don't think I was the only one. I hated to miss, but I have been having problems with my arthrits and Post-Polio Syndrome. In the mornings sometimes it is hard for me to get out of bed because of the pain.

The morning of the reunion I was hurting very much, so I decided to stay in bed for a while. When I finally got up, got my bath, and ate my breakfast, it was almost 11:00 AM. I decided that I did not want to drive all the way to Lexington and find that most everyone had left the reunion.

I understand that there were almost 200 people there. I was signed up and paid up, so I hope someone ate my portion of the meal. I know everyone had a wonderful time, because I have heard from several about it.

Maybe I will be there next time.

Berean Baptist & Sunday

On Saturday evening, April 27, 2007, I was blessed to attend Berean Baptist Church in Batesville, Indiana, where Bro. Toby Huff is pastor. Bro. Huff had belonged to First Baptist Church for a few years, and I had the privilege to be his pastor.

Bro. Toby is doing a good job there as pastor, and God is blessing. We enjoyed music from him and his wife and from some of the members of the church. I preached on the subject of God's rewards and punishments, which was received well.

After the service, we all had ice cream and cookies. Thanks to Toby and Laurie for the good supper at their home.

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On Sunday our attendance was good in the morning. The ladies had a lunch and then had a baby shower for Brandy Jacob. Then the ladies met for their monthly meeting. With choir practice at 5:00 PM, the ladies really had a long, busy day.

Evening service was well attended, and we enjoyed as Bro. Gary Niederlehner presented Samaria Missions out of the Morning Star Baptist Church in West Chester, Ohio. This mission work is to the American Indian, and it seems to be getting off the ground with a bang. After the evening service, Bro. and Sister Niederlehner, my grandson, Eric, and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Cracker Barrel. This was a nice close to a wonderful day. May God be glorified.

If you are interested in hearing more about Samaria Baptist Missions, you may call Bro. Gary Niederlehner at 513-777-5463.