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Pruning and Cleansing
CGG Weekly by Charles WhitakerIn John 15:2, Christ describes the Father's action of pruning every branch that bears fruit, so that it may bear more fruit. This pruning, referred to by the verb kathairo, is a form of cleansing that strengthens the committed Christian who resolutely clings to the Vine. Through His pruning, God constantly renews and maintains the vitality of His people, an ongoing creative act on His part. The cleansing experienced by productive branches, who remain unified with the Vine, is far more desirable than the destruction faced by unproductive ones. As God prunes, He ensures that those who abide in Christ endure trials and are ultimately saved.
Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasOur heavenly Father, as the Vinedresser, exercises abundant patience, longsuffering, and forbearance before removing a fruitless branch, yet His tolerance for rebellion and non-productivity has limits. Pruning and cleansing both involve cutting, but their results differ; pruning may mean to take up or remove unproductive branches, while cleansing purges to encourage growth in productive ones. Before God permanently excises a barren vine, He applies incremental discipline, ranging from rebuke to chastening and finally to scourging, allowing the consequences of sin to take effect. Pruning, often done in the dormant winter season, removes lateral branches, diseased wood, and superfluous foliage to control size and shape, while spring pruning invigorates trees for new growth. During these dormant winter and pre-spring months, God's people experience trials and tests, coinciding with pruning, self-examination, and cultivating spiritual fruit. God's purpose, once we are cleaned, is to stimulate growth in us, and as productive branches, Christ's faithful disciples must remain attached to the Vine, not permitting bitterness to develop because of God's correction, thereby enabling a thorough, invigorating cleansing. Responding to God's pruning cannot be passive; it requires active cooperation in producing fruits of repentance and righteousness.
Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasBriars, thistles, thorns, and weeds are visible emblems of sin or its consequences, which we must pull up by the roots for the balance of our physical life.
The Vinedresser - Revisited
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaDr. Bruce Wilkinson explains that 'takes away' should be more properly rendered 'takes up,' meaning new grape vines are lifted out of the dirt.
The True Vine of Agape
Sermonette by Bill OnisickJesus Christ is the Vine and His Father is the Vinedresser; we are the branches, subject to trimming and pruning in order that we bear abundant fruit.
The Vinedresser
CGG Weekly by Clyde FinkleaJohn 15:2 seems to say the Vinedresser cuts off every barren branch, but the Greek behind 'takes away' shows God doing something else: He lifts up.
Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMagic is always used as some kind of weapon, but not to build or develop moral strength or character. God chooses a life-long process of sanctification.
Patience With Growth
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFruit maturation takes time. Waiting for the fruit is just part of the story; while we wait, we must also work, including thinning and pruning.
God's Good Work in Us
Sermon by John O. ReidDespite the privileged position of our calling, God does not cut us any slack in terms of trials and tests to perfect us. We must accept God's sovereignty.
Was Job Really Self-Righteous?
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaSelf-righteousness is defined as being smugly proud of one's own opinion and intolerant of others. What Job repented of was his misunderstanding of God.
Producing Fruit
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo be made clean only prepares us for producing fruit. If we stand still, simply resting on our justification, the dark forces will pull us backwards.
John (Part Twenty-Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn Christ's vine and branch analogy, Jesus presents Himself as the true or genuine Vine, as contrasted to the unfaithful vine (ancient Israel).
Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFruit is a product of growth requiring knowledge, work, patience, truth (light) and water (God's Spirit). Only by remaining on the vine will we bear fruit.
John (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe largest portion of the great commission demands that the lion's share of time, money, or energy ought to be invested in feeding the flock.
Don't Stand Still!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe best way to conquer evil is to do righteousness, serving God and mankind. Sins of omission are every bit as devastating as sins of commission.
God's Perspective
Sermonette by Ryan McClureHuman nature skews our view of reality; there is always more than meets the eye. We would do well to adopt the approach of 'Good or bad, it is hard to say.'