Living Life to the Full: The Heart of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Offers Abundant Life Beyond Worldly Success

True abundance is found in the life Jesus gives, not in possessions or achievements.
Many people chase after what the world calls “the good life”—money, possessions, freedom, or fame—believing these things will bring fulfillment. Yet, Jesus redefines abundance, offering a life filled with meaning, purpose, hope, and joy that transcends circumstances. Even those celebrated in Scripture for their faith often endured hardship, yet their lives were full because they walked with God. Jesus Himself, though He had no earthly wealth or comfort, lived life to the full by fulfilling His Father’s will and loving others deeply. The abundant life Jesus promises is not about getting everything we want, but about receiving what we truly need: His presence, His grace, and His purpose for us. [36:06]

John 10:10 (ESV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: What is one area where you’ve been seeking fulfillment apart from Jesus? How might you invite Him to redefine abundance in that area today?

Day 2: Discipleship Begins with Humble Service

Discipleship is rooted in humility and self-sacrifice, modeled by Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.
Jesus, knowing His authority and identity, chose to serve His disciples in the most humble way—by washing their feet. This act was unheard of for someone of His status, yet He did it to show that true greatness in His kingdom is found in serving others. Discipleship is not about self-promotion or seeking recognition, but about taking up the towel and serving those around us with love and humility. When we follow Jesus’ example, we reflect His heart to the world and participate in the kind of life He calls us to live. [43:58]

John 13:3-5 (ESV)
"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

Reflection: Who is someone you can serve in a practical, humble way this week, following Jesus’ example?

Day 3: Abiding in Jesus Is the Source of Fruitful Living

A life of discipleship flows from staying connected to Jesus, the true vine.
Jesus invites us to remain in Him, emphasizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Just as a branch draws life from the vine, we are called to draw our life, strength, and purpose from our relationship with Jesus. This abiding connection is cultivated through prayer, Scripture, worship, and spiritual practices that keep us close to Him. When we prioritize being with Jesus over simply doing for Him, His grace overflows into our relationships and daily activities, producing fruit that blesses others and glorifies God. [48:59]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"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. 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."

Reflection: What is one practice you can adopt or renew this week to deepen your daily connection with Jesus?

Day 4: Love for God Is Expressed in Loving Others

Discipleship is measured by the quality of our relationships and sacrificial love.
Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved us, setting the highest standard—laying down our lives for our friends. This love starts in our closest relationships—family, friends, neighbors—and extends outward. Our lives are ultimately defined not by what we accumulate, but by how we love and invest in others. Even when it’s difficult, our families and friendships become the laboratory where we learn to love like Jesus, allowing His grace to overflow from our lives into the lives of those around us. [51:19]

John 15:12-13 (ESV)
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience Christ’s love through you today, and what is one tangible way you can show it?

Day 5: Jesus Invites Us to Come to Him and Follow Him

The life of discipleship begins with responding to Jesus’ invitation to come and follow.
Jesus extends two grand invitations: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” and “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He offers rest, grace, and forgiveness to all who are tired and worn out, and then calls us to learn from Him and join Him in His mission. Discipleship is not just about believing in Jesus, but about walking with Him daily, learning from Him, and letting Him transform us as we live out His purposes in the world. [01:01:33]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Reflection: Are you weary or burdened in any area of your life? How can you respond to Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and find rest today?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we explored what it truly means to live the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10—life to the full, not as the world defines it, but as Jesus models and invites us into. The world often equates abundance with material wealth, freedom from restriction, or wild success, but Jesus’ own life and the lives of the faithful in Scripture show us a different path. Even those celebrated for their faith often endured hardship, yet their lives were full of meaning and purpose because they were lived with God.

At the heart of this abundant life is discipleship, which is simply learning to live life with Jesus—connected to Him, in union with Him, not just as Savior or friend, but as King. Discipleship is less about what we do and more about who we are with. In John 13-17, Jesus, knowing His time was short, demonstrated the essence of discipleship by washing His disciples’ feet—a radical act of humble self-sacrifice. This act, unprecedented for a superior to perform for inferiors, becomes the model for our own lives: it’s not about us, but about serving others with humility.

To illustrate this, Brian used a pitcher, cup, saucer, and plate. The pitcher represents God’s grace, the cup is our life, the saucer our closest relationships, and the plate our broader engagement in the world. True discipleship is not about busyness or filling our plates, but about staying connected to Jesus so that His grace overflows from our lives into our relationships and out into the world. Jesus’ command is clear: “Love each other as I have loved you.” Our love for God is made visible in our love for others, starting with those closest to us—our families and friends—and extending outward.

But Jesus also prepares us for the reality that following Him may bring opposition. Yet, He promises the Holy Spirit to empower us to bear witness—not just to what He did long ago, but to what He is doing in us now. We are called to go into the world as His servants, fulfilling both an evangelistic and a cultural mandate: to testify to His work and to do good in every sphere of life.

At Elmbrook, we want to help each other live this out through the ABCD's of discipleship: Abide in Christ, Belong to a Group, Contribute Your Ministry, and Disciple Others. Jesus extends two grand invitations: “Come to me” for rest and grace, and “Follow me” to learn how to live life with Him and for Him. This is the abundant life He offers—a life of presence, purpose, and overflowing love.

Key Takeaways

1. Abundant life is found in union with Jesus The fullness Jesus offers is not measured by material success or comfort, but by a deep, abiding relationship with Him. True abundance is experienced as we live in His presence, receiving His grace and purpose for our lives. This union transforms our understanding of what it means to truly live. [36:06]
2. Humble service is the heart of discipleship Jesus’ act of washing His disciples’ feet redefines greatness as humble self-sacrifice. Discipleship begins with a posture of humility, serving others not for recognition but out of love. This radical servanthood is the model for our relationships and our engagement with the world. [43:58]
3. Overflowing love starts with those closest to us Our first calling is to let God’s grace fill us and spill over into our families and closest relationships. These are the “laboratories” where we learn to love sacrificially, forgive, and grow. The quality of our relationships, not our achievements, will define our legacy in God’s eyes. [54:00]
4. Bearing witness is a present, active calling We are sent into the world as servants, empowered by the Spirit to testify to what Jesus is doing in us now. Our witness is not just about past experiences but about living hope-filled, joy-filled lives that point others to Christ in every sphere—work, neighborhood, and beyond. [56:59]
5. Discipleship is both invitation and response Jesus invites us to “come to Him” for rest and to “follow Him” in a life of learning and transformation. Responding to these invitations means trusting Him with our burdens and allowing Him to shape us into people who reflect His love and purpose in the world. [60:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:29] - Introduction and Personal Story
[36:06] - The Abundant Life in Christ
[37:32] - Worldly Views of the Good Life
[38:38] - Faithful Lives Marked by Hardship
[39:41] - What Jesus Means by “Life to the Full”
[40:25] - Discipleship: Life With Jesus
[41:52] - The Urgency of Jesus’ Final Words
[43:20] - The Towel: Humble Self-Sacrifice
[45:30] - The Pitcher, Cup, Saucer, and Plate
[48:14] - Abiding Connection to Jesus
[51:19] - Love Each Other as I Have Loved You
[54:00] - Loving in Our Closest Relationships
[56:14] - Bearing Witness in the World
[57:39] - The ABCDs of Discipleship
[60:32] - Jesus’ Two Grand Invitations
[63:45] - Prayer and Closing Invitation
[70:34] - Next Steps and Prayer Team

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 10:10 (ESV) — > "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

John 13:1-17 (ESV) — > (Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. See especially verses 12-15: “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.’”)

John 15:1-17 (ESV) — > (Jesus teaches about abiding in the vine and loving one another. See especially verses 4-5: “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. 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.”)

Observation Questions

According to John 10:10, what is the difference between what the thief offers and what Jesus offers?
In John 13, what surprising action does Jesus take during the meal with his disciples, and why is it significant? [43:58]
In John 15, what word or phrase does Jesus repeat multiple times, and what does he want his disciples to do? [48:59]
In the sermon, what do the pitcher, cup, saucer, and plate represent in the illustration about discipleship? [46:06]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus choose to wash his disciples’ feet, even though he is their Teacher and Lord? What does this teach about the heart of discipleship? [44:39]
The sermon says that abundant life is not about material success or comfort, but about union with Jesus. How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to live “the good life”? [36:06]
Why does Jesus emphasize “abiding” or “remaining” in him as the key to bearing fruit? What does this look like in everyday life? [48:14]
The sermon mentions that loving others starts with those closest to us—our families and friends. Why do you think Jesus wants us to begin there? [54:00]

Application Questions

The world often defines abundance as having more money, freedom, or success. In what ways have you been tempted to chase after these things as your definition of “the good life”? How does Jesus’ definition challenge you? [36:55]
Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an act of humble service. What is one practical way you could serve someone in your family, workplace, or neighborhood this week, even if it feels beneath you? [43:58]
The pitcher, cup, saucer, and plate illustration shows that God’s grace should overflow from our lives into our closest relationships and then out into the world. Where do you see God’s grace overflowing in your life right now? Where do you feel “empty” and in need of a fresh filling? [47:36]
Jesus commands us to “love each other as I have loved you.” Is there a relationship in your life—family, friend, or coworker—where you need to show more sacrificial love or forgiveness? What is one step you can take this week? [51:19]
The sermon says that following Jesus may bring opposition or misunderstanding from the world. Have you ever experienced this? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? [55:24]
The ABCDs of discipleship are: Abide in Christ, Belong in community, Contribute with your gifts, and Disciple others. Which of these comes most naturally to you, and which is most challenging? What is one next step you could take in the area that is hardest for you? [57:39]
Jesus gives two invitations: “Come to me” for rest, and “Follow me” to learn how to live with him. Which invitation do you need to respond to most right now? What would it look like for you to say “yes” to Jesus in this season? [01:00:32]

Sermon Clips

For me, discipleship is a message to me. It is simply this. It is learning to live life with Jesus. It is learning to live life connected to Jesus, in union with Jesus, and not just as friend or Savior, but as the King, to live life in His kingdom with Him as the King and Lord. [00:40:31] (32 seconds) #LivingWithJesus

At the heart of it, it is a life of intimacy. And I'm convinced it's not so much about what we do, this life of discipleship, it's who we get to be with. It's not what we do, it's who we get to be with. [00:41:08] (17 seconds) #LifeOfIntimacy

There’s not an instance in all of Jewish or Greco-Roman literature of a superior washing the feet of an inferior. Think about that. Not a single instance recorded, and yet Jesus did that. It becomes the model of Christian conduct. [00:45:07] (20 seconds) #RadicalLove

Remain, remain, remain. In this little window of six verses, from verse 4 to verse 10, He uses that word, I believe, 11 times. He says, stay connected to me. Stay connected to me. That's where you're going to receive life. That's where you're going to receive my grace and my goodness. That's where you're going to be transformed, and changed, and bear fruit. That's life with me. [00:49:13] (34 seconds) #StayConnected

Love for God is verified in our love for others. The standard is insurmountably high, to lay down one's life. At the end of the day, our lives will be defined by the quality of the relationships that we've had. [00:51:54] (18 seconds) #LoveInAction

Discipleship is moving into the world as Jesus' servants and testifying to the work that He has done in us. It's not just testifying of what Jesus did 30 years ago at church camp. It's a present active thing. It's bearing witness. It's testifying to what God is doing now. What is He doing in me now? What new grace is He showing me? What am I learning from Him now? [00:56:47] (30 seconds) #ActiveTestimony

My guess is many in here are living what you'd say, I'm living a good life. But some of you, life is hard. Life is really hard. In fact, you've derailed your life. Do you hear this invitation from Jesus? Come to me, all who are weary, all who are burdened, all who are heavy laden. Invitation number one. Why? Because I want to give you rest. I want to pour my grace. I want you to experience grace. I want you to experience freedom and forgiveness. I want you to experience my life. [01:01:03] (46 seconds) #RestInGrace

But then he also invites us in another grand invitation. Not only does he invite us to come to him, he also says this, come follow me. In Mark 1 verse 17, he says, come follow me to his disciples. And Jesus said, and I will make you, I will transform you into fishers of men. [01:01:53] (22 seconds) #FollowAndTransform

Discipleship really is experiencing that kind of life, that rescuing pattern of life where we get to live in his presence, live with him. And we move from this life into this life to come together. He has a good plan for you. [01:03:15] (20 seconds) #LifeInHisPresence

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