Before we get to our foundational text for today's parable, if you would turn your

Bibles to Psalms 119, verse 71.

Psalms 119, verse 71, and then we're going to go to John chapter 15

re one verse verse two this is going to set up the parable that we're going to be

exeating in just a few moments.

Psalms chapter 119 verse 71 if you do not have a tangible Bible you can look on the screens

because it'll be projected for you there.

If you're ready, would you shout I'm ready.

Psalm's 119 verse 71.

The psalmist says, it was good for me to be blessed

know the text says it was good for me to get that miracle

he says it was good for me to be afflicted. Why? So that I might learn. See the correlation. Affliction and learning.

In other words, if I'm going to be afflicted, I'm leaving with something. If I'm going to suffer,

I'm leaving with something. More clarity, more devotion, more worship. So that I'm going to suffer, I'm leaving with something. More clarity, more devotion, more worship.

So that I may learn your decrees.

Then Jesus says in John 15, verse 2, speaking about the relationship with the Father and himself,

he says, speaking of God, he cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit

while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

May we be those branches in Christ that are fruitful and are willing to embrace the pruning

so that we can become even more fruitful.

God, thank you for this moment.

Thank you for this time.

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