Part 11: Abide in Me, Living Daily in God’s Presence

Good morning everyone,

I. Introduction: The Journey to Deepening Our Relationship with God

We have spent the last 10 weeks endeavoring to assist you to deepen your relationship with God.

Its a fundamental apsect of the Christian life.

and really the difference of being trapped in a man made religion and walking the path God called you to walk.

That’s where this series began.

1) Christianty is NOT a religion, but a a relationship, it is an invitation to know the one who created everything

2) Relationship are based on communication, and in order to communicate you must be able to know and Hear God voice

3) God often used adversity to draw us closer to Himself, But in order for that to work We have to be able to Trust God in the uncertainty

4) which allows us to walk in obedience

5) and trust His Plan

6) But our relationship is not just limited to God, but also our brothers and Sisters in Christ, That’s why God askes us to grow in Love for Him and others

7) We then focused our attention our how to enter into the most Holy place, where the very presense of avails Himself for us to encounter. We do this by opening the Gates with thanksgiving

8) and entering Hs courts with Praise

9) When were learn to dwell in His presence we gain benefits like Having well healed wounds

10) but that can only happen when we intentionally Be still, and discover God in the Silence

That Brings us to today,

and although our series is concluding, may our endeavor to pursue the presence of God never end.

to maintain this level of intimacy, is a challenge,

but one God has equipped us for.

The way we can continue in His presence every day of our lives is simply stated, but only lived our with intention

Part 11: Abide in Me, Living Daily in God’s Presence

John 15:4-5

John 15:4–5 NASB95

4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Let’s Pray..

Story: Timmy, Sarah, and the Dying Tomato Plant

One sunny Saturday, Timmy and Sarah were helping their mom in the garden. Timmy noticed a small tomato plant at the edge of the garden bed that looked different from the others. Its leaves were drooping, and its stem was thin and weak.

“Mom, what’s wrong with this tomato plant?” Timmy asked, frowning.

Their mom knelt down beside them. “Ah, I was wondering when you’d notice! This little plant’s roots are struggling. See how it’s not getting the same water and nutrients as the other plants? It’s a bit disconnected from the soil.”

“So that’s why it’s dying?” asked Sarah, her face falling.

Their mom nodded. “Plants need to stay rooted to stay alive. Just like people need food, water, and rest, plants need a constant supply of nutrients to be strong and healthy. This little one is struggling because it isn’t as deeply rooted.”

Timmy tilted his head thoughtfully. “Is that why Jesus said we should ‘abide’ in Him?”

Their mom smiled. “Exactly, Timmy! Jesus said, ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me’” (John 15:4).

“So, if we’re not close to Jesus, we won’t grow strong?” Sarah asked.

“Right,” their mom said. “Just like a plant can’t thrive without staying connected to the soil, we need to stay close to Jesus every day to be strong in our hearts and spirits.”

Timmy looked back at the little tomato plant, a new determination in his eyes. “Can we help it get better, Mom?”

“Yes,” she replied. “We’ll carefully replant it where the soil is rich and the roots can grow deep. Then, with a little care, it’ll start getting stronger.”

As they worked together to replant the tomato, Timmy whispered, “I want to be like the strong plants that stay rooted, close to Jesus.”

Sarah nodded, patting the soil around the plant. “Me too. We’ll abide in Him, just like the branches stay connected to the vine.”

Their mom gave them each a hug. “That’s the best choice you could ever make!”

What does it mean to Abide in Christ?

II. The Meaning of Abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5)

Define “abide” (to remain, stay, or dwell continuously).

a branch abides with the vines

it stays connected

Jesus as the vine; we as branches.

When we abide, we draw life, strength, and nourishment from Him.

Abiding is a lifestyle, not a single act—just as branches remain constantly connected to the vine.

If we neglect our connection, we loose all the benefits of that connection

I seen so many time in my life. People get a deep and power passion for God,

but I’ve seen how those same people grow cold before the things of God

They still beleive in God, but not in the same way

the become disallusioned with God’s love for them

and start to fall away

In years past the term for those people were “backsliders”

Not sure the current term.

but statistics show us, and the evidence is clear.

beginning with the lock downs of 2020 the universal church has seent he biggest decline in its history.

Hebrews 10:25 NASB95

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Whether is was so many churches going “online” and people seeing it as an opportunity to stay in the PJ’s all Sunday

Or the church closing its doors and shouting the message “stay home, we don’t want you spreading any sickness”

which incidently, many people translated, “then it must not be very important to go to church”

that’s on us! It’s going to be a difficult message to change

A church is kind of like a campfire.

In a campfire you’ve got all these red-hot coals.

If you remove one single coal and set it far away, it will cool in a matter of minutes.

The fire goes out, and the coal goes dark.

But if you take a coal that’s lost its fire and put it back into the fire, it gets hot again.

That’s the power of fellowship.

Now, I know there are times when we can’t make it to church,

and we can be grateful that there are ways we can still connect, such as watching a worship service online or listening to a podcast.

You can even listen or watch at a later time

Unfortunetly, its a slippery slope, During the lockdowns we have services where 500 people joined us online

the number is drastically lower now

People have been removed and are now cold

You may have many reason why you can’t “go to church”

which is a misnomer as “you are the church”

In cases like these, it’s still important to stay connected as best you can with other believers,

who can help you stay encouraged and faithful.

And it’s important for people within our congregations to reach out to individuals who experience challenges in getting to church every week.

Jesus tells us in

Matthew 18:20 NASB95

20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Hebrews 10:24 NASB95

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

Its become very easy, even justified why so many christians do not see the need to gather together anymore

but its important to realize

You are setting yourself us to be easy pickins

for the one who goes around seeking those to whom He can destroy

Just like when the coal is removed from the fire, it cools rapidly

to the point where its no longer recognized for what it once was.

The good news, when the cold coal gets put back in the fire. It may take a bit, but eventually it will burn like all the others

I believe, and I still believe we are preparing to see the greatest move of God the earth has every seen.

I have hopefully anticipating this awakening taking place

I know some are you are saying. Pastor Shawn you been saying this for years

But Why has it not happend yet?

Well God is waiting for His people to get a passion for Him

For His people to get and stay connected to Him.

You see when I say church attendance is down,

I’m using that as a indicator of how the universal church is doing.

Because when beleivers are connected to the vine, you don’t have to tell them that they need to go to church

They will already want to be there

A natural part of the abiding process it to want to abide with other believers

III. The Fruits of Abiding

Personal Transformation:

Through abiding, we grow in spiritual maturity, peace, and purpose

Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95

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

Deeper Intimacy with God:

Abiding daily develops intimacy; we come to know God’s heart and hear His voice.

Effective Witness to Others:

As we abide, God’s love and truth flow through us, impacting those around us.

IV. Practical Ways to Abide Daily

This has been a common theme over the last 3 months

I’ve stated it many times

Intentional Time with God:

regular, unrushed time in God’s Word and prayer.

regualar, unrushed time with God’s people

Edifying one another

Daily Surrender:

dependence on God for strength and guidance.

Continuous Connection:

Invite God into daily moments—thoughts, decisions, and actions

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB95

17 pray without ceasing;

Cultivate Thankfulness and Worship:

Pastor Trevor has been leading a campaign of thankfulness

very appropriate during this season

Maintain a heart of gratitude and praise,

keeping God’s presence close.

V. Challenges to Abiding

We should be wary of things that try to get in the way of our connecion with God

Distractions:

Busy schedules, noise, and life’s demands can pull us away from abiding.

Self-Reliance:

We may struggle to depend fully on God, but abiding requires trust and surrender.

Perseverance:

Abiding is a long-term commitment and takes intentional effort.

VI. Encouragement and Promise of Abiding (John 15:5)

Jesus’ promise: If we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit, and our lives will overflow with meaning and purpose.

...Fruit of the Spirit

…God’s abundant Blessings

…Deeper meaning and relationship with others

…a sense of fulfillments, as you know you are doing what you where created to do!

while abiding isn’t always easy, God’s Spirit strengthens and sustains us.

VII. Conclusion: A Life of Abiding in His Presence

As we conclude this journey of deepening our relationship with God,

we’ve seen how trust, love, praise, listening, and quieting ourselves before Him have drawn us closer to His heart.

Each step has taught us more about who He is and who we are meant to be in Him.

Yet, the journey doesn’t end here—it calls us to abide daily in Christ, staying connected to the source of life, strength, and purpose.

Just as branches depend on the vine, let us depend on Jesus,

seeking Him each day in prayer, worship, and His Word.

As we abide in Him, may we bear fruit that reflects His love and goodness to the world.

Embrace this call to abide, and let it transform every moment as you walk with Him.

Pray for the congregation to experience the joy and fruitfulness of abiding in God’s presence as they walk with Him each day.