Abiding in Christ: The True Definition of the Good Life
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of the "good life" and how it is defined differently by Jesus compared to our worldly perspectives. Many of us associate the good life with material success, health, happiness, and personal achievements. However, Jesus offers a different definition. In John 10:10, He says, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly." This abundance refers to the quality of life, not its length or material wealth. Jesus came to give us a life filled with spiritual richness, not necessarily material prosperity.
We delved into John 15, where Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to explain how we can attain this good life. Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the vine dresser, and we are the branches. The Father’s role is to ensure that the vine and branches are healthy and productive, which means He sometimes prunes us to bear more fruit. Jesus, as the vine, is the source of life and sustenance. Our role as branches is to remain attached to Him, to abide in Him, so that we can bear fruit.
Abiding in Jesus means staying connected to Him through His Word and His love. It involves reading, understanding, and submitting to the Scriptures, and resting in the love demonstrated by His sacrifice on the cross. When we abide in Jesus, we produce spiritual fruit—qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We also discussed the importance of examining the fruit in our lives to determine which vine we are truly attached to. If our lives reflect constant stress, a need for approval, or materialism, we might be attached to false vines like wealth, self-image, or acceptance. True life and true fruit come only from abiding in Jesus, the true vine.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Father Defines the Good Life: The Father, as the vine dresser, is responsible for ensuring that the branches (us) are healthy and productive. He defines what the good life is and works to produce the fruit He desires in us. This means that our understanding of a good life should align with His divine purpose and not our personal desires. [39:41]
2. Jesus Gives the Good Life: Jesus is the true vine, the source of all life and sustenance. Our flourishing and spiritual vibrancy depend entirely on our connection to Him. Without Jesus, we can do nothing of eternal value. Abiding in Him is essential for living the good life He promises. [43:03]
3. We Were Made for the Good Life: As branches, we are designed to bear fruit. This spiritual fruit is the evidence of God's Spirit working in us. Our words, actions, thoughts, and priorities should reflect the character of Jesus. Bearing fruit is not optional; it is the natural outcome of abiding in Christ. [44:48]
4. Abiding in Jesus: To abide in Jesus means to remain in His Word and His love. This involves reading, understanding, and submitting to the Scriptures, and resting in the love demonstrated by His sacrifice. Abiding in Jesus leads to a life that produces spiritual fruit, reflecting His character. [46:47]
5. Your Life Mirrors the Gospel You Embrace: The fruit we produce in our lives reveals the vine we are attached to. If our lives are marked by stress, materialism, or a need for approval, we might be attached to false vines. True life and true fruit come from embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ and abiding in Him. [50:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:28] - Introduction and Announcements
[29:49] - Defining the Good Life
[31:31] - Jesus' Definition of the Good Life
[33:00] - Biblical Perspective on the Good Life
[34:41] - Context of John 15
[36:11] - Jesus as the True Vine
[37:54] - The Role of the Vine Dresser
[39:41] - The Father Defines the Good Life
[43:03] - Jesus Gives the Good Life
[44:48] - We Were Made for the Good Life
[46:47] - Abiding in Jesus
[49:11] - Inspecting the Fruit
[50:43] - Your Life Mirrors the Gospel You Embrace
[53:07] - False Vines and True Vines
[58:32] - The Fruit of Abiding in Jesus
[01:02:22] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- John 15:1-5
- John 10:10
- Galatians 5:22-23
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 15:1-5, who are the three characters in the vineyard metaphor, and what are their roles?
2. In John 10:10, what does Jesus say He came to give us, and how does He define it?
3. What are the qualities listed as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?
4. In the sermon, what are some examples of "false vines" that people might be attached to? [49:52]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15 help us understand our relationship with Jesus and the Father?
2. What does it mean to have "life abundantly" as described in John 10:10, and how does this differ from worldly definitions of the good life? [31:31]
3. Why is it important to examine the fruit in our lives to determine which vine we are attached to, according to the sermon? [49:52]
4. How can abiding in Jesus, as described in John 15, lead to the production of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of the "good life." How does it align or differ from Jesus' definition of an abundant life? [31:31]
2. What are some practical ways you can abide in Jesus daily through His Word and His love? [46:47]
3. Identify one "false vine" you might be attached to, such as wealth, self-image, or acceptance. What steps can you take to detach from it and reattach to the true vine, Jesus? [49:52]
4. Think about the spiritual fruit in your life. Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) do you feel is lacking, and how can you cultivate it this week? [44:48]
5. How can you ensure that your life mirrors the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than a "false gospel" of materialism or approval-seeking? [50:43]
6. In what ways can you support others in your small group to remain attached to the true vine and produce spiritual fruit?
7. Consider a time when you felt spiritually vibrant and flourishing. What were you doing to abide in Jesus during that period, and how can you replicate those practices now? [43:03]
Devotional
Day 1: The Father’s Definition of the Good Life
The Father, as the vine dresser, is responsible for ensuring that the branches (us) are healthy and productive. He defines what the good life is and works to produce the fruit He desires in us. This means that our understanding of a good life should align with His divine purpose and not our personal desires. Often, we equate the good life with material success, health, and personal achievements. However, the Father’s perspective is different. He prunes us, sometimes through challenges and trials, to help us bear more fruit and grow spiritually. This pruning process, though painful, is essential for our spiritual growth and alignment with His will. [39:41]
John 15:1-2 (ESV): "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is pruning you? How can you trust Him more in this process and align your understanding of the good life with His divine purpose?
Day 2: Jesus as the Source of the Good Life
Jesus is the true vine, the source of all life and sustenance. Our flourishing and spiritual vibrancy depend entirely on our connection to Him. Without Jesus, we can do nothing of eternal value. Abiding in Him is essential for living the good life He promises. This means that our daily lives should be centered around maintaining a close relationship with Jesus through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and living out His teachings. When we remain in Him, we draw from His strength and wisdom, enabling us to live a life that is spiritually rich and fulfilling. [43:03]
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: How can you intentionally abide in Jesus today? What specific steps can you take to deepen your connection with Him?
Day 3: Designed to Bear Fruit
As branches, we are designed to bear fruit. This spiritual fruit is the evidence of God's Spirit working in us. Our words, actions, thoughts, and priorities should reflect the character of Jesus. Bearing fruit is not optional; it is the natural outcome of abiding in Christ. When we remain in Jesus, we produce qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits are not just for our benefit but also for the benefit of those around us, showcasing the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [44:48]
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 fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life right now? How can you cultivate this fruit through your relationship with Jesus?
Day 4: Abiding in Jesus
To abide in Jesus means to remain in His Word and His love. This involves reading, understanding, and submitting to the Scriptures, and resting in the love demonstrated by His sacrifice. Abiding in Jesus leads to a life that produces spiritual fruit, reflecting His character. It requires a daily commitment to seek Him, listen to His voice, and follow His guidance. By doing so, we experience the fullness of life that He promises, marked by spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of His love and grace. [46:47]
John 15:9-10 (ESV): "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."
Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are abiding in Jesus and His love?
Day 5: Your Life Mirrors the Gospel You Embrace
The fruit we produce in our lives reveals the vine we are attached to. If our lives are marked by stress, materialism, or a need for approval, we might be attached to false vines. True life and true fruit come from embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ and abiding in Him. Our lives should reflect the peace, joy, and love that come from a genuine relationship with Jesus. By examining the fruit in our lives, we can identify areas where we may be relying on false sources of fulfillment and redirect our focus to Jesus, the true vine. [50:43]
Matthew 7:16-17 (ESV): "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on the fruit in your life. What does it reveal about the vine you are attached to? How can you ensure that you are embracing the true gospel of Jesus Christ in every aspect of your life?
Quotes
1. "Jesus's definition of the good life is different than mine too. In John chapter 10, Jesus tells us that on the one hand, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But on the other hand, Jesus says, I have come that you might have life and have it. Abundantly. That word abundant doesn't refer to quantity like length. It refers to quality, the good life. What that tells me is that Jesus didn't come to make life worse for you. He came to make life better as he defines better. He came to give us the good life." [29:49] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The apostle Paul says that the good life is one of love and joy and peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. See, everybody's kind of got their own definition of the good life, but only one of those definitions comes from an authoritative place. Jesus gets to define the good life. And so what we're going to do over the next several weeks is we're going to answer the question, what is the good life? What does it look like to live the good life?" [33:00] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The father defines the good life. The father is the vine dresser. His responsibility, his goal is to produce healthy fruit in you and he gets to define what that fruit is. But sometimes we get it all twisted up and mixed up. Sometimes we treat the father like he's the butler. After all Jesus teaches us he says that the father knows what you need before you ask it and he tells us that we should bring all of our cares and all of our concerns to the father because he wants to give us what we need." [39:41] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus says you're not either of those you're the branches your role isn't to define what the good life is your role isn't to make it all happen on your own what is your role your role is to bear so here's truth number three you were made for the good life see the father defines it Jesus gives it and you were made to live it that abundant life that Jesus is talking about the good life that he promises you were meant to live that and one of the ways that you live that good life Jesus says is that you bear the good life you were made to live that good life you were you bear fruit you bear fruit this spiritual fruit is the outcome of God's spirit's work in your life." [44:48] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you want to abide in Jesus you're not only abiding in his word you're also going to abide in his love that means to comprehend and to receive and to rest in his love is the love of Jesus and how do we know it here's how we can know the love of Jesus see while we were still his enemies Christ died for us we we can know that that that way before you and I ever existed that Jesus the son of God died for us died for our sin knowing full well what we would think say do what our priorities would be and how they'd get all out of whack what our reactions would be what our attitudes would be he knew all of those things and yet he died for our sin." [46:47] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If you're attached to Jesus, if you abide in His Word, you're learning to read it, you're learning to understand it. You want to submit to whatever Jesus says in His Word. I want to submit to it. I won't always get it right, but man, I'm abiding in His Word and I'm abiding in His love. I know what the cross has won for me. And I'm going to rest in that, and I'm going to realize that in my life. When you abide in Jesus, your life is going to reflect it. It's going to produce a kind of fruit." [59:04] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Believing this gospel produces fruit. What kind of fruit does that produce? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. That's what Paul says in Galatians 5. Some of the other apostles also say like humility, and contentment, and thankfulness. These things. That's the good life that Jesus was talking about. So over the next several weeks, we're going to spend some time looking at the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. And we're not just going to look at it. We're going to try to cultivate it in our lives. It is our responsibility to be these things." [01:01:29] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The Father is the vine dresser. He defines what the good life is. And he works in us to produce what he wants. Jesus is the vine. Being attached to him gives us all the life and the power that we need. we are the branches. What kind of fruit are you producing?" [01:02:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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