1. New Years Resolution Introduction
It’s good to be with you this morning. It feels like I have been away for a while.
Sarah sends her love, she’s in Omaha.
Now that we are 8 days into the NY, how are your NY resolutions going?
Read stats.
Show funny picture.
Best intentions aren’t good enough.
Pray

2. Living a Connected Life
Jesus’ guide to Spiritual Maturity
Living a Connected Life
Transition
Build upon Ryan’s sermon last week (Spirit Awareness).
Introduce the word, Connect.
Connect= bring together or into contact so that a real or notional link is established.
A key to Spiritual Maturity is living a connected life.
John 15:1-17

3. John 15:1-17
1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide 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. 5 I 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.
Introduce Passage
Scene between the Last supper venue and the Garden where Jesus would be betrayed.
2nd part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to disciples
Just told his disciples…
Loving one another would be the evidence that they are his disciples
I am the way, the truth and the life.
Do greater things than me
Promises the H.S
Jesus teaches that His relationship to the disciples is like that of a vine to the branches.

4. John 15:1-17
6 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. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

5. John 15:1-17
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 You 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 Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

6. A Connected Life is… A Dependent Life
4 Abide 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. 5 I 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.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
A Dependent Life [to God]
Abide= to maintain contact for a sustained time
Abide in me?
A commitment to God’s Word
Study to give direction for life (moral compass, ethical framework).
A critical weapon in your armory to fight against temptations and philosophies of this world.
Defend your faith and the faith.
Self fed not spoon-fed.
Skip this step and we pull away from the vine.
A commitment to prayer
Prayer= Communication with God- sharing of lives, interchange of ideas and opinions.
In John, Jesus tells his disciples 6 times to ask “In my name”.
For his sake.
Pray in line with his desire & purpose, which is to glorify the Father.
Name reveals identity (Character & Nature).
Example: selecting your child’s name.
Name releases authority.
Example: Movie Theatre using Alan’s name
And I in you?
Continuing fellowship between Jesus and his disciples.
However, not same as how disciples remain in fellowship with Him. He doesn’t keep his disciple’s commands! Jesus committed to be with them and for them.
Now fellowship through the H.S.
Abide in me and I in you= Fruit.
Fruit= a disciples entire life & ministry.
Transition: An abiding life is a relational life. It models what true relationship looks like. How long would most of our earthly relationships last if we only took?

7. A Connected Life is… A Relational Life
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
A Relational Life [to His People]
Jesus’ standard= “as I have loved you”. Ouch!
He doesn’t’ expect perfection but he does expect imitation.
The key is to remember:
He cared for them
He was patient with them
He met their needs
There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them:
Washed their feet
Raised their family members from the dead
Gave his life for them so that they may have eternal life.
The distilled essence of Christ’s ministry to mankind was motivated, sustained and underlined by love. (Bill Hull)
Transition: Love equals obedience; the very act of obedience is love.

8. A Connected Life is… An Obedient Life
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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.
An Obedient Life [to His Purpose]
Jesus requires loving obedience of his disciples.
He first loved us.
We love him through obedience.
He loves us back by teaching us more about himself.
The path of obedience leads to Spiritual Maturity.
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to know more about God and how he works than others?
It requires walking by faith.
Not possible without accountability
Its often the difference between a disciple’s commitment to obey or disobey God regardless of circumstances, feelings or other pressures.
Nobody likes it but we know we need it.

9. Where do you need to connect or strengthen?
To God
Measured by your commitment to God’s Word & Prayer.
To His People
Measured by the frequency of interaction around the table & in your home.
To His Purpose
Measured by the generosity of your time & money.
Response
Connect or Strengthen