Vineyard

While in Franklin, TN, we drove past the Franklin Vineyard. My first thought was a winery, but no. It’s a church. I commented that it was a strange name for a church. My husband corrected me, saying it was quite appropriate. And then I thought, yes, it is.

In John 15:1-2, Jesus says, “I am the 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.”

If we believe this, then every church is a vineyard. A place where we can be pruned so that we will bear more fruit. A place where we can remain in Him and He in us. For apart from Christ we can do nothing (v. 5). If we don’t dwell in the vine, in the company of other branches, we cannot bear fruit. We will be like a branch that is thrown away and withers. But if we remain, we can ask, and it will be done. It is to God’s glory that we bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be His disciples (v. 6-8).

We are commanded to follow His commands and remain in His Love (v. 9- 10). We do this by meeting together in worship and fellowship.