Abiding in Christ: Growing Through Connection and Community

 

Summary

In this gathering, we explored the profound concept of abiding in Christ, as outlined in John 15. As we embark on a new year, the challenge is to make abiding in Jesus our primary resolution. Abiding is not about doing more but about staying connected to the true vine, Jesus, who is our source of life and strength. This connection is essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Jesus emphasizes that apart from Him, we can do nothing, highlighting the futility of trying to live a fruitful Christian life without His presence and power.

The metaphor of the vine and branches illustrates the necessity of remaining in Christ. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, we cannot produce spiritual fruit without abiding in Jesus. This involves a commitment to stay close to Him, allowing His life to flow through us. Pruning, though painful, is a necessary process for growth, as God removes what is dead or hindering our spiritual development. This pruning allows for new growth and greater fruitfulness.

We also discussed the importance of community and the dangers of isolation. Christianity is not a solitary journey; we are meant to live in community with other believers, supporting and encouraging one another. The call to abide is a call to remain in fellowship with Christ and His body, the church.

As we move forward, let us resolve to abide in Christ, allowing His life to transform us and produce fruit that glorifies God. This year, may we seek to stay connected to Jesus, trusting Him to lead us and empower us for His purposes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Abiding in Christ is Essential: Abiding in Jesus is not about doing more but about staying connected to Him, the true vine. This connection is vital for spiritual growth and fruitfulness, as apart from Him, we can do nothing. Our primary resolution should be to abide in Christ, allowing His life to flow through us. [38:52]

2. The Necessity of Pruning: Pruning is a necessary process for growth, as God removes what is dead or hindering our spiritual development. Though painful, pruning allows for new growth and greater fruitfulness. It is an intimate process where God lovingly shapes us to bear more fruit. [45:08]

3. Community is Crucial: Christianity is not a solitary journey; we are meant to live in community with other believers. Isolation can lead to spiritual withering, but community provides support and encouragement, helping us stay connected to the vine. [01:13:20]

4. Bearing Fruit as Evidence of Abiding: Bearing fruit means there is evidence of the gospel in our lives, a life pleasing to God, and a life that looks more like Jesus. It involves a multiplication of life change, impacting those around us for the sake of the gospel. [01:05:49]

5. The Danger of Self-Reliance: The warning that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing should remind us of the futility of self-reliance. True success is measured by our connection to Christ, not by worldly metrics. We must remain in Him to live a spiritually fruitful life. [01:06:56]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:28] - Introduction and Celebration
[31:17] - Chili Cook-off and Community Groups
[33:14] - New Year's Resolutions Discussion
[37:45] - Definition of Resolution
[38:52] - The Call to Abide in 2025
[40:21] - Jesus as the True Vine
[42:43] - The Influence of Media and False Vines
[45:08] - The Process of Pruning
[55:55] - The Command to Abide
[01:02:34] - Evidence of Bearing Fruit
[01:04:18] - Living a Life Pleasing to God
[01:05:49] - Multiplication of Life Change
[01:06:56] - Warning Against Self-Reliance
[01:13:20] - The Importance of Community
[01:18:52] - The Call to Repentance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Abiding in Christ

Bible Reading:
- John 15:1-8

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 15:1, Jesus describes Himself as the "true vine." What does this metaphor suggest about His role in our spiritual lives? [40:21]

2. According to the sermon, what are the two types of branches mentioned in John 15, and what happens to each? [45:08]

3. How does the sermon describe the process of pruning, and why is it necessary for spiritual growth? [45:08]

4. What does the sermon say about the importance of community in the context of abiding in Christ? [01:13:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. The sermon emphasizes that abiding in Christ is not about doing more but staying connected to Him. How does this perspective change the way one might approach their spiritual life? [38:52]

2. Pruning is described as a painful but necessary process. How might understanding this process help someone going through difficult times? [45:08]

3. The sermon warns against self-reliance, stating that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. How does this challenge common cultural values of independence and self-sufficiency? [01:06:56]

4. The sermon highlights the danger of false vines or influences. How can one discern between true and false influences in their spiritual journey? [42:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you are trying to "do more" rather than simply staying connected to Jesus? How can you shift your focus to abiding in Him? [38:52]

2. Consider a time when you experienced "pruning" in your life. How did it lead to growth, and what might God be pruning in your life right now? [45:08]

3. The sermon discusses the importance of community. How can you actively engage with your church community to support and encourage one another in abiding in Christ? [01:13:20]

4. Identify a specific area in your life where you tend to rely on your own strength rather than on Jesus. What steps can you take to depend more on Him in that area? [01:06:56]

5. Think about the influences in your life. Are there any "false vines" you need to detach from to stay connected to the true vine, Jesus? How will you go about doing this? [42:43]

6. The sermon mentions bearing fruit as evidence of abiding in Christ. What specific fruit do you see in your life, and how can you cultivate more of it? [01:05:49]

7. Reflect on the concept of repentance as discussed in the sermon. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent and turn back to abiding in Jesus? How will you take that step? [01:18:52]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Abiding in Christ as Our Lifeline
Abiding in Christ is not about increasing our activities or efforts but about maintaining a deep, ongoing connection with Jesus, the true vine. This connection is crucial for spiritual growth and fruitfulness, as Jesus Himself stated that apart from Him, we can do nothing. The call to abide is an invitation to let His life flow through us, transforming us from the inside out. As we begin a new year, let us make abiding in Christ our primary resolution, trusting that His presence and power will enable us to live a life that glorifies God. [38:52]

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 Jesus and make abiding in Him a daily practice?


Day 2: Embracing the Pruning Process
Pruning is an essential part of spiritual growth, where God removes what is dead or hindering our development. Though it can be painful, pruning is a loving process that allows for new growth and greater fruitfulness. It is through this intimate process that God shapes us to bear more fruit, aligning our lives with His purposes. As we experience pruning, we are invited to trust in God's wisdom and love, knowing that He is working for our good and His glory. [45:08]

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: Can you identify an area in your life where God might be pruning you? How can you embrace this process and trust in His loving purpose?


Day 3: The Power of Community
Christianity is not meant to be a solitary journey; we are called to live in community with other believers. Isolation can lead to spiritual withering, but being part of a community provides support, encouragement, and accountability. It helps us stay connected to the vine, Jesus, and grow in our faith. As we journey together, we are reminded of the importance of fellowship and the strength we find in unity. Let us commit to being active participants in our church community, supporting one another in love. [01:13:20]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: How can you actively engage with your church community this week to both give and receive support and encouragement?


Day 4: Bearing Fruit as Evidence of Abiding
Bearing fruit is the evidence of abiding in Christ, reflecting a life transformed by the gospel. It involves a multiplication of life change, impacting those around us for the sake of the gospel. As we abide in Jesus, our lives should increasingly reflect His character and love, becoming a testimony to His work in us. This fruitfulness is not about achieving success by worldly standards but about living a life that pleases God and draws others to Him. [01:05:49]

Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: In what ways can your life bear more fruit for God's kingdom? How can you intentionally impact those around you with the love and truth of the gospel?


Day 5: The Danger of Self-Reliance
The warning that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing serves as a reminder of the futility of self-reliance. True success is measured by our connection to Christ, not by worldly metrics. We are called to depend on Him for strength, wisdom, and guidance, recognizing that our efforts apart from Him are in vain. As we seek to live a spiritually fruitful life, let us continually surrender our self-reliance and trust in Jesus to lead and empower us for His purposes. [01:06:56]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to rely on your own strength? How can you surrender this area to Jesus and trust Him more fully today?

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Quotes



He is the true vine. And I think this word is really important in our culture because we live in a culture where there are a lot of truths to be had. In fact, I don't know when we turned a corner and, and maybe it's always been like this, but in my lifetime, especially, I feel like we turned a corner five or 10 years ago to where we just started accepting anything anybody believed as a truth, which watered down everything else. [00:42:43] (27 seconds)


Pruning is hard because something's got to go oh but I really I really liked that leaf god don't get rid of that leaf I like that leaf god says the leaf has to go because look there's some fruit growing right behind here and this leaf is keeping you from that fruit has anybody ever had a leaf that has maybe tried to impair some fruit growing in your life maybe a relationship that you're in that you know you shouldn't be in the longer that you're in that relationship the more it is taking you further away from christ that it is spurring you towards christ and god loves us enough to lovingly try to take that away and prune it out of our life maybe it's a job that we have clung to because it represents our identity it represents what we always said we would do it represents our livelihood and our money and god says actually i'm trying to prune it trying to take it away because there's some fruit back here that i'm not going to take away and i've got planned for you and if you keep this that fruit's gonna die and i want that fruit to grow and flourish and produce other fruit so this leaf has to go. [00:51:15] (75 seconds)


Subtraction always hurts subtraction always hurts but he's setting you up for multiplication see by getting rid of what is dead and old he is allowing you to produce fruit that's going to grow seeds that's going to produce more fruit that's going to produce other plants and other trees all around you all because he got rid of this one little leaf see for some of us you're new to christ like you've only been following jesus for six months or for a year or two years or three years listen it is a process of jesus getting rid of our old life and so sometimes the pruning is things that were cool for us to do when we weren't following jesus but now that we are following jesus those things have to leave and they it's hard it's relationships that don't understand why we would follow jesus you it's our schedules that were fine but now i'm trying to go to church and i'm trying to go to community group and i'm trying to make disciples and i'm trying to go on go trips and i'm trying to impact the world with the gospel and now all of a sudden this job doesn't allow me to do that this dream that i had doesn't allow me to do that these hopes i built for myself they were all without christ so we have to allow god the gardener to come in and prune the old away because when you come to christ the old passes away you know what that's a euphemism for death it dies so i want to ask you which branch are you today are you a branch that is attached to the vine but is maybe being pruned a little bit or god wants to prune it or are you just a branch that hangs around jesus but you're not connected to the source so you're dying see jesus wants you to be confident so he says this he says you are already clean because of the word i've spoken to you and the reason he says that is because he doesn't want you to walk out of here going i don't know am i saved has jesus changed me has he not he says no listen you may think because you're getting pruned that jesus isn't with you but but let me tell you something when you're being pruned god could not be any more intimate with you like the pruning is an intimate process it's not a punishment it is intimacy with god never is a gardener more intimate with his with his branches than when he is down inspecting every single one of them and lovingly getting rid of those that are dying and not bearing fruit. [00:53:04] (170 seconds)


This is what he means when he says if you will abide in me I'll be in you and you'll bear fruit so the next question we ask is what does it mean to bear fruit you you if that's what it means to be pruned then what does it mean to bear fruit well I would give you a few things if you're taking notes you can write these down number one to bear fruit means there is evidence of the gospel in your life the good news of Jesus that Jesus came to our world lived the perfect life we couldn't. [01:02:01] (34 seconds)


Gave that perfect life as a sacrifice to god when he died on the cross stayed dead for three days but three days later rose from the dead just as was foretold about him was appeared to hundreds of people teaching about the kingdom of god ascended back to heaven and promised that one day he is coming back to make all things new does our life show evidence of that reality have you made any decisions based upon the resurrection of jesus christ lately like when's the last time you made a decision and said i think we should do this because jesus is alive that is evidence of a life that bears fruit because if we never do that then jesus might as well not even be alive because he's made no difference in our lives because if we never do that then jesus might as well not even be alive because he's made no difference in our lives But if Jesus is alive, and brother and sister, He is, then Jesus being alive changes everything about our lives. [01:02:34] (63 seconds)


I come to america and i teach this and the response is usually yes of course but the way we live is very different the way we live doesn't show most of the time that we need jesus to do anything because we got it sorry jesus you can't really do what i do at work so that's on me sorry jesus there's some things in my marriage that i'm going to need to work on that's on me see we have this individualism that we value in america that we might agree with it because it's in the bible but we don't agree with it in practice are you kidding me there's a lot of stuff i can do without jesus i can go on a mission trip without jesus and you know what's terrifying you can't it's called a vacation it's just you get other people to pay for it see you can you can go on mission trips without jesus you can give to charity without jesus you can tithe without jesus you can help start a new church without jesus you can serve on the tech team without jesus no offense you can go to seminary without jesus you can fight for pro -life causes without jesus you can serve at food banks or even join a campus ministry without jesus you can start podcasts and lead community groups and be street preachers all without jesus see we have made church in our country such a production that if jesus never showed up we might not know we're so concerned with making sure everybody else shows up that we forget to ask him to show up we get so overwhelmed with everything we have to do this tech has to be just right this song has to be just right this sermon has to be just as entertaining and everything and if you want to grow a church everything has to be dot dot dot just right and the fact is we can do all of that without him the fact is there's literally a website called church in a box dot com now I'm not here to bash them because they gave me a great deal on some of the stuff that we have and so I really appreciate them but what I'm telling you is we've boiled down the get the holy gathering of people worshiping a holy God and to just pull it out of a box and set it up and now we'll have church see if you don't have a relationship with Christ and closeness with him then you aren't accomplishing anything with your life like your wheels are turning and you're in the hamster wheel and then you're going to die and then you're going to be forgotten and there's going to be no fruit that came from your life but that doesn't have to be that way see the fact is you we as Americans have bought a lie that we measure our success by our social media metrics we measure our success by our paycheck raises or our promotions at work or whether or not we can get that 4 .0 GPA but as followers of Jesus we measure our success by how connected we are to Christ I mean I want you to imagine for a second you know like this tree here and I want you to imagine like there's a branch just hanging out and every time we try to do something without Christ it's like we just. [01:08:40] (0 seconds)

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Transcript
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