John 15:1 “I (Jesus) am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” New International Version
Colossians 1:10 "…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” New International Version
Acts 16:15 “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew…” New International Version
John 15:5 “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. New International Version
John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. New International Version
GOOD GARDENERS…
#1 ELIMINATE THE COMPETITION
Matthew 13:22 The seed that fell among the thorns (W.E. Translation = Weeds) represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. New Living Translation
GOOD GARDENERS…
#2 PRUNE
John 15:2 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. New International Version
GOOD GARDENERS…
#3 GUIDE GROWTH
GOOD GARDENERS…
#4 GUARD GROWTH
Luke 6:43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit…”45 “…good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” New Living Translation
GOOD GARDENERS…
#5 CARE
“The Best Fertilizer is the Shadow of the Gardener” –Lao Tse
Psalm 91:1 Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High will remain in the shadow of the Almighty. God’s Word Translation