John 15:1-8 | Peter Gatata, Edmonds and Wallingford Expression | "Abiding in Jesus: Becoming Like Jesus, Glorifying God, and Being a Disciple"

Peter Gatata takes us through John 15:1-8.  Here we will learn that as followers of Jesus we are called to abide in Him as the true vine which provides nourishment in our lives and produces Christ-like character that glorifies God and proves we are becoming the disciples of Jesus. We become more like Jesus as we abide in Him.

• Jesus the True Vine (John 15:1-2)

• True vs. Defective Vine

• • • Israel failed as God’s vine
    • Isaiah 5:4
    • Jesus excelled as God’s Vine
    • “I AM the true vine”

• Two Types of Branches Attached to Jesus

• • • Unfruitful Branches
    • Fruitful Branches

• God’s Role as the Vinedresser

• • • To Cut Away
    • To Cleanse

• Abiding in Jesus (John 15:3-6)

• • • Connected through the Word
    • John 15:3

• Abiding through His Word
  • • John 15:5
• Danger of not abiding in Jesus

• • • thrown out
    • waste away
    • gathered
    • thrown into the fire and burned

• Becoming Like Jesus (John 15:7-8)

• • • Christ’s character formed in us 
    • Galations.4:19
    • fruit  >> more fruit >> much fruit

• Christ indwells us

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James Beckman teaches on Matthew 28:18-20 and how we need to reframe our modern and sometimes muddied understanding of Evangelism by rooting us in the proper biblical context found in Matthew’s “Great Commission”. Doing this has the power to free us from cultural baggage to boldly fulfill the joyful duty that Christ has called us to in “making disciples of all nations”. The aim of all of this is to provide context, inspiration, conviction, and practical next steps fulfilling the great commission.

• Matthew’s “Great Commission” – Matthew 28:18-20
• Evangelism comes from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion)
• Paradigm shift of God’s people from a “come and see” people, to a “go and tell” people
• You need the love of Christ in order to be a Discipler
  • How To’s:
    • Open your table
    • Allow for inconveniences
    • Pray
    • Ask questions
    • Be patient
    • Root your joy in Christ
    • Clarify your beliefs
    • Be bold — “do I fear God or man?”
    • See people as image bearers
• Pastoral Words
  • Your friends are not your turf – they’re God’s
  • God didn’t just save you for your sake, he saved you also for other’s sake.