ON THE WAY TO GETHSEMANE JESUS GIVES A GREAT PARABLE, WITH THE SECRET OF SWEET JOY HIDDEN IN IT

1. Through the slope of Kidron below the Temple wall- a walk through vineyards to place of sorrow
2. There are many parables on fruitbearing- but city kids need an education on pruning branches
3. In 1953 I called this "Right Connections", but there is another part - a time for pruning!

Ben Franklin had wisdom enough to list vital things- & work on them- We need same list!

I.- THE PARABLE OF VINE AND BRANCHES ! John 15:1-

A parable needs some explanation for guidance, then you are supposed to use your imagination-

A.- "I AM THE TRUE VINE" (v.1) NOT ISRAEL, NOR THE CHURCH, BUT JESUS CHRIST, ONLY CONNECTION

1. The Vine- strong and anchored - Anchor for soul- taking up nourishment from earth to Branches
2. The True Vine- in sense of absolute!- Sent to be the only absolute union between God & Man
3. The Vine of Humanity is a Wild vine- (one by Prescott Pines) maybe strong- but bitter fruit

B.- "MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN" (v.1b) AND THE CARETAKER EXPECTS FRUIT TO BE PRODUCED!

1. The vine was planted to produce fruit for the husbandman- this is its sole purpose
2. The creator knows what is best- and how to produce the sweetest fruit- and the greatest joy
3. The pruning (purging) is an ordinary, regular need for us- in the inner life & outer activities

C.- "I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES" v.5 THE HEART-TO-HEART RELATIONSHIP FOR NOURISHMENT

1. Branches with no fruit are already dead- nothing but leaves- so they are removed, piled, burned v6
2. A branch that bears fruit- is purged for more fruit- and it is slashed to make sweet fruit.
3. "Ye are clean" - Mixed metaphors - but In Christ you have life!-  He makes us clean-  Can we stay clean?

I have 9 grape vines- a big city farmer, bugs aplenty: but I learn from them -Lessons of Life

II- THE CONDITIONS O F FRUIT BEARING !

The "Abide in Me" is oft repeated in John's writings- the source of life is Christ- Also -Joy!

A.- THE ONLY CONDITION THAT IS OUR PART OF THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO ABIDE IN CHRIST! OUR JOB

1. V. 4 "Cannot bear fruit except it abide" If you abide in Christ- natural result is fruit!
2. v.5 -The Mutual abiding brings much fruit; Purging brings more fruit; You help Him- He helps you
3. v.6 -If you abide not in Christ- gathered, stacked, burned- This is a picture repeated - Hell

B.- THE FATHER AS A HUSBANDMAN "PURGES" THE BRANCH, AND THIS PURGING IS FOR EVERY BRANCH

1. There are things in every person's life that God will purge- must go! Dead Rot kills fruit
2. Col 3:5- "Mortify", "Put Off"; Also Gal 5:19 -Works 66 the flesh - Read this well!  Or no fruit
3. Even the healthy branch is sliced by the wise husbandman at right time- make sweeter fruit!

C.- WHAT IS THE FRUIT THE LORD WANTS US TO BEAR?  IT IS FOR HIS GLORY, AND HIS ENJOYMENT -You Too!

1. There are three degrees of fruit bearing -depending on your submission. Counterfeited- not duplicated
2. The Fruit- Gal 5:22,23 - these are conditions of inner spirit- they come forth in actions!
3. The guaranteed full harvest of fruit is given to the Saint- II Pet 1:8 note in you & Abound!

If you have none of these sweet clusters of fruit- you are not in the vine! -

III.- DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS?

"If your hand offends you- cut it off."  If what you are doing is not God's will- cut it out!

A.-TO BEAR FRUIT YOU MUST BE IN CHRIST! THIS MEANS YOU MUST BE SAVED, AND KNOW IT!  ARE YOU?

If you could only take one look at Hell- you would flee to Christ! Why not because you want to?

B.-TO BEAR MUCH FRUIT YOU MUST ABIDE IN CHRIST - A CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP MOMENT BY MOMENT

If you have no regular personal devotional time- I beg you- start now! Not much fruit without it

C.-TO BEAR MORE FRUIT YOU MUST BE PURGED! THE SAP-SUCKING USELESS BRANCH MUST BE CUT OFF!

1. Parents- you must say NO to your children & make it stick- till they can say NO to themselves
2. Morality is the No 1 Natl problem- Adults- any thought of immorality-cut off quick!-Save marriages
3. Boys- preserve clean minds- pornography- evil thoughts cut off!  Deadly- & cannot be erased!
4. Girls- Help them- Clothe yourselves!- Breasts, Bottoms, & Bellybuttons!- turn on sin!  Cut it out!
     Republic reported Hefner's survey- it is the younger ones who are perverted by Porno.
5. If you Smoke or Drink -Easiest time to quit is NOW - Not one drop!  Cigarettes!  Cut off sapsucker!
6. There are many things- Dancing, Hollywood Shows, Worldly Music, Slang (swearing), stops fruit
7. There are small things- Coming late to Services, talking in Church, Sitting away from Vine

Some just annoying-having a party in Pastor's office, capture the chair-tie up phone-
And a host of other things- Draw up your own list- Lay it on the altar of God- Cut it out!

WE SCHEDULE REVIVALS AND HIRE EVANGELIST (SURGEON) TO LOP-OFF THE DEAD BRANCHES- -LET GOD DO IT!

1. There is no life without Christ- Come to Him and connect with Him now!
2. There is no fruit without abiding deeply in Christ-
3. There is no joy without sweet fruit -let God give you joy- get rid of sapsuckers