Photo taken from The Brock News, Brock University: http://www.brocku.ca
John 15:1-8
Pruning is something that needs to
happen to us all…
We have control on how much
pruning takes place…
John 15:1-8
1“I
am the true vine, and my Father is the
gardener. 2 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.
3 You are already clean because of the word I have
spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in
you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must
remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit
unless you remain in me.
John 15:1-8 (cont’d)
5 “I
am the vine; you are the branches. If you
remain in me and I in you, you will bear much
fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch
that is thrown away and withers; such branches are
picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you
remain in me and my words remain in you, ask
whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much
fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
E.g. Pruning…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1cq5
VvHFb4
For Effective Pruning…
1. Skills and resources (Instruments)
2. Do it right the first year.
3. Have a good support structure and root system.
4. Experience – distance from each vine. Keep the ones close to
the vine.
5. Prune everything not needed, such as dead growth or
suckers. Some of these unnecessary branches stops the vine
from being more fruitful, by channeling energy from the vine
these unfruitful branches.
6. Timing is crucial. Early spring is recommended.
7. Without pruning the growth in the following year gets
affected. It just becomes a jungle. No fruit.
8. Looks weird after pruning.
9. Expectations of the gardener of the vine. Buds will produce
cluster of grapes.
Suckers…

Suckers are small offshoots that grow on many types of
vines.

Because suckers can weaken the main vine and pull energy
away from growth, many gardeners prune suckers from
vines.
Suckers…

Distracted, with many other branches growing –
worries, worldliness, lust, greed, approval seeking…

Overcrowding our schedule and that of our kids.

Going through difficult times

Addictions
Qualifier…

Do not call anyone by this name “suckers”.

You may liken their distractions and energy consuming
activities that are unspiritual and unnecessary to these plant
“suckers”. Label root issues not individuals.
Cutting off…

Regular DGs, discipling and QTs…

Every two weeks…
-Get direction /lesson from leaders
-Respond
-Be vulnerable. Check in / check out
-Time limit
-Appropriate feedback
Being Vulnerable…

Feelings – Fears, sadness, anger

Needs – Acceptance, connection, believe

Weakness – Unhealthy coping styles – Avoid,
overcompensate/surrender.

Apologize and take responsibility…
All said above in a gentle and respectful tone…
Results of good pruning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q58zFY0B1M
Fruit – Not just helping someone to be a disciple.
Marriage – Fruit?
Family? Get along?
Small group? Are there evidence?
Galatians 5:22-25
22But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the
Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Not salvation by works, but about bringing glory to
God.

Bringing Glory to God
John 15:8
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit,
showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Not Salvation by Works…
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For
it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one
can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
James 2:20-24
20 You
foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is
useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for
what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that
his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made
complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says,
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a
person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
Stay close to Him and we will bear
much fruit.
GuangZhou…
Prayer life…
Confessing sins to each other…
GhuangZhao – 60%...
The End

Hi…and Bye…