ABIDE IN ME — WEEK 3
Pruning for Growth
1. Pruning for Growth
Abiding isn’t just about staying connected.
It’s also about removing what interrupts connection.
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.”
—John 15:1 (NLT)
2. The Gardener Prunes with Purpose
“My Father is the gardener.”
—John 15:1 (NLT)
God has always been revealed as the One who plants, tends, and grows life.
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.”
—Psalm 1:3 (NLT)
God prunes what He intends to make fruitful.
3. What Gets Pruned Isn’t Always Sin
“He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
—John 15:2 (NLT)
Good things can still interrupt God things.
Sin disconnects quickly.
“It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.”
—Isaiah 59:2 (NLT)
Distraction disconnects slowly.
“All too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.”
—Matthew 13:22 (NLT)
4. Fruit Loss Signals Interrupted Flow
“You cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
—John 15:4 (NLT)
Fruit in Scripture always flows from life — not striving.
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence.”
—Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
“Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?”
—Isaiah 55:2 (NLT)
You can be connected — and still congested.
5. Appearance Without Abiding
Jesus gives a sobering picture through the fig tree.
“He noticed a fig tree in full leaf… but there were only leaves.”
—Mark 11:13 (NLT)
“The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”
—Mark 11:21 (NLT)
Leaves advertise.
Fruit testifies.
6. The World Pressures Us Away from Abiding
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world.”
—Romans 12:2 (NLT)
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”
—John 15:18 (NLT)
“You do not belong to the world… that is why the world hates you.”
—John 15:19 (NLT)
“They will do all this to you because of me.”
—John 15:21 (NLT)
If you don’t intentionally remove pressure, pressure will eventually remove presence.
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you.”
—1 John 2:15–17 (NLT)
7. Pruning Simplifies Focus
Abiding in Jesus must result in life.
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
—John 10:10 (NLT)
Anything that interrupts abiding opens space for what steals life.
8. Pruning Restores Flow
Pruning doesn’t control your life.
It clears space for life.
“You have already been pruned and purified.”
—John 15:3 (NLT)
9. Cleared to Abide
You’re not being cut away from life.
You’re being cleared for life.
“Remain in fellowship with Christ.”
—1 John 2:28 (NLT)
Abide.
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