Pastor Nate Brosher
Mar 23, 2025
John 15:1-8 ESV – 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Prunes – Kathairo – to cleanse, of filth impurity.
John 15:3-4 ESV - 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide/Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides/remains in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide/remain in me.
1. Spiritual Growth
2Corinthians 7:1 NIV - 1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify/cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
What is contaminating you?
Molysmos – defilement, an action by which anything is defiled
Are we staying connected to the Vine?
2. The Gardener/Vinedresser
Matthew 13:24-30 ESV - 24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So, the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, "Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned but gather the wheat into my barn."
Weeds/Tare - Zizanion - a kind of darnel, resembling wheatexcept the grains are black.
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” – Author unknown (1830)
Proverbs 12:18 NIV – 18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Purge – rid (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling.
1Corinthians 11:31-32 NLT - 31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. 32 Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
John 17:16-17 NLT - 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.