Do As He Did

The authority of Scripture sets the plumb line. If a gathering drifts from the Bible as the source of all teaching, it stops functioning as the body of Christ. The history of denominations gets traced honestly, from the little c catholic unity of the early church, through Luther’s protest against practices not found in the Book, to further reform and later fractures over communion, baptism, and the sin of slavery. Discernment matters, and the cornerstone must be the Word, the lordship of Christ, and the fullness of the Spirit, not feel good substitutes or selective belief.

The name Christian gets reclaimed. The label began as a slur, then became a badge of belonging to the crucified one. Today it often shrinks to bare belief or churchgoing. Scripture presses a deeper identity, the imitation of Christ, not just acknowledgment.

The call to discipleship starts with being with Christ. Mark’s “Come, follow me” lays it plain. Jesus provides his Word and gives the Holy Spirit who teaches all things and brings to remembrance all he has said. The Scripture that many have read a hundred or a thousand times keeps reading the reader, opening new light that fits the present season.

Transformation of mind follows presence. Romans 12:2 refuses conformity to the world and insists on a renewed mind, which requires surrender of control. Jesus’ yoke, not a pile of religious burdens, is his rabbinic way, his mantle of teaching. He offers relationship, not rule keeping, and invites apprentices into life in his kingdom now. Salvation is not a green card for someday, it is present-tense renovation of heart, mind, relationships, peace, joy, and love.

The pattern then extends outward. Those first called became apostles, but the Great Commission sends all disciples. Witness will meet rejection, yet the rejection lands on him, not the messenger. John 15 frames the whole life of mission. “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Remaining in him is the only way to bear fruit, and fruit bearing glorifies the Father and marks true discipleship.

Practical wisdom keeps the witness open. Better questions beat yes-no dead ends. “Where do you go to church?” opens a road for conversation and care. Simple tools serve love, whether a shared link or a pocket cross placed in a palm with the quiet assurance that Jesus loves them. The call to be with Jesus, learn from Jesus, and do as Jesus did becomes a daily rhythm that carries beyond doors and stained glass into a world that needs him.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Scripture must anchor the church The church lives or dies by its source. When the Bible ceases to set the terms, other agendas and softer authorities rush in. Discernment is not suspicion, it is love for the truth that keeps a body tethered to Christ’s voice. A faithful fellowship prizes the Word, the lordship of Jesus, and the Spirit’s fullness over every trend. [01:04]
• 2. Christian means imitating the Crucified “Christian” was once an insult, then a chosen name, and in Scripture it belongs to those who reflect the crucified Lord. Belief without imitation is a thin shell, easily cracked by pressure or pride. The call is to wear the cross in one’s life, not just on a label. Identity matures when trust takes the shape of practiced resemblance to Jesus. [07:46]
• 3. Discipleship: be with, learn, do The pattern is simple and costly. A disciple abides with Jesus, learns his way until the mind is renewed, and then does what he did in the world. Presence fuels formation, and formation fuels mission. Apart from that order, activism burns out and piety turns inward. [16:34]
• 4. Jesus’ yoke replaces self rule Control feels safe, but it is a hard master. Jesus offers his yoke, not to crush but to guide into the grain of the kingdom. His teaching relieves the weight of self made religion and opens a relationship that actually changes desires. Surrender becomes the doorway to rest and real obedience. [14:13]
• 5. Fruit flows from abiding presence John’s vine and branches refuse self powered productivity. Remaining in Christ brings life to the branch and glory to the Father, and it is the only way fruit lasts. Mission is not performance, it is overflow from communion. Without abiding, effort withers; with abiding, witness becomes natural and durable. [19:15]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - Denominations and identity
• [01:04] - Word as sole source
• [02:38] - Reformation snapshot
• [04:55] - Why splits: sacraments and slavery
• [06:28] - Cornerstone: Word, Christ, Spirit
• [07:46] - Believe versus imitate Christ
• [08:24] - Be with Jesus
• [10:39] - The Spirit teaches; Scripture surprises
• [12:40] - Renewed mind and Jesus’ yoke
• [15:31] - Salvation now, not just later
• [16:34] - Do as He did; Commissioned
• [18:50] - Abide and bear real fruit
• [20:24] - Beyond walls; better questions, tools
• [30:20] - The Wesleyan covenant and sending

Bible Reading
John 15:1-8 (ESV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Mark 1:16-18 (ESV)
16 “Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

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Observation Questions

1. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” What specific actions or attitudes does the sermon connect to “abiding” in Christ? [19:15]
2. The sermon mentions a church that hadn’t preached from the Bible in 11 years. What practical danger does this example highlight about relying on sources other than Scripture? [01:04]
3. According to Romans 12:2, what two commands are given about our relationship with the world and our minds? How does the sermon contrast “control” with Jesus’ yoke? [14:13]

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus use the metaphor of a vine and branches to describe our relationship with Him? What does this reveal about the difference between “religious activity” and “abiding”?
2. The sermon argues that “being a Christian” today often means mere belief or church attendance, but Scripture ties it to imitation. How does James 2:19 (“even the demons believe”) challenge superficial faith? [08:52]
3. In Mark 1:17-18, Jesus calls fishermen to follow Him, and they immediately leave their nets. What does this response suggest about the cost and urgency of discipleship?

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Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasizes “being with Jesus” as the first step of discipleship. What daily rhythms (e.g., prayer, Scripture, silence) could help you prioritize time with Him? What distractions might you need to surrender? [12:40]
2. Jesus’ yoke is described as a relationship, not rule-keeping. Where in your life are you still trying to “control” outcomes instead of trusting His guidance? How might surrender bring rest? [14:13]
3. The sermon suggests asking “Where do you go to church?” instead of yes/no questions. How could you use open-ended questions this week to start spiritual conversations with coworkers, neighbors, or friends? [21:45]
4. John 15:8 says bearing fruit glorifies God. What “fruit” (e.g., love, patience, evangelism) do you feel prompted to cultivate? What practical step could you take to “abide” in Christ in that area?
5. The pastor mentions using simple tools like pocket crosses to share God’s love. What tangible, non-threatening act of kindness could you use to point someone to Jesus this month? [23:03]