I am...The True Vine

Connections. Right? Its good to have connections. It seems like everybody knows somebody who knows somebody. Connections. All of the cool characters in my favorite movies as a kid all had connections rather it be a cop or detective who has connections in the streets for inside information. Of if its a bad guy who has connections. And one of the blessings of being in both the ministry and the secular marketplace is I have acquired some connections. (Preach)

1. Pruned (v.1-3)

For those who are already doing well. God will do His part in making sure you do better.

Pruning is not without pain

Pruning requires patience

Then he says the disciples are already cleaned/pruned because they have because of the Word that has been spoken. Its almost as if Jesus is saying that the painful pruning process of the Father can be alleviated if you stay in the word Jesus speaks. The word is its won cleansing agent. The word of Christ is its own disciplinarian.

2. Preserved (v. 4-6)

There are only two destines of a branch: Bear Fruit or Burn in Fire.

God will preserver those who bear fruit. If you are are useless to the kingdom God will find another use for you.

3. Prayers Answered (v.7)

Exegete v.7 in context

Story of German Shepherd and toy Poodle

4. Proved to be Disciples (v.8-10)

The test of maturity in your walk with God become apparent when your chief goal is to bring glory to God by doing the work set out for us to do. Its not when you are blessed beyond measure, its not just when you can control your emotions and experience growth in behavior. Its when the world can see, that you are like Jesus, and being like Jesus bringing the attention away from you to God the Father.

Prove, or become, literally saying Authenticate. To show that you are the real deal and not a knock off, not a swing-man

The differences is what you are made out of and how it looks. What it costs, and if its used in the game.