Fruitful Friends of Jesus (John 15:1-17)

Faithful Friends of Jesus?

John 15:1-17

 

Context: Seven signs and seven “I am” statements   (15:1)

  • John writes – so we would believe and have life  (20:30-31) 
  • And Jesus prepares His disciples to really live (ch13-17)

To really live, means remaining/abiding in Jesus (15:1-8)

  •  bearing much fruit
  •  in prayerful dependence on God
  •  and bringing glory to God the Father

 

Remaining in Jesus means remaining in His love, as friends  (15:9-16)

  • Which will be seen in obedience to Jesus
  • in love for one another, and
  • in prayerful dependence on God

 

Are you really living? As a faithful and fruitful friend of Jesus?

 

Church: What are we doing? (Heb 10:19-25, Eph 4:11-16)

Church: What are we doing?

Hebrews 10:19-25 & Ephesians 4:11-16

 

As a church we encourage each other to keep living with Jesus as our Lord and Saviour (Hebrews 10)

 

 

And we’re all involved in serving to that end (Ephesians 4)

 

We are a Bible teaching Church that seeks to grow followers of Jesus, as we each: 

grow in knowing Jesus, 

grow in living for Jesus, and 

grow in making Jesus known

 

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Growth Group Bible Studies – John 13-17

Life in the Son: From the Upper Room to the Empty Tomb

Over the next few weeks we’ll be exploring—life in the Son. John’s gospel is a deep

yet rich account of the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. In chapters

13-17, we discover Jesus’ last words to his disciples from the upper room. Before his

death, Jesus told his disciples what life will be like for them—as they live in the power

of his Spirit. They will live radical, loving, world-confronting, God-honouring lives

characterised by answered prayer and fruitful witness. It’s the life that God offers us in

Christ Jesus.

The Purpose

We love growth groups because we want to see people grow in Jesus. That’s why we

call our mid-week gatherings ‘Growth Groups’—it’s a way of reminding ourselves that

we aim to grow in both maturity and number in Christ. While Bible study is the core of

our Growth Group gatherings, we want to do more than just a Bible study. We want to

care for each other, pray together, find ways to serve and encourage each other to

share the truth about Jesus with our friends and family.

GG Study Guide – John 13-17 – reduced for emailDownload

Church: Clear on who we are (Ephesians)

 Church: Clear on who we are?

Ephesians 1:15-23

 

We have been made alive in Jesus by responding to the Gospel.

 

We gather around Jesus and His Gospel – as people who belong to Jesus and want to live for Him. 

  

We seek to grow in knowing Jesus, living for Jesus and sharing the Gospel of Jesus. 

 

 (Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Church: Don’t Go Chasing Shadows… (Heb 12)

 KPC 20 years later… 

Hebrews 12:18-29

 

The sermon back then…

  • Let’s not go chasing Shadows
  • The shadow: a church at a mountain (12:18-21)
  • The reality: the Church around God in heaven (12:22-24)
  • The warning: fear and worship God (12:24-13:1ff)

 

KPC 20 years later!

 

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Christian Hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28)

Christian Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:28

  

There’s no need to worry about Christians who die before Jesus returns (4:13-18) 

 – because v14


– because v15


– because v16-17


– so, encourage each other v18 

 

There’s no need to worry about ‘when’ Jesus will return (5:1-11) 

– you know he IS coming v2-3


 – be ready v4-8


 – you know where you’re heading v9-10 

– so encourage each other v11 

 

Focus on finishing (5:12-28)

 

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Christian Living (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)

Christian Living

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

You’re walking, keep walking!

How to walk in a way that pleases God?

1. Walk in Holiness (1 – 3a)

1a Walk without lust (3b – 8)

1b Walk with love (9 – 12)

Walking is slow … but God is patient

(Preacher: Sam Hemming)

Christian Ministry (1 Thess 2:17-3:13)

Christian Ministry

1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:13

How to show spiritual concern for others:

1. Try to get closer (2:17 – 2:20

2. Bear the costs (3:1 – 5)

3. Celebrate the wins (3:6 – 10)

4. Just pray (3:11 – 13)

Let the return of Christ capture your heart.

(Preacher: Sam Hemming)