Sermon 2
“Prune Dead Forms”
“Letting Go of What No Longer Bears Fruit”
Key Texts:
• John 15:1–2
• 2 Kings 18:1–6
• Isaiah 43:18–19
• Mark 2:21–22
• Hebrews 12:1
Introduction: When Good Things Become Dead Weight
Jesus said in John 15:2:
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”
The problem in many churches and hearts isn’t always blatant sin—it’s spiritual clutter.
It’s forms, traditions, methods, or habits that once served a purpose but are now lifeless.
They used to be fruitful.
Now they are just… there.
Jesus doesn’t say to ignore them.
He says to prune them.
Why? Because fruitfulness is the point—not preservation.
And here’s our guiding question throughout this message:
Is this helping us reflect Jesus and reach others?
1.Hezekiah: Destroying What God Once Used (2 Kings 18:1–6)
When King Hezekiah began his reign, Judah was full of religious traditions. Some of them were even God-ordained… at one point.
One of the boldest things he did?
He broke into pieces the bronze serpent Moses had made.
2 Kings 18:4
“He broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.”
That serpent had once saved lives (Numbers 21).
But now it had become an idol—a dead form.
A good thing… in the wrong season… had become a hindrance.
It’s possible to worship the method and forget the God behind it.
Hezekiah’s reform started with asking:
Is this helping us reflect the heart of God?
Is this drawing people closer to Him or just keeping them busy with religion?
2.God Is Always Doing Something New (Isaiah 43:18–19)
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new…”
(Isaiah 43:18–19)
How many of you are like me, sick of hearing about what God used to do? Who wants to be a part of who GOD IS DOING?
The enemy of what God is doing now is often what He did then.
This doesn’t mean we dishonor history.
But it does mean we don’t idolize it.
Ask the Hard Questions:
• Does this tradition still lead people to Christ?
• Does this ministry structure still serve its original mission?
• Are we holding onto something because it’s holy or just because it’s familiar?
And again…
Is this helping us reflect Jesus and reach others?
If not, it may be time to prune it.
3. New Wine Needs New Wineskins (Mark 2:21–22)
Jesus said:
“No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins…”
You can’t pour fresh Spirit-led ministry into rigid, outdated systems.
If we try to keep new vision inside old structure, one of two things will happen:
1. The new will be lost.
2. The old will burst.
Jesus wasn’t interested in preserving religious form—He was bringing Kingdom function.
Church, if we want new wine, we must surrender the old wineskin.
This isn’t just about music styles or service times.
It’s about attitude, motives, and mission. Motives. Mission.
Are we helping people encounter the living Christ…
or just preserving the shell of something that used to work?
4. Let Us Lay Aside Every Weight (Hebrews 12:1)
“Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us…”
Sometimes it’s not sin slowing us down—it’s weight.
Dead forms are spiritual weight.
They might look harmless. They might even look holy.
But if they’re not producing fruit for the Kingdom, they must go.
Every church, ministry, and believer must regularly ask:
“What needs to be pruned so we can run again?”
Pruning is painful.
But pruning is proof that growth is coming.
5. Application: How to Start Pruning in Your Life and Church
1. Identify the Dead Forms
• What practices or rhythms are lifeless?
• What are we doing just because we’ve always done it?
2. Ask the Hard Question
Is this helping us reflect Jesus and reach others?
If not—no matter how long it’s been in place—it’s time to let it go.
3. Submit to the Gardener (John 15:1)
Jesus is the True Vine. The Father is the Vinedresser.
Let Him prune you. Let Him prune your ministry.
It’s not rejection—it’s preparation.
Conclusion: From Preservation to Fruitfulness
Hezekiah could have left that bronze serpent standing.
It was a piece of history. A symbol of a miracle.
But it had become dead.
It no longer bore fruit.
And it was keeping the people from walking in present obedience.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is tear down what once worked… so something better can grow.
Jesus didn’t come to maintain tradition.
He came to bear fruit that lasts.
So ask the question today—and don’t stop asking it:
Is this helping us reflect Jesus and reach others?
If not… it’s time to prune.
Closing Prayer
Father, we want to bear fruit that remains.
We don’t want dead religion—we want living obedience.
Give us the courage to prune what no longer serves Your mission.
Father, awaken in me a desire for You above all else. I don't want yesterdays manna. I want your fresh anointing. Help us press in with all our heart.
Break our attachment to old forms, and make us new in Your presence.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
