DISCIPLESHIP THAT WORKS
Context
Prior to the Last Supper, Jesus spoke to his apostles about his impending death, resurrection, and betrayal by Judas. Despite this, Jesus emphasized the future of his apostles and promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide and remind them of his teachings. He urged them to remain faithful and continue his work, even in the face of hardship.
During the Last Supper, Jesus used the metaphor of a vine and its branches to illustrate that he is the true vine, and God is the gardener who prunes the branches to produce spiritual fruit. Jesus wanted his followers to understand that they could only bear spiritual fruit by remaining connected to him.
The context of John 15:7, is rooted in the idea that we must remain connected to Jesus and his Word if discipleship is going to work.
John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Exposition:
Discipleship that Works is the kind that is in every way connected to God’s Word.
Everyday life: fervently connected to God’s Word
Effective prayer: it is emphatically guided by God’s Word
Enduring fruit: Fruitfulness is divinely instructed by God’s Word
1. Everyday life: fervently connected to God’s Word
"Saturate your sermons with Bibline, the essence of Bible truth, and you will always have something new to say." -Charles Spurgeon
"If, by this means of biblical meditation, thou dost not find an increase of all thy graces, and dost not grow beyond the stature of common Christians, and art not made more serviceable in thy place, and more precious in the eyes of all discerning persons; if thy soul enjoy not more communion with God, and thy life be not fuller of comfort, and hast it not readier by thee at a dying hour: then cast away these directions, and exclaim against me forever as a deceiver. - Richard Baxter
Lexical word meanings:
Abiding (meno): To remain, dwell, continue
So here, if you are going to live here…IN CHRIST
Its going to mean his word is going to abide IN YOU.
Word (logos): The message, communication, or revelation of God
The Spirit-filled walk demands, for instance, that we live in the Word of God as a fish lives in the sea. By this I do not mean that we study the Bible merely, nor that we take a “course” in Bible doctrine. I mean that we should “meditate day and night” in the sacred Word, that we should love it and feast upon it and digest it every hour of the day and night. - A. W. Tozer
2. Effective prayer: it is emphatically guided by God’s Word
Prayer is not meant for the Lord’s information. The question is not put to you that you may instruct him, but that he may instruct you. - Charles Spurgeon
Lexical word meanings:
Asking (aiteo): To request, beg, or call for
Will (thelema): The desire, purpose, or intention of God
Cold prayers, like cold suitors, are seldom effective in their aims. - Jim Elliot
3. Enduring fruit: Fruitfulness is divinely instructed by God’s Word
James also indicates that a life of obedience to God results in a more powerful, more effective prayer life, for “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16) - Wayne Grudem
Command (entole): The orders, instructions, or teachings of God
Obey (tereo): To observe, keep, or guard
Biblical cross-references:
Conclusion
Discipleship that works involves intentionally abiding in God’s Word, asking according to God’s will, and obeying God’s commands. As we follow these principles, we will experience the end results of prayer that is answered and fruit that remains, bringing glory to God. May we commit to being intentional disciples who seek to please our Lord and Savior in all we do.
Challenges:
Challenge yourself to spend more time reading and studying the Bible each day. Set aside a specific time each day and commit to making it a regular part of your routine.
Identify an area in your life where you struggle to follow God's commandments and work to make changes in that area. Ask God to help you grow in that area and to bear spiritual fruit as a result.
Make a commitment to pray each day and focus on discerning God's will through reading and studying the Bible. Trust that God will answer your prayers according to His will.
Set aside time each day to meditate on a specific Bible verse or passage. Write it down and carry it with you throughout the day as a reminder to meditate on it regularly.
Reflect on areas of your life where you can better reflect the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Make changes in those areas and commit to staying connected to Jesus through reading and studying the Bible regularly.
The present neglect of the inspired Scriptures by civilized man is a shame and a scandal; for those same Scriptures tell him all he wants to know, or should want to know, about God, his own soul and human destiny.…
Whatever keeps me from the Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear to be. Whatever engages my attention when I should be meditating on God and things eternal does injury to my soul. Let the cares of life crowd out the Scriptures from my mind and I have suffered loss where I can least afford it. Let me accept anything else instead of the Scriptures and I have been cheated and robbed to my eternal confusion. - A. W. Tozer, That Incredible Christian, 95, 96.