1 00:00:00,450 --> 00:00:02,350 Welcome to From the Pulpit in Classic Sermons. 2 00:00:02,690 --> 00:00:04,530 Each week, we bring you a different message 3 00:00:04,530 --> 00:00:06,770 from some of history's greatest speakers in the 4 00:00:06,770 --> 00:00:09,530 Christian faith, and powerful sermons from modern preachers, 5 00:00:09,670 --> 00:00:09,770 too. 6 00:00:10,070 --> 00:00:12,170 This week we have Bob Hoekstra with his 7 00:00:12,170 --> 00:00:13,610 message, Bearing Much Fruit. 8 00:00:14,610 --> 00:00:16,590 Our study is going to be about bearing 9 00:00:16,590 --> 00:00:17,530 much fruit. 10 00:00:18,710 --> 00:00:20,950 Let's read one of the key verses before 11 00:00:20,950 --> 00:00:21,930 we pray together. 12 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:31,119 Verse 8, By this, my Father, is glorified, 13 00:00:31,700 --> 00:00:35,560 that you bear much fruit, so you will 14 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:36,580 be my disciples. 15 00:00:38,460 --> 00:00:43,360 Lord, we receive this insightful word from you. 16 00:00:45,190 --> 00:00:46,900 We do want to be your disciples, and 17 00:00:46,900 --> 00:00:49,640 we want to be clearly shown as your 18 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:50,160 disciples. 19 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:55,460 We want you to be glorified, and we 20 00:00:55,460 --> 00:00:59,260 see that's all connected with bearing much fruit. 21 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:03,060 So we pray even now that you would 22 00:01:03,060 --> 00:01:06,860 pour out your Holy Spirit, encourage us, Lord, 23 00:01:08,020 --> 00:01:13,640 edify us, instruct us, prepare our hearts and 24 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,820 lives for more fruit in the days ahead 25 00:01:16,820 --> 00:01:18,800 than we've ever seen in the days behind. 26 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:21,420 Much fruit, Lord, for your glory. 27 00:01:22,340 --> 00:01:24,760 We see this is the call of discipleship, 28 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:27,200 and we trust you now to speak to 29 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,020 us by your Spirit in Jesus' name, Amen. 30 00:01:33,460 --> 00:01:40,020 Real disciples, true disciples, they bear much fruit. 31 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:45,400 A disciple is a follower after the Lord 32 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:46,340 Jesus Christ. 33 00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:50,420 Someone who knows the Lord, who has met 34 00:01:50,420 --> 00:01:54,220 the Lord, and is walking closely with the 35 00:01:54,220 --> 00:01:54,540 Lord. 36 00:01:55,900 --> 00:01:59,380 The call to discipleship, Jesus said, come follow 37 00:01:59,380 --> 00:01:59,740 me. 38 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,520 Those who do follow the Lord Jesus Christ, 39 00:02:05,940 --> 00:02:09,960 the Lord of life, they bear much fruit. 40 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:13,860 And this brings great glory to God. 41 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,760 You know, we have that stirring desire, once 42 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:20,140 we know the Lord, to bring glory to 43 00:02:20,140 --> 00:02:20,420 Him. 44 00:02:21,140 --> 00:02:23,260 Before we came to the Lord, really the 45 00:02:23,260 --> 00:02:25,200 only glory we were interested in is if 46 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:30,240 somehow some could be captured by ourselves or 47 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:31,160 given to us. 48 00:02:34,100 --> 00:02:36,220 We were created for the glory of God, 49 00:02:36,420 --> 00:02:37,500 created by God. 50 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,680 And by this, Jesus said, my Father is 51 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:43,440 glorified. 52 00:02:44,740 --> 00:02:47,280 That you bear much fruit. 53 00:02:48,340 --> 00:02:50,880 And that is one of the great demonstrations, 54 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:55,940 validations of the fact that we are following 55 00:02:55,940 --> 00:02:56,760 the Lord Jesus. 56 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:01,200 But of course, that raises a huge question. 57 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:04,960 How are we going to bear much fruit? 58 00:03:07,910 --> 00:03:10,310 It's great that the Word of God addresses 59 00:03:10,310 --> 00:03:13,370 the questions of what? 60 00:03:13,370 --> 00:03:18,260 What does God have for our lives? 61 00:03:18,340 --> 00:03:19,460 What does He want to see in our 62 00:03:19,460 --> 00:03:19,740 lives? 63 00:03:19,860 --> 00:03:21,080 What does He want us to be doing 64 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:21,860 in our lives? 65 00:03:22,260 --> 00:03:24,260 What does He want to come to pass 66 00:03:24,260 --> 00:03:25,280 in our lives? 67 00:03:26,380 --> 00:03:30,020 The what questions of the Bible are of 68 00:03:30,020 --> 00:03:31,040 huge import. 69 00:03:33,260 --> 00:03:35,460 But there's another arena that's just as critical. 70 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:42,220 Without this other arena, the what questions will 71 00:03:42,220 --> 00:03:44,980 just leave us frustrated. 72 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,840 What would the second question be? 73 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:50,360 How? 74 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:52,400 How? 75 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,480 This is a very majestic what. 76 00:03:58,020 --> 00:04:00,440 Much fruit in our lives, much spiritual fruit. 77 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:06,520 The validation that we truly are following the 78 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:09,040 Lord Jesus Christ, not just living a life 79 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:10,960 by our own will, our own resources and 80 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:11,540 own devices. 81 00:04:12,190 --> 00:04:15,740 And the Lord is glorified in that. 82 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:18,660 How are we going to walk that path? 83 00:04:19,260 --> 00:04:24,640 Well, Jesus had been addressing the how in 84 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:25,620 earlier verses. 85 00:04:27,830 --> 00:04:29,000 Verses 4 and 5. 86 00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:34,210 Abide in me and I in you, as 87 00:04:34,210 --> 00:04:37,210 the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless 88 00:04:37,210 --> 00:04:40,070 it abides in the vine, neither can you 89 00:04:40,070 --> 00:04:41,670 unless you abide in me. 90 00:04:42,670 --> 00:04:46,570 I am the vine, you are the branches. 91 00:04:47,330 --> 00:04:49,690 He who abides in me and I in 92 00:04:49,690 --> 00:04:56,030 him bears much fruit, for without me you 93 00:04:56,030 --> 00:04:56,790 can do nothing. 94 00:05:01,140 --> 00:05:07,100 If you have a grapevine and branches, the 95 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:11,220 great demonstration that that is a grapevine is 96 00:05:11,220 --> 00:05:13,480 when grapes appear. 97 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:19,980 And if you're going to have grapes on 98 00:05:19,980 --> 00:05:25,880 branches, branches need to be connected to a 99 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:29,180 valid, sufficient life source, and that's the grapevine. 100 00:05:30,380 --> 00:05:32,020 And that's the picture here. 101 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:35,720 Abide in me and I in you. 102 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,080 That's how the Lord wants us to live. 103 00:05:40,660 --> 00:05:46,320 Abiding in Christ, that is living in him 104 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:47,740 and by means of him. 105 00:05:48,340 --> 00:05:52,640 And then the Lord Jesus himself dwelling and 106 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:53,880 living in and through us. 107 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,520 That's the simple picture here. 108 00:05:57,220 --> 00:06:00,720 And though it can sound very mysterious, and 109 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:02,960 of course the fact that it cannot be 110 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:07,060 seen in its full dynamic makes it kind 111 00:06:07,060 --> 00:06:09,180 of mysterious to us, but it's very clear 112 00:06:09,180 --> 00:06:11,600 and simple how it operates. 113 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:17,360 We are abiding in one that we cannot 114 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:19,780 see, though Peter wrote, having not seen him 115 00:06:19,780 --> 00:06:20,440 we love him. 116 00:06:22,420 --> 00:06:26,280 And he, though we cannot see him, wants 117 00:06:26,280 --> 00:06:28,140 to live in our hearts and express his 118 00:06:28,140 --> 00:06:29,500 life through us. 119 00:06:30,620 --> 00:06:33,960 Now that is, that's just, with God it's 120 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:36,200 just basic fundamental routine. 121 00:06:36,380 --> 00:06:38,280 With us it's kind of staggering. 122 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:42,300 And it certainly is beyond sight. 123 00:06:44,820 --> 00:06:49,360 So, the Lord takes a very visible, simple, 124 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:55,600 demonstrable illustration to help us grasp this great 125 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:56,540 unseen mystery. 126 00:06:56,540 --> 00:07:01,020 The great unseen mystery, abide in me and 127 00:07:01,020 --> 00:07:01,620 I in you. 128 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:04,940 What's that all about? 129 00:07:05,020 --> 00:07:09,340 Well, it's like a grape vine and a 130 00:07:09,340 --> 00:07:10,360 grape branch. 131 00:07:11,420 --> 00:07:13,000 And here's the truth. 132 00:07:13,580 --> 00:07:16,800 As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself 133 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:20,500 unless it abides in the vine, neither can 134 00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:22,920 you unless you abide in me. 135 00:07:25,390 --> 00:07:28,660 There is the potential in the Christian life 136 00:07:28,660 --> 00:07:33,020 of astounding measures of spiritual fruit. 137 00:07:34,370 --> 00:07:35,740 What would spiritual fruit be? 138 00:07:35,900 --> 00:07:41,180 Well, it would be Christ-like character growing 139 00:07:41,180 --> 00:07:42,360 and developing in us. 140 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,480 That is spiritual fruit. 141 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:51,940 There would be ministry impacting others and their 142 00:07:51,940 --> 00:07:52,540 growing. 143 00:07:52,860 --> 00:07:54,000 That's spiritual fruit. 144 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:58,240 Folks coming to Christ, a spiritual harvest, a 145 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:00,100 fruitful harvest of righteousness. 146 00:08:01,220 --> 00:08:03,920 All of those things are spiritual fruit. 147 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:07,460 Giving thanks and praise to God, Hebrews says, 148 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:08,700 is spiritual fruit. 149 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:15,760 So a godly, Christ-like, God-exalting, life 150 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:21,280 -touching, life-shaping and developing work is the 151 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:23,560 fruit of God being developed and coming forth. 152 00:08:25,460 --> 00:08:27,420 And this is the way it is with 153 00:08:27,420 --> 00:08:29,680 a vine and a branch. 154 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:33,179 As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself 155 00:08:33,179 --> 00:08:34,880 unless it abides in the vine, neither can 156 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:36,280 you unless you abide in me. 157 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:43,260 Grape branches don't actually produce grapes. 158 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:46,880 They bear grapes. 159 00:08:48,580 --> 00:08:54,020 The productive cause and dynamic that actually brings 160 00:08:54,020 --> 00:08:58,840 the grapes forth is the life that is 161 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:00,440 in the grape vine. 162 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:04,620 And that's the picture with us. 163 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:08,720 We don't actually manufacture spiritual fruit. 164 00:09:11,980 --> 00:09:14,740 But we are called to bear much fruit. 165 00:09:15,420 --> 00:09:18,380 To carry it around wherever we go. 166 00:09:20,620 --> 00:09:24,760 The temptation for the natural mind is, I've 167 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:27,380 got to get busy, make this happen. 168 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:30,300 What does fruit look like, and I'll manufacture 169 00:09:30,300 --> 00:09:30,660 some. 170 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:34,360 Well, yeah, and you know what it'll be. 171 00:09:34,940 --> 00:09:36,000 Wax fruit. 172 00:09:38,700 --> 00:09:40,960 Man does the same thing with natural fruit. 173 00:09:41,260 --> 00:09:43,880 Man can't produce natural fruit, but for decorative 174 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:48,160 purposes, there's a real market for producing what 175 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:50,720 appears to be genuine fruit. 176 00:09:50,860 --> 00:09:54,420 In fact, man has become quite expert at 177 00:09:54,420 --> 00:09:54,680 that. 178 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:59,760 And haven't you seen decorative fruit that you 179 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:02,540 want to get over closer and just, that's 180 00:10:02,540 --> 00:10:03,460 got to be real. 181 00:10:04,940 --> 00:10:07,320 And of course, the final proof is when 182 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:08,040 you take a bite. 183 00:10:11,420 --> 00:10:12,040 Wax. 184 00:10:12,740 --> 00:10:14,780 No life, no edification. 185 00:10:15,560 --> 00:10:18,720 And even that has implications for us. 186 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:21,820 We can try to do those things that 187 00:10:21,820 --> 00:10:22,460 look fruitful. 188 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:26,820 We can strive to have the appearance of 189 00:10:26,820 --> 00:10:28,060 bearing much fruit. 190 00:10:28,540 --> 00:10:30,280 But if it's not coming the way the 191 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:35,360 Lord designed it, it's imitation fruit. 192 00:10:36,300 --> 00:10:37,960 It's of the flesh. 193 00:10:38,620 --> 00:10:42,000 And sooner or later, it will prove to 194 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:46,720 be lifeless and unedifying to anyone at all. 195 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:51,960 As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself. 196 00:10:53,740 --> 00:10:58,060 We could add, as the Christian cannot bear 197 00:10:58,060 --> 00:11:00,380 fruit of himself or herself. 198 00:11:01,620 --> 00:11:04,380 Unless that branch abides in the vine. 199 00:11:04,460 --> 00:11:07,220 That's the secret for a great branch. 200 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:10,280 That's the hope. 201 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:14,300 Because in the great vine is the life. 202 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:18,080 That is to flow out through that branch. 203 00:11:18,740 --> 00:11:22,520 And bring forth fruit that the branch cannot 204 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:23,180 produce. 205 00:11:23,540 --> 00:11:25,240 But once produced by the life in the 206 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:27,820 vine, can bear it about any place. 207 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:31,520 To be an honor to God, pleasing in 208 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:32,360 the sight of God. 209 00:11:32,560 --> 00:11:34,960 To be a blessing and encouragement to others. 210 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:36,920 A confirmation to others. 211 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:41,180 And be a nurturing influence in their lives. 212 00:11:41,260 --> 00:11:46,660 You know, fruit is the ongoing development of 213 00:11:46,660 --> 00:11:47,280 life. 214 00:11:48,980 --> 00:11:52,100 Until it becomes what it was intended to 215 00:11:52,100 --> 00:11:52,300 be. 216 00:11:52,420 --> 00:11:53,180 Full and mature. 217 00:11:53,900 --> 00:11:56,600 And it's tasty, it's sweet. 218 00:11:57,420 --> 00:11:59,860 And it's nurturing, it's edifying. 219 00:12:01,560 --> 00:12:04,220 That's what the Lord wants in our lives. 220 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:07,460 And it's good to be reminded. 221 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:11,280 That we are the branch, we're not the 222 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:11,620 vine. 223 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:15,580 In fact, verse 5 spells it out very 224 00:12:15,580 --> 00:12:16,020 clearly. 225 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:18,540 In case any would miss it. 226 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,520 I am the vine, you are the branches. 227 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:27,220 He who abides in me and I in 228 00:12:27,220 --> 00:12:28,900 him, bears much fruit. 229 00:12:29,660 --> 00:12:32,820 For without me or apart from me, you 230 00:12:32,820 --> 00:12:34,020 can do nothing. 231 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:38,700 Jesus is the vine. 232 00:12:40,740 --> 00:12:42,180 He's the life source. 233 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:46,120 He said, I am the way, the truth 234 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,320 and the life. 235 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:52,320 John 11 he said, I am the resurrection 236 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:54,080 and the life. 237 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:57,320 Jesus is our vine. 238 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:01,940 How important is a vine, a grape vine 239 00:13:01,940 --> 00:13:04,160 to a grape branch? 240 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:08,240 Well, you could say it's everything to the 241 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:08,660 branch. 242 00:13:10,140 --> 00:13:14,040 The branch would have no life, no existence 243 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:16,560 without that vine. 244 00:13:17,860 --> 00:13:22,140 And absolutely the branch could not be fruitful 245 00:13:22,140 --> 00:13:23,960 without the vine. 246 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:27,480 Jesus is our vine. 247 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:31,500 He says, I am the vine, you are 248 00:13:31,500 --> 00:13:32,400 the branches. 249 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:34,500 You are the branches. 250 00:13:38,260 --> 00:13:40,760 It's kind of a humbling word, but it's 251 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,080 also an encouraging word. 252 00:13:42,260 --> 00:13:43,800 To hear that we are the branches. 253 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:48,540 We would rather be the vine. 254 00:13:51,220 --> 00:13:54,080 In fact, the false gospels of the world. 255 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,360 New Age philosophy, you know. 256 00:13:58,180 --> 00:14:00,620 What's the gospel of the New Age? 257 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:02,020 Self-realization. 258 00:14:02,780 --> 00:14:04,120 Why is that the good news? 259 00:14:04,560 --> 00:14:08,400 Because if you only realized it, you are 260 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:09,620 God. 261 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:13,880 And we are sitting here underwhelmed, right? 262 00:14:15,100 --> 00:14:16,320 I'm God? 263 00:14:17,680 --> 00:14:19,460 What a letdown. 264 00:14:19,460 --> 00:14:24,920 I was looking for good news. 265 00:14:26,900 --> 00:14:29,060 This is worse than no news at all. 266 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,220 But that's the way of the world. 267 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:36,720 And you can trace this right back to 268 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:37,700 the Garden of Eden. 269 00:14:39,300 --> 00:14:42,920 This was the lie that Satan bought himself. 270 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:45,080 I will be like the Most High God. 271 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:47,560 He wanted a throne like God. 272 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:48,720 He went into the Garden of Eden and 273 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:49,700 enticed Adam and Eve. 274 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:51,880 You know, come on, get away from the 275 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:52,680 tree of life. 276 00:14:52,900 --> 00:14:54,280 I mean, what can that bring you? 277 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:56,180 Well, you might say life. 278 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:59,560 No, no, no, leave the tree of life 279 00:14:59,560 --> 00:14:59,980 alone. 280 00:15:00,780 --> 00:15:01,980 Hang out at the tree of the knowledge 281 00:15:01,980 --> 00:15:02,580 of good and evil. 282 00:15:02,740 --> 00:15:05,480 You know, you investigate and you discover and 283 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:06,300 you examine. 284 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,660 And you decide what's good or evil. 285 00:15:12,140 --> 00:15:13,340 You'll be like God. 286 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:18,240 Well, that's the philosophy of the world. 287 00:15:19,900 --> 00:15:22,420 You know, take our program, take our procedure, 288 00:15:23,340 --> 00:15:25,680 take our philosophy, take our therapy. 289 00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:29,960 We'll make you in charge of your own 290 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:30,160 life. 291 00:15:30,220 --> 00:15:31,180 You'll be your own God. 292 00:15:33,810 --> 00:15:36,430 No, the Lord alone is God. 293 00:15:36,490 --> 00:15:38,750 I was just reading yesterday actually in Isaiah, 294 00:15:38,930 --> 00:15:43,470 how many times God said, I am God, 295 00:15:43,610 --> 00:15:44,970 I am He, I am the first and 296 00:15:44,970 --> 00:15:47,010 the last, I am the Almighty and there 297 00:15:47,010 --> 00:15:48,790 is none else. 298 00:15:51,140 --> 00:15:52,640 So this is a humbling word. 299 00:15:52,740 --> 00:15:53,500 You're the branches. 300 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:56,420 The branches. 301 00:15:56,700 --> 00:16:00,200 We're not the source of spiritual life. 302 00:16:03,020 --> 00:16:03,780 We're branches. 303 00:16:04,460 --> 00:16:07,720 That's a place of humble dependency. 304 00:16:10,110 --> 00:16:11,150 We're branches. 305 00:16:11,150 --> 00:16:11,330 We're branches. 306 00:16:11,510 --> 00:16:17,230 We cannot get along without our true vine. 307 00:16:20,300 --> 00:16:22,220 We would not be in Christ Jesus. 308 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:23,800 We would not be born again. 309 00:16:24,100 --> 00:16:25,900 We would not have our sins forgiven. 310 00:16:26,220 --> 00:16:29,040 We would not have passed from death to 311 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:33,640 life if it were not for our true 312 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:36,280 vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. 313 00:16:37,620 --> 00:16:38,500 And praise the Lord. 314 00:16:38,500 --> 00:16:41,680 This is the heart of what Jesus came 315 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:42,460 to give us. 316 00:16:44,460 --> 00:16:46,340 He says, I came that you might have 317 00:16:46,340 --> 00:16:50,240 life and that more abundantly. 318 00:16:50,940 --> 00:16:54,260 Fits perfectly the truth of John 15. 319 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:56,380 We're the branches. 320 00:16:57,260 --> 00:16:58,320 We're needy. 321 00:16:59,620 --> 00:17:01,220 We're not the life source. 322 00:17:02,740 --> 00:17:06,040 People say, I'm taking charge of my life. 323 00:17:06,180 --> 00:17:07,859 We ought to weep and wail for them. 324 00:17:07,859 --> 00:17:10,160 Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. 325 00:17:10,260 --> 00:17:11,380 They're all excited and beaming. 326 00:17:12,079 --> 00:17:13,780 Like they want us to pat them on 327 00:17:13,780 --> 00:17:14,180 the back. 328 00:17:14,260 --> 00:17:15,079 Now you got it. 329 00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:18,339 Oh, you're taking charge of your life. 330 00:17:18,540 --> 00:17:19,520 Well, what a shame. 331 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:22,460 What a shame. 332 00:17:22,540 --> 00:17:23,880 We thought there was hope for you. 333 00:17:27,060 --> 00:17:30,660 The flesh wants to be the dynamic that 334 00:17:30,660 --> 00:17:31,720 causes it all. 335 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:32,320 Why? 336 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:35,700 Because that's where the glory goes. 337 00:17:36,980 --> 00:17:38,040 You did that. 338 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:39,240 You produced that. 339 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:40,800 Wow. 340 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:42,200 Glory be to you. 341 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:50,260 Really, everything in creation is here that God 342 00:17:50,260 --> 00:17:51,320 might be glorified. 343 00:17:53,580 --> 00:17:55,340 And there are many reasons that God wants 344 00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:57,320 to see much fruit in our lives. 345 00:17:58,440 --> 00:17:59,500 He wants us to grow. 346 00:17:59,660 --> 00:18:02,120 He wants us to develop and be good 347 00:18:02,120 --> 00:18:05,400 stewards, good disciples, fruitful, effective. 348 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:08,380 He knows in our home and our friendships 349 00:18:08,380 --> 00:18:10,400 and our family and relationships, there are many 350 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:13,840 who need to learn of the Lord and 351 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:17,300 see the Lord at work and be touched 352 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:18,720 by the presence of the Lord. 353 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:22,100 There are nations that need to be reached. 354 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:27,420 There are nations that need to know who 355 00:18:27,420 --> 00:18:28,500 the true vine is. 356 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:34,060 And as this process is going on, God 357 00:18:34,060 --> 00:18:35,080 is glorified. 358 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:38,580 People's attention is shifted from man to God. 359 00:18:38,580 --> 00:18:43,560 From self and that meager existence here on 360 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:47,000 earth below to the Lord of life up 361 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,720 above and what He can bring to us 362 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,620 now and what He has reserved for us 363 00:18:50,620 --> 00:18:51,100 forever. 364 00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:54,980 I am the vine. 365 00:18:55,140 --> 00:18:56,700 You are the branches. 366 00:18:57,900 --> 00:19:00,440 It's a humbling word, but it's an encouraging 367 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:01,280 word too. 368 00:19:03,180 --> 00:19:08,180 Encouragement is branches aren't expected to manufacture fruit. 369 00:19:11,580 --> 00:19:17,500 They're just expected to be dependent depositories of 370 00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:18,040 that fruit. 371 00:19:19,740 --> 00:19:22,060 Wow, that's a load off our backs. 372 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,320 Yeah, the Lord wants to be the dynamic 373 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,040 behind a fruitful life. 374 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:31,420 I am the vine. 375 00:19:31,940 --> 00:19:33,160 You are the branches. 376 00:19:34,060 --> 00:19:35,480 May we embrace that. 377 00:19:36,980 --> 00:19:40,340 Lay aside that kind of self-exalting, self 378 00:19:40,340 --> 00:19:43,260 -striving mindset of the world, the flesh, and 379 00:19:43,260 --> 00:19:43,720 the devil. 380 00:19:45,340 --> 00:19:51,720 And just be content to be branches in 381 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:52,540 the true vine. 382 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,620 Better to be a humble branch in the 383 00:19:56,620 --> 00:19:59,380 true vine where there is life in the 384 00:19:59,380 --> 00:20:06,170 Lord than to be a pusher and a 385 00:20:06,170 --> 00:20:10,510 mover and a shaker and some noisy active 386 00:20:10,510 --> 00:20:14,230 whirling who's trying to build their own little 387 00:20:14,230 --> 00:20:14,630 kingdom. 388 00:20:16,550 --> 00:20:17,790 Can you imagine? 389 00:20:22,770 --> 00:20:24,870 I just had the strangest thought. 390 00:20:24,930 --> 00:20:26,190 Donald Trump came to mind. 391 00:20:26,350 --> 00:20:27,010 I don't know. 392 00:20:27,630 --> 00:20:30,590 I don't know where he stands with the 393 00:20:30,590 --> 00:20:30,870 Lord. 394 00:20:30,990 --> 00:20:35,390 If he stands with Him at all, it 395 00:20:35,390 --> 00:20:37,890 appears to be, let's say, a meager beginning. 396 00:20:40,090 --> 00:20:41,410 An immature start. 397 00:20:41,570 --> 00:20:42,390 A babe in Christ. 398 00:20:42,630 --> 00:20:43,930 I don't know that he knows the Lord 399 00:20:43,930 --> 00:20:44,190 at all. 400 00:20:44,390 --> 00:20:46,230 I've never heard any indication or seen it. 401 00:20:46,950 --> 00:20:48,050 And he comes up on the news all 402 00:20:48,050 --> 00:20:48,450 the time. 403 00:20:49,130 --> 00:20:53,630 And you know, among humankind, this is a 404 00:20:53,630 --> 00:20:54,530 man to be impressed with. 405 00:20:54,650 --> 00:20:57,410 I mean, this is THE Donald. 406 00:20:58,510 --> 00:20:59,190 Ooh. 407 00:21:01,350 --> 00:21:02,470 THE Donald. 408 00:21:03,230 --> 00:21:04,570 Not Donald Duck. 409 00:21:04,670 --> 00:21:05,350 THE Donald. 410 00:21:08,790 --> 00:21:12,570 And actually, the things that he's accomplished on 411 00:21:12,570 --> 00:21:16,270 this earth are quite impressive if that's your 412 00:21:16,270 --> 00:21:17,690 frame of reference, you know? 413 00:21:19,970 --> 00:21:22,850 But it's kind of like a little child, 414 00:21:23,650 --> 00:21:28,170 a little preschooler, a little toddler in your 415 00:21:28,170 --> 00:21:31,530 family den building a little crooked house of 416 00:21:31,530 --> 00:21:32,430 blocks, you know? 417 00:21:33,470 --> 00:21:35,150 And you can have fun with that and 418 00:21:35,150 --> 00:21:37,050 they get blessed when you encourage them, you 419 00:21:37,050 --> 00:21:37,270 know? 420 00:21:37,310 --> 00:21:39,470 And it shows love and you want them 421 00:21:39,470 --> 00:21:40,170 to progress. 422 00:21:40,290 --> 00:21:41,050 All that's fine. 423 00:21:41,570 --> 00:21:44,430 But, you know, the house isn't much. 424 00:21:45,790 --> 00:21:47,810 And it doesn't take but one little slip 425 00:21:47,810 --> 00:21:49,430 of the toddler's foot and the house is 426 00:21:49,430 --> 00:21:50,690 all gone anyway, you know? 427 00:21:52,290 --> 00:21:54,290 So it is with the kingdoms of man, 428 00:21:54,870 --> 00:21:55,250 you know? 429 00:21:55,250 --> 00:21:56,870 The Trump empire. 430 00:21:57,530 --> 00:21:58,430 Even nations. 431 00:21:58,550 --> 00:22:03,050 The mighty Roman empire, you know, that persecuted 432 00:22:03,050 --> 00:22:07,370 God's people and controlled them and razed the 433 00:22:07,370 --> 00:22:09,130 city and tore down the temple and all 434 00:22:09,130 --> 00:22:11,650 of that back in the first century. 435 00:22:12,390 --> 00:22:13,730 And they ruled the world. 436 00:22:14,650 --> 00:22:15,410 Where are they now? 437 00:22:16,410 --> 00:22:17,130 It's gone. 438 00:22:19,860 --> 00:22:21,600 This is what the Lord wants to build. 439 00:22:22,460 --> 00:22:25,380 An everlasting kingdom of spiritual fruit that brings 440 00:22:25,380 --> 00:22:27,180 glory of God and hope and help to 441 00:22:27,180 --> 00:22:27,860 other people. 442 00:22:29,620 --> 00:22:30,420 And branches. 443 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,940 We actually get a full participation in this. 444 00:22:38,630 --> 00:22:39,430 I am the vine. 445 00:22:39,490 --> 00:22:40,210 You are the branches. 446 00:22:40,410 --> 00:22:42,270 He who abides in Me and I in 447 00:22:42,270 --> 00:22:45,370 him bears much fruit. 448 00:22:46,250 --> 00:22:47,470 What an encouragement. 449 00:22:48,710 --> 00:22:50,330 Just abiding in the vine. 450 00:22:51,090 --> 00:22:52,810 Drawing life from Him. 451 00:22:53,810 --> 00:22:58,150 Letting His life develop in us the life 452 00:22:58,150 --> 00:22:58,850 He wants. 453 00:23:00,010 --> 00:23:04,850 And have that life flow out in our 454 00:23:04,850 --> 00:23:11,130 words, our deeds, our attitudes, our perspectives, our 455 00:23:11,130 --> 00:23:14,750 priorities, our relationships one with another. 456 00:23:15,270 --> 00:23:16,590 And on and on it goes. 457 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:21,280 What a phenomenal privilege this is. 458 00:23:24,020 --> 00:23:25,620 You know in the world you always want 459 00:23:25,620 --> 00:23:27,220 to get on the top of the hill. 460 00:23:28,580 --> 00:23:30,460 In the kingdom of heaven your heart is 461 00:23:30,460 --> 00:23:33,040 drawn to the foot of the cross. 462 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:38,060 Not I am going to show people I 463 00:23:38,060 --> 00:23:39,840 am a vine, I am a producer. 464 00:23:40,780 --> 00:23:43,200 I can develop the dynamic that will blow 465 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:44,800 you away with the life you see. 466 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:46,220 It's not it. 467 00:23:47,380 --> 00:23:48,120 It's not it. 468 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:53,460 You can't proceed at all in growth or 469 00:23:53,460 --> 00:23:55,740 fruitfulness or effectiveness in the kingdom of heaven 470 00:23:55,740 --> 00:23:56,700 with that attitude. 471 00:23:59,030 --> 00:24:02,110 But gladly being a branch, looking to the 472 00:24:02,110 --> 00:24:02,630 vine. 473 00:24:03,830 --> 00:24:06,810 We can actually bear much fruit. 474 00:24:07,210 --> 00:24:10,010 I think back on the old life I 475 00:24:10,010 --> 00:24:11,310 had in Adam. 476 00:24:12,470 --> 00:24:17,310 Really existing in death, dead in trespasses and 477 00:24:17,310 --> 00:24:17,710 sins. 478 00:24:18,350 --> 00:24:21,050 That's a little over 40 years ago now. 479 00:24:21,570 --> 00:24:23,450 What a waste. 480 00:24:24,370 --> 00:24:25,290 What a waste. 481 00:24:27,420 --> 00:24:28,720 What unfruitful years. 482 00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:29,800 What barren years. 483 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:31,340 What self-centered years. 484 00:24:35,390 --> 00:24:37,130 And now we rejoice just to be a 485 00:24:37,130 --> 00:24:38,610 branch in the vine. 486 00:24:39,410 --> 00:24:40,470 A branch. 487 00:24:41,550 --> 00:24:45,230 Here's a big important reminder though as we 488 00:24:45,230 --> 00:24:46,330 wrap up our study. 489 00:24:49,230 --> 00:24:55,630 Verse 5 Without Me you can do nothing. 490 00:24:58,100 --> 00:25:00,620 This is a very critical part of this 491 00:25:00,620 --> 00:25:02,500 entire process of bearing fruit. 492 00:25:04,980 --> 00:25:07,280 Realizing that apart from the Lord we can 493 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:07,940 do nothing. 494 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:13,140 I know early on as a young pastor 495 00:25:14,010 --> 00:25:21,100 in the 1960s and early 1970s, I would 496 00:25:21,100 --> 00:25:23,980 read this verse and I actually thought it 497 00:25:23,980 --> 00:25:27,560 meant without including the Lord in your life 498 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:29,840 you're not going to accomplish half as much 499 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:30,820 as you think you will. 500 00:25:32,620 --> 00:25:34,760 Bob, what is it about nothing you don't 501 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:35,360 understand? 502 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:43,640 Oh, it's so easy to kind of strain 503 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:47,000 these through the natural mind of the flesh 504 00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:50,620 and lose the bite, lose the majesty. 505 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:55,880 Apart from me, Jesus is saying you can 506 00:25:55,880 --> 00:25:56,820 do nothing. 507 00:25:57,540 --> 00:25:58,800 Now wait a minute, wait a minute. 508 00:25:58,900 --> 00:25:59,420 Do nothing. 509 00:25:59,900 --> 00:26:02,620 We can build empires and empire state buildings 510 00:26:02,620 --> 00:26:03,540 and Trump buildings. 511 00:26:05,650 --> 00:26:06,970 We can build nations. 512 00:26:07,390 --> 00:26:08,690 We can build spaceships. 513 00:26:09,770 --> 00:26:14,250 We can build an astounding worldwide electronic web 514 00:26:14,750 --> 00:26:19,010 which by the way is catching many, strangling 515 00:26:19,010 --> 00:26:20,810 many, tearing many down. 516 00:26:20,970 --> 00:26:23,690 But what do you mean apart from Him 517 00:26:23,690 --> 00:26:24,470 we can do nothing? 518 00:26:24,470 --> 00:26:28,410 Well, the whole point is all of that 519 00:26:28,410 --> 00:26:32,730 amounts to nothing without the Lord. 520 00:26:35,490 --> 00:26:38,350 But the precise context here is spiritual fruit. 521 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:45,600 And apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, we 522 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:46,960 can do nothing in that arena. 523 00:26:49,610 --> 00:26:51,910 That is exceedingly humbling. 524 00:26:53,290 --> 00:26:55,790 But you know it is good to be 525 00:26:55,790 --> 00:26:57,430 humbled in the Kingdom of Heaven. 526 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:05,260 Men scrap and fight and they strive and 527 00:27:05,260 --> 00:27:10,060 they are fretting and worrying and scheming how 528 00:27:10,060 --> 00:27:11,840 to avoid being humbled, you know. 529 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:19,140 How to avoid looking like you're inadequate, ineffective, 530 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:25,700 don't know all you think you know, can't 531 00:27:25,700 --> 00:27:26,820 do what you say you'll do. 532 00:27:27,220 --> 00:27:32,020 People, they'll virtually sell their souls to avoid 533 00:27:32,020 --> 00:27:32,740 being humbled. 534 00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:36,600 Have you noticed though the persistence of the 535 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:36,900 Lord? 536 00:27:38,220 --> 00:27:42,840 He just keeps coming up with things that 537 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:43,640 humble us. 538 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,520 And really, it's great wisdom to stop the 539 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:49,020 fight. 540 00:27:53,120 --> 00:27:55,780 The Scriptures call us to walk humbly with 541 00:27:55,780 --> 00:27:56,420 our God. 542 00:27:57,780 --> 00:27:59,820 That's not something to dread. 543 00:27:59,820 --> 00:28:01,880 That's something to embrace. 544 00:28:03,840 --> 00:28:05,560 God is opposed to the proud. 545 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:07,480 He gives grace to the humble. 546 00:28:08,360 --> 00:28:10,520 Don't we want to live by the abounding 547 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:11,600 grace of God? 548 00:28:11,740 --> 00:28:14,320 Oh, if we don't get in the Word, 549 00:28:14,460 --> 00:28:15,940 God will change our heart and mind. 550 00:28:18,380 --> 00:28:20,300 What heart is open to the grace of 551 00:28:20,300 --> 00:28:22,600 God to do a further work each day? 552 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:26,880 The humble heart that is one who admits 553 00:28:26,880 --> 00:28:27,880 their need. 554 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:30,960 And it's not just partial. 555 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:33,380 It is comprehensive. 556 00:28:34,700 --> 00:28:37,740 Apart from Me, you can do nothing. 557 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:41,820 How would God want us to respond to 558 00:28:41,820 --> 00:28:42,160 that? 559 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:43,260 You know? 560 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:47,440 He would actually want a hearty amen, at 561 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:48,260 least in our hearts. 562 00:28:49,300 --> 00:28:52,500 Wow, apart from Me, you can do nothing. 563 00:28:53,300 --> 00:28:54,720 The flesh wants to fight it. 564 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:57,040 The natural mind rebels at it. 565 00:28:58,060 --> 00:29:01,860 It's hard to imagine that the way on 566 00:29:01,860 --> 00:29:07,420 to bountiful effectiveness starts out and proceeds with 567 00:29:07,420 --> 00:29:10,620 man admitting his nothingness when it comes to 568 00:29:10,620 --> 00:29:14,900 capacity to produce, to take the place of 569 00:29:14,900 --> 00:29:18,700 God in the matter of life-giving, life 570 00:29:18,700 --> 00:29:20,140 -developing fruitfulness. 571 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:23,900 Apart from Me, you can do nothing. 572 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:28,760 So, humility and faith are in these two 573 00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:29,220 verses. 574 00:29:30,160 --> 00:29:34,500 The humility is branches can't produce fruit of 575 00:29:34,500 --> 00:29:34,960 itself. 576 00:29:37,150 --> 00:29:40,430 Without Jesus, we can do nothing. 577 00:29:40,590 --> 00:29:41,790 That's the humility part. 578 00:29:42,170 --> 00:29:43,270 But here's the faith part. 579 00:29:44,130 --> 00:29:45,130 Truth to believe. 580 00:29:45,870 --> 00:29:46,730 I'm the vine. 581 00:29:48,030 --> 00:29:49,750 He who abides in Me and I in 582 00:29:49,750 --> 00:29:51,610 him bears much fruit. 583 00:29:51,750 --> 00:29:52,690 We can believe that. 584 00:29:53,990 --> 00:29:57,470 Day by day, we can proceed with this 585 00:29:57,470 --> 00:29:58,130 perspective. 586 00:29:58,710 --> 00:30:02,010 I'm a branch joined into the vine that 587 00:30:02,010 --> 00:30:02,650 is Christ. 588 00:30:03,070 --> 00:30:04,330 He is my life source. 589 00:30:05,150 --> 00:30:06,990 I cannot produce the life that He wants 590 00:30:06,990 --> 00:30:08,610 to see that brings Him glory and touches 591 00:30:08,610 --> 00:30:12,310 others, but I can abide in Him, count 592 00:30:12,310 --> 00:30:12,790 on Him. 593 00:30:13,930 --> 00:30:15,210 How do you know if you're abiding? 594 00:30:15,430 --> 00:30:15,890 Well, listen. 595 00:30:16,590 --> 00:30:18,710 If we're as willing to depend on the 596 00:30:18,710 --> 00:30:22,930 Lord Jesus for any spiritual fruit as a 597 00:30:22,930 --> 00:30:26,010 grape branch must depend on a grape vine 598 00:30:26,010 --> 00:30:30,770 for one grape, then we are ready to 599 00:30:30,770 --> 00:30:31,750 abide in Christ. 600 00:30:32,630 --> 00:30:34,310 It's a full dependency. 601 00:30:35,150 --> 00:30:37,450 Giving Him the trust that He is worthy 602 00:30:37,450 --> 00:30:40,310 of and He will bring the life that 603 00:30:40,310 --> 00:30:41,630 we desperately need. 604 00:30:42,730 --> 00:30:46,930 It takes life to produce fruit. 605 00:30:48,090 --> 00:30:51,850 Jesus is our daily life source. 606 00:30:52,970 --> 00:30:57,090 Let's just trust in Him and watch Him 607 00:30:57,090 --> 00:30:59,830 bring forth much fruit in our lives. 608 00:31:00,990 --> 00:31:04,850 Others will be touched and God will be 609 00:31:04,850 --> 00:31:05,750 glorified. 610 00:31:06,050 --> 00:31:07,550 You might say, well, where am I going 611 00:31:07,550 --> 00:31:07,890 to be? 612 00:31:08,390 --> 00:31:12,890 You're going to be rejoicing, exploding with thanksgiving 613 00:31:13,730 --> 00:31:16,970 that God would use us in such a 614 00:31:16,970 --> 00:31:17,870 majestic plan. 615 00:31:18,810 --> 00:31:20,170 Well, let's pray together, okay? 616 00:31:21,570 --> 00:31:22,710 Let's stand together. 617 00:31:30,460 --> 00:31:34,020 Lord Jesus, this very moment we want to 618 00:31:35,390 --> 00:31:43,210 confess You, Lord, as our true vine, our 619 00:31:43,210 --> 00:31:44,010 life source. 620 00:31:47,470 --> 00:31:49,870 We want to humbly admit that in and 621 00:31:49,870 --> 00:31:52,150 of ourselves we cannot produce this life and 622 00:31:52,150 --> 00:31:54,930 the subsequent fruitfulness at all. 623 00:31:56,130 --> 00:31:58,270 We can do nothing in that realm on 624 00:31:58,270 --> 00:31:58,710 our own. 625 00:32:00,090 --> 00:32:02,170 So Lord, we're looking to You this day. 626 00:32:02,290 --> 00:32:03,610 There are places You want us to go 627 00:32:03,610 --> 00:32:06,970 this day, this week, and bear fruit and 628 00:32:06,970 --> 00:32:08,190 be fruitful and effective. 629 00:32:08,970 --> 00:32:10,510 We need You for it all. 630 00:32:11,210 --> 00:32:13,930 We look to You to be working in 631 00:32:13,930 --> 00:32:20,550 and through us, demonstrating Your life through our 632 00:32:20,550 --> 00:32:24,910 relationships, our work and our walk. 633 00:32:26,610 --> 00:32:28,790 And Lord our God, we pray this brings 634 00:32:28,790 --> 00:32:30,330 You great, great glory. 635 00:32:32,370 --> 00:32:34,070 And we know it's going to bring great 636 00:32:34,070 --> 00:32:35,330 joy to our lives. 637 00:32:36,550 --> 00:32:39,250 And Lord, we give You thanks in advance 638 00:32:39,250 --> 00:32:43,050 and pray that from this precious congregation of 639 00:32:43,050 --> 00:32:50,470 believers, a staggering, bountiful harvest of righteousness will 640 00:32:50,470 --> 00:32:54,210 grow up right on top of and in 641 00:32:54,210 --> 00:32:58,050 and through and around the wonderful fruitfulness You've 642 00:32:58,050 --> 00:32:59,090 already developed here. 643 00:32:59,810 --> 00:33:01,310 Jesus, we look to You. 644 00:33:01,390 --> 00:33:03,530 We're so thankful to be Your branches. 645 00:33:04,450 --> 00:33:07,030 Do this wonderful work in and through us 646 00:33:07,030 --> 00:33:08,630 as we trust in You, we pray. 647 00:33:09,270 --> 00:33:12,030 In Jesus' name, amen. 648 00:33:12,970 --> 00:33:15,170 You've been listening to From the Pulpit in 649 00:33:15,170 --> 00:33:16,270 Classic Sermons series. 650 00:33:16,590 --> 00:33:18,470 This week you heard Bob Hoekstra with his 651 00:33:18,470 --> 00:33:20,010 message, Bearing Much Fruit. 652 00:33:20,410 --> 00:33:22,010 Tune in next week to hear A.W. 653 00:33:22,110 --> 00:33:24,670 Tozer talk about God's abundant mercy on From 654 00:33:24,670 --> 00:33:26,230 the Pulpit in Classic Sermons.