“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” -John 15:2 NLT

FOUR TRUTHS ABOUT PRUNING

Stay Connect To The True Source

God Is The Gardener

Pruning Cuts Away The Dead And Trims The Live

Pruning Is Necessary

“People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.” -Proverbs 21:2 NLT

PRUNING OUR MOTIVES

Cut Approval from Others

“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT

When we allow the Lord to cut away approval from others from our motives we realize that we are...

Adopted: “Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him.” -Ephesians 1:5 NLT

Valued: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” -Ephesian 2:10 NLT

Transformed: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Cut Selfish Ambition

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” -Philippians 2:3-4

When we allow the Lord to cut away selfish ambition and pour our lives into the lives of those around us, we get to be…

Generous

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.” -Luke 6:38 NLT

Supportive

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2 NLT

Fulfilled

“It is a proof of your faith. Many people will praise God because you obey the Good News of Christ…and because you freely share with them and with all others.” -2 Corinthians 9:13 NCV

Jesus Our Ultimate Example

“When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names.” -Philippians 2:7-9 NLT