Crown Pointe Church

Last Words

If you know you’re leaving . . . and Jesus did
Then it stands to reason these words would be very important

John 15 records a famous passionate message from Jesus to his Disciples
Who are his Disciples?
Are you a Disciple?
What is a Disciple?
Jesus Follower
Jesus Imitator
In Jesus’ day they lived & ate with, followed, imitated their Master
Learners

Christian means “little Christ” or Imitator of Christ

They had to find a name that would include Greeks & Jews
The new name is the first witness to the cosmopolitan character of the primitive Church.
They called them ‘Christians’ -Christ’s men, Christ’s followers.
the one bond that bound up ‘Jew and Gentile, barbarian, Scythian, bond and free’ into one vital unity, was a personal relation to a living Person

What was it that brought so much attention?
• Love - unconditional - love of enemies
• Generosity
• Hospitality
• Inclusive - women - ethnicities - classes (brothers)

This imagery is about the Relationship between Jesus & his Followers

Purpose:

Connection:

Effort:

The (True) Vine is:
The Vinedresser is:
The Branches are:

1. God is For You - Father & the Son desire us (disciples) to produce spiritual fruit (v. 8,16)

2. Your fruitfulness is dependent on a proper relationship with Jesus

3. God the father actively works in your (disciple) life to make you spiritually productive

1 “he prunes” (v. 2) (repeatedly) - To make more fruitful -


2 God Positions us - “he takes away”

3 “he is thrown away” (v. 6)


At the end of the season branches are trimmed - piled and thrown in the fire
“Fruit-bearing is the normal but not the inevitable consequence of having divine life” (note on John 15:2).


Abiding in the Vine

Sustained contact with Christ leads to enduring fruit (v. 16). Aspects of fruitfulness include …

The disciple’s relationship with Christ mirrors that of Christ with the Father:

• Becoming a new creation through faith in Christ you are connected to the source of spiritual life.