Abiding in Christ: Cultivating Intimacy Through Prayer and Obedience

 

Summary

In our journey of cultivating intimacy with Christ, we delve into the profound concept of abiding in Him, as illustrated in John 15. Abiding, which means to remain, is a call to remain faithful as lifelong followers of Christ. This journey involves layering spiritual disciplines, such as Bible study and prayer, which are interconnected means of grace. These disciplines are not isolated practices but are woven together to deepen our relationship with God. Prayer, in particular, is a vital discipline that should be intertwined with our engagement with Scripture. Praying with an open Bible allows us to align our prayers with God's Word, preventing our prayer life from becoming monotonous and instead making it vibrant and dynamic.

Psalm 86 serves as a model of prayer, demonstrating how David bases his requests on the character of God. He acknowledges God's goodness, forgiveness, and steadfast love, even when facing the consequences of his own actions. This psalm encourages us to approach God with humility and boldness, asking for big things because we trust in His loving sovereignty. The joy of asking in Jesus' name is emphasized, reminding us that our requests should align with God's will and kingdom purposes. Abiding in Christ through His Word transforms our desires, leading us to seek lasting fruit for God's kingdom.

Obedience is a natural outgrowth of abiding in Christ. Jesus teaches that love and faith-filled obedience are interconnected. As we remain in His love, we are empowered to keep His commandments. This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's love. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process, guiding us through God's Word and helping us overcome complacency and blind spots in our spiritual journey.

Ultimately, our goal is to delight in God by doing His will and becoming wholehearted followers of Christ. Prayer is likened to a sheepdog returning to the Master's feet, ready for the next instruction. As we abide in Christ, we find joy in asking for anything that will help us bear lasting fruit. This requires a commitment to God's Word and a willingness to surrender anything that hinders our spiritual growth. By asking liberally and joyfully, we align our desires with God's will, trusting that His plans for us are always good.

Key Takeaways:

1. Interconnected Spiritual Disciplines: Spiritual disciplines like Bible study and prayer are interconnected means of grace that deepen our relationship with God. They are not isolated practices but layers that build upon each other to cultivate intimacy with Christ. Praying with an open Bible aligns our prayers with God's Word, making our prayer life vibrant and dynamic. [09:33]

2. Prayer Based on God's Character: Psalm 86 exemplifies how to base our prayers on God's character, acknowledging His goodness, forgiveness, and steadfast love. Even when facing the consequences of our actions, we can approach God with humility and boldness, trusting in His loving sovereignty. This encourages us to ask for big things, knowing that God delights in granting good things to His children. [12:59]

3. Joy in Asking in Jesus' Name: The joy of asking in Jesus' name is rooted in aligning our requests with God's will and kingdom purposes. Abiding in Christ through His Word transforms our desires, leading us to seek lasting fruit for God's kingdom. This joy is not about getting what we want but about aligning our hearts with God's desires. [14:36]

4. Obedience as an Outgrowth of Love: Love and faith-filled obedience are interconnected. As we remain in Christ's love, we are empowered to keep His commandments. This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's love. The Holy Spirit guides us through God's Word, helping us overcome complacency and blind spots in our spiritual journey. [20:25]

5. Delighting in God's Will: Our ultimate goal is to delight in God by doing His will and becoming wholehearted followers of Christ. Prayer is likened to a sheepdog returning to the Master's feet, ready for the next instruction. By asking liberally and joyfully, we align our desires with God's will, trusting that His plans for us are always good. [33:37]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - Introduction to Abiding in Christ
[03:45] - Spiritual Disciplines as Means of Grace
[06:30] - The Importance of Prayer
[09:33] - Praying with an Open Bible
[12:59] - Lessons from Psalm 86
[14:36] - The Joy of Asking in Jesus' Name
[17:33] - The Role of God's Word
[19:04] - Obedience and Abiding in Love
[20:25] - Love and Faith-Filled Obedience
[22:18] - Overcoming Complacency
[23:36] - Praying for Joy and Contentment
[25:13] - Bearing Lasting Fruit
[27:40] - Aligning Desires with God's Will
[30:27] - Obedience and Effective Prayer
[33:37] - Prayer as Returning to the Master's Feet
[34:35] - Seeking a Deeper Relationship with God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 15:1-11
2. Psalm 86:1-13
3. John 14:13-14

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean by "abide" in John 15, and how does it relate to bearing fruit? [17:33]
2. How does Psalm 86 demonstrate David's approach to prayer, and what attributes of God does he focus on? [12:59]
3. According to the sermon, how are spiritual disciplines like Bible study and prayer interconnected? [09:33]
4. What is the significance of asking in Jesus' name as mentioned in John 14:13-14? [26:41]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does abiding in Christ transform a believer's desires according to John 15? What does this transformation look like in practical terms? [14:36]
2. In what ways does Psalm 86 encourage believers to approach God with both humility and boldness? How can this dual approach affect one's prayer life? [12:59]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between love and obedience in the context of abiding in Christ? [20:25]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers overcome complacency and blind spots in their spiritual journey? [22:18]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. How can you better integrate Bible study and prayer to deepen your relationship with God? [09:33]
2. Consider a recent prayer request. How can you align it more closely with God's character and will, as demonstrated in Psalm 86? [12:59]
3. What are some specific ways you can practice asking in Jesus' name with the intention of bearing lasting fruit for God's kingdom? [14:36]
4. Identify an area of your life where obedience to God's commandments feels burdensome. How can you shift your perspective to see it as a joyful response to God's love? [20:25]
5. Think about a time when you felt complacent in your faith. What steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to guide you through God's Word and renew your commitment? [22:18]
6. How can you cultivate a greater delight in doing God's will, similar to the analogy of a sheepdog returning to the Master's feet? [33:37]
7. What is one specific distraction in your life that hinders your spiritual growth? How can you address it this week to focus more on abiding in Christ? [34:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Interconnected Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines such as Bible study and prayer are not isolated practices but are interconnected means of grace that deepen our relationship with God. These disciplines are like layers that build upon each other to cultivate intimacy with Christ. Praying with an open Bible is a practice that aligns our prayers with God's Word, making our prayer life vibrant and dynamic. This approach prevents our prayers from becoming monotonous and instead infuses them with life and relevance. By engaging in these interconnected disciplines, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of God's will and a more profound connection with Him. [09:33]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate praying with an open Bible into your daily routine to make your prayer life more vibrant and aligned with God's Word?


Day 2: Prayer Based on God's Character
Psalm 86 serves as a model of prayer, demonstrating how to base our requests on the character of God. David acknowledges God's goodness, forgiveness, and steadfast love, even when facing the consequences of his own actions. This psalm encourages us to approach God with humility and boldness, asking for big things because we trust in His loving sovereignty. By focusing on God's character, we can confidently present our requests, knowing that He delights in granting good things to His children. This approach to prayer transforms our perspective, allowing us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and trust in God's greater plan. [12:59]

"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." (Psalm 86:5, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's character. How can you base your prayers on His goodness and steadfast love today?


Day 3: Joy in Asking in Jesus' Name
The joy of asking in Jesus' name is rooted in aligning our requests with God's will and kingdom purposes. Abiding in Christ through His Word transforms our desires, leading us to seek lasting fruit for God's kingdom. This joy is not about getting what we want but about aligning our hearts with God's desires. When we ask in Jesus' name, we are invited to participate in His mission and purpose, seeking what truly matters in the light of eternity. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary desires to eternal significance, bringing joy and fulfillment in our spiritual journey. [14:36]

"And whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one request you can make today that aligns with God's will and kingdom purposes, bringing joy to your heart?


Day 4: Obedience as an Outgrowth of Love
Love and faith-filled obedience are interconnected. As we remain in Christ's love, we are empowered to keep His commandments. This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's love. The Holy Spirit guides us through God's Word, helping us overcome complacency and blind spots in our spiritual journey. By abiding in Christ, we find the strength and motivation to live out His commandments, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude. This perspective transforms obedience from a duty into a delight, as we experience the joy of walking in alignment with God's will. [20:25]

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where obedience feels burdensome. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform this into a joyful response to God's love?


Day 5: Delighting in God's Will
Our ultimate goal is to delight in God by doing His will and becoming wholehearted followers of Christ. Prayer is likened to a sheepdog returning to the Master's feet, ready for the next instruction. By asking liberally and joyfully, we align our desires with God's will, trusting that His plans for us are always good. This requires a commitment to God's Word and a willingness to surrender anything that hinders our spiritual growth. As we delight in God's will, we find fulfillment and purpose, knowing that we are part of His greater plan and that our lives bear lasting fruit for His kingdom. [33:37]

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender to God's will? How can you find delight in aligning your desires with His plans today?

Quotes

"Starting in this series called Abide, Cultivating Intimacy with Christ. And we have been abiding in John 15 as we think about what it means to abide in Christ. And so remember, it's important for us to remember that the word abide means remain. So Jesus is talking about how we remain faithful as lifelong followers of Christ." [00:07:38] (28 seconds)


"And as we think about spiritual disciplines, we want to be careful not to treat them as individual disciplines that are not related to one another. So for example, as we talk about spiritual disciplines like Bible intake, which we've been looking at, prayer, fasting, worship, giving, rest, fellowship, or one another ministry to the world and to one another as believers, serving, hospitality, and so on." [00:08:57] (34 seconds)


"We use Psalm 86, as our opening this morning, because it really is an example. This psalm has been called the pillow of divine sovereignty on which the believer can rest his or her head. I think it was attributed to Charles Spurgeon who said this, and he as a pastor, as a preacher, wrestled with melancholy or depression many, many years of his life." [00:11:39] (27 seconds)


"Psalm 86 is an Old Testament model of one who knows the joy of asking whatever he wished in the Lord's name, right? And it leads us to consider the joy of asking whatever you wish in Jesus's name. The joy of asking whatever you wish in Jesus's name. Now, this is one of those we might call them problem verses, you know?" [00:14:36] (27 seconds)


"The goal for spending time in His Word is that God's words would be lodged in our minds and in our hearts, that conformity to Christ by obedience, His Word would be the most natural thing in the world. That doesn't mean that it's going to be perfect. Nope, that would be completely contrary to Christianity." [00:17:57] (23 seconds)


"Friends, when we love the Lord, we want to obey Him. We want to keep His commands. So, it's challenging when someone comes to a place of complacency, someone who genuinely loves God, someone who genuinely has repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus' finished work on the cross alone for their salvation, and becomes complacent to a point where they say, you know what? I don't have to grow any further." [00:21:44] (34 seconds)


"As God's Word abides in you, and as God's Word begins to transform your thinking to influence your desires, you will want to bear lasting fruit for God's kingdom. I just want to ask you that right now. Would you... Just pause for a minute and ask yourself, what are some ways that I desire to bear lasting fruit for God's kingdom?" [00:25:29] (28 seconds)


"To ask something in Jesus' name means to ask on the basis of who He is and what He has done for us on the cross. It assumes that you are seeking to do His will and to promote God's kingdom purposes. And when you pray according to God's Word, when you pray in faith, and as you're living obediently, you can be assured that your prayers will be answered." [00:29:38] (30 seconds)


"Friend, I just want to ask this morning as you sit here today, is your goal to delight in God? By doing his will? To sit at his feet and talk openly and often with him about what will make you a more fruitful and more faithful, wholehearted follower of Christ. This is a challenge to avoid saying, or you might say, put to death the phrase, Oh, it's fine." [00:32:32] (36 seconds)


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Transcript
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