✂️ When was the last time you had to cut something out of your life to make room for something better? (Ex: a habit, relationship, or time commitment.)
John 15:1–17 (NKJV) 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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
What stands out to you? Is there anything new for you to believe or obey?
Other Scriptures referenced in message: Galatians 5:13-26, John 12:24, Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1
Paul Durbin’s message explores the question: *How do we develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives?*Using John 15’s imagery of the vine and branches, Paul emphasized that just as fruit grows through intentional care, believers grow spiritually through four key processes: Dying, Pruning, Abiding, and Considering. To grow the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), we must die to ourselves, allow the Holy Spirit to prune what’s unhelpful, abide closely with Jesus as the source of life, and consider others in selfless love. Each process challenges us but leads to a life marked by both purity and power.
(See the bottom of this note for a full sermon outline).