JOHN 15:1-6
I. "I AM THE TRUE VINE."
A. Where this was said.
1. Passing gate of temple?
a. Psalms.
b. Isa. wild grapes.
2. Mountain side?
B. True vine not in contrast with false. True bread.
1. In contrast with types.
2. Israel was type of vine.
3. She became unfruitful.
II. "MY FATHER IS THE HUSBAND MAN."
A. The Father who cultivates.
B. The Father who glories in the fruit.
Ill "YE ARE THE BRANCHES."
A. Branches serve only one purpose.
1. Bear the fruit.
2. They do not even produce the fruit.
3. This is sole purpose of branch.
B. The branch can only bear by abiding.
1. What does it take to abide?
a. Strength? No!
b. Weakness. You can abide wherever you are. It takes strength to move.
c. So when we recognize our weakness . . .
C. The result of not bearing fruit.
1. "He taketh away."
2. He lifteth up.
D. The results of bearing fruit.
1. "He purgeth it."
a. This purgeth not equivalent to pruning.
b. Greek word "cleanseth."
c. Washes off deposits of insects, parasites & moss.
2. The water for cleansing is the Word. vs. 3.
"Now ye are clean through the Word."
So we see here the removal by the Word of that which would obstruct the flow of life
& fatness through the Vine.
3. Affliction sometimes leads us to the Word.
a. Ps. 119:67, 71.
4. Cleansing not to fit us for heaven
E. Barrenness not cured by activities.
1. Many times upon awareness person gets active.
2. Cured by abiding
IV. WHAT IS THE FRUIT PRODUCED?
A. Souls?
B. The fruit of the Spirit is Love.
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