Follow the Guidance of Jesus

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

“I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy. This is my command: love each other as I have loved you. The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” – John 15:9-14 NCV

Let’s discuss these questions:

What is Jesus saying in John 15:9-11?

How do we understand the motivation, process, and decision of obedience?

How do we know what to obey?

What should we do?

I. What is Jesus saying in John 15:9-11? “abide in my love, obey my commands,”

What is Jesus saying? What does Jesus mean?

Jesus Christ invites us to receive salvation and to forsake selfishness.

Jesus Christ calls us to a close personal relationship of wholehearted devotion to God.

Jesus Christ calls us to follow his direction in this loving committed relationship.

An extraordinary state of happiness will become a benefit to us.

II. How do we understand the motivation, process, and decision of obedience?

A. Motivation: responding to love

“I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love.” – John 15:9 NCV

We receive new spiritual life through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In this we are motivated to accept his shaping influence and direction for our lives. Following the guidance and directives of Father God and Jesus Christ, found in Scripture, is evidence of our relationship with God.

“Love is the motivation for such living.” – Basil

B. Process: living in close relationship

“Abiding in Christ governs what we desire, which in turn brings glory to God as we live out the faith and life given to us by God.” – Augustine

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in me.” – John 15:4 NCV

C. Decision: daily choose this connection (repeat John 15:4)

“As we abide in Christ’s love, we become more like him and enjoy the security that comes with obeying his call to love through obeying the commandments.” – John Chrysostom

Jesus teaches about the spiritual family we are invited into.

“He answered, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ Then he pointed to his followers and said, ‘Here are my mother and brothers. My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what my Father in heaven wants.’” – Matthew 12:48-50

“God planned long ago to choose you by making you his holy people, which is the Spirit’s work. God wanted you to obey him and to be made clean by the blood of the death of Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be yours more and more.” – 1 Peter 1:2 NCV

Stay Connected to the love of God, even in your lifestyle of obeying Father God’s Word (guidelines for living).

III. How do we know what to obey?

Read the words of Jesus found in the New Testament. Study them. Think about them. Ask questions about them. Learn from them. Apply them to your everyday life. For the best results do all of this with fellow believers.

Listen to Jesus. “my words remain in you,” – John 15:7

We should read the words of Jesus, so that we can learn from the words of Jesus, so that we can follow the directions of Jesus, so that we can live in a close personal loving relationship with Jesus. This should include memorization and praying with the words of Jesus.

Such as: “Love God with all…love your neighbor as yourself” “love each other”

Jesus is our example. Jesus’ use of the vine analogy is most likely another good example of his own study of what God had said in the past. Consider that the vine is frequently used as a symbol of God’s covenant (love committed) people, Israel. This is especially true in two “vineyard songs” found in Isaiah 5:1-7 and 27:2-6. Other examples include Psalms 80:8-17, Jeremiah 2:21, 6:9, 12:10-13, Ezekiel 15:1-8, 17:5-10, 19:10-14, Hosea 10:1-2, 14:7.

IV. What should we do?

A. Spend time and energy to be with Jesus, available for His influence. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you” – John 15:4

B. Listen to Jesus. “my words remain in you,” – John 15:7 (pray the words of Jesus)

C. Follow the guidance of Jesus in obeying God’s directives.

D. Walking out your spiritual life in community (out in the open) so that they may encourage your decisions to grow closer to Jesus. “Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:12