Abiding in Christ: Transformation, Righteousness, and Confidence
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the message that every person is loved by God and called to be a saint. The pastor underscores the importance of transformation and increasing in holiness, being set apart for God. The pastor reminds the congregation that if they are in Christ and Christ is in them, they can have confidence in Jesus's return and be safe and secure, regardless of their circumstances. The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of accepting Jesus as the forgiver of sins and the former of one's life, living under His grace and authority, which grants eternal life and an anointed status.
The pastor then addresses the financial challenges the church is facing and the need for an increase in giving across the life of the church. The pastor emphasizes the importance of financial growth keeping up with the numerical growth of the church. They encourage the congregation to prayerfully consider their own giving and how they can contribute to the growth of the church's financial health.
The pastor then discusses the concept of lawlessness and its implications for believers in Jesus. The pastor emphasizes that lawlessness is not just a one-time sin or mistake, but rather a trend or direction in one's life. The pastor highlights that Jesus came so that believers might not sin, and if they do sin, they should confess it and receive forgiveness. The goal is to move in the right direction, practicing righteousness and avoiding sin.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of living differently as followers of Jesus. He highlights that Jesus is righteousness and light, and there is no darkness in Him. The pastor encourages the congregation to abide in Jesus and move in the right direction, avoiding the trap of being in the wrong line and wasting our efforts.
The sermon concludes with the pastor discussing the concept of abiding and its significance in our faith. The pastor emphasizes that abiding means living confidently and having faith in Jesus. The pastor refers to a passage in the Bible where it is mentioned that if we abide in Jesus, we can have confidence and not be ashamed when he returns. The pastor highlights the certainty of Jesus' return, stating that it is often overlooked or neglected in church teachings.
Key Takeaways:
- Every person is loved by God and called to be a saint. This calling is not just about being loved, but also about being transformed and increasing in holiness. It's about accepting Jesus as the forgiver of sins and the former of one's life, living under His grace and authority. ([12:45])
- The financial health of the church is crucial for its growth and mission. The pastor encourages the congregation to prayerfully consider their own giving and how they can contribute to the growth of the church's financial health. ([24:30])
- Lawlessness is not just a one-time sin or mistake, but rather a trend or direction in one's life. Jesus came so that believers might not sin, and if they do sin, they should confess it and receive forgiveness. The goal is to move in the right direction, practicing righteousness and avoiding sin. ([36:15])
- Jesus is righteousness and light, and there is no darkness in Him. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live differently, to abide in Jesus and move in the right direction. ([48:50])
- Abiding in Jesus means living confidently and having faith in Him. If we abide in Jesus, we can have confidence and not be ashamed when he returns. The certainty of Jesus' return is often overlooked or neglected in church teachings, but it is a crucial aspect of our faith. ([59:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 2:28 - "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming."
2. 1 John 3:2 - "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."
3. John 15:4 - "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."
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 John 2:28 suggest about our relationship with Christ and our attitude towards His return?
2. In 1 John 3:2, what does it mean to be "children of God" and how does this relate to Christ's appearance?
3. What metaphor is used in John 15:4 to describe our relationship with Christ and what does it imply about our spiritual growth?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the confidence and lack of shame mentioned in 1 John 2:28 relate to living in Christ and abiding in His teachings?
2. How does the promise of being like Christ when He appears, as mentioned in 1 John 3:2, influence our understanding of holiness and transformation?
3. How does the metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15:4 help us understand the concept of abiding in Christ and its significance in our faith?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt insecure or ashamed. How could abiding in Christ, as mentioned in 1 John 2:28, have changed your response to that situation?
2. Considering 1 John 3:2, what is one specific way you can strive to be more like Christ in your daily life?
3. In light of John 15:4, identify one area in your life where you feel you are not bearing fruit. What steps can you take this week to abide more in Christ in this area?
4. Reflecting on the concept of lawlessness, can you identify a recurring sin or mistake in your life? How can you apply the teachings of Jesus to move in the right direction?
5. Considering the financial challenges mentioned, what is one specific action you can take this week to contribute to the financial health of your local church or a charity?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Transformation and Holiness
God's love for every person is not just about being loved, but also about being transformed and increasing in holiness. Accepting Jesus as the forgiver of sins and the former of one's life, living under His grace and authority, is a crucial part of this transformation. ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYc-3UBY6u8&t=750s))
2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you embrace transformation and holiness in your life today? Can you identify one area in your life where you need to accept Jesus' forgiveness and authority?
Day 2: Contributing to the Church's Financial Health
The financial health of the church is crucial for its growth and mission. Consider how you can contribute to the growth of the church's financial health. ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYc-3UBY6u8&t=1455s))
2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the financial health of your church? Can you think of a specific way you can increase your giving?
Day 3: Moving Away from Lawlessness
Lawlessness is not just a one-time sin or mistake, but rather a trend or direction in one's life. Jesus came so that believers might not sin, and if they do sin, they should confess it and receive forgiveness. ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYc-3UBY6u8&t=2160s))
1 John 3:6 - "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."
Reflection: How can you move away from lawlessness in your life? Can you identify a specific sin or mistake that you need to confess and receive forgiveness for?
Day 4: Living Differently as Followers of Jesus
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live differently, to abide in Jesus and move in the right direction. ([48:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYc-3UBY6u8&t=2915s))
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How can you live differently as a follower of Jesus? Can you think of a specific way you can abide in Jesus and move in the right direction?
Day 5: Abiding in Jesus with Confidence
Abiding in Jesus means living confidently and having faith in Him. If we abide in Jesus, we can have confidence and not be ashamed when he returns. ([59:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYc-3UBY6u8&t=3545s))
John 15:4 - "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
Reflection: How can you abide in Jesus with confidence? Can you think of a specific way you can increase your faith in Jesus and live confidently in Him?
Quotes
"You are loved by God and you're called to be a saint. You are loved by God he says he loves you like children because he loves you. You are his children now already, but now he says I want to transform you, I want you to be changed, I want you to be increasing in Holiness, I want you to be set apart for him." #!!01:08:37!!#
"You are called to have your life transformed by the Jesus who lives inside of you. That's your calling. If we will abide in him, we can be moving in that right direction." #!!01:10:02!!#
"Jesus is coming back, and I want to be in the middle of abiding. I may not have done as well as I would have liked this week, but I hope to be doing better next week and the week after that. When Jesus comes back, I want to be able to stand there with confidence." #!!53:21!!#
"We really need to increase our giving by about 10 to 15% across the life of the church. That amount would really transform what we're able to do and the things that we want to do." #!!35:14!!#
"Our church grows in Financial Health as you grow in your handling of your giving and your response to God with those parts of your resources." #!!35:50!!#
"Jesus came so that we might not sin...the reason that he came is so that you and I would not sin...that's his goal." #!!01:06:29!!#
"We don't sin and when we do, we confess it and he will forgive us so that we can keep moving in the right direction." #!!01:06:29!!#
"Abiding means living confidently. If we abide in him, when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." #!!46:50!!#
"Jesus is coming back. It may be an overlooked and neglected part of our teaching and Doctrine as a church sometimes, but understand Jesus is coming back in the flesh, he is returning." #!!48:17!!#
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