Neil Bester

BECOMING ONE

John 15:4-6 NIV Remaininme,asIalsoremaininyou.Nobranchcanbearfruitbyitself;itmustremaininthevine.Neithercanyoubearfruitunlessyouremaininme.“Iamthevine;youarethebranches.IfyouremaininmeandIinyou,youwillbearmuchfruit;apartfrommeyoucandonothing.Ifyoudonotremaininme,youarelikeabranchthatisthrownawayandwithers;suchbranchesarepickedup,thrownintothefireandburned.

John 15:7-12 NIV Ifyouremaininmeandmywordsremaininyou,askwhateveryouwish,anditwillbedoneforyou.ThisistomyFather’sglory,thatyoubearmuchfruit,showingyourselvestobemydisciples.“AstheFatherhaslovedme,sohaveIlovedyou.Nowremaininmylove.Ifyoukeepmycommands,youwillremaininmylove,justasIhavekeptmyFather’scommandsandremaininhislove.Ihavetoldyouthissothatmyjoymaybeinyouandthatyourjoymaybecomplete.Mycommandisthis:LoveeachotherasIhavelovedyou.”

FOLLOWING CHRIST

•  The journey starts and ends with Jesus •  Jesus invites us to follow •  ‘Disciple’

o  Respond to the invitation o  Consider the cost o  Make the commitment

GROWING IN CHRIST

•  Remaining means growing •  Remain in the Word •  Remain in prayer •  Remain in fellowship and worship •  Remain obedient

LIVING FOR CHRIST

•  Loving God and loving others •  Bearing fruit •  Making disciples