Abiding Faith

Abiding

In these past weeks we have talked about Abiding Faith and how you have to have faith, you have to believe in Jesus, not only that but if you have faith in him, you should call on his name, through prayer, if we don’t pray do we truly have faith? but today, we are going to talk about it what it means to abide,

So what does it mean to abide?

As I looked up definitions from like dictionary.com, the word abide means to remain, continue, stay: and then sentence that they used was “Abide with me” stay with me.

Then it said

To have one’s abode; dwell; reside. and the sentence that used was: “To abide in a small Scottish village”

What does the world abide to?

They abide to thier own desires, I once heard a kid say, “I stay in trouble because I like it” I abide to video games, I abide to my phone,

But lets see what scripture says about abiding?

1 John 2:28 ESV

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

This close fellowship with Christ leads to two important results when He returns. First, is confidence, both in our salvation and in our relationship with Him. Second, we will not need to be embarrassed about our lives and lifestyles. Instead of shame, a faithful believer can have confidence and look forward to Christ's coming.

1 John 2:6 ESV

whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

This verse completes John's thought which was begun in verse 5. Anyone claiming to "abide" in Christ should "walk," or live, as Jesus lived.

This is frequently mentioned as John's ultimate proof for how a person knows he or she is a believer: A believer in Jesus lives like

John 15:5 ESV

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.

The process of growing from spiritual barrenness, to spiritual productivity, to spiritual abundance, is possible only through Christ.

So abiding in Christ is something that has much benefit to us. It can be related to walking, or working out, there is a benefit, and you are going to be healthier from it, just like you would be spiritually healthy if you abided in Jesus Christ

Now here is a story of two sisters in the bible that we can look to, one is abiding in the presence of Jesus the other is just there still trying to apease him

Luke 10:38–42 “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.””

What is the attitude that you have when a guests comes over to your house, not a friend but maybe one of your parents guest?

You may have to clean up your room, you might have to mow the grass, you might have to cook, get everything ready. right.

Could you imagine Jesus being in your home? It would make me want to keep cleaning, serving, doing whatever I could to be good enough for him

it says in verse 39 ANd the sister called mary , who sat t the lord’s feet and listened to his teaching, but martha was distracted with much serving.

Martha is an example of being doer, in our efforts to serve God, most of actually end up skimping on our relationship with him, we stay in a constant state of trying to make the best use of our time, I go to church I know I am supposed to help with the kids this day, we have vsm this day i get to see my friends there, Doers wrap themselves around as much christianity they can without having Christ, you may be like that or you might know someone that is like that,

Be’rs, are what mary is doing, She is just being with Jesus, She is focused on being with JEsus, enjoying commonion wiht him, loving him,. she is attentive, open, taking pleasure in his presence. She is engaged. she is being. Ill just let it be,

We have to allow ourselves to stop, and take a minute to be with Jesus,

I am on my at the college ministry and myslelf because sometimes we feel that it impossible to be with Jesus even our busy lives. Being with Jesus just like prayer does not have to this radical overspiritual expereince, WE don’t have to wait to clean up our mess to just be with jesus.

1. Keep your gaze upon Jesus

Matthew 14:28-30 – Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

2. Know the purpose of pruning

Romans 8:28-29 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers;

3. Celebrate in all circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

4. His grace is always sufficient

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

5. Place the pack upon the Lord

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and  you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.