That They May Be One...That They May Be One...

Teamwork or Unity?Teamwork or Unity?(A test of true discipleship)(A test of true discipleship)

by Ruel Guerreroby Ruel Guerreroby Ruel Guerreroby Ruel Guerrero

V-Formation

•Lead bird breaks up the wall of air. Swirling air provides lift for the rest of the flock.

•All birds take turns leading. The V-formation adds 70% distance flown.

•V-formation aids in better communication.

•Geese are very loyal birds. Flock mates will always accompany an injured bird until it is ready to fly again.

•They are able to travel across vast continents because they HELP EACH OTHER.

•Geese are very loyal birds. Flock mates will always accompany an injured bird until it is ready to fly again.

•They are able to travel across vast continents because they HELP EACH OTHER.

Our Goal

•We will be able to reach our goal if we learn what that means.

•We will BEAR MUCH FRUIT if we learn what that means.

•We will BEAR MUCH FRUIT if we obey what the Lord is trying to tell us in John 15.

How to “be my disciples”

•This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (Jn 15.8, TNIV)

•To be truly His disciples, we must BEAR MUCH FRUIT.

How to “bear much fruit”

•I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn 15.5, TNIV)

•To bear much fruit, we must REMAIN IN CHRIST.

How to “remain in my love”

•If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (Jn 15.10, TNIV)

•To remain in Christ or in His love, we must KEEP HIS COMMANDS.

What commands?

•Keep His commands --> Remain in Him --> Bear much fruit --> Show yourselves as His disciples

•The key to REMAIN IN HIM and BEAR MUCH FRUIT and BE HIS DISCIPLE is to KEEP HIS COMMANDS.

•What commands?

The Key

•My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (Jn 15.12, TNIV)

•This is my command: Love each other. (Jn 15.17, TNIV)

The Simple Formula

•Love one another = Keep my commands = Remain in me = Bear much fruit = Show yourselves to be my disciples

A Bit of Algebra

•If X = Y and Y = Z, then X = Z.

Further Simplified

•A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (Jn 13.34-35, TNIV)

•My prayer is . . . that all of them may be one . . . so that the world may believe that you have sent me . . . Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (Jn 17.20-23, TNIV)

•LOVE ONE ANOTHER = EVERYONE WILL KNOW YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES = WORLD WILL KNOW JESUS IS THE SENT ONE

The Forgotten Key

•The forgotten key to world evangelism given by Jesus: LOVE ONE ANOTHER

The Benefits

•Friendship of Jesus: “You are my friends if you do what I command” (Jn 15.14, TNIV).

•Emancipation: “I no longer call you servants....” (Jn 15.15a, TNIV).

•Lasting result: “You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last...” (Jn 15.16a, TNIV).

•Answered prayers: “...so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (Jn 15.16b, TNIV).

The Example

•Greater love has no one than this: to lay down

one’s life for one’s friends. (Jn 15.13, TNIV)

•To “love one another” is to lay down your life, your desires, your position, and your comfort for the benefit of your brother in Christ even when it hurts.

How do we lay down our lives for each other?

•Romans 12.3, 10, 13, 14-21 (sample verses)

““This is My This is My command: Love each command: Love each other.”other.”

by Ruel Guerreroby Ruel Guerreroby Ruel Guerreroby Ruel Guerrero