THE CHURCH--THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD
                       I CORINTHIANS 3:6-9

I.  INTRODUCTION.
     A.  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.
     B.  Jesus likened the kingdom unto a vineyard - Mt. 20:1-16.
     C.  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 expecta-
           tions be met with disappointment again?
II.  DISCUSSION: (Hos is the church like a vineyard?)
     A.  VINEYARDS MUST BE PLANNED.
     1.  The omnicient 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.
     B.  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!
     C.  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.
     D.  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.
     E.  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.
     F.  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.
III.  CONCLUSION.
     A.  Christ has a reward at the end of labors - Rev. 14:13.
     B.  How can you become a part of His vineyard? Acts 18:8; I Cor. 12:13.
     C.  There is only one place of acceptability with God--The Church of Christ.
     D.  Jesus was not teaching "death-bed repentance."  You are being called NOW!