Imitating Jesus: Praying like Jesus VI: Prayer and Obedience- Sermon 10

Creekside Community Church: “Imitating Jesus” “Praying like Jesus VI: Prayer and Obedience November 11, 2012
John Bruce – Pastor

A. The Condition

Prayer and Obedience

“If you abide in Me and My words abide in you...”

1. The Promise

   “...ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

2. The Connection between Obedience and Answered Prayer

   “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:18-22

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand? 2. Which attitude toward obedience to God is closest to your own?

“I’m independent and like to be in charge. Obedience is tough for me.” “I don’t like obeying but I’d be afraid of what might happen if I didn’t.” “I want to obey God. After all, He has my best interests in mind.”

Going Deeper

1. Please read John 15:7. What are the conditions and what is the promise? Why do you think Jesus links answers to our prayers to obedience?

2. Please read John 15:1-6. What is the vine’s responsibility? What is the vinedresser’s responsibility? What is the branch’s responsibility? What is fruit? How is the picture of the vine an accurate picture of how God works in the world?

3. What does abide mean? How do we abide? What are some practical steps you can take to abide more consistently in Jesus?

4. Please read John 15:9-11. What does this reveal about what Jesus means by “and My words abide in you?” What do you learn about Christ’s love for you from this passage? What do you think Jesus means by “abide in My love?” How do we abide in His love?

5. Let’s read John 15:7 again. Why would abiding in Christ and having His words abiding in us lead to answered prayer? Compare John 15:16. What do vs. 7 and vs. 16 have in common?

6. Please read 1 John 3:18-22. Do we earn God’s answers to our prayers by obeying? What’s the connection between obedience and answered prayers?

7. If you asked Jesus, “Where do I need to obey You more consistently?” what do you think He would say?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?