Gospel Meeting Joshua Thornhill Index
Learning True Discipleship
The Disciple’s Relationship to His Lord
Introduction: Today we continue our study of discipleship looking at
the relationship the disciple has with his Lord. We will look at the
relationship of the potter and the clay, the vine and the branches, and
a child of God.
I. The
Potter and the Clay: The Disciple’s Transformation
A. God is the potter!
1. We are the work of God’s hand: Jeremiah 18:6;
Isaiah 64:8
2. Remember our place: Romans 9:20-21, Isaiah
55:8-9, 29:16
3. God cares for us and knows what is best: 1 Peter 5:7,
Deuteronomy 6:24
B. We cannot mold God in our image. This is done
by:
1. Rejecting His pattern: Jeremiah 10:23,
2. A lack of reverence: Psalm 111:9 (When we lack reverence, we
are treating God as common)
3. Self-elevation: 1 Samuel 15:17, Philippians 2:3-4
4. Idolatry: Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5
C. We are molded by God when we:
1. Let God be the potter: Isaiah 64:8, Romans 8:29
2. Transform our lives: Romans 12:2, Galatians 2:20
3. Obey in all points: Matthew 7:21-23, James 2:10
4. Deny ourselves: Matthew 16:24
II. The Vine
and The Branches: The Disciple’s dependence on Christ
A. We must abide in Christ:
1. We abide in Christ through our obedience: John
8:31, 1 John 3:24
2. Those who abide in Christ will bear fruit: John
15:5, 2 Peter 1:8
3. Only in Christ can acceptable fruit be borne:
John 15:4, 14:6
B. If we abide in Christ:
1. We will be like the vine: James 3:12, Luke 6:40, 1 John 2:6
2. We will bear fruit:
a. Spiritual growth and maturity: Galatians
5:22-23,
b. Increased talents and opportunities: Matthew
25:14-30
c. Winning lost souls: Romans 1:13
3. We will remain
connected to the life giving vine: John 15:4-6
III. A Child
of God: The Disciple’s Security
A. It is because of God’s love that we are called children of
God: 1 John 3:1, John 1:12
B. We have been adopted as sons: Galatians 4:4-7,
Ephesians 1:5
C. We become a child of God through:
1. Faith in Christ: Galatians 3:26-27
2. The new birth: John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23
D. A Child of God:
1. Is led by the Spirit: Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16, 25
2. Is an heir of God: Romans 8:16-17, Ephesians 1:11, 1 Peter
1:3-4
3. Partakes of the character of God: 1 John 3:10, 5:4, 3:3, 1
Peter 1:14-16
4. Loves God and His children: 1 John 5:1-2
E. We can leave our Father’s house:
1. We lose all benefits: Luke 15:11-24, James
5:19-20
2. We must repent and turn back: Acts 8:22, 1 John
1:9
Conclusion:
As a disciple, we must transform our lives to please God, depend on
Christ, and walk worthy of our precious name. Let us strive to maintain
the proper relationship with our Lord.