Being a Fruitful Christian

John 15:1-8

It Requires Pruning 1-3 This it done by the Father

Cleansing by the Word

Process - The process includes removing good things (things that are not sinful) that interfere with fruitfulness. These would be things that require our time, our resources and our energy that. These are things that may make us look good to others or cause others to celebrate or praise us. These may be things that take the attention off of God and draw attention to ourselves. The vinedresser will cut these things out of our lives so that He can make us spiritually and eternally fruitful for His name and honor and glory.

Pain - if the branches could talk they would say that pruning hurts. While it does hurt it is also helping. We may not enjoy the pruning but we need it.

The vinedresser is the Father and He knows what He is doing in the pruning of our lives. We can trust Him. We must trust Him. There is a purpose in the pain.

Deuteronomy 32:39 ESV

“ ‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.

He is skilled with each move he makes. He knows how to handle each branch. He makes each cut with precision. He knows how much to cut. He knows how deep to cut. He knows where to cut. He knows what to cut.

He prunes each branch according to His purposes.

This is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make: assuming all trees can be pruned the same way. In reality, tree species, growth habits, fruiting patterns, and disease risks all determine how and when a tree should be pruned.

Purpose - to increase fruitfulness

Yields Quality -

Pruning increases the size of the fruit.

How?

Pruning decrease the number of buds thus allowing more nutrients, more water and more sugar to be directed into the remaining buds.

Application: This could be things in your life that are good and decent but not the best things. Maybe things that keep you to busy to hone in on your call or giftedness.

Pruning removes excess leaves and shoots so that light can better penetrate deeper into the vine. This yields better color, and flavor.

Application: This could be things that look good and impressive to the casual observer and give the overall appearance of spiritual work but lack real spiritual power. Things that look good on a spiritual resume but are not making a difference for the kingdom of God.

Pruning allows for better air circulation so that fruit dries quicker and reduces fungal pressure and disease.

Yields Quantity -

Pruning increases fruit quantity over time.

It may slightly decrease fruit in that season but pruning allows for consistent fruit bearing year after year. It also increases the overall lifetime yield of the vine.

Application: It may appear that you are not as active and busy but this allows for healthy. longterm spiritual health.

It Requires Abiding 4-6

Relationship - Union

When we are saved we are “grafted” into Jesus Christ by grace through faith. This is the relationship that we have with Him.

The Vine and the Branch picture a relationship of union that is strengthened and enjoyed through continual communion

Living Union

Loving Union

Lasting Union

Fellowship - Communion

Fellowship is when we enjoy the benefits of the relationship. This is when we commune with Jesus, pray, talk, worship, hear His word to us.

Abide means to maintain fellowship with Christ so His life can flow in to us and through us to bring forth fruit.

Our Communion with Christ through the Spirit makes possible the bearing of fruit.

Relationship and connection

A Dependance upon Jesus for Life

It Requires Asking 7-8

Prayer to be a fruitful Christian.

Nothing of any spiritual and eternal significance will be accomplished without the ministry of prayer.

Prayer is the means by which God has ordained to accomplish His purposes in the earth.

Surely there can be no fruitful christian when there is no praying Christain.

Are you asking God to prune your life so that you may bear more fruit for the Glory of God?

Are you asking God to give you desire and strength to abide in Christ so that His quality of Life may flow in and through you to bring forth quality fruit for the Glory of God?

Are you asking in prayer for God to make your life a fruitful life?