As the Church that believes in Jesus Christ, we part of him become because we are partakers of his word. Think of when Jesus described us as the vine branches… Remember the fig tree that had no fruit when he saw it unfruitful, he was upset. We don’t want to displease our Lord and Savior with our service to him.

John 15:2 Every 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.

Jesus is saying here he wants us to produce fruit. And if we don’t, he will take it away. He has the power to cut us off at any time.

PRUNING

while a tree is young pruning can be undertaken to ensure the tree has good “shape /structure” as it matures.

This is done by removing branches in undesirable locations, usually lower on the tree, branches that are growing at the incorrect angle or branches that will grow into a position where they will be rubbing against other branches.

Young Children need pruning in their life to get out sin. Young Christians need pruning in their life to get out undesirable / incorrect doctrine so will grow into a position God desire for them. So, they have good “shape /structure” as it matures.

If we are producing fruit, we must be pruned from time to time to make sure we will keep producing. It also produces that good growth in our Christian life.

John 15:5 I 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.

Jesus is saying here that we can do nothing on our own but, when we rely on him (the master gardener) for help he will cause the fruit to be produced through our service to him. He will ensure the right growth in each one of us.

He will get rid of any incorrectness with in us and make sure the changes to insure we can produce to our fullest intent.

Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 

Only with Jesus in our lives can we produce the good fruit for the master’s kingdom. If we were to produce fruit on our own it would be corrupted by our own sinful nature.

Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 

Can you imagine a fig tree or a grape vine with thorns? Ouch, that would hurt just to gather a little fruit.  This was not God’s intent. This is why most fruit barring trees have no thorns. Easy access.

We are known by our fruit we produce, Riverview will be known for its fruit that we produce for God’s Kingdom. We want it to be the best fruit we can produce for our Lord and Savior. Teach the truth of God’s Word!

John 15:8 Herein is my Father be glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

God the Father is glorified when we are producing fruit for him. this allows us to take on the title of disciples. As we are following his will in producing fruit for his kingdom.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

No one can say we choose the Lord. We would never have chosen him over our sin, without his help. We can only say he has chosen us and has preformed with in us the ability to do his will and not our own.

This is God’s plan not ours…

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.