May 21, 2017
Readings for this week: Acts 17:16-34; Ps 148:7-14;
1 Pet 4:1-19; Jn 15:1-17
Key verses:16…I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.17These things I command you, so that you will love one another.— John 15:16-17
Our Vision: All Saints' Anglican Cathedral invites all to grow together in the way of Jesus, developing fruitful disciples, and establishing missional communities throughout Amesbury, the Merrimack Valley, and New England.
Our Mission: We’re a Family on Missionthat: Welcomes All, Worships God, Trains Together,and Shares the Gospel . . . In the Way of Jesus.
Last Week’s focus: We Train Together and Share the Gospel.
- Our family habits (welcome all, worship God, train together, and share the gospel) flow from our Family Purpose
Sermon Notes for
“‘Developing Fruitful Disciples’: Family Purpose”
What does Jesus want for us?
- He wants us to be developing together as fruitful disciples
- Our Father is Glorified, We’re “Proven” as Jesus’ Disciples (15:8), and We’re Full of Jesus’ Joy (15:11)
What are Disciples?
- In General: “You are someone's disciple if you are with them, learning to be like them.” (Dallas Willard)
- In Specific: Discipleship to Jesus means “learning to lead my life as Jesus would lead my life if he were I.”
- One More Angle: a disciple is “someone who is an apprentice of Jesus in kingdom living”
- Abide-In/Remain-In by
- Praying, immersed in Jesus’ Words (John 15:7 & 16)
- Obeying Jesus’ commands (John 15:10, 12, 14)
- Focused in Loving one another AS Jesus loves us
What counts as Fruitful?
- We are Receiving what we ask from the Father
- We are Loving one another in self-giving ways like Jesus
What might Developing such people involve?
- See 1 Peter 4, especially vv. 7 & 8
- “7The end of all things is near.Therefore be alert and of sober mindso that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply,because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
- Transformation of Habits and Character (vv. 1-6)
- Offering and Receiving Hospitality and Spiritual Gifts (vv. 9-11)
- Participation in Christ’s Sufferings (vv. 12-19)
What’s the Outcome of this Way?
- Our Father is Glorified,
- We’re “Proven” as Jesus’ Disciples (15:8),
- We’re Full of Jesus’ Joy (15:11)
Home Group Questions
Connecting with Each Other
- Who do you find yourself imitating?Who do you notice imitating you?
- Share a recently answered prayer or a recent experience of loving, or being loved by, another disciple.
Connecting with God’s Word
- As you reflect on last weekend’s sermon, what one idea or illustration stands out as being particularly helpful, insightful, or difficult to grasp?
- As you reflect on 1 Peter 4 in light of John 15, how do see the call to abide and bear fruit being played out?
Connecting with the Week Ahead
- How might you be a “doer” not just a “hearer” of something we reflected on together?
- Where does your discipleship most need recalibration: praying or obeying?
John 15:1-17
Abide Bear Fruit
Pray immersed in Jesus’ Words Receive from the Father
Obey Jesus’ commands Love like Jesus
So That…
Our Father is Glorified
We’re “Proven” as Jesus’ Disciples
We’re Full of Jesus’ Joy
1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.4Abide 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.
5I 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.6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.Abide in my love.10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.14You are my friends if you do what I command you.15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Fatherin my name, he may give it to you.17These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
1 Peter 4
1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.4They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
17For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?18And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.