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Apr 13, 2025

Held in the Gardener’s Hands | Power and Promise

Follow Along with the Message

Held in the Gardener’s Hands

April 13, 2025

John 15:1–8

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

1. He every branch in His hands.

John 15:1–2

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off ("takes away") every branch in me that bears no fruit".

Ephesians 2:8–10

1 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

INSIGHT: The fruit glorifies the Gardener, not the branch.

2. He the shears with love.

John 15:2

"and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

INSIGHT: Pruning isn't punishment — it’s preparation. The Gardener cuts away not to hurt us but to help us.

How to recognize a pruning season

Loss of Something Good, Not Sinful
Deep Conviction and Refining
A Sense of Being Spiritually Stripped Down
Reduced External Fruit but Increased Inner Growth
Spiritual Dryness That Drives You to Seek More of Him
God Rearranging Priorities
Unexpected Disruption That Forces Dependency

3. He our connection.

John 15:4–5

"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. 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."

INSIGHT: Notice the reciprocal nature — “Abide in Me, and I in you.” This isn’t just us holding onto God; it’s also God holding onto us. The Gardener won’t let go.

8 Signs You might not be abiding

Prayer is rare or routine
Fruit is missing
You're doing life on your own strength
Joy and gratitude are fading
You've stopped feeding on the Word
You're spiritually isolated
Peace is gone
You resist conviction

5 Practical Ways to Abide

Daily Time in the Word (click here to sign up for a Holy Week daily devotional)
Conversational Prayer
Christian Community Connection
Regular Remembrance
Intentional Rest

INSIGHT: You don’t have to understand the pruning to remain in His hands. Abiding isn’t about figuring everything out — it’s about staying connected.

4. He lasting fruit.

John 15:8

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Character Transformation (Galatians 5:22–23)
Obedience to God’s Commands (John 15:10)
Effective Prayer Life (John 15:7)
Enduring Joy (John 15:11).
Sacrificial Love for Others (John 15:12)
Spiritual Impact on Others (John 15:16)

5. He through every season.

John 15:16

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide."

INSIGHT: When you feel abandoned or forgotten, remember He chose you. He planted you. He tends you. And, He won’t let go of you.

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Additional Notes