ABIDING IN CHRIST

ABIDING IN CHRIST. John 15:1-12

1.       What does it mean to abide in Christ?

2.       The believers choice to abide or not

3.       Ways of abiding in Christ

4.       Purpose and blessings of abiding in Christ

5.       Consequences of not abiding in Christ.

Introduction.

God has a purpose for every human being on earth. When someone becomes a believer, he enters into a covenant relationship that puts him in a special position of authority in Christ. However, the believer must be responsible to submit to God’s authority over his life and also abide in Christ as much as he cultivates his personal fellowship and relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Many people are abiding in different things and such gives them happiness and contentment. Some are abiding in demonic cults and associations, some are abiding in human strength, some put their confidence in man while some even glory about their churches or pastors.

To succeed in life, make God happy and make it to heaven we must learn to abide in Christ every day of our lives.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ABIDE IN CHRIST?

The word “abide” as found in verse 4 of our text is from the Greek word “meno “which means to stay in a given place or state. Abide, continue, dwell, remain, stand can be used to mean the same thing.

Therefore abiding in Christ means remaining in Christ, dwelling in Christ, continuing in Christ.

THE BELIEVER’S CHOICE TO ABIDE OR NOT.

It is not how you begin the Christian journey that matters but how you will end. It is good to have a wonderful start in Christ but it is better to finish the Christian race strong and make it to heaven.

Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Matthew 10:22, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

There are many that you started together but today they have gone back to their vomit. How will you end?

John 15:4

Abide in me, and I in you-----------------KJV

Continue in me and let me continue in you-------------WNT

Be in me at all times as I am in you------------------------ BBE

Remain in me and I will remain in you--------------------NLT

Remain united to me and I will remain united to you----- GNB

You are the one that will determine how far you will go with God. You are the one that will determine to what extent you will enjoy God’s blessings. You are the one that will determine how far God will use you. James 4:8, Proverbs 8:14, Jeremiah 29:13.

HOW TO ABIDE IN CHRIST.

·         To receive Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and lord. (RELATIONSHIP). John 1:12; 1 John 3:1,23; 1 John 4:15.

·         Dwell on God’s word daily (READ, HEAR, STUDY, MEMORIZE and MEDITATE). John 15:3, John 17:17, Ephesians 5:26. HE IS THE WORD (John 1:1).

·         Doing God’s word and obeying his leading and commandments John 15:6,10; John 14:15; 1 John 3:24, James 1:22, Matt 7:21, Luke 6:46.

·         Living a life of Love- Love for God, Love for brethren and Love for your enemies John 15:9; 12

·         Spending quality time in communion, prayers, fellowship with God (DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST) Psalm 91:1-3, 14-16

·         Having a good relationship and fellowship with the Holy Spirit(THE EVIDENCE, THE SEAL). 1 John 4:13, 1 John 5:7, 1 John 3:24,John 15:26, John 14:16-18, John 16:7,13. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

PURPOSE AND BLESSINGS OF ABIDING IN CHRIST

PURPOSE:

1.    FRUITFULNESS John 15:4

Fruitfulness however is in degrees or levels 30 fold,60 fold, 100 fold returns MARK 4:8,20. The Bible talks about FRUIT, MORE FRUIT AND MUCH FRUIT. The deeper you abide the greater and more bountiful the fruits. The branch bears fruit effortlessly as long as it is attached to the vine. You bear fruit automatically by the help of the Holy Spirit in you if you are actually abiding.

WHAT DOES THE FRUIT REPRESENT?

A.      Answered Prayers and personal prosperity. Psalm 1:1-3,  John 15:7,11,12

B.      Fruit of the Spirit (Measure of Spiritual Maturity and brokenness, No to carnality, pride and worldliness, Having good Christian Character and growing in it, Becoming more like Christ) Galatians 5:22-24; 2 Peter 1:5-8

C.      Winning Souls for Christ Proverbs 11:30, James 5:20, Daniel 12:3

2.       BEING A DISCIPLE INDEED, BECOMING A TRUE DISCIPLE   John 15:8, Matthew 5:14-16. Electricity represents GOD’S LIFE flowing through the believer, the bulb is the BELIEVER  and the light is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

3.       YOU BECOME A VESSEL UNTO HONOUR 2 Timothy 2:20-21) As a Christian, you are a vessel, a container, an instrument and as you abide in Christ His living water is able to flow through you.

BLESSINGS OF ABIDING IN CHRIST

A.      Sanctification John 15:3, John 17:17

B.      Overcome trials and tests from God and bear more fruits John 15:2

C.      Answered prayers John 15:7,11,12( The reason why many prayers are not answered is because they are not abiding in Christ.People want miracles but not relationship, they want blessings but not holiness)

D.      Unlimited Joy  John 15:11, John 17:13

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ABIDING

John 15:2, 6. Luke 13:7-9. You can lose your initial connection and thereby lose the ability to bear fruits and this will lead to danger of eternal damnation or destruction. ONCE SAVED FOREVER SAVED IS ALIE FROM THE PIT OF HELL. WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE GOD AND NO ONE CAN EVER BE HOLY WITHOUT ABIDING IN CHRIST.

Where are you in Christ? What is your eternal future? Have you backslidden? Are you living in secret sin and everybody thought that you are holy? If you die now, will you go to heaven? CHECK YOUR HEART, CHECK YOU LIFE. RESPOND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. ASK GOD FOR MERCY AND BEGIN TO MAKE CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO ABIDE IN HIM.