Abiding in Christ: Living Purposefully and Authentically

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of faith and the call to live a life fully devoted to Jesus, I am reminded of the profound transformation that occurs when we truly abide in Him. From my own experiences, I have seen how life’s uncertainties and trials can shape our understanding of what it means to follow Christ. Growing up, I faced the loss of my parents at a young age, which instilled in me a deep awareness of life's brevity and the urgency of living with purpose. This awareness led me to a passionate pursuit of sharing the gospel, even as a high school student, driven by the reality of heaven and hell.

As I embarked on my ministry journey, I realized the importance of authenticity in our walk with God. Starting a church with my wife, we committed to a life of faith, trusting God to provide and lead us. Over time, I observed a disconnect between the vibrant, miraculous faith described in Scripture and the often routine, comfortable Christianity practiced in many churches. This realization prompted a shift in my ministry focus, emphasizing the empowerment of every believer to live out their faith boldly and authentically.

Traveling to places like China and India, I witnessed firsthand the power of a faith that is willing to risk everything for the sake of the gospel. These experiences challenged me to reconsider what it means to truly know Jesus and to live in a way that reflects His love and power. Returning to the U.S., I felt called to foster a movement of discipleship that prioritizes deep, personal connection with Christ over mere religious activity.

The essence of our calling is to abide in Jesus, as He is the source of all true fruitfulness. It is not through our strategies or efforts that we bear lasting fruit, but through a deep, abiding relationship with Him. As we remain in Him, we are empowered to fulfill the seemingly impossible task of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. This journey is not about achieving great things for God, but about knowing Him deeply and allowing His life to flow through us, resulting in genuine transformation and impact.

Key Takeaways:

1. Life's Brevity and Purpose: The early loss of my parents taught me the importance of living with purpose and urgency. Life is short, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. This awareness should drive us to live fully for Christ, sharing the gospel with those around us. [02:24]

2. Authenticity in Faith: There is often a disconnect between the vibrant faith described in Scripture and the routine Christianity practiced today. We must strive for authenticity, empowering every believer to live out their faith boldly and authentically. [06:16]

3. Empowerment of Believers: The church should not rely solely on leaders to share the gospel. Every believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit to make disciples and share the love of Christ with others. [07:56]

4. Abiding in Christ: True fruitfulness comes from abiding in Jesus. It is not through our strategies or efforts that we bear lasting fruit, but through a deep, abiding relationship with Him. [28:05]

5. Prayer and God's Glory: Our prayers should align with God's will, seeking His glory above all. As we abide in Him, our desires align with His, and our prayers become powerful tools for His purposes. [44:23]

YouTube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - Finding Sanity in Community
- [00:47] - Early Life and Loss
- [02:24] - Life's Brevity and Urgency
- [03:21] - High School Conversion
- [04:01] - Marriage and Ministry Beginnings
- [06:16] - Disconnect in Modern Christianity
- [07:56] - Empowering Believers
- [10:20] - Rethinking Church and Discipleship
- [12:16] - Overseas Experiences
- [14:19] - Lessons from the Global Church
- [16:42] - Returning to the U.S. with New Vision
- [21:38] - Trusting God's Plan
- [28:05] - Abiding in Christ for Fruitfulness
- [44:23] - Prayer and God's Glory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 15:1-17
2. Psalm 127:1-2
3. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 15, what does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the True Vine"? How does this metaphor relate to the concept of bearing fruit? [27:03]

2. According to the sermon, what personal experiences led the speaker to reflect on the brevity of life and the urgency of living with purpose? [02:24]

3. How does the speaker describe the difference between the vibrant faith in Scripture and the routine Christianity often seen today? [06:16]

4. What examples from the speaker's travels to China and India illustrate the power of faith and the willingness to risk everything for the gospel? [12:42]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of abiding in Christ, as described in John 15, challenge the idea of relying on personal strategies and efforts to bear fruit? [28:05]

2. Reflecting on Psalm 127, how does the speaker's experience illustrate the futility of laboring without God's involvement? [19:50]

3. In what ways does the speaker's story about the underground church in China highlight the differences between American Christianity and the global church? [14:19]

4. How does the speaker's journey of faith and ministry reflect the empowerment of believers to live out their faith boldly and authentically? [07:56]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the brevity of life. How does this awareness influence your daily decisions and priorities? What steps can you take to live with more purpose and urgency for Christ? [02:24]

2. Consider your own faith journey. Are there areas where you feel disconnected from the vibrant faith described in Scripture? How can you strive for greater authenticity in your walk with God? [06:16]

3. How can you actively participate in empowering others in your church community to share the gospel and make disciples? What role can you play in fostering a culture of discipleship? [07:56]

4. In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Christ to ensure that your life bears lasting fruit? What practices or habits can help you abide more fully in Him? [28:05]

5. Reflect on your prayer life. Are your prayers aligned with God's will and seeking His glory above all? How can you adjust your prayers to become more powerful tools for His purposes? [44:23]

6. Think about a time when you relied on your own strategies rather than trusting in God's provision. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply those lessons moving forward? [19:50]

7. Identify one person in your life who may not know Christ. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week, inspired by the speaker's boldness in sharing the gospel? [03:48]

Devotional

Day 1: Living with Urgency and Purpose
Life is fleeting, and the awareness of its brevity should drive us to live with intentionality and urgency. The early loss of loved ones can instill a profound understanding of the importance of living each day with purpose. This perspective encourages a passionate pursuit of sharing the gospel, recognizing the reality of eternity. As believers, we are called to make the most of every opportunity to share Christ's love and truth with those around us, knowing that tomorrow is not guaranteed. [02:24]

"For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow." (Job 8:9, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of hope in Christ today, and how can you share it with them in a meaningful way?


Day 2: Authenticity in Faith
There is often a gap between the vibrant faith depicted in Scripture and the routine, comfortable Christianity that many experience today. Authentic faith requires a commitment to living out one's beliefs boldly and genuinely. This involves moving beyond mere religious activity to a deep, personal relationship with Christ. As believers, we are called to examine our lives and ensure that our faith is not just a routine but a true reflection of our relationship with God. [06:16]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself going through the motions of faith, and how can you pursue a more authentic relationship with Christ today?


Day 3: Empowerment of Every Believer
The responsibility of sharing the gospel does not rest solely on church leaders; every believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit to make disciples and share Christ's love. This empowerment calls for a shift in perspective, recognizing that each person has a unique role in God's mission. As believers, we are encouraged to step out in faith, trusting that God will use us to impact the lives of others for His kingdom. [07:56]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can step out in faith this week to share the love of Christ with someone in your community?


Day 4: Abiding in Christ for True Fruitfulness
True fruitfulness in the Christian life comes from abiding in Jesus. It is not through our own strategies or efforts that we bear lasting fruit, but through a deep, abiding relationship with Him. As we remain in Christ, we are empowered to fulfill the seemingly impossible task of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. This journey is about knowing Him deeply and allowing His life to flow through us, resulting in genuine transformation and impact. [28:05]

"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." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your abiding relationship with Christ?


Day 5: Aligning Prayer with God's Glory
Our prayers should align with God's will, seeking His glory above all. As we abide in Him, our desires align with His, and our prayers become powerful tools for His purposes. This alignment transforms our prayer life, moving it from a list of requests to a deep communion with God, where we seek His kingdom and righteousness first. As believers, we are invited to pray with the confidence that God hears us and will act according to His perfect will. [44:23]

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally align your prayers with God's will and seek His glory in your daily conversations with Him?

Quotes


I am very grateful for the deaths of my parents because it got me thinking at an early age man I I'm not guaranteed tomorrow man lately one of the things I've been doing is looking at these countdown clocks that they give me at every every uh you know conference. [00:02:20]

I started thinking about heaven and hell all the time like okay what really matters I got to tell all of my friends about Jesus I I I remember you know just just different periods in I remember being a junior in in high school and grabbing my high school yearbook. [00:03:16]

I said so if you don't mind I I don't want to take any money from the church you mind supporting us um that's a weird thing to ask your new wife will you work and support us cuz I think God's calling me to start a church and my wife just says you know I believe. [00:05:01]

I was looking at church I was looking at my experience and I was thinking about man ever since I was a kid I would read this book and and then I would attend church and I would just feel like man these are like two totally different things like I would read about the commitment level. [00:06:20]

You have the Holy Spirit in you you can tell people about Jesus and I said I'm concerned about our church cuz I hear the words Francis Chan more than I hear the words Holy Spirit and we're going to go nowhere with and it just became this burden that we we we can't just go to people. [00:07:44]

I remember just sitting there listening to these stories of persecution and I'm just asking more and more and they're looking at me like why are you so into this and I go because this is not what we do in America we don't get persecuted like that I go we have buildings that we call. [00:12:56]

I just want to abide in you this one thing I ask is I just want to dwell in your house all the days in my life God I'm not going to go anywhere without you I just want to be attached to you everything else will work itself out I just want you I desire you. [00:39:20]

I mean when David prayed that he says there's one thing I ask if I could get a transcript of your prayers over the last month and I read through all of your prayers over the last month what would I see is the one thing you asked for what I go man there is a girl that loves Jesus. [00:39:44]

Jesus is saying look if you abide in me you're going to bear fruit in fact in verse 8 he says by this my father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples he because you want to know how to honor God he goes God God says I want you to Bear a ton of fruit. [00:40:38]

I just want to live this thing out biblically and I remember just going okay I think God wants me in San Francisco there's a place I could live you know bring my family and I just thought how can I live like Jesus I I'm just I'm just going to go I'm just going to go and remember just walking the streets. [00:47:49]

I wish all of you just loved loved being with Jesus to the point where you just make time to just go man I just want to get away from the world and I just want to walk up that mountain and come into the presence of God himself I don't want anyone with me I just want to be with him. [00:53:01]

Your relationship with God must be your own relationship where you know that you are attached to him you alone because at the end is just you and God and he either says come on in well done good and faithful servant or he says apart from me I never knew you I was never attached to you. [00:57:37]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?