Austin Baptist Church

Ephesians 2:8-9
Galatians 5:1
Galatians 5:13

“Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” 
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Galatians 5:6
Galatians 5:16

“Flesh is any human action or achievement without dependence upon the Holy Spirit and without glorying, exalting in, trusting, treasuring, and valuing Jesus Christ.” 
-John Piper

1. The Root of a Fruitful Life: Walking by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-18
John 15:5
Galatians 5:19-21

2. The Evidence of a Fruitful Life: Producing Fruit
Galatians 5:19-21
1 John 1:9
Galatians 5:22-24

3. The Heart of a Fruitful Life: Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-7,13
John 13:35

Quote from Corrie Ten Boom

I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then. But even so, I realized it was not my love. I had tried and
did not have the power. It was the power of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Romans 5:5: “...for the love of
God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Isaiah 6:8

If you DISCOVER God, you will want to be DEPLOYED by God

Every Christian has a God-given PURPOSE

ABC Must Advance By:
1. Deploying more LEADERS to use their GIFTS
2. Deploying more MEMBERS on MISSION each week
3. Deploying more SERVANTS to FULL-TIME ministry and missions

Changed PEOPLE will change the WORLD

Isaiah 6:4-7

Discovering GOD will lead to a Self-Discovery of SIN

Discovering GOD will lead to the Discovery of GRACE

God wants to DEVELOP you spiritually

We develop STRONGEST in a church community

Advance in your Discipleship in 2027:
-Develop as a STUDENT
-Develop as a SERVANT

Development will not happen by ACCIDENT

Isaiah 6:1-3

What is Advance? 
-ADVANCE is an invitation to join ABC on a discipleship journey in 2027, with biblical engagement at its core.

How will we Advance? 
-We will DISCOVER God through his word, DEVELOP as disciples of Jesus, and DEPLOY on mission for him.

You can DISCOVER God

GENERAL Revelation vs. SPECIAL Revelation

Discover God’s WILL

Discover God’s HEART

DISCOVER:
-Church-wide bible reading plan (Jesus Daily Bible CSB)
-BFG Curriculum Alignment
-“The Greater Story” sermon series (52 weeks)
-Podcast engagement
-Quarterly booklets

Discover Who YOU Are

God’s Word not only informs, it TRANSFORMS

What is Advance? ADVANCE is an invitation to join ABC on a discipleship journey in 2027, with biblical engagement at its core.

How will we Advance? We will DISCOVER God through his word, DEVELOP as disciples of Jesus, and DEPLOY on mission for him.

DISCOVER:
Church-wide bible reading plan (Jesus Daily Bible CSB)
BFG Curriculum Alignment
“The Greater Story” sermon series (52 weeks)
Podcast engagement
Quarterly booklets

DEVELOP:
Align Discipleship Strategies
Expand Discipleship Opportunities

DEPLOY:
Who is YOUR one?
Who is OUR one?

Our Goal: Spiritual Transformation

Isaiah 6:8

John 14:1-6

His Second Coming will be PUBLIC

His Second Coming will be SUDDEN

His Second Coming will be VICTORIOUS

His Second Coming will be SOON
-Comfort for the AFFLICTED
-Urgency for the COMPLACENT

John 15:1-5

You cannot change your own HEART

Jesus can change ANYONE

Q: What does it look like to bear fruit?
-Growth in Christian Character
-Growth in Good Works
-Growth in the Knowledge of God
-Growth in Kingdom Impact

God WANTS us to bear fruit

He cuts off DEAD branches

He PRUNES living branches

Dependence on Christ leads to spiritual TRANSFORMATION

Independence from Christ leads to spiritual DESTRUCTION

Philippians 4:18-20

God provides for the needs of His CHILDREN
-COMPARISON robs the Provider of His glory
-BUSYNESS robs the Provider of His glory 

Let God’s PROVIDENCE raise your CONFIDENCE

Matthew 11:25-30

HUMILITY is the pathway to salvation

Jesus has all AUTHORITY for salvation

Salvation is both EXCLUSIVE and INCLUSIVE

Jesus gives REST for your soul
- Jesus gives us peace WITH God
- Jesus gives us peace FROM God

John 10:22-28

1. Don’t ignore the SIGNS around you

2. You can KNOW God, not just know ABOUT Him

3. Your salvation is SECURE in Jesus Christ

4. There is nothing you can do to make God love you LESS

5. There is nothing you can do to make God love you MORE

6. PERSONAL insecurities can be washed away by ETERNAL security in Jesus