“The Pruned Life” – a message from John 15:1-2

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our preaching series during Lent entitled “The Tree and the Vine,” drawing from Psalm 1 and John 15. In this fourth message of the series I explored John 15:1-2, giving attention to what it means to be pruned by God the Master Gardener.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2)

Pruning as Cleansing for Fruitfulness

The word means cut “clean” and implies healing

Jesus’ word is the pruning tool that cuts clean

What about the branches that don’t bear fruit?

Pruning’s purpose is to bring greater life and fruitfulness

Three Types of Pruning

Pruning related to sin

Pruning related to service

Pruning related to circumstances

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize John 15:1-2 or 15:9
• Continue with the Eastbrook Church Lenten devotional: eastbrook.org/devotionals.
• Take some time to meditate on John 15:1-4. Perhaps you might want to draw, paint, letter, or sketch aspects of these verses to help you. Perhaps you might want to write your own prayer back to God as part of your reflection. Share this with a friend.
• Explore some of the following resources:
  • Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
  • Andrew Murray, The True Vine
  • “I Am the Vine” – John Michael Talbot
  • “Abide” – Aaron Williams