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Church - God's Vineyard

Intro: Vineyard is a common illustration of both Testaments. Although there is no specific references to the church as a vineyard there are several allusions.

1. Vineyard - God's people
   1. Isaiah told the parable of the vineyard that produced bad fruit - Isa 5:1-7 - which clearly identified Israel as the vineyard
   2. Jesus also used this analogy for Israel - Mt 21:33-45 - in this case others will be given charge of the vineyard - Rom 11:11,16-20
2. Vineyard - place of work
   1. Maintaining a good vineyard requires much work
   2. Jesus spoke of the work that God expects from us - Mt 21:28-31 - our work is continuing - 1 Cor 15:58; Heb 6:10
   3. Rest is promised at the end of our duty, but we can lose it through disobedience - Heb 4:1,9-11 - and rest comes only after death - Rev 14:13
3. Vineyard - produces fruit
   1. Vineyards are planted to produce fruit, not for show - Lk 13:6-9 - our purpose is to serve God, not to be window decoration - Rom 7:4
   2. Results will come from the spreading of the truth - Col 1:5,6,9,10; 1 Cor 3:6-8
   3. Keeper will remove plants or branches that do not bear - Jn 15:1-6
   4. What is the fruit born? - souls brought to God - Mt 13:8,23:2- spiritual living - Gal 5:22,23; Col 1:10
   5. God punishes those vineyards/plants that do not produce fruit - Isa 5; Mt 21; Jn 15 - or produce bad fruit - Mt 7:16-20

Concl: We have work to do for God, let's not ignore the admonition to serve, nor claim to work, then refuse; but simply get at it!