The Grape Awakening

John 15:1-8
Introduction:
A tragedy in a Texas town resulted in the loss of more than 200 lives when the school burned to the ground. When the school was rebuilt, no expense was spared in hiring a company with the best reputation to rebuild the school and install a fire sprinkler system. When the school opened, school officials made sure to point out the new sprinklers to the community members to alleviate any fears that another tragedy might occur. After several years with no problems, the school needed to expand. The construction workers made a startling discovery as the addition was completed. The fire sprinklers had never been connected to the water supply! The sprinklers that had given them such peace were completely ineffective because they didn’t have water.
There are many believers that look like they have it together outwardly, but they lack that vital connection to Jesus that allows them to be useful. Jesus is speaking to His disciples on the way to Gethsemane about the bond He wants to have with us.

I The PRIORITY –
The priority is an abiding relationship with Jesus
Jesus zeros in on the type of relationship He wants to have with us
He wants to be connected to us and an integral part of our lives
He is the source of life and fruitfulness.
A branch can neither exist nor bear fruit apart from the vine.
We will wither in our spirituality and languish in life without abiding in Jesus
He doesn’t say without Him we can do little, but without Him we can do nothing!
You and I can’t accomplish the will of God on our own
Our lives have divine purpose, but we’ll never accomplish that apart from Jesus.
By abiding Jesus meant that we are to stay connected to Him
Our spiritual strength and nourishment are drawn from Him
His power flows through us causing us to be fruitful for His glory.
We are not the focus, but He is. Everything worthy proceeds forth from Him
How Do I Abide? Growing Relationship starting with devotion
Deepens to Commitment and leads to obedience

II The PURPOSE–
The purpose is fruit production
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit & v 16
Bearing fruit represents good works including thoughts, actions, and attitudes that value and honor God.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Jesus was speaking of a grape vine and the expectation was grapes, right?
The fruit we produce should be in keeping with the vine
If we are connected to the Christ Life, godly qualities will be the result
Consider the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, meekness, and self-control
Living the Christ Life, abiding in Jesus will give us opportunities to impact our world
We don’t have to struggle to produce these fruits or force their production
If we just stay in that abiding relationship with Christ, this is the natural result
Can you imagine a branch on an orange tree struggling to produce fruit?
If it is healthy and connected to the trunk and root, that will naturally follow
It isn’t “Jesus, look what I can do.” It is “Jesus, I’m amazed at what You’ve done!”
2 Corinthians 9:8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,