Series: Signs & Glory

Title: How do I live as a disciple of Jesus today?

Subtitle: Part 2

Scripture: John 15:7-17 NIV, Isaiah 5, Psalm 80

Bottom Line: A disciple of Jesus today is growing to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

SERMON OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

NOTES

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

MAIN REFERENCES USED

Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

What does a disciple of Jesus look like today? Well, these examples are a good place to start. They loved their enemies and forgave them.

Bottom Line: A disciple of Jesus today is growing to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

CONTEXT

Jesus's disciples are deeply troubled because they have just heard 3 things:

One of them will betray Jesus,

Jesus is about to leave them and go where they cannot go, and

Peter will deny Jesus 3 times that night.

He's taught them again to love each other as he has loved them

He's told them his spirit will come and empower them to do all that he's taught them to do

He's coming back (resurrected, as his spirit, second coming)

They leave the upper room where they've had their feet washed, heard all of this, and now they're heading to the garden of gethsamene to pray and be arrested.

Sub questions for today:

Q. What does spiritual fruit look like?

Q. How do I bear spiritual fruit that will last?

OUTLINE (w/ help from Matt Carter & ChatGPT)

Transition: This passage breaks down into 2 sections: 1) True disciples bear fruit, and 2) What that fruit looks like. Today we'll focus on part 2: What does true spiritual fruit look like and how do we bear it?

Let's ask some questions:

Q. What do I want you to know today?

A. What the fruit of a true disciple of Jesus Christ looks like.

Spiritual fruit

Is from God through his spirit

Lasts forever

What does this fruit look like according to this passage?

Answered prayer. God tells us to ask whatever we want in Jesus' name and it will be given to us. (15:7, 16)

Proof that we're true disciples of Jesus. (15:8, 14)

Glorify God (15:8) which is why we were created.

Overflowing with his joy (> happiness, which is based solely on circumstances). (15:11 )

Love of God (in obeying his commands) and people (in obeying his commands). (15:10 , 12, 14, 17)

Friendship with God through Jesus. (15:14-15)

Security in your salvation:

"Already clean" (15:3)

"I chose you" (15:16 )

Q. Why do I want you to know this?

A. Because you will know where you stand as a disciple of Jesus Christ: true or false; fruit-bearing or not.

Q. What do I want you to do?

A. Bear spiritual fruit that will last forever.

Q. Why?

A. Because Jesus says this is why he chose you and me. Therefore, we should do this.

Q. How?

A. By training to remain in Christ. Here are 4 training regiments that will help:

Know, believe, and obey God's word.

Pray bold, specific, and believing prayers in Jesus' name.

Love each other sacrificially ("As I have loved you").

Recognizing and embracing the principle of pruning requires suffering, trials and testing.

Conclusion

Bottom Line: A disciple of Jesus today is growing to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

When we train to remain/abide in Christ, we will grow in the character and competencies of Jesus Christ, in his power (not ours), and we will lead others to do this as well.

Q. How do I know I'm doing this?

A. You'll multiply yourself.

You'll lead people to Christ deep and wide.

You'll help others lead people to Christ deep and wide.

You'll see God's love spread through his word in you.

Q. What's next?

A. Commit to getting a good grip on God's word by reading it daily, praying it daily, and obeying it daily.

B. Consider H.E.A.R. Method. https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/bible-journaling-method-to-hear-god-speak

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

What is God saying to me right now?

What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

Outline with help from Matt Carter and ChatGPT

II. Spiritual Fruit in a Disciple of Jesus today looks like this: (15:7-17)

A. Answered prayer--this happens because of the union with Jesus. The "sap" is the back and forth communication. "My words remain in you" (7)

Jesus speaks through his word. God prunes and cleans through his word (3).

We respond in prayer. Where there is prayer, there are answers. God listens to his people.

It looks like breathing. "When the Holy Spirit is pulsing through you, you pray without thinking. You just talk to God." -Carter

Prayer is as important to the soul as breathing to the body.

B. Obedient love--we obey because we love.

Our love flows from our obedience. Obedience is the evidence of love.

A persistently, willfully, disobedient person is not a Christian.

What's cool here is that even though Jesus is our King and has every right to demand our obedience, he doesn't treat us like slaves. He sees us