What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ? As Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples for the cross and then ultimately through the resurrection and ascension, he leaves them with the great task of obedience to the Father’s will… but he does not leave them to this task by their own strength.
Observations & Conclusions:
1. To love God is to obey God
2. To obey God is impossible alone
3. God has given us His Spirit as:
- – Paraclete
- – Abiding Forever
- – Spirit of Truth
- – Abides Inside
- – Teacher
- – Reminder
- – Peace
Application:
How do we know the Spirit to love Jesus by obeying Him?
1. Make your heart His home
A. Spend time with God
B. Listen to God
Matthew 28:18-20
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
1 John 4:4-6
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
2 Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”