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THE CHURCH--THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD

I CORINTHIANS 3:6-9

1. INTRODUCTION.
   1. This is the only place "husbandry" is used in the N.T. The alternate reading has "Tillage" Thayer defines it as: "cultivated field."
      1. This word describes the work and care of Paul and others to plant and nurture the work (church) at Corinth.
      2. We therefore see the church as a place of labor and fruit-bearing.
   2. Jesus likened the kingdom unto a vineyard - Mt. 20:1-16.
   3. God has had three gardens: (1) Eden--there expectation met with disappointment Gen. 3:24; the flood came; (2) Israel - Psa. 80:8,9; (3) Church. Will his expectations be met with disappointment again?
2. DISCUSSION: (How is the church like a vineyard?)
   1. VINEYARDS MUST BE PLANNED.
      1. The omniscient God saw through the ages of time - II Tim. 1:9; Eph. 3:10,11.
      2. Therefore, the church is not an after-thought or a substitute plan.
   2. VINEYARDS MUST BE PURCHASED.
      1. It is God's by right of ownership - Mt. 16:18.
      2. He is not share-cropping with the devil - Tit. 2:14.
      3. Stewards (laborers) are not owners - I Cor. 4:1,2.
      4. Too many want to hear what the "preacher" has to say--not God's word!
   3. VINEYARDS MUST BE PLANTED.
      1. All hands point toward Jerusalem and Pentecost - Lk. 24:46,47; Acts 2.
      2. God is the husbandman with the good seed - Lk. 8:11.
      3. Evangelism and edification are the work of good stewards - Mt. 28:18-20.
      4. These passages prove the union of the human and divine is the spread of the Gospel and work of the Lord - Acts 2:37.
   4. VINEYARDS MUST BE PROTECTED.
      1. Walls were built to keep out: little foxes; wild pigs; thieves.
      2. Sometimes through slothfulness and walls were neglected.
      3. God has a wall around his vineyard and watchmen.
      4. The church (vineyard) is always in danger. Mt. 7:15-20; Acts 20:29,30.
   5. VINEYARDS MUST BE PRODUCTIVE.
      1. How can the church be? Jn. 15:5-7; Col. 1:10.
      2. This is the righteous expectation of the owner/husbandman.
   6. VINEYARDS MUST BE PRUNED.
      1. God has had to destroy two previous vineyards - Rom. 11:20-23.
      2. There must be an intentional effort for good grapes - Rom. 16:17,18; II Thess. 3:6.
      3. There will be a pruning of an eternal effect - Mt. 13:47-50.
3. CONCLUSION.
   1. Christ has a reward at the end of labors - Rev. 14:13.
   2. How can you become a part of His vineyard? Acts 18:8; I Cor. 12:13.
   3. There is only one place of acceptability with God--The Church of Christ.
   4. Jesus was not teaching "death-bed repentance." You are being called NOW!