10/19/25 A new direction for FBC, Pastor Cody Harlow, John 15:16

Devotional

Day 1: Abiding in Christ is the Root of Discipleship

To abide in Christ means to live in ongoing, obedient fellowship with Him, continually drawing direction and strength from His word, prayer, worship, and the Holy Spirit. This abiding is not a passive state but an active, daily relationship that shapes every aspect of life. When believers remain rooted in Christ, they are nourished and empowered to face challenges, resist distractions, and grow in spiritual maturity. Abiding is the foundation from which all true discipleship flows, ensuring that our lives are anchored in Jesus rather than in fleeting programs or personal ambitions. [48:36]

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 daily practice you can begin or renew this week to intentionally abide in Christ—such as a set time for prayer, reading Scripture, or worship—that will help you draw strength from Him?

Day 2: Bearing Fruit as Visible Evidence of Christ’s Life

Bearing fruit is the visible evidence of Christ’s life within us, seen through transformed character, obedient conduct, and the reproduction of disciples who remain in Him. This fruit is not just about personal growth but about multiplying the life of Christ in others through intentional relationships and gospel witness. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be increasingly evident in our lives, and our actions should reflect Christ’s love to those around us. True discipleship is proven by this fruitfulness, which glorifies God and advances His kingdom. [53:34]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you sense God inviting you to grow in today, and how can you take a practical step to cultivate it in your interactions with others?

Day 3: Chosen and Appointed for a Purpose

God’s choosing is not only for salvation but for a purpose: to go and bear fruit that remains. From Noah to Abraham to every believer in Christ, God’s unmerited favor is given so that His people might be a blessing to others and participate in His redemptive mission. This purpose is not self-invented but received from Christ, who calls each believer to invest in others, make disciples, and see His life multiplied in the world. Understanding that you are chosen and appointed by God brings assurance, humility, and a sense of holy responsibility to live out His calling. [49:48]

John 15:16 (ESV)
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."

Reflection: Who is one person God has placed in your life that you can intentionally invest in or encourage in their walk with Christ this week?

Day 4: Every Member is a Minister and Missionary

Every believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, is called to be both a minister and a missionary, seeing every place as a mission field and every relationship as an opportunity for gospel impact. This calling is not reserved for a select few but is the shared responsibility of the whole church, as each person is sent to sow the seeds of the gospel and make disciples wherever they go. Whether at work, at home, or in the community, God desires to use you to reach others and expand His kingdom, making you an ambassador for Christ in a world that is not your true home. [57:05]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

Reflection: Where is your “mission field” this week—at work, home, or in your neighborhood—and how can you intentionally represent Christ there through your words and actions?

Day 5: Renewing Lives for God’s Glory

Renewing lives is about enduring transformation, not temporary change, as believers invest in what is eternal—people’s souls—rather than in things that fade away. This renewal comes as we abide in Christ, reproduce disciples, and see families and communities transformed by the power of the gospel. The mission is not about personal recognition or building monuments but about glorifying God by seeing lives changed for eternity. Each believer is called to join in this work, committing to unity, shared purpose, and a focus on what truly lasts. [01:00:52]

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."

Reflection: What is one area of your life or community where you long to see God’s renewing work, and how can you partner with Him in bringing transformation there this week?

Sermon Summary

Over the past week, our church has experienced a renewed sense of purpose and unity as we’ve focused on the Great Commission through various events and gatherings. This season has been a culmination of years of prayer, reflection, and seeking God’s direction for our church’s identity and mission. For a long time, we struggled with knowing who we truly are as a church—our signage, our programs, and even our language reflected a lack of clarity. But God, in His faithfulness, has been at work, guiding us through seasons of decline and growth, and bringing us to a place where we can clearly articulate why we exist.

Drawing from John 15:12-17, Jesus’ words to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion, we see that our calling is rooted in abiding in Christ, loving one another sacrificially, and bearing fruit that lasts. Jesus doesn’t just call us servants; He calls us friends, inviting us into intimate fellowship with Him. This relationship is not passive—it is marked by obedience, love, and a mission to go and bear fruit. Our identity and purpose flow from Christ Himself, not from our own inventions or ambitions.

Throughout Scripture, God’s choosing is always for a purpose. Noah, Abraham, and every believer are chosen not just for salvation, but to be a blessing and to reproduce God’s life in others. Our mission, then, is not about programs or numbers, but about being rooted in Christ, reproducing disciples, and renewing lives for God’s glory. This is a call for every believer, not just leaders or staff. Each of us is a minister and a missionary, called to invest in others, to disciple, and to see lives transformed by the gospel.

This vision is not built on personalities or trends, but on the unchanging Word of God. It gives us focus, unity, and a filter for all we do. Our legacy is not in buildings or movements, but in eternal souls. As we move forward, the challenge is to personally embrace this calling: to be rooted in Christ, to reproduce disciples, and to renew lives for God’s glory. This is not just our church’s mission—it is our shared identity in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Abiding in Christ is the foundation of all fruitful living. True discipleship begins with an ongoing, obedient relationship with Jesus, drawing strength and direction from Him through His Word, prayer, and worship. Without abiding, all efforts are fruitless, but with Him, our lives become channels of His love and power. [44:43]
2. God’s love is not sentimental or occasional, but sacrificial and devoted. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us—laying down our lives for others. This kind of love is the distinguishing mark of genuine followers of Christ and is the first visible fruit of a life rooted in Him. [45:18]
3. Every believer is chosen and appointed for a purpose beyond personal salvation. God’s grace calls us not only to Himself but also sends us out to bear fruit that remains. Our lives are meant to reproduce the life of Christ in others through intentional discipleship and evangelism, not just through church programs but through personal investment. [49:48]
4. The mission of making disciples is not reserved for a select few; it is the calling of every Christian. Wherever we go—our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods—we are ambassadors of Christ, sowing seeds of the gospel and investing in the spiritual growth of others. Each place we inhabit becomes a mission field, and each relationship an opportunity for eternal impact. [57:16]
5. Our legacy is measured not by temporary achievements but by eternal transformation. Buildings, programs, and movements will fade, but the souls we disciple and the lives we renew in Christ will last forever. Investing in people for God’s glory is the most enduring work we can do, and it is the heart of our shared mission. [60:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:00] - Celebrating a Week of Great Commission Focus
[32:59] - Reflections on Church Identity and Vision
[34:31] - God’s Leading and Unified Leadership
[35:49] - The Challenge of Church Identity
[37:18] - Facing Decline and God’s Faithfulness
[39:43] - The Importance of Spiritual Growth
[40:26] - Introducing John 15:12-17
[44:18] - The Upper Room Discourse and Abiding in Christ
[45:18] - The Command to Love as Christ Loved
[47:36] - The Sequence: Abide, Obey, Love, Bear Fruit
[49:00] - Our Mission Verse and Its Implications
[51:23] - God’s Purpose in Choosing Us
[53:20] - Bearing Fruit: Character, Conduct, and Reproduction
[57:16] - Every Member a Minister and Missionary
[59:02] - Lasting Fruit and Renewing Lives
[61:06] - Our Mission Statement: Rooted, Reproducing, Renewing
[63:11] - The Power of a Unified, Biblical Vision
[65:14] - Jesus’ Full Teaching on Abiding and Bearing Fruit
[67:41] - Personal Application and Commitment
[69:31] - Prayer for Unity and Mission
[76:03] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:12-17 (ESV) — 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in John 15:16, who does the choosing and appointing, and for what purpose?
What does Jesus say is the distinguishing mark of his followers in verses 12 and 17?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the “root” of discipleship, and what is the “proof” of discipleship? [[48:36]]
How does Jesus describe the relationship between himself and his disciples in verses 14-15? What is the difference between being a servant and being a friend?

Interpretation Questions

The pastor said, “Abiding produces obedience. And obedience proves love. And love propels our mission.” How does this sequence help clarify what it means to be a disciple? [[47:52]]
Jesus calls his disciples “friends” instead of “servants.” What does this mean for how we relate to Jesus and to each other? [[46:50]]
The sermon emphasized that God’s choosing is always for a purpose, not just for personal salvation. How does this challenge the way we think about our faith and our role in the church? [[49:48]]
The pastor said, “Our legacy is not in buildings or movements, but in eternal souls.” What does this say about what should matter most in our lives and in our church? [[01:00:52]]

Application Questions

The pastor asked, “Are you willing to personally commit to being rooted in Christ and growing in his word, increasing in prayer, abounding in worship, and abiding in his love?” What is one specific step you can take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [[01:08:33]]
Jesus commands us to love one another as he has loved us. Think of a relationship in your life where it’s hard to show sacrificial love. What would it look like to love that person as Jesus loves you? [[45:18]]
The sermon said, “Every member is a minister. Every member is a missionary.” Where is your mission field right now—home, work, neighborhood? What is one way you can intentionally invest in someone’s spiritual growth this week? [[57:16]]
The pastor talked about “bearing fruit” as reproducing the life of Christ in others. Who is one person you could begin discipling or encouraging in their faith? What’s a first step you could take? [[56:22]]
The church’s new mission is to be “rooted in Christ, reproducing disciples, and renewing lives for God’s glory.” Which of these three areas do you feel strongest in? Which one do you want to grow in, and how could the group support you? [[01:01:06]]
The sermon mentioned that our identity and purpose flow from Christ, not from our own ambitions or church programs. Are there any activities or goals in your life that might be distracting you from this purpose? What could you change? [[52:19]]
The pastor said, “Investing in people for God’s glory is the most enduring work we can do.” Who has invested in your spiritual life? How can you pass that on to someone else this month? [[01:00:52]]

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