Cooperating in the Pruning

Philadelphia Baptist Church

9/19/2007 Wednesday

Cooperate in the Pruning

John 15:1–8

Introduction:

Let’s look at a necessity for productivity in the Christian life—pruning. God wants us to be productive. This passage tells us the price.

I.  The Process of Pruning

Most of us already know too much about this

A. God uses people to prune us

1. This involves all the ugly things people do to us and say about us

2. These are often people who themselves have not developed the fruit of the Spirit that we are working on developing

B. God uses problems to prune us

1. The problems that we bring on ourselves

2. The problems that come upon us outside our control—we are dealing here with the circumstances of life

C. God uses pressures to prune us

1. This has to do with the ways in which we respond to problems

2. There is a sense in which all pressure is self-created

II.  The Purpose of Pruning

A. Pruning is positive

1. God has purposes for everything He allows to come our way

2. Nothing comes by accident or “happenstance”

3. “Surely God’s wrath against men brings Him praise”

Personal Application: We glorify God by doing that which brings Him praise.

B. Pruning is powerful

1. God always achieves His purposes in this world

2. We are given the option of cooperation

3. The more we accept His working, the more it accomplishes, and the more quickly it is over

C. Pruning is productive

1. The fruit of pruning is first internal (Heb. 12:11)

2. Pruning is necessary in producing the fruit of the Spirit

3. Pruning contributes to the productivity of our lives and ministries

4. Notice the progression in John 15—fruit, more fruit, much fruit

Personal Application: Without Jesus, we can do nothing…With Jesus we can do all things!!

III.  The Problems of Pruning—Mistakes Regarding Pruning

A. Pruning is punishment

1. It is clear from Hebrews 12:4–11 that this is not so

2. Our punishment was taken by Him on the cross

3. Chastening is simply part the pruning process (the dead branches)

B. Pruning is permanent

1. We think the branches will never grow again, the loss permanent

2. Pruning is done so that more fruit will be produced

3. There is an end to pruning or the plant is destroyed, which is never God’s intention

C. Pruning is passive

1. God prunes out the dead branches

2. God also prunes the living branches (He sometimes cuts back something we consider very productive)

3. Our refusal to accept what He is doing can cause us to miss productivity

Conclusion:

God wants us productive. God is always at work in our lives to produce the fruit He wishes. Maximum productivity demands that we cooperate in the pruning!!