Abide

Announcements:

Men’s Retreat

Bible Study - John (July 8th)

Youth Group - Every other week this summer.

Introduction:

Good morning… The title of my sermon this morning is “Abide.” As I was praying about this morning - the word Abide echoed in my mind - which I took as an indication that that should be my message to you this morning.

The Apostle John, in his gospel but even more so in his letters to the church, dealt with this issue of abiding. More than 40 times in scripture this idea is brought up - so it seems it may be important to understand.

We are going to start our journey this morning in the Book of John - which is an incredible book to study. I really recommend that you join us on the 8th for the start of the study - to go even deeper into this book.

Let’s Pray

John 15:4–11 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

What does it mean to Abide:

μένω (menō). vb. remain, stay (i.e., lodge) with. Among its wide breadth of uses, menō can refer to dwelling, living, or lodging.

Similar to English “stay,” menō is sometimes used as a simple expression for dwelling in an abode or sharing quarters (e.g., John 1:39; 8:35; 10:40; 11:54; Acts 28:16). To the extent that such quarters are the home of another, the one “staying” is the recipient of hospitality

Jesus uses this word to describe someone being tied into - dwelling in Him. Vined together. Coming out of the true vine.

John 15:1–2 CSB

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.

Tree of 40 Fruits Sam Van Aken… grafted together 40 different variations of stuffs.

Plant Grafting.

Problems..... We like to just run adjacent. we like to look like we are planted.

How do we Abide:

What are the Results of Abiding:

New Life

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

Robes of Righteousness

Philippians 3:9 CSB

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.

Peace

John 16:33 CSB

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Spiritual Fruit

John 15:5 CSB

I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.

What are the results of Not abiding.

Being cut away

The problem is - we like to make it look like we are abiding, when really we are just hanging out near the vine.

It looks like we are near by - but we aren’t tied in.