Let There Be Light: True Disciples Abide in Christ (John 15:1-17) - Artez Henderson

Downtown Church: Memphis, TN

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:8)

17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (Matthew 5:17-18)

Big Idea: The Father’s purpose for true disciples is to bear lasting fruit as we abide in Christ.

1. True disciples abide in Jesus by being completely dependent upon Him (vv.1-9)

“apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)

If 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.” (John 15:6)

2. True disciples abide in Jesus by following his commandments out of love (vv.10-11)

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:10-11)

“We can’t live however we want to live, and claim to still love God, he defines what love is, loving God means obeying God, and how awesome that this leads to fullness of joy, this is abundant life, this is supernatural living, this is how to live above your circumstances, you're not being tossed by every storm in life because you are abiding in the Lord over the storm” Kim Cash Tate

3. True disciples abide in Jesus by loving one another like Jesus loves (vv.12-17)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No 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. (John 15:13-17)