WEBVTT

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 Well, before I forget, and just in case there was confusion about what's happening tonight, I want you to know that there is a family gathering taking place, not small groups.

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!

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 So I think the calendar online is out of sync maybe with...

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 So anyway, if any of you were confused, maybe it's just me, I was confused, please come tonight.

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 We're having a family gathering this evening.

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 Well, today I want to continue our time in John chapter 15, verses 1 to 11.

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 We got a start at it last week, and hopefully we'll finish off these last remaining verses of 1 to 11 this morning.

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 Talking about the significance of our fruitfulness and what God demands for our lives in terms of being fruitful people.

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 What does that mean? How does that play out?

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 And what do we need to do as people to be fruitful in this world?

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 As I was thinking about this subject this morning, I was reminded a little bit about our home back in Aurora, Illinois.

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 And I have a picture here I want to show you.

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 It's maybe not the best picture.

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 But you see, in our front lawn, this massive willow tree.

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 It was a picture of health and beauty.

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 And one of the great things about this tree is that, especially during the summertime,

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 it provided the kind of shade and comfort that we enjoyed as a family.

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 And our kids often would climb little knobs in the trunk of this tree,

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 and they would make their way up into the branches, and it was just a delight for our family.

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 Massive tree, massive branches, leaves that were green and without disease.

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 And from all appearances, external appearances, it was a picture of health.

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 Well, you know where this is going.

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 We went for a walk as a family.

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 We went to the park and enjoyed some time at the park.

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 And on the way back home, we were making our way, and my wife saw these storm clouds coming.

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 And being from California, she didn't know what storm clouds meant.

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 She says, what's going on there?

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 And I saw how quickly these clouds were coming.

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 And I literally told the family, run!

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 Which we did.

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 And we were hightailing it down the street, but it wasn't long before the wind almost picked us up and knocked us down.

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 The gusts of wind were enormous.

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 I think 50, 60 mile an hour gusts of wind and the rain pelting us in the face.

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 We had no idea this storm was coming.

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 And when we showed up at our house, this is what we saw.

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 Can you see that?

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 We saw this tree that was the picture of health split down the center in half of the tree now laying across our driveway.

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 And upon further inspection of this tree, what seemed to be a picture of health demonstrated that it was in actuality a tree of rot.

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 A tree of disease.

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 A tree that was eaten by bugs from the inside.

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 So that all that remained of real life was only about a one inch ring of life that circled this tree.

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 And in several areas, there wasn't any life at all.

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 And yet it still was supporting this picture of life there in the front of our yard.

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 Now I give you this illustration because unfortunately that is also true of so many of our lives.

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 Especially those of us who have grown up in the church.

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 We know the right appearances.

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 We know how to give the right answers.

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 We know what's expected of us in terms of showing up to the right events.

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 And involving ourselves in the right kinds of ministry.

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 We know the right kind of attitude and what's expected of us in terms of the right answers in our family and keeping them in line.

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 But when the real test is made of our heart, it demonstrates that there really isn't the kind of fruitfulness or integrity that we seek to convey.

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 It really is barrenness inside.

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 We've learned to walk through the paces.

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 We've learned to check the right list.

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 And we've learned to give the right appearance to the people who are watching.

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 But deep down inside, there is really nothing of change.

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 There is nothing of real lasting relationship.

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 There's nothing transformational in us that would indicate that anything of substance has taken place in our life.

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 And Jesus here on this last night, just hours before he is going to be crucified, deals with this significant subject for his disciples.

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 Here they are just hours from the time where Jesus is going to be put on the cross.

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 And he's having this private discussion with his disciples.

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 What will he tell them in these final moments?

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 What is of utmost significance to them as he leaves them to do the ministry and turns them loose to this great mission of making disciples of all nations?

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 What will be the staying power for them?

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 What will be the driving force?

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 What will help them to be fruitful in this time of discipleship and representing their Messiah?

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 Well, Jesus concentrates on many things through the course of this discussion with them from chapters 14 through chapter 16 in his conversation with the disciples.

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 And one of those things that he concentrates on is this idea or concept of the Father.

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 Now, Jesus has spoken greatly about the Father throughout the course of his ministry.

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 But in these final hours with them, Jesus' focus on the Father is significant.

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 So that 45 times in 82 verses, Jesus wants to draw the attention of his disciples to the Father.

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 And he must have blown them away.

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 Their concept of God was shattered at the coming of Christ.

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 Sure, they knew that God the Father was all-powerful and all-wise and all-knowing.

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 And he was just and holy and pure.

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 But now they were beginning to understand that God the Father was also personal.

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 That God the Father was a forgiving God.

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 That God the Father was a God of mercy.

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 That God the Father wanted to have a relationship with them.

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 And Jesus conveys to them the fact this staying force is that the Father will not only help to give you comfort and strength through the time of your ministry.

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 The Father will make you fruitful.

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 The Father will drive you in the purpose for which I have called you.

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 The Father will help you be the kinds of people that I've called you to be.

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 It doesn't have to happen on your own.

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 It doesn't have to be something that you put together for yourself.

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 It is something that as you are interested and involved in a relationship with me will be the natural outflow of life that is connected to Christ.

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 And so coming now to John chapter 15.

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 Let me remind us of what some of the things that we talked about last week in verses 1 through 3.

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 I'll read this for us.

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 John chapter 15 verses 1 to 3.

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 If you're a guest with us this morning, it's on page 901 in the Pew Bible.

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 This is what it says.

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 I am the true vine and my father the vine dresser.

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 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away.

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 And every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes that it may bear more fruit.

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 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

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 As we read through this passage and especially verses 1 to 11, what rises to the surface is the fact that there is a demand on our life for fruitfulness.

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 The father demands fruitfulness from his disciples.

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 We saw that last week in point number one that you have as a reminder this morning.

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 Fruitfulness is demanded by the father, but fruitfulness is only accomplished in the son.

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 God is not only deeply interested in fruitfulness.

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 He had not only called the people of Israel to be his vine throughout the Old Testament.

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 He had consistently referred to them as his vine.

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 But as with everything else in the lives of this Jewish nation, this nation of Israel, the people of God, they let God down.

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 They failed him utterly.

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 A nation that was supposed to be the kingdom of priests.

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 They were supposed to be a holy nation.

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 They were supposed to be a light to the Gentiles.

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 A covenant people.

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 And his own special vineyard.

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 But Israel was wayward.

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 They had trouble following the commands of God.

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 Their idolatrous heart was caught up with affection for the world.

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 But instead of God wiping his hands and saying,

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 Good riddance to you because you're not able to fulfill the objectives that I had placed before you,

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 sends his son, Jesus, to be what Israel could not.

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 Jesus was the answer to Israel's problem.

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 And Jesus is the answer to our problem today.

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 We, like Israel, are unfruitful.

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 We, like Israel, are unable to fulfill the expectations of God for our life.

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 But through Christ, if we're connected to him, we can be accepted.

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 We can be fruitful.

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 We can be filled with the purpose of God as he's working through our lives.

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 God sent Jesus to accomplish what Israel could not.

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 Jesus as the seed of Abraham.

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 Jesus as the true fulfillment of the law.

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 Jesus as the promised servant.

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 As the light to the world.

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 And as we find here in John 15, 1, Jesus as the vine.

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 The one who would be fruitful and meet the demands that God had for our lives.

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 The question for us this morning as we work our way through this passage is,

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 Are we, are you, a fruitful vine?

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 If God has demanded us to be fruitful and has given us the ability to be fruitful in Christ,

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 are we placing our confidence in Christ so that we can be fruitful as well?

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 So it is accomplished in the Son.

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 It's assisted by the Godhead.

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 We see that in verse 2.

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 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away.

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 Every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes.

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 That it may bear more fruit.

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 We saw in our study last week that God condescends to us to serve us.

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 What an unbelievable concept.

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 That the God who deserves our worship, who deserves our service,

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 condescends to us to serve us, to help make us more fruitful.

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 And God's ministry to us is to prune us, to discipline us, to help us to make more fruit.

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 He also has a ministry to either cut off or destroy those who are unfruitful.

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 And the question that comes to us in this passage is,

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 What does it mean every branch in me that does not bear fruit?

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 Who are these individuals and what does it mean to be connected to Christ?

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 Are these individuals losing their salvation?

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 And we saw that the Old Testament concept of being in someone had more to do with association

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 than it had to do with union.

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 As we'll find as the dawn of the New Testament era, the new church era would take place.

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 As the Holy Spirit would fill the hearts of people and unify them in Christ,

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 that would be the concept of the church era.

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 But the disciples in hearing Christ's message had a different idea of connectiveness.

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 They're thinking more in terms of identity.

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 They're thinking more in terms of association.

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 And as we look through the Gospel of John, we see certainly that is what is taking place.

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 We see that there are people in John chapter 8 who essentially believe.

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 It says they have this superficial faith, this belief in God.

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 But we find out later in the same passage that Jesus calls them sons of their father, the devil.

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 They had belief on the surface, but the testimony of that faith did not lead them to confidence

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 in the words of God.

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 We also saw in John chapter 6 this great enthusiasm for Jesus in following after him,

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 after the feeding of the 5,000.

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 And yet, as Jesus shares some hard words in the message of eating his body and drinking his blood,

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 the followers of Christ who seemed initially so enthusiastic had identified themselves with his ministry.

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 Later on, it says they turn and follow him no more.

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 And now Jesus has got to help his own disciples, his own band of 12,

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 who among them, Judas, would be one who would betray the Savior.

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 What would the disciples do in terms of understanding how this could take place?

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 Jesus needs to help them recognize that there are fruitful vines,

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 there are fruitful branches, and there are unfruitful branches.

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 Those who are true disciples and those who are superficial disciples.

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 And that God, in observing fruit, will discard the unfruitful

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 and will help to prune and nurture those who are fruitful to make more fruit.

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 So the ministry of the Godhead in helping to create fruitfulness in his people.

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 And finally, we saw that it is something that is accompanied by a changed life.

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 Jesus points here in verse 3 to a group of individuals who have been clean.

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 Their heart had been transformed.

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 Certainly, there was more work to do.

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 There was more understanding for their minds.

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 There was more maturity that they needed to arrive at.

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 But they were on the path.

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 They had humbled themselves.

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 They had repented for their sin.

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 They had left all to follow Christ.

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 They were moving in the right direction.

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 Their heart had demonstrated a purity.

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 It had demonstrated that the Word had sanctified them and made them pure.

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 They were moving in the right direction.

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 Something had taken place inside.

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 It was more than just a casual conformity to God's standard.

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 It was a transformation that had happened.

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 Certainly, more work to be done in their lives, as we'll see in the Gospel of Acts.

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 But at least, in the moment, that work of God had become evident.

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 Now, that leads us to our next point that we find in verses 4 to 6.

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 Let me read this for us, and we'll make our way.

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 It says,

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 If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers,

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 and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

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 What we find in this section of John chapter 15 is,

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 fruitfulness is not just demanded by the Father.

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 Fruitfulness is dependent on the Son.

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 Fruitfulness is dependent on the Son.

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 We find this statement repeated a couple of times.

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 Abide in me.

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 Jesus is suggesting that there is something that needs to happen in relationship to him,

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 in connection to him.

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 If fruitfulness will take place,

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 it can only happen through connection of an abiding relationship with Jesus himself.

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 You must abide.

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 You must remain.

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 You must stay.

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 You must exist or keep on.

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 We find this repeated several times through this passage.

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 We find it twice in verse 4,

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 once in verse 5,

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 once in verse 6,

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 in verse 7,

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 in verse 9,

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 in verse 10.

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 This is an overriding theme.

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 Abide in me.

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 And although God is integral to the process,

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 even though God the Father is ministering to his people to help them be more fruitful,

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 we find that there is personal responsibility.

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 There is a way that we can get in the way and we can hinder the work of God in our life.

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 There is a way that we can sever this abiding relationship that God desires to have with us.

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 Now, the danger at this point in the message is to tell you all the things you need to do

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 in order to have an abiding relationship with Christ.

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 Now, I could tell you about the importance of having your devotions.

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 I could talk about the importance of time with God in prayer.

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 I could talk about the importance of ministry and coming and worshiping God in a corporate setting.

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 I could talk about all the things that we need to do to have this abiding relationship.

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 But the idea that is conveyed by this word and conveyed through the ministry of Christ

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 is that it has very little to do with what we're involved in

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 and more to do with who we are.

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 Now, that's difficult for us to even try to describe.

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 How do I describe a state of being rather than describe something that we do?

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 And I think one of the reasons why it's so difficult for us to describe a state of being

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 is because it is so unfamiliar to us in this busy, frantic culture.

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 We like doing.

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 We know doing.

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 We can do doing.

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 Give me a checklist and I'll make sure it gets completed.

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 Help me to know what the mechanics are and I'll walk through the system.

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 I want the checklist.

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 But when we talk about resting, existing, dwelling, and remaining,

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 those concepts are so foreign to us.

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:01.339
 What does it mean to abide?

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.299
 What does it mean to rest?

00:21:03.679 --> 00:21:06.539
 What does it mean to exist in God?

00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:09.799
 How do I make that happen in my life?

00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:16.920
 Perhaps some help can be found in Jeremiah 2, verse 13.

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:19.500
 I would encourage you to turn with me.

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:21.319
 Keep your finger in John chapter 15.

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.980
 Turn with me to Jeremiah.

00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:34.559
 Jeremiah 2, verse 13.

00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:43.339
 Those of you who are guests, it's on page 628.

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:53.019
 Jeremiah, or God, through the prophet Jeremiah, gives this indictment to the people.

00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.440
 He says,

00:21:54.440 --> 00:22:24.420
 I think this describes in very clear terms what an abiding relationship is.

00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:31.980
 Rather than drinking from the fountain of living water,

00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:37.019
 this group of individuals commits two evils.

00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:44.559
 They reject the source of life and refreshment.

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:49.420
 Instead, they set up for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns at that,

00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:55.700
 which hold no water, can provide no nourishment, can provide no life, and no help, and no comfort.

00:22:55.700 --> 00:23:02.140
 We are so often very much like that.

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:10.180
 When hurting, we mask it through leisure, vacation, television.

00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:15.100
 Anything to dampen out the pain that we feel.

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:20.400
 Anything that we can do to unplug from the hurt that is going on inside.

00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:26.380
 When anxious, we turn to any number of things that help make us secure.

00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:31.900
 When falling behind financially, we work harder and longer,

00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:35.580
 and we're eager to make sure that we can get ahead.

00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:38.880
 When discouraged, we sleep.

00:23:39.520 --> 00:23:40.100
 We unplug.

00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:43.820
 We drown our sorrows in a fury of activity

00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:47.660
 to help us forget the discouragement that we have.

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:53.259
 We have at our disposal the fountain of living water,

00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:57.519
 but instead, we drink at the desert of the world.

00:23:58.019 --> 00:24:02.440
 We fill up our hearts with everything but the Lord.

00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:09.400
 We seek to find our satisfaction in all these things that are apart from Him.

00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:13.360
 But in order for us to really abide in Christ,

00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:16.400
 there is a sense in which we need to be still.

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.860
 And know that He is God.

00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.660
 It takes time.

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.620
 It takes quiet.

00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.460
 It takes meditation.

00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.779
 And reflection.

00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.080
 And waiting.

00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.540
 And listening.

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.920
 And examination.

00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:35.480
 And giving God the opportunity to speak to your heart

00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:38.320
 as you are listening to Him through His Word.

00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:41.779
 Not a rushed time through your devotions

00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.640
 or a hurried time in prayer,

00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:48.400
 but a deliberate and focused opportunity

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:51.440
 of waiting at the feet of Christ

00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:54.940
 and asking Him to expose in your own soul

00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:58.600
 the areas of dissatisfaction

00:24:58.600 --> 00:25:03.259
 so that He can be the one who provides fulfillment.

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:06.400
 so that He can be the one who provides comfort

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.819
 and strength

00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.019
 and purpose

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.839
 and direction

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.920
 and sustenance

00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.640
 and identity

00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:15.619
 and moment-by-moment breath.

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:22.379
 God wants us to be like a flower

00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:26.539
 that is put into a glass with dye

00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:28.219
 and filled up with the dye

00:25:28.219 --> 00:25:32.000
 so that it shows up in the blossom.

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:35.819
 He wants us to abide in Him

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:38.500
 and to find Him as the life source.

00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:42.299
 To find Him as the root

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:44.920
 by which we find comfort

00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:47.119
 and happiness and joy.

00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.380
 Last week I encouraged you

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.799
 to ask yourself two questions.

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:54.099
 The first question is

00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.359
 how do you respond

00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:58.839
 when all the good things that you've done

00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:01.019
 lead to disaster?

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.099
 disaster.

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.339
 Like,

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:05.500
 you've been faithful

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:07.220
 to do your exercises.

00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:09.279
 You have made sure

00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.759
 you have the right diet.

00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:12.680
 You make sure

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:15.279
 that you spend time with Him.

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.460
 You're working

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:18.619
 and doing all the things

00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.859
 that God expects you to do

00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:22.539
 but then you get that fateful news

00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.619
 from the doctor

00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.799
 that you have cancer.

00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.579
 Or you get that fateful news

00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.759
 that you have that illness

00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.779
 that is incurable.

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:32.839
 And then you begin to wonder,

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.420
 Lord,

00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:35.839
 what is it that I did wrong?

00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:37.579
 Why are you allowing this

00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:39.259
 to happen in my life?

00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.059
 You ever been there?

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.240
 You ever faced that?

00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.059
 You ever been confronted

00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.900
 with the resentment

00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.839
 and the bitterness

00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:49.720
 of wondering why God

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:52.000
 lets bad things happen

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.259
 to good people?

00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:56.779
 that flows from a heart

00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:59.660
 that is not understanding

00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.379
 the significance

00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.579
 of abiding in Him.

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.640
 That recognizing

00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.980
 that God allows

00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.599
 hard things to happen

00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.240
 in life

00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:09.579
 so that He can reinforce

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:11.960
 this abiding relationship.

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:14.400
 So that He can strengthen

00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:16.500
 your need for Him.

00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:19.140
 So that He can prove Himself

00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:21.279
 sufficient for all things.

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:23.119
 that He can magnify

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:24.980
 your testimony in the world.

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.379
 That people can look

00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.539
 at your life and say,

00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:29.339
 wow, they have a peace

00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:31.139
 that passes understanding.

00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:33.339
 Their God must be

00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.899
 an amazing God

00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:36.240
 if He's able to sustain them

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.599
 through that crisis.

00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.779
 God does that for us.

00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:43.180
 He doesn't lead us

00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:44.559
 to hard things

00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:46.299
 because He delights

00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.440
 in seeing us

00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.500
 in trouble.

00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.599
 He leads us

00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.359
 to hard things

00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.640
 to press us in

00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.559
 to deeper,

00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:54.400
 more abiding relationship

00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:54.940
 with Himself.

00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.559
 It is good for us.

00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.619
 It's good for our testimony.

00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.380
 It's good

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.460
 as the world

00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.619
 sees

00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:04.240
 that God is sufficient.

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.579
 That leads

00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.400
 to the next question.

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.480
 The next question would be,

00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.339
 what is connection

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.220
 to Christ

00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.380
 worth to you?

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.259
 What are you willing

00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.039
 to say, God?

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.440
 You can have access

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:19.720
 to this in my life

00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:21.379
 in order

00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:22.539
 for your,

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.960
 my relationship

00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.359
 with you

00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.599
 to be strengthened.

00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.619
 I think of

00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.839
 Philippians chapter 3

00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:30.399
 where the Apostle Paul

00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:30.899
 says

00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:32.639
 that I might know Him

00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.920
 in the power

00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.639
 of His resurrection

00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.720
 and the fellowship

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.720
 of His sufferings.

00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.379
 Paul was willing

00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:39.440
 to go through the paces

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.879
 in order to deepen

00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:42.299
 that abiding relationship

00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.299
 with Christ.

00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:46.579
 maybe it requires

00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.859
 a measure

00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:49.819
 of laying down

00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.279
 and saying,

00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:50.599
 God,

00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:53.619
 I need you

00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.500
 to humble me.

00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:55.940
 I need you

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.579
 to break me.

00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.579
 I need to be

00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.700
 the kind of individual

00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:01.639
 who sees my sin

00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.599
 for what it is

00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:05.359
 so that you can lead me

00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.000
 to purity.

00:29:06.159 --> 00:29:06.879
 You can lead me

00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:09.220
 to reflecting

00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.319
 your greatness

00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:13.859
 more spectacularly

00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.559
 in this world.

00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:16.779
 What is it going

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.200
 to take

00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.740
 to be more fruitful?

00:29:19.439 --> 00:29:20.319
 It's going to take

00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.799
 an abiding relationship

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.379
 with Christ

00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.059
 that is more than

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.759
 just doing

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.500
 but it's being,

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.859
 being

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:28.299
 and existing

00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.759
 in Him

00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:31.559
 no matter the cost.

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:34.919
 verse 6

00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:36.399
 helps us

00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:36.899
 to understand

00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:38.139
 another point

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.519
 of this

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.700
 is you must

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.940
 also be aware

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:42.159
 of future judgment.

00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.700
 You must be aware

00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.679
 of future judgment.

00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.500
 There is a day

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.099
 of reckoning.

00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.159
 The vine dresser

00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:51.379
 takes special interest

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.679
 in his vineyard

00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:54.119
 and he will not

00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.700
 tolerate

00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.960
 unfruitful branches

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:58.500
 especially when he knows

00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.839
 that the life source,

00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.179
 those who are connected

00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:01.980
 to the life source

00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:04.340
 will bring fruit.

00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.180
 You will not endure

00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.240
 the barren branches

00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.000
 for long.

00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.539
 Luke chapter 13

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.460
 kind of gives us

00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.440
 a parable

00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.000
 where Jesus

00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.140
 illustrates this.

00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.740
 Listen as I read

00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.100
 from Luke chapter 13.

00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:22.220
 Jesus tells this parable

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.740
 a man

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.920
 had a fig tree

00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:25.160
 planted in his vineyard.

00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.600
 He came seeking

00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:27.160
 fruit on it

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.840
 and found none

00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:29.039
 and he said

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.279
 to the vine dresser

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.899
 look for three years

00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.899
 now I have come

00:30:32.899 --> 00:30:34.039
 seeking fruit

00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:34.920
 on this fig tree

00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:36.240
 and I find none

00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.240
 cut it down.

00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.059
 Why should it

00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.019
 use up the ground?

00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:42.059
 And he answered him

00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.460
 sir

00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.720
 let it alone

00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.500
 this year also

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.599
 until I dig around

00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.879
 it and put on manure.

00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.599
 Then if it should

00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.720
 bear fruit next year

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.740
 well and good

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.460
 but if not

00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.799
 you can cut it down.

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.839
 We find as a principle

00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.519
 through scripture

00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:57.019
 that there is

00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.019
 patient

00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:59.400
 enduring

00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:01.900
 waiting

00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:04.119
 on God's part

00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:05.240
 to nurture

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:07.900
 the fruitless branches

00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:09.220
 so that it can

00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.940
 demonstrate

00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.559
 either fruitfulness

00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:13.200
 or barrenness.

00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:15.720
 Picture of God's mercy

00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.500
 with Israel

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.680
 and also a picture

00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.639
 of God's mercy

00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.480
 for us.

00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.639
 He did not want to

00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.700
 sever the branches

00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.519
 that could

00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.819
 eventually be fruitful.

00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.299
 And God knows

00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:26.900
 our hearts

00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:28.420
 so that would

00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.000
 never happen

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.059
 but God

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.940
 demonstrates

00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:32.259
 his endurance

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.240
 with us.

00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.400
 As 2 Peter says

00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.279
 the Lord is not

00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:36.859
 slow

00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.660
 to fulfill

00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.279
 his promise

00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.819
 as some

00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.720
 count slowness

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:41.339
 but is patient

00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:42.180
 towards you

00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.359
 not wishing

00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:43.819
 that any

00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.480
 should perish

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.839
 but that all

00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.720
 should reach

00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.519
 repentance.

00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.160
 But there is

00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.619
 accountability.

00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.700
 There will be

00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.480
 a day of reckoning

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.640
 and God

00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.360
 will judge

00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.860
 based upon

00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.620
 your connection

00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.180
 to Christ

00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.980
 whether or not

00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.920
 you've been

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.400
 fruitful.

00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.880
 The consequences

00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:03.279
 of not abiding

00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.860
 in Christ

00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.700
 are devastating.

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.360
 Are you

00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:07.660
 a fruitful vine?

00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.319
 Now moving

00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.700
 to this last point

00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.200
 from verses

00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.480
 7 to 11

00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.960
 we find that

00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.420
 fruitfulness

00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:16.599
 is a delight

00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.880
 to God's people.

00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:19.560
 Those who

00:32:19.560 --> 00:32:20.480
 demonstrate

00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.320
 fruitfulness

00:32:21.320 --> 00:32:22.660
 will get to

00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.360
 experience

00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:24.180
 the joy

00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.760
 of that

00:32:24.760 --> 00:32:25.220
 fruitfulness

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.400
 and what that

00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.640
 means in terms

00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:28.400
 of their

00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:28.980
 relationship

00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.560
 with God.

00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.420
 We see

00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.580
 six ways

00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:34.580
 that fruitfulness

00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:35.380
 is a delight

00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:36.240
 to God's people

00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:38.400
 sprinkled out

00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:39.320
 through verses

00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:40.620
 7 to 11.

00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.660
 Let me read

00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.520
 this for us.

00:32:42.580 --> 00:32:43.320
 It says this

00:32:43.320 --> 00:32:44.840
 If you abide

00:32:44.840 --> 00:32:45.120
 in me

00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.820
 and my words

00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:46.760
 abide in you

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:48.319
 ask whatever

00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:48.859
 you wish

00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.279
 and it will

00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.879
 be done

00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.379
 for you.

00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.879
 By this

00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.720
 my Father

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.819
 is glorified

00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.879
 that you

00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.400
 bear much

00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:55.660
 fruit

00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.099
 and so

00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.720
 prove

00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.720
 to be

00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.339
 my disciples.

00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.059
 As the

00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.579
 Father has

00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.099
 loved me

00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.339
 so have

00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:02.859
 I loved

00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.059
 you.

00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.779
 Abide

00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.599
 in my

00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:04.960
 love.

00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.379
 If you

00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:06.779
 keep my

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.160
 commandments

00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:07.559
 you will

00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:07.940
 abide in

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.319
 my love

00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.420
 just as I

00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:09.980
 have kept

00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.940
 my Father's

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.379
 commandments

00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.559
 and abide

00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.000
 in his

00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.299
 love.

00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:14.940
 These things

00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.319
 I have

00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:15.839
 spoken to

00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.059
 you.

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.160
 That my

00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:17.920
 joy may

00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:18.319
 be in

00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.599
 you

00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:19.559
 and that

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.279
 your joy

00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.299
 may be

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:21.500
 full.

00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.339
 Listed up

00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:23.799
 here on

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.680
 the screen

00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:26.000
 are the

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.980
 six ways

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.619
 in this

00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.240
 passage

00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:30.240
 that God

00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.400
 brings pleasure

00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.319
 and favor

00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.099
 to those

00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:33.559
 who are

00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:33.900
 fruitful.

00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:34.660
 Those who

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.299
 are connected

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:35.859
 to Christ

00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:36.839
 can enjoy

00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.480
 the benefits

00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.200
 that come

00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:38.859
 as a result.

00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.539
 First in

00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.299
 verse 7

00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.799
 we find

00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.359
 prayer

00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.140
 that is

00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:43.599
 answered.

00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:45.119
 Here we

00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:45.740
 get a

00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.200
 glimpse

00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.519
 of a

00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:46.759
 life

00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:46.920
 of

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.340
 harmony

00:33:47.340 --> 00:33:47.940
 with

00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.340
 God's

00:33:48.340 --> 00:33:49.039
 words.

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:49.819
 They

00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.039
 will

00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.360
 be

00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:50.900
 received

00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:52.059
 and

00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.340
 as

00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:52.559
 we

00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:52.779
 are

00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.539
 existing

00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:53.940
 in

00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.299
 the

00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:54.559
 word

00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:54.759
 of

00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.080
 God

00:33:55.080 --> 00:33:55.319
 we

00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:55.620
 will

00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.000
 know

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.720
 exactly

00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.680
 the

00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:57.940
 things

00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.120
 that

00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:58.420
 please

00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:58.759
 God.

00:33:59.299 --> 00:33:59.500
 It

00:33:59.500 --> 00:33:59.700
 will

00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.420
 direct

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.799
 our

00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.259
 prayers.

00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:01.500


00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:01.660
 will

00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:02.440
 help

00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:02.759
 us

00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:02.960
 to

00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.400
 pray

00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:03.620
 for

00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:04.019
 things

00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.259
 that

00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:04.519
 God

00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.160
 already

00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:05.600
 wants

00:34:05.600 --> 00:34:05.779
 to

00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.100
 give.

00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:07.819
 Jesus

00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.059
 has

00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.360
 already

00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:08.780
 emphasized

00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.179
 this

00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.460
 point

00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:09.679
 in

00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:09.900
 John

00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.179
 chapter

00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:10.579
 14

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.299
 16

00:34:11.299 --> 00:34:11.559
 and

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:11.779
 he'll

00:34:11.779 --> 00:34:12.299
 emphasize

00:34:12.299 --> 00:34:12.639
 it

00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:12.940
 again

00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.159
 in

00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:13.400
 John

00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:13.699
 chapter

00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.299
 16

00:34:14.299 --> 00:34:15.179
 whatever

00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:16.019
 you

00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:16.599
 ask

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:16.840
 in

00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.119
 my

00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.579
 name

00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.219
 that

00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.480
 I

00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:18.619
 will

00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:18.920
 do.

00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.099
 This

00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.500
 is a

00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.099
 significant

00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.599
 theme

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:21.819
 for

00:34:21.819 --> 00:34:22.179
 Christ

00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.920
 especially

00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.380
 in

00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:23.840
 these

00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.279
 last

00:34:24.279 --> 00:34:24.840
 moments

00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.139
 with

00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:25.299
 his

00:34:25.299 --> 00:34:25.739
 disciples.

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:26.840
 We'll

00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.039
 look at

00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:27.199
 this

00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:27.440
 more

00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:27.679
 in

00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:27.900
 depth

00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.079
 when

00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.199
 we

00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:28.319
 get

00:34:28.319 --> 00:34:28.460
 to

00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:28.699
 chapter

00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:29.179
 16

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.500
 but

00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:29.739
 just

00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:29.920
 to

00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:30.559
 call

00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:30.699
 it

00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:30.799
 to

00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:30.900
 your

00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.319
 attention

00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:32.259
 prayer

00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:32.519
 that

00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:32.659
 is

00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.079
 answered.

00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:34.900
 Maybe

00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.119
 one

00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.259
 of

00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:35.679
 the

00:34:35.679 --> 00:34:36.440
 greatest

00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:37.440
 recent

00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.019
 examples

00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.400
 of

00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:38.980
 someone

00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.420
 who

00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.519
 committed

00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:40.960
 himself

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.519
 to

00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.099
 this

00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.480
 kind

00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:42.639
 of

00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:42.900
 living

00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.179
 was

00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.579
 George

00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:43.900
 Mueller.

00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.360
 Any

00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:45.619
 of you

00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:45.880
 who

00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:46.239
 know

00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:46.619
 George

00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:46.940
 Mueller

00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.539
 know

00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:47.679
 that

00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:47.799
 he

00:34:47.799 --> 00:34:48.219
 lived

00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:48.579
 in

00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.039
 the

00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:50.000
 1800s

00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:51.019
 and

00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.179
 he

00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:51.480
 says

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.679
 this

00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:51.819
 of

00:34:51.819 --> 00:34:51.960
 his

00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.380
 life.

00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:53.539
 He

00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:53.719
 says

00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:53.880
 I

00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.039
 have

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:54.619
 joyfully

00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.259
 dedicated

00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:55.539
 my

00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:55.779
 whole

00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:56.179
 life

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:56.960
 to

00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.139
 the

00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.639
 object

00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:58.079
 of

00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.519
 showing

00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:58.840
 how

00:34:58.840 --> 00:34:59.279
 much

00:34:59.279 --> 00:34:59.519
 may

00:34:59.519 --> 00:34:59.659
 be

00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:00.139
 accomplished

00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:00.980
 by

00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.559
 prayer

00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.259
 and

00:35:02.259 --> 00:35:02.679
 faith.

00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.219
 George

00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:04.559
 Mueller

00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.099
 not

00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:05.420
 only

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.239
 exemplified

00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:06.460
 that

00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:06.659
 but

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.299
 George

00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.599
 Mueller

00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:08.340
 recorded

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.400
 at least

00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.360
 10,000

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:10.920
 ways

00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.519
 that God

00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:11.960
 answered

00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:12.179
 his

00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:12.420
 prayer

00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:12.920
 directly

00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:13.179
 through

00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:13.340
 the

00:35:13.340 --> 00:35:13.679
 course

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.079
 of

00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.219
 his

00:35:14.219 --> 00:35:14.579
 life

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:14.759
 in

00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:15.159
 ministry.

00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.819
 He

00:35:16.819 --> 00:35:17.159
 lived

00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:17.380
 this

00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:17.679
 out.

00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:18.519
 He

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:18.679
 was

00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:18.980
 a

00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.440
 pastor.

00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:20.059
 He

00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.299
 helped

00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:21.059
 to

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:23.480
 develop

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:23.799
 a

00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:24.139
 training

00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:24.599
 center,

00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:24.860
 a

00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.380
 seminary

00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:25.619
 during

00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:25.819
 his

00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:26.099
 day.

00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:26.799
 He

00:35:26.799 --> 00:35:26.940
 was

00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.239
 also

00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:27.799
 responsible

00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:28.059
 for

00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:28.199
 an

00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:28.719
 orphanage

00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:28.960
 where

00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.340
 there

00:35:29.340 --> 00:35:29.460
 were

00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.440
 10,000

00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:30.960
 children

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.420
 that

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.380
 streamed

00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:32.659
 through

00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.339
 the

00:35:33.339 --> 00:35:33.639
 course

00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:33.819
 of

00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:34.139
 his

00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:34.859
 ministry

00:35:34.859 --> 00:35:35.059
 to

00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.259
 them

00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:35.739
 and

00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:35.940
 not

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.420
 once

00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:36.639
 did

00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:36.920
 George

00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.199
 Mueller

00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:37.899
 ask

00:35:37.899 --> 00:35:38.619
 people

00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:38.859
 to

00:35:38.859 --> 00:35:39.059
 give

00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.159
 a

00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:39.559
 donation.

00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.239
 He

00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:41.619
 was

00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.119
 committed

00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:42.719
 to

00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:43.500
 God

00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:43.779
 being

00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:44.219
 able

00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:44.460
 to

00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:44.739
 show

00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.000
 up

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.139
 and

00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.559
 answer

00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:46.119
 prayer

00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:47.980
 independent

00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:48.279
 of

00:35:48.279 --> 00:35:48.799
 his

00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:49.399
 request

00:35:49.399 --> 00:35:50.059
 and

00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:50.239
 God

00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:50.399
 was

00:35:50.399 --> 00:35:50.779
 faithful.

00:35:52.879 --> 00:35:53.000
 And

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.199
 George

00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:53.500
 Mueller

00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.879
 in

00:35:54.879 --> 00:35:55.299
 his

00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:56.239
 heart's

00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:56.679
 desire

00:35:56.679 --> 00:35:56.960
 to

00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:57.339
 show

00:35:57.339 --> 00:35:58.179
 joyfully

00:35:58.179 --> 00:36:00.219
 that

00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:00.440
 God

00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:00.579
 is

00:36:00.579 --> 00:36:00.779
 able

00:36:00.779 --> 00:36:00.960
 to

00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:01.199
 answer

00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:01.559
 prayer

00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.779
 demonstrated

00:36:02.779 --> 00:36:03.119
 that

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.339
 very

00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:03.639
 thing.

00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:04.480
 He's

00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:04.579
 an

00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:04.899
 example

00:36:04.899 --> 00:36:05.099
 to

00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:05.419
 us.

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.000
 God

00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:06.440
 does

00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:06.919
 answer

00:36:06.919 --> 00:36:07.299
 prayer.

00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:08.419
 Secondly,

00:36:08.859 --> 00:36:09.739
 praise

00:36:09.739 --> 00:36:10.159
 to the

00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:10.460
 Father.

00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:11.579
 Do you

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.019
 realize

00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:12.659
 that when

00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:13.259
 God

00:36:13.259 --> 00:36:13.779
 changes

00:36:13.779 --> 00:36:14.199
 your

00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:14.659
 life,

00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:15.500
 when

00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:15.779
 God

00:36:15.779 --> 00:36:16.179
 moves

00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:16.480
 you

00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:17.779
 from

00:36:17.779 --> 00:36:18.859
 the

00:36:18.859 --> 00:36:19.259
 person

00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:19.500
 that

00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:19.679
 you

00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:20.019
 were

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.379
 to

00:36:20.379 --> 00:36:20.940
 a

00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.339
 person

00:36:21.339 --> 00:36:21.659
 who

00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:21.799
 is

00:36:21.799 --> 00:36:21.980
 a

00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.199
 new

00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:22.699
 creation

00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:22.960
 in

00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.359
 Christ,

00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:24.759
 God

00:36:24.759 --> 00:36:24.919
 the

00:36:24.919 --> 00:36:25.159
 Father

00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:25.440
 gets

00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:26.000
 glory

00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:26.920
 for

00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.099
 that

00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:27.440
 work.

00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:29.519
 People

00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:29.840
 get to

00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:30.059
 see

00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:30.260
 his

00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:30.619
 power

00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:30.840
 to

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.139
 forgive,

00:36:31.699 --> 00:36:31.940
 his

00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.300
 power

00:36:32.300 --> 00:36:32.519
 to

00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:32.920
 heal,

00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:33.599
 his

00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:33.960
 power

00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.179
 to

00:36:34.179 --> 00:36:34.659
 change,

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.079
 his

00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:35.460
 power

00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:35.639
 to

00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:35.880
 help

00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.039
 you

00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:36.739
 overcome

00:36:36.739 --> 00:36:37.380
 the

00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.059
 sinful

00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:38.659
 tendencies

00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.099
 that are

00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:39.280
 so

00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:39.559
 true

00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:39.699
 of

00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:39.800
 your

00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:40.260
 life.

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:41.719
 When

00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:42.039
 God

00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.519
 changes

00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.179
 your

00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:43.780
 life,

00:36:44.340 --> 00:36:44.659
 God

00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:44.940
 gets

00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.400
 credit

00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:45.659
 for

00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:46.179
 his

00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:46.699
 power

00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:47.119
 showing

00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:47.420
 up

00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:47.619
 in

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:47.900
 you.

00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:49.820
 Praise

00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.199
 to the

00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:50.500
 Father

00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.039
 is

00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:51.300
 brought

00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:51.619
 into

00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:51.820
 the

00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:52.179
 forefront.

00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:53.599
 Then

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:53.699
 we

00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:53.980
 see

00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:54.199
 in

00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:54.420
 verse

00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:54.639
 8

00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:54.780
 as

00:36:54.780 --> 00:36:54.980
 well,

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.139
 there

00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:55.300
 is

00:36:55.300 --> 00:36:55.719
 proof

00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:55.920
 of

00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:56.700
 discipleship.

00:36:57.180 --> 00:36:57.519
 When

00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:57.680
 you

00:36:57.680 --> 00:36:57.840
 get

00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:58.000
 to

00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.260
 see

00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:58.500
 that

00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:59.159
 God

00:36:59.159 --> 00:36:59.320
 is

00:36:59.320 --> 00:36:59.980
 changing

00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.500
 you

00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:00.700
 from

00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:00.920
 the

00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:01.500
 inside,

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.320
 it

00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:02.639
 helps

00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:02.920
 to

00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.460
 confirm

00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:03.880
 the

00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.139
 fact

00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.320
 that

00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:04.460
 you

00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:04.760
 actually

00:37:04.760 --> 00:37:05.360
 belong

00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:05.599
 to

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:05.880
 him.

00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.059
 There

00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:07.220
 can

00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:07.380
 now

00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:07.559
 be

00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.119
 confidence

00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:08.599
 in

00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:09.220
 the

00:37:09.220 --> 00:37:09.599
 Christian

00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:10.159
 life.

00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:12.240
 The

00:37:12.240 --> 00:37:12.559
 person

00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:12.760
 who

00:37:12.760 --> 00:37:12.920
 was

00:37:12.920 --> 00:37:13.220
 once

00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:13.760
 angry

00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:14.119
 and

00:37:14.119 --> 00:37:15.240
 selfish,

00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:16.360
 impatient,

00:37:17.200 --> 00:37:17.700
 rude,

00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:18.280
 and

00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:18.780
 critical,

00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:19.480
 and

00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.760
 foul-mouthed,

00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:21.900
 now

00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.280
 has

00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:22.820
 this

00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.340
 posture

00:37:23.340 --> 00:37:24.019
 of

00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:24.680
 forgiveness

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.460
 and

00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.079
 gentleness

00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:26.539
 and

00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:27.239
 mercy

00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:27.619
 and

00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.339
 kindness

00:37:28.339 --> 00:37:28.759
 and

00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.500
 compassion.

00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:30.359
 How

00:37:30.359 --> 00:37:30.659
 did that

00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:31.119
 happen?

00:37:31.699 --> 00:37:32.179
 Except for

00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:32.639
 the fact

00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:33.579
 that God

00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:33.899
 has done

00:37:33.899 --> 00:37:34.440
 his work

00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:35.219
 in your

00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:35.739
 life,

00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:36.839
 proving

00:37:36.839 --> 00:37:38.159
 to you

00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:38.659
 and proving

00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:39.219
 to others

00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:40.379
 that God

00:37:40.379 --> 00:37:41.279
 is real

00:37:41.279 --> 00:37:42.139
 to you.

00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:42.519
 There is

00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.179
 proof of

00:37:43.179 --> 00:37:43.879
 discipleship.

00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:45.659
 There's also

00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:46.179
 the presence

00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:46.619
 of God

00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:46.839
 that we

00:37:46.839 --> 00:37:47.299
 find in

00:37:47.299 --> 00:37:47.839
 verse 9.

00:37:49.339 --> 00:37:49.719
 That the

00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.440
 Father's love

00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:50.980
 which had been

00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:51.839
 conveyed to

00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:52.179
 Christ

00:37:52.179 --> 00:37:52.639
 is now

00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.379
 disseminated

00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:54.160
 to his

00:37:54.160 --> 00:37:54.660
 disciples.

00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:56.000
 That there

00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:56.340
 is an

00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:56.740
 opportunity

00:37:56.740 --> 00:37:57.260
 for us

00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:57.940
 not only

00:37:57.940 --> 00:37:58.460
 to know

00:37:58.460 --> 00:37:58.820
 about

00:37:58.820 --> 00:37:59.200
 God's

00:37:59.200 --> 00:37:59.400
 love

00:37:59.400 --> 00:38:00.019
 intellectually

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:01.300
 but to

00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:01.960
 experience

00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:02.400
 God's

00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:02.680
 love

00:38:02.680 --> 00:38:03.420
 personally.

00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.039
 And when

00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:08.900
 we are

00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:10.680
 drawn into

00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:11.780
 the love

00:38:11.780 --> 00:38:12.200
 of God,

00:38:12.260 --> 00:38:12.660
 when we

00:38:12.660 --> 00:38:13.160
 come to

00:38:13.160 --> 00:38:13.800
 understand

00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:14.140
 the love

00:38:14.140 --> 00:38:14.400
 of God,

00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:14.940
 it leads

00:38:14.940 --> 00:38:15.559
 us to

00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.420
 a power

00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:17.300
 for obedience

00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:18.599
 that we

00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.039
 find in

00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:19.539
 verse 10.

00:38:21.160 --> 00:38:21.880
 It says

00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.519
 in verse 10,

00:38:22.519 --> 00:38:23.119
 it says,

00:38:24.340 --> 00:38:24.900
 if you

00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:25.699
 keep my

00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.179
 commandments,

00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:27.440
 you will

00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:28.519
 abide in

00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.199
 my love

00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:30.500
 just as

00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:30.900
 I have

00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.460
 kept my

00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:31.940
 Father's

00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.400
 commands.

00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.199
 Loving

00:38:34.199 --> 00:38:35.179
 God leads

00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:36.300
 to loving

00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:37.219
 the things

00:38:37.219 --> 00:38:38.119
 that God

00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:38.579
 loves.

00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:40.340
 Loving

00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:41.199
 God leads

00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:41.759
 to loving

00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.539
 the things

00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.380
 that God

00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:43.759
 loves.

00:38:44.579 --> 00:38:45.320
 When you

00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:45.940
 love God's

00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.300
 word,

00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:47.440
 then you

00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.380
 love hearing

00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:49.079
 it routinely.

00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.619
 You love

00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:51.279
 spending

00:38:51.279 --> 00:38:52.519
 time with

00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:52.900
 God's

00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:53.299
 people,

00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:54.359
 worshiping

00:38:54.359 --> 00:38:55.539
 together.

00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:56.859
 When you

00:38:56.859 --> 00:38:57.420
 love God's

00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:57.739
 name,

00:38:57.920 --> 00:38:59.400
 you learn

00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:00.019
 to revere

00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.460
 it and

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.480
 you decide

00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:01.960
 not to

00:39:01.960 --> 00:39:02.279
 take it

00:39:02.279 --> 00:39:02.719
 in vain.

00:39:03.679 --> 00:39:04.199
 When you

00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:04.759
 love God's

00:39:04.759 --> 00:39:05.480
 design for

00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.099
 work and

00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:06.639
 for rest,

00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:07.099
 then you

00:39:07.099 --> 00:39:07.980
 learn to

00:39:07.980 --> 00:39:08.539
 honor the

00:39:08.539 --> 00:39:09.159
 Sabbath day.

00:39:10.359 --> 00:39:10.960
 When you

00:39:10.960 --> 00:39:11.679
 love God's

00:39:11.679 --> 00:39:12.279
 plan for

00:39:12.279 --> 00:39:12.759
 family,

00:39:13.319 --> 00:39:13.679
 then you

00:39:13.679 --> 00:39:14.199
 learn to

00:39:14.199 --> 00:39:14.799
 honor your

00:39:14.799 --> 00:39:15.319
 parents.

00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:16.880
 When you

00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:17.440
 love God's

00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:17.880
 provision,

00:39:18.400 --> 00:39:18.599
 then you

00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:19.059
 don't need

00:39:19.059 --> 00:39:19.739
 to steal

00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:20.779
 or covet.

00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:22.440
 When you

00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:23.059
 love God's

00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:23.779
 choice of

00:39:23.779 --> 00:39:24.279
 the partners

00:39:24.279 --> 00:39:25.119
 for you,

00:39:25.799 --> 00:39:26.139
 then you

00:39:26.139 --> 00:39:27.099
 learn not

00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:27.440
 to be a

00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:27.960
 person of

00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:28.480
 lust or

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.019
 person who

00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:29.319
 commits

00:39:29.319 --> 00:39:29.839
 adultery.

00:39:30.799 --> 00:39:31.239
 And when

00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:31.639
 you love

00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:32.019
 the God

00:39:32.019 --> 00:39:32.480
 of truth,

00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.440
 you learn

00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:33.940
 to be a

00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:34.599
 person of

00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:34.980
 truth.

00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:36.059
 See,

00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:36.819
 our affection

00:39:36.819 --> 00:39:37.779
 for God

00:39:37.779 --> 00:39:38.799
 drives us

00:39:38.799 --> 00:39:39.199
 to love

00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:39.739
 the things

00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:40.219
 that God

00:39:40.219 --> 00:39:40.659
 loves.

00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:42.679
 Do you

00:39:42.679 --> 00:39:43.139
 love God?

00:39:44.279 --> 00:39:44.900
 Do you

00:39:44.900 --> 00:39:45.460
 love God's

00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:46.099
 plan?

00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:47.440
 Does it

00:39:47.440 --> 00:39:48.239
 lead you

00:39:48.239 --> 00:39:48.719
 to love

00:39:48.719 --> 00:39:49.259
 the things

00:39:49.259 --> 00:39:49.699
 that God

00:39:49.699 --> 00:39:50.119
 loves?

00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.179
 Are you

00:39:51.179 --> 00:39:52.299
 a fruitful

00:39:52.299 --> 00:39:52.819
 vine?

00:39:53.779 --> 00:39:54.579
 This past

00:39:54.579 --> 00:39:54.839
 week,

00:39:54.899 --> 00:39:55.799
 I had the

00:39:55.799 --> 00:39:56.339
 opportunity

00:39:56.339 --> 00:39:57.739
 to help

00:39:57.739 --> 00:39:58.099
 three of

00:39:58.099 --> 00:39:58.679
 my children

00:39:58.679 --> 00:40:00.139
 build their

00:40:00.139 --> 00:40:00.819
 Awana car.

00:40:02.299 --> 00:40:02.899
 Now,

00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:03.539
 I can tell

00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.819
 you that

00:40:04.819 --> 00:40:05.339
 helping my

00:40:05.339 --> 00:40:06.179
 kids with

00:40:06.179 --> 00:40:06.639
 their Awana

00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:07.639
 car is not

00:40:07.639 --> 00:40:08.359
 because I

00:40:08.359 --> 00:40:09.079
 enjoy the

00:40:09.079 --> 00:40:10.639
 process of

00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:11.319
 the hours

00:40:11.319 --> 00:40:12.019
 and hours

00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:13.000
 of cutting

00:40:13.000 --> 00:40:13.879
 and sanding

00:40:13.879 --> 00:40:14.959
 and filing

00:40:14.959 --> 00:40:17.059
 and then the

00:40:17.059 --> 00:40:17.939
 embarrassment of

00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:18.320
 putting the

00:40:18.320 --> 00:40:18.800
 car on the

00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:19.920
 track and

00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:20.679
 getting smoked

00:40:20.679 --> 00:40:21.099
 by the

00:40:21.099 --> 00:40:21.460
 rest of

00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:21.619
 you.

00:40:25.260 --> 00:40:25.740
 But,

00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:27.599
 a love

00:40:27.599 --> 00:40:28.280
 for that

00:40:28.280 --> 00:40:29.559
 process

00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:30.920
 demonstrates

00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:31.599
 not an

00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:32.500
 affection for

00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.780
 the Grand

00:40:33.780 --> 00:40:34.740
 Prix as

00:40:34.740 --> 00:40:35.220
 much as an

00:40:35.220 --> 00:40:35.800
 affection for

00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:36.240
 my children.

00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:37.920
 There is a

00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.220
 love for

00:40:38.220 --> 00:40:38.760
 them and a

00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:39.840
 love to do

00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:40.420
 and to partner

00:40:40.420 --> 00:40:40.920
 with them

00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:41.599
 in the things

00:40:41.599 --> 00:40:42.380
 that they

00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:42.780
 enjoy.

00:40:42.780 --> 00:40:44.320
 Are you

00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:45.260
 a lover

00:40:45.260 --> 00:40:45.820
 of God?

00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:46.880
 Do you

00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:47.400
 love to do

00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:47.880
 the things

00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:48.360
 that God

00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.080
 loves?

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:50.380
 And finally,

00:40:50.660 --> 00:40:51.340
 this last

00:40:51.340 --> 00:40:51.980
 provision of

00:40:51.980 --> 00:40:52.760
 joy to

00:40:52.760 --> 00:40:53.160
 the full.

00:40:55.559 --> 00:40:56.340
 Up to this

00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:56.820
 point in the

00:40:56.820 --> 00:40:57.320
 Gospel of

00:40:57.320 --> 00:40:57.640
 John,

00:40:58.240 --> 00:40:58.600
 the word

00:40:58.600 --> 00:40:59.160
 joy has

00:40:59.160 --> 00:40:59.600
 only been

00:40:59.600 --> 00:40:59.860
 mentioned

00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.380
 once.

00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:01.940
 And now

00:41:01.940 --> 00:41:02.300
 it will

00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:03.340
 come six

00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:04.039
 more times

00:41:04.039 --> 00:41:04.500
 in chapter

00:41:04.500 --> 00:41:05.019
 16.

00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:06.480
 There is

00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:07.080
 this rapid

00:41:07.080 --> 00:41:07.559
 fire

00:41:07.559 --> 00:41:08.440
 understanding

00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.159
 Jesus

00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:09.840
 wants his

00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:10.519
 disciples to

00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:11.260
 know there

00:41:11.260 --> 00:41:12.220
 is joy

00:41:12.220 --> 00:41:13.380
 that comes

00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:14.039
 to the

00:41:14.039 --> 00:41:14.700
 followers of

00:41:14.700 --> 00:41:15.099
 God.

00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:16.599
 You can

00:41:16.599 --> 00:41:17.200
 be full

00:41:17.200 --> 00:41:17.800
 of joy

00:41:17.800 --> 00:41:18.800
 even when

00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:19.559
 the pruning

00:41:19.559 --> 00:41:20.679
 process feels

00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:21.480
 quite painful

00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:22.519
 at times.

00:41:23.980 --> 00:41:24.619
 God's

00:41:24.619 --> 00:41:25.019
 desire

00:41:25.019 --> 00:41:27.500
 is to

00:41:27.500 --> 00:41:28.159
 flood your

00:41:28.159 --> 00:41:28.599
 life

00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:29.820
 with joy.

00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:32.559
 To close,

00:41:32.700 --> 00:41:33.220
 George Mueller

00:41:33.220 --> 00:41:33.980
 says this.

00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:35.119
 He says,

00:41:35.220 --> 00:41:35.619
 the more we

00:41:35.619 --> 00:41:36.099
 know of

00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:36.480
 God,

00:41:36.920 --> 00:41:37.539
 the happier

00:41:37.539 --> 00:41:38.059
 we are.

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.460
 When we

00:41:39.460 --> 00:41:39.980
 became a

00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.139
 little

00:41:40.139 --> 00:41:40.500
 acquainted

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.000
 with God,

00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:41.720
 our true

00:41:41.720 --> 00:41:42.539
 happiness

00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.280
 commenced.

00:41:44.240 --> 00:41:44.559
 And the

00:41:44.559 --> 00:41:44.900
 more we

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:45.240
 become

00:41:45.240 --> 00:41:45.579
 acquainted

00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:46.059
 with him,

00:41:46.579 --> 00:41:47.079
 the more

00:41:47.079 --> 00:41:47.980
 truly happy

00:41:47.980 --> 00:41:48.900
 we become.

00:41:49.820 --> 00:41:50.480
 What will

00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.099
 make us

00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:52.480
 so exceedingly

00:41:52.480 --> 00:41:53.519
 happy in

00:41:53.519 --> 00:41:53.800
 heaven?

00:41:54.400 --> 00:41:55.420
 It will be

00:41:55.420 --> 00:41:56.440
 the fuller

00:41:56.440 --> 00:41:57.539
 knowledge of

00:41:57.539 --> 00:41:57.820
 God.

00:41:58.820 --> 00:41:59.179
 Do you

00:41:59.179 --> 00:41:59.599
 know God

00:41:59.599 --> 00:42:00.079
 this morning?

00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:01.880
 Does your

00:42:01.880 --> 00:42:03.559
 life reflect

00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:04.380
 a knowledge

00:42:04.380 --> 00:42:04.860
 of God

00:42:04.860 --> 00:42:05.519
 through

00:42:05.519 --> 00:42:07.079
 overflowing

00:42:07.079 --> 00:42:07.960
 joy?

00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:10.639
 unquenchable,

00:42:11.200 --> 00:42:11.760
 infectious

00:42:11.760 --> 00:42:12.760
 joy?

00:42:14.119 --> 00:42:14.579
 May we

00:42:14.579 --> 00:42:15.039
 be people

00:42:15.039 --> 00:42:15.820
 who

00:42:15.820 --> 00:42:16.400
 demonstrate

00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:16.860
 an affection

00:42:16.860 --> 00:42:17.400
 for him

00:42:17.400 --> 00:42:20.800
 through a

00:42:20.800 --> 00:42:21.380
 changed

00:42:21.380 --> 00:42:22.119
 life

00:42:22.119 --> 00:42:23.099
 and through

00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:23.659
 fruitfulness

00:42:23.659 --> 00:42:24.440
 that comes

00:42:24.440 --> 00:42:25.420
 from Jesus.

00:42:25.780 --> 00:42:26.179
 Let's pray.

00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:29.319
 God, we

00:42:29.319 --> 00:42:29.679
 thank you

00:42:29.679 --> 00:42:30.179
 this morning

00:42:30.179 --> 00:42:30.579
 for your

00:42:30.579 --> 00:42:30.879
 word.

00:42:32.279 --> 00:42:32.839
 Thank you

00:42:32.839 --> 00:42:33.079
 for the

00:42:33.079 --> 00:42:33.619
 challenge

00:42:33.619 --> 00:42:34.519
 and encouragement

00:42:34.519 --> 00:42:35.259
 to be people

00:42:35.259 --> 00:42:35.579
 who are

00:42:35.579 --> 00:42:35.879
 fruitful.

00:42:36.779 --> 00:42:37.500
 Lord, we

00:42:37.500 --> 00:42:38.319
 understand that

00:42:38.319 --> 00:42:39.079
 to be fruitful

00:42:39.079 --> 00:42:40.319
 only happens

00:42:40.319 --> 00:42:41.219
 through the

00:42:41.219 --> 00:42:41.759
 person of

00:42:41.759 --> 00:42:42.039
 Christ

00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:42.679
 by being

00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:43.900
 connected to

00:42:43.900 --> 00:42:44.719
 you, by

00:42:44.719 --> 00:42:45.079
 having an

00:42:45.079 --> 00:42:45.440
 abiding

00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:46.099
 relationship

00:42:46.099 --> 00:42:46.619
 with you.

00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:49.099
 Lord, help

00:42:49.099 --> 00:42:49.900
 us in that

00:42:49.900 --> 00:42:50.500
 process.

00:42:51.900 --> 00:42:52.500
 Help us

00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:53.799
 not to

00:42:53.799 --> 00:42:54.380
 replace

00:42:54.380 --> 00:42:56.219
 an affection

00:42:56.219 --> 00:42:56.819
 for you

00:42:56.819 --> 00:42:57.860
 with an

00:42:57.860 --> 00:42:58.219
 affection

00:42:58.219 --> 00:42:59.659
 for everything

00:42:59.659 --> 00:43:00.039
 else.

00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:02.559
 and Lord,

00:43:02.679 --> 00:43:02.940
 I pray

00:43:02.940 --> 00:43:03.559
 that duty

00:43:03.559 --> 00:43:05.019
 would not

00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:05.440
 get in the

00:43:05.440 --> 00:43:05.739
 way of

00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:06.139
 delight,

00:43:06.739 --> 00:43:07.779
 that we

00:43:07.779 --> 00:43:08.320
 would punch

00:43:08.320 --> 00:43:08.820
 the clock,

00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:09.159
 that we

00:43:09.159 --> 00:43:10.460
 would perform

00:43:10.460 --> 00:43:11.259
 our checklist,

00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:12.659
 but Lord,

00:43:12.739 --> 00:43:13.300
 help us

00:43:13.300 --> 00:43:14.739
 to grow

00:43:14.739 --> 00:43:15.219
 in our

00:43:15.219 --> 00:43:15.739
 humility,

00:43:16.739 --> 00:43:17.179
 help us

00:43:17.179 --> 00:43:17.679
 to grow

00:43:17.679 --> 00:43:18.800
 in brokenness,

00:43:19.759 --> 00:43:20.139
 help us

00:43:20.139 --> 00:43:20.619
 to grow

00:43:20.619 --> 00:43:21.179
 in our

00:43:21.179 --> 00:43:22.179
 satisfaction

00:43:22.179 --> 00:43:23.380
 and our

00:43:23.380 --> 00:43:23.880
 delight

00:43:23.880 --> 00:43:24.800
 for our

00:43:24.800 --> 00:43:25.059
 Savior.

00:43:26.199 --> 00:43:26.679
 We praise

00:43:26.679 --> 00:43:27.980
 you that

00:43:27.980 --> 00:43:28.519
 you are

00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:29.639
 ministering

00:43:29.639 --> 00:43:30.219
 to us

00:43:30.219 --> 00:43:31.639
 in ways

00:43:31.639 --> 00:43:31.900
 that we

00:43:31.900 --> 00:43:32.279
 can't even

00:43:32.279 --> 00:43:32.559
 see.

00:43:33.759 --> 00:43:34.400
 May we

00:43:34.400 --> 00:43:35.079
 not resent

00:43:35.079 --> 00:43:36.039
 the process.

00:43:37.059 --> 00:43:37.359
 May we

00:43:37.359 --> 00:43:37.799
 give you

00:43:37.799 --> 00:43:38.719
 space to

00:43:38.719 --> 00:43:39.039
 do your

00:43:39.039 --> 00:43:40.319
 work so

00:43:40.319 --> 00:43:40.519
 that we

00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:40.819
 can be

00:43:40.819 --> 00:43:41.519
 more fruitful

00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:42.279
 as your

00:43:42.279 --> 00:43:42.579
 people.

00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:43.299
 We pray

00:43:43.299 --> 00:43:43.659
 in Jesus'

00:43:43.859 --> 00:43:44.039
 name.

00:43:44.299 --> 00:43:44.519
 Amen.

00:43:46.440 --> 00:43:47.079
 I want to

00:43:47.079 --> 00:43:47.400
 encourage

00:43:47.400 --> 00:43:48.259
 this morning

00:43:48.259 --> 00:43:49.699
 before we

00:43:49.699 --> 00:43:50.259
 sing this

00:43:50.259 --> 00:43:50.839
 song and

00:43:50.839 --> 00:43:51.619
 maybe as

00:43:51.619 --> 00:43:52.019
 we're singing

00:43:52.019 --> 00:43:52.539
 this song,

00:43:53.059 --> 00:43:54.460
 maybe today

00:43:54.460 --> 00:43:54.960
 you would

00:43:54.960 --> 00:43:55.339
 say,

00:43:56.179 --> 00:43:57.359
 I'm not

00:43:57.359 --> 00:43:58.000
 where I

00:43:58.000 --> 00:43:58.400
 want to

00:43:58.400 --> 00:43:58.619
 be.

00:43:59.639 --> 00:44:00.079
 God,

00:44:00.079 --> 00:44:00.960
 and you

00:44:00.960 --> 00:44:01.179
 would just

00:44:01.179 --> 00:44:01.440
 like to

00:44:01.440 --> 00:44:01.980
 have somebody

00:44:01.980 --> 00:44:02.539
 pray with

00:44:02.539 --> 00:44:02.639
 you.

00:44:02.719 --> 00:44:03.420
 We would

00:44:03.420 --> 00:44:03.759
 love to

00:44:03.759 --> 00:44:04.059
 pray with

00:44:04.059 --> 00:44:04.219
 you.

00:44:05.239 --> 00:44:05.980
 And maybe

00:44:05.980 --> 00:44:07.599
 this morning

00:44:07.599 --> 00:44:08.379
 can be just

00:44:08.379 --> 00:44:08.960
 a fresh

00:44:08.960 --> 00:44:10.119
 start for

00:44:10.119 --> 00:44:10.379
 you,

00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.000
 a new

00:44:11.000 --> 00:44:11.420
 beginning,

00:44:12.420 --> 00:44:13.059
 of just

00:44:13.059 --> 00:44:13.900
 taking that

00:44:13.900 --> 00:44:14.460
 step and

00:44:14.460 --> 00:44:14.659
 saying,

00:44:14.759 --> 00:44:14.879
 God,

00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:17.719
 I don't

00:44:17.719 --> 00:44:18.219
 know what

00:44:18.219 --> 00:44:18.679
 an abiding

00:44:18.679 --> 00:44:19.239
 relationship

00:44:19.239 --> 00:44:19.659
 with you

00:44:19.659 --> 00:44:20.299
 looks like.

00:44:20.440 --> 00:44:21.119
 I've been

00:44:21.119 --> 00:44:23.420
 working so

00:44:23.420 --> 00:44:24.579
 hard to

00:44:24.579 --> 00:44:25.940
 measure up

00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.460
 to what

00:44:26.460 --> 00:44:26.859
 you called

00:44:26.859 --> 00:44:27.279
 me to do,

00:44:27.280 --> 00:44:27.720
 but I

00:44:27.720 --> 00:44:28.600
 realize I

00:44:28.600 --> 00:44:29.100
 just need

00:44:29.100 --> 00:44:29.980
 to let

00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:30.519
 you do

00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:30.900
 the work

00:44:30.900 --> 00:44:31.540
 through me.

00:44:32.760 --> 00:44:33.460
 Or maybe

00:44:33.460 --> 00:44:33.920
 you're here

00:44:33.920 --> 00:44:34.500
 this morning

00:44:34.500 --> 00:44:35.519
 and you

00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:35.860
 don't know

00:44:35.860 --> 00:44:36.220
 Christ.

00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:36.519
 You don't

00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:37.340
 have a

00:44:37.340 --> 00:44:37.720
 relationship

00:44:37.720 --> 00:44:38.120
 with him.

00:44:38.240 --> 00:44:39.180
 You know

00:44:39.180 --> 00:44:39.820
 the emptiness

00:44:39.820 --> 00:44:40.300
 in your

00:44:40.300 --> 00:44:40.960
 life and

00:44:40.960 --> 00:44:41.780
 you know

00:44:41.780 --> 00:44:42.860
 that as a

00:44:42.860 --> 00:44:43.260
 result of

00:44:43.260 --> 00:44:43.800
 this passage,

00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:44.360
 he is the

00:44:44.360 --> 00:44:45.240
 only person

00:44:45.240 --> 00:44:45.600
 that can

00:44:45.600 --> 00:44:45.920
 fill you

00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:46.060
 up.

00:44:46.840 --> 00:44:47.240
 We would

00:44:47.240 --> 00:44:47.780
 love to

00:44:47.780 --> 00:44:48.080
 pray with

00:44:48.080 --> 00:44:48.580
 you today.

00:44:49.060 --> 00:44:49.320
 If you

00:44:49.320 --> 00:44:49.620
 don't know

00:44:49.620 --> 00:44:50.060
 Christ,

00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:50.760
 we'd love

00:44:50.760 --> 00:44:51.180
 to introduce

00:44:51.180 --> 00:44:51.460
 him to

00:44:51.460 --> 00:44:51.920
 you so

00:44:51.920 --> 00:44:52.380
 your life

00:44:52.380 --> 00:44:52.760
 can be

00:44:52.760 --> 00:44:53.180
 full of

00:44:53.180 --> 00:44:53.420
 joy.

00:44:54.600 --> 00:44:54.960
 Let's

00:44:54.960 --> 00:44:55.920
 stand as

00:44:55.920 --> 00:44:56.260
 we sing.

00:44:57.280 --> 00:44:59.280
 Amen.

00:45:27.280 --> 00:45:29.280
 Amen.