The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-27

day, November 2S.
Scripture: John l5:l-lG.
Persons: Jesus and the eleven
Apostles. Time: The night before
the clucifixion of Jesus. Place:
The Upper Room in Jerusalem
where the Lords Supper had just
been instituted or on the way to
Gethsemane the scene of the ag-
ony, the betrayal. and the arrest.
Theme: A chapter from the Lords
Farewell DiscOurses in which by
most striking metaphor he set
forth 1.-The spiritual oneness OF
Christ and his people and his re.
lation to them as the source OF
all their spiritual life and fruit
fulneSS.
LIFE FROM CHRIST: VINE
(Verses l.2)
The Source of Christian Fruit
rulness is pictured in the vine.
Jesus is the perfect vine; not
merely the vine stock (says HOY
ey), but the stock with its branch
es. So intimate is the union and
SO absolute the identity of Christ
with his followers. Observe that
our Lord does not compare NM
self to some monarch Of the Tor
est. like the Cedar Of Lebanon,
but the more common, less pre-
tentious, generally cultivated.
fruit-bearing vine. The Father Is
not only the vine dresser but the
owner of the vineyard. He plant,
ed, provides for, protects, ana
prunes the vine, in its branches.
TO it's highest efficiency, pluck
ing N due season the precious
fruitage. The connection OF the
branches with the true vine Is VI
tai. Therefrom We draw the
nourishment necessary TO the iar-
ger and higher life and it IS thru
the branches that the vine bears
fruit on earth. For this purpose
the vine was planted and cuitivat-
ed and for this purpose the
branches are filled with living
sap and crowned with verdant
foliage. And yet pruning Is nee
essary in order that the vine thru
its branches may bear more ana
richer fruit. True to the picture
there must be the cutting oil OF
certain branches, not so much pc
cause they are lifeless but be-
cause they are fruitless. WIN inc
useless limbs removed there loi'
lows the cleansing and stimulation
of fruitful branches. The hand oil
the husbandman may at times De
painful, but it is always salnt'ry
and helpful. .,,rs
LIFE in CHRIST: BRANCHES
(Verses SD -. r.
The Secret Of Christian Fruit
fulness is pictured in the branch,
es of the vine. After the pruning
process has taken place, the Sa'
vious could say to his disciples
that they were clean through thI
word which ne had spoken unto
them. But in order to MAINTAIN
the life. thus begun, It was nee
essary for, them to abide III nm
and for hi INTO abide in them. IN
EXPERIMENTATION and identity are
thus exhibited and inculcated. II
there is no union with the VINE
there can be fruit for the nus
bandman. But if the union wlti
| Christ is intimate and sincere th'
result is sure To be satisfactory
While the severed branch Is o.
course powerleSS, those ABIDING
in the vine are to bear, not
few light punches, but numerous
and weighty clusters OF luscious
fruit. Those who neglect OF spur
this vital union with CHRIST ar,
either double-faccd or deluded
profession of faith in Chris
amounts to nothing unless 1t b.
genuine. The branch that Is sim
plv tied on to the vine must b.
torn away and shaken into tn
consuming fire. But in contras
with the doom of the frultleSs
mark the duty and the privileg
of those who are united WIT
Christ. When we live in Chris
, and his words form the furnltur
of our lives, then our prayers VII
be unfailingly effectual:
LIFE FOR CHRIST: FRUIT
(Verses Sid :,
The Service of Christian Fruit
fitness is pictured in the fruit o
the branches abiding in the vine
Abundant fruit-bearing Of cours
delights the husbandman. 1t can
ries out his purpose. 1t eXpreSSe
his character. 1t honorS his nam
among men. Moreover, it is bot
the test and the developer of tru!
discipleship. Our love for God
but a faint reflection of the low
of our Creator and Redeemer TO
us. The love of Jesus Tor US wa
eoualed only by the infinite Low
of the Father for the Son. Surel
we ought to continue in his love
Then we shall bear the fruit o
obedience which will keep us with
in the sweep of Gods uncloude
love If we. follow the footstep
of Jesus and keep faith with hi
we shall possess his JOY which
not. in limited quantities. Wh
praise angels should suddenl
come TO our door some day wh;
they would hear; prayer or prals
It should be prayer. Also, it shout