Trusting the Gardener
The world is a dangerous and hurtful place (John 16:33). After the events of the Paris terrorism attacks done in the name of Islam, we truly can see that what a person believes truly matters in how they see and interact with the world. Therefore, the Christian is left asking, “Why does a good God allow so much evil in this world?” Today’s sermon is designed to offer a simple answer and solution to evil. The answer to why there is evil is, “sin” and its solution is, “trust in God.”
SERIES TEXT
John 15:1-10 (NKJV), “1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser [gardner]. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
ILLUSTRATION
John 15:1-2, “1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser [gardner]. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
KNOWING THE FATHER’S HEART
Romans 8:28-39, “28 And we know that in all things God [the Father] works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God [the Father] foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstbornamong many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God [the Father] is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God [the Father] that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
MAKING IT PERSONAL
Have you ever faced any of the following things in life?
- Persecution
- Rejection
- Personal Illness
- Loved One’s Illness
- Losing Someone You Love
- Been Sinned Against
- Financial Hardship
- Natural Disaster
- Consequences for Your Own Sins
How did these times in your life make you feel about God?
- Angry
- Confused
- Doubtful
- Sad
- Hopeless
THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER
- THE FATHER PLANTED THE GARDEN AND YOU ARE HIS: John 15:1 & Romans 8:15.
- THE FATHER’S HARVEST IS COMING: John 15:8.
- THE FATHER SEES THE BIG PICTURE WITH LOVE: John 15:9.
Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”