Abiding in Christ: Cultivating Spiritual Growth and Fruitfulness

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we faced some unexpected challenges, but we pressed on, focusing on the essence of our faith journey. We began by reflecting on the past year, celebrating the lives changed and the growth witnessed within our community. We acknowledged the importance of discipleship, as exemplified by Shane's completion of the program, and encouraged everyone to engage in this transformative journey. Our mission remains clear: to exalt Jesus, equip believers, and evangelize the world. This mission is not just a statement but a call to action for each of us to live out our faith actively.

We explored the concept of abiding in Christ, a theme central to our spiritual growth. Abiding is not a passive state but an active, intimate connection with Jesus. It requires us to remain in Him, allowing His life to flow through us, producing lasting fruit. This year, our focus is on personal and collective growth through daily engagement with the Word and prayer, fostering gospel conversations, and establishing family altars. We aim to prioritize Christ in our schedules and finances, ensuring His preeminence in all aspects of our lives.

The metaphor of the vine and branches from John 15 illustrates our relationship with Christ. As branches, we are placed in Him, and through the purging process, God removes what hinders our fruitfulness. This pruning, though sometimes painful, is necessary for us to bear much fruit. Our spiritual fruit includes winning souls, living in holiness and obedience, giving generously, and exhibiting the character of Christ. As we abide in Him, we experience the joy and peace that come from a life fully surrendered to His will.

This year, let us commit to abiding in Christ, allowing His life to transform us and our community. By doing so, we will see the abundant fruit that glorifies God and fulfills our mission.

Key Takeaways:

- Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ is an active, intimate connection that allows His life to flow through us, producing lasting fruit. It requires intentional engagement with the Word and prayer, fostering a deep relationship with Jesus. [01:06:12]

- The Purging Process: God's pruning in our lives, though sometimes painful, is essential for spiritual growth. It removes what hinders our fruitfulness, allowing us to bear more fruit and reflect Christ's character. [01:10:43]

- Spiritual Fruit: True spiritual fruit includes winning souls, living in holiness and obedience, giving generously, and exhibiting the character of Christ. These are the natural outcomes of abiding in Jesus. [01:19:56]

- Personal and Family Vision: This year, focus on daily engagement with the Word and prayer, fostering gospel conversations, and establishing family altars. Prioritize Christ in your schedule and finances, ensuring His preeminence in all aspects of life. [01:24:58]

- The Power of Abiding: Abiding in Christ leads to spiritual victory and abundant fruit. It is not about striving in our strength but resting in His, allowing His life to transform us and our community. [01:30:23]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:02:00] - Opening Prayer
[00:04:00] - Reflecting on the Past Year
[00:08:00] - Celebrating Discipleship
[00:12:00] - Vision and Mission
[00:16:00] - Exalting Jesus
[00:20:00] - Equipping Believers
[00:24:00] - Evangelizing the World
[00:28:00] - Personal Vision for 2023
[00:32:00] - Family Vision
[00:36:00] - Abiding in Christ
[00:40:00] - The Vine and Branches
[00:44:00] - The Purging Process
[00:48:00] - Producing Spiritual Fruit
[00:52:00] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 15:1-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the vine, you are the branches" in John 15:5? How does this metaphor illustrate our relationship with Him? [01:06:12]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the purging process mentioned in John 15:2? How does this relate to spiritual growth? [01:10:43]

3. What are some examples of spiritual fruit mentioned in the sermon, and how are they connected to abiding in Christ? [01:19:56]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of prayer and the Word in the process of abiding in Christ? [48:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of abiding in Christ challenge the idea of striving in our own strength? What does it mean to rest in His strength instead? [01:04:27]

2. In what ways does the purging process, though painful, contribute to a believer's spiritual maturity and fruitfulness? [01:13:51]

3. How does the sermon suggest that personal and family vision can be aligned with the mission of exalting Jesus, equipping believers, and evangelizing the world? [01:24:58]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between abiding in Christ and experiencing joy and peace? How does this relate to the overall mission of the church? [01:30:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with Christ. Are there areas where you are striving instead of abiding? What steps can you take to deepen your connection with Him this week? [01:04:27]

2. Consider the purging process in your life. Are there specific habits or attitudes that God might be pruning to increase your fruitfulness? How can you cooperate with this process? [01:13:51]

3. How can you incorporate daily engagement with the Word and prayer into your routine to foster a deeper relationship with Jesus? What changes might you need to make in your schedule? [48:03]

4. Identify one person in your life with whom you can have a gospel conversation this week. How can you prepare for this opportunity, and what specific steps will you take to initiate the conversation? [01:19:56]

5. Reflect on your family's spiritual practices. How can you establish or strengthen a family altar where you regularly pray and read Scripture together? What specific actions will you take to make this a priority? [01:24:58]

6. Examine your financial and time commitments. How can you ensure that Christ is preeminent in these areas? What adjustments might be necessary to align them with your faith? [01:24:58]

7. Think about the spiritual fruit you are currently producing. In what ways can you cultivate more of the character of Christ in your daily interactions? What specific actions will you take to grow in this area? [01:26:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Active Abiding in Christ
Abiding in Christ is not a passive experience but an active, intimate connection that requires intentional engagement. It involves immersing oneself in the Word and prayer, fostering a deep relationship with Jesus. This connection allows His life to flow through us, producing lasting fruit. By prioritizing this relationship, believers can experience spiritual growth and transformation. The act of abiding is a daily commitment to remain in Him, ensuring that His presence influences every aspect of life. [01:06:12]

John 15:4-5 (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."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to deepen your connection with Christ and ensure His presence is central in your daily routine?


Day 2: Embracing the Purging Process
The purging process, or pruning, is an essential aspect of spiritual growth. Though it can be painful, it is necessary for removing what hinders our fruitfulness. This process allows us to bear more fruit and reflect Christ's character more fully. By embracing God's pruning, believers can experience a deeper transformation and alignment with His will. It is through this refining process that we become more effective in our mission to exalt Jesus and evangelize the world. [01:10:43]

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is pruning you? How can you embrace this process and trust Him to bring about growth?


Day 3: Cultivating Spiritual Fruit
True spiritual fruit is the natural outcome of abiding in Jesus. It includes winning souls, living in holiness and obedience, giving generously, and exhibiting the character of Christ. As believers remain connected to the vine, they are empowered to produce fruit that glorifies God and fulfills their mission. This fruit is not achieved through human effort but through a life surrendered to Christ's transformative power. By focusing on spiritual fruit, believers can impact their communities and the world for God's kingdom. [01:19:56]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you feel is lacking in your life? How can you intentionally cultivate this fruit through your relationship with Christ?


Day 4: Establishing Personal and Family Vision
This year, the focus is on daily engagement with the Word and prayer, fostering gospel conversations, and establishing family altars. By prioritizing Christ in schedules and finances, believers ensure His preeminence in all aspects of life. This intentional focus on personal and family vision helps create an environment where spiritual growth can flourish. By aligning daily habits with this vision, believers can experience a deeper connection with God and a more profound impact on their families and communities. [01:24:58]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take to establish a family altar or incorporate spiritual practices into your daily routine?


Day 5: The Power of Abiding
Abiding in Christ leads to spiritual victory and abundant fruit. It is not about striving in our strength but resting in His, allowing His life to transform us and our community. This abiding relationship empowers believers to overcome challenges and experience the joy and peace that come from a life fully surrendered to His will. By focusing on the power of abiding, believers can witness the transformative impact of Christ's presence in their lives and the lives of those around them. [01:30:23]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop striving and start resting in Christ's strength? How can you practice this today?

Quotes


Our vision statement that we put in front of our church, and we go over this often with our staff and with our leadership, but I'm going to make sure it's in front of everybody all the time. But our vision statement, and you can see it on the screen, reads as this. That we exist as a church for life change through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. [00:43:41] (24 seconds)


You can attend a church. You can actually join and belong to a church, but you're never really going to feel a deep connection with a church until you begin to serve. You need to find a place where God can use you. If you're saved today, God has made you a gifted child, and he has given you gifts so that he can make you a gift to the church. [00:46:59] (20 seconds)


And every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it might bring forth more fruit. Now are you clean through the word just spoken unto you. Now here's the uncomfortable part. The beautiful thing is that when I got saved, I was placed into Jesus. The painful thing is now God becomes the husbandman to purge me. [01:10:05] (22 seconds)


And I want to tell you, many Christians never get into that spiritual victory of the inner life of Christ producing everlasting fruit. And we go from no fruit to having fruit, to having more fruit, to having much fruit when we let Jesus Christ live in us and God purge us. When we let God begin to cut out of our life the things that need to be cut out of our life and trim and prune. [01:17:24] (28 seconds)


So it's not, this is more of an allegory or a comparison of discipline than it is destiny. God is saying, this is my discipline to you to cast it out and just let it burn, let it wither, let it overhear. Your works are useless without me. Get those things that do not bear fruit out of your life. And let Christ live in you. [01:18:48] (28 seconds)


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Transcript
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