We are part of the kingdom of God when we are attached to the true vine and unless we stay attached, we can not bear fruit and unless we abide in Jesus, we, as a branch will wither and be cast into the fire and be burned (Jn15:6).  Jesus in one of his kingdom of God parables talks about a man owing a large debt that he cannot pay but instead of being thrown in prison, he is forgiven his debt.  This same man, however, who is owed a small debt will not forgive the debtor and throws him in jail.  When the king hears that the man did not have compassion on the debtor, he delivers him to the tormentors because he lacked forgiveness. (Mt18:23-35)  In the parable of the sower a person can enter the kingdom but when persecution or trials occur, the person can lose his status in the kingdom.  Or a person can enter the kingdom but the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things can choke him that he bears no fruit.  Jesus tells us that unless we put his word into practice, we are like a house built on sand that when the storms begin to come, that house falls and great is the fall of it (Mt7:24-27)

            The kingdom of God is a living entity which can grow like a mustard seed into a large tree or yeast in dough that when put in the oven rises.  So when we receive the Spirit of God, we can nurture the Spirit by being obedient and loving and forgiving and kind or we can choke it by disobedience and a lack of compassion.  We enter the kingdom by grace through faith and unless we attach ourselves to the true vine and abide in Jesus, we will perish.  As a branch attached to the vine we will bear fruit and the Father, the keeper of the vineyard, will prune us so we can continue to bear fruit.  Yet we can lose what we have received, by losing our connection to Jesus and if we do, rather than going to heaven, we will be placed in the lake of fire.  So if we lack patience in the midst of trials, if we get sidetracked by the lures of the world, if we lack compassion and forgiveness, or if we simply do not put the word of God into practice, we will not make it to the kingdom of God.  King Saul, for instance, lost his favor with God by simply not doing what God told him to do.  Samson lost his strength when he succumbed to the prodding Delilah, an instrument of the devil.  So unless we stay faithful and true to God, unless we obey him regardless of the cost, unless we treat others with the same mercy and compassion that he has bestowed on us, we are in big trouble.

            There are many vines out there in the world.  There are many theories, religions, and secular teachings in opposition to the one true God and the one true vine, Jesus Christ.  Jesus in the gospels is telling us the truth and telling us in no uncertain terms either come to him, obey him and his word, and be loving, merciful, and kind or end up in the furnace of fire.  It is important for all of us to work out our salvation.  Therefore, be at it for God and heed the message.

amen