Abiding in Christ: Unity, Prayer, and Joy
Summary
In John 15:7, Jesus makes a profound statement about prayer, emphasizing the importance of abiding in Him and His words. This abiding relationship transforms our desires to align with God's will, making our prayers powerful and effective. The goal is to become so united with God that our desires reflect His, allowing Him to work through us in every aspect of our lives. Prayer is not just a separate task but the essence of our relationship with God, where He prays through us as His vessels.
In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples, focusing on three key areas: protection, consecration, and unity. He prays for their protection, not to remove them from the world, but to keep them safe within it, emphasizing that eternal life begins now through a relationship with God. Jesus also prays for their consecration, asking God to set them apart for His purposes, making them holy and devoted to Him. This consecration is not just about purity but about being wholly dedicated to God's will.
Unity is another crucial aspect of Jesus' prayer. He desires His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is a testament to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the importance of unity within the church, urging believers to strive for it through prayer and action. The unity of the church is a reflection of the unity within the Trinity and is essential for the church's witness to the world.
Our challenge is to prioritize God's priorities, especially when they don't align with our own. We must have a plan to pursue unity and pray for it, recognizing that our prayer life is not just about personal needs but about the church's health and unity. This requires intentionality and a commitment to fight for unity within the church and pray for it globally.
The path forward involves embracing the joy that Jesus offers, a joy rooted in our relationship with Him and our participation in His mission. This joy is a gift, not something we earn, and it empowers us to live out our calling as members of the body of Christ. We are called to embody our identity in Christ, checking in on the church's well-being as we would with our own families, and engaging in practices like fasting and prayer to strengthen our unity and witness.
Key Takeaways:
- Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ transforms our desires to align with God's will, making our prayers powerful and effective. This relationship is not about asking for personal desires but about becoming one with God's purposes. [02:57]
- Protection and Consecration: Jesus prays for our protection within the world, emphasizing that eternal life begins now through a relationship with God. Consecration involves being set apart for God's purposes, wholly dedicated to His will. [05:47]
- Unity in the Church: Unity among believers is a testament to the world of the gospel's transformative power. It reflects the unity within the Trinity and is essential for the church's witness. [12:42]
- Prioritizing God's Priorities: We must have a plan to pursue unity and pray for it, recognizing that our prayer life is about the church's health and unity, not just personal needs. [32:09]
- Embracing Joy and Identity in Christ: Jesus offers us His joy, rooted in our relationship with Him. We are called to embody our identity in Christ, engaging in practices like fasting and prayer to strengthen our unity and witness. [42:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:57] - Abiding in Christ
- [04:04] - Jesus' Prayer for Protection
- [05:47] - Eternal Life Begins Now
- [07:13] - Consecration and Holiness
- [10:25] - The Purpose of Consecration
- [12:42] - Unity in the Church
- [13:39] - The Joy of Jesus
- [15:36] - Paul's Model of Unity
- [19:24] - Paul's Mission to Rome
- [21:15] - The Jew and Gentile Issue
- [23:20] - The Importance of Unity
- [25:57] - Striving in Prayer
- [32:09] - Prioritizing God's Priorities
- [42:36] - Embracing Joy and Identity in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 15:7
2. John 17:11-23
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 15:7, what condition does Jesus set for our prayers to be answered? How does this relate to the concept of abiding in Him? [02:57]
2. According to John 17:11, what does Jesus pray for regarding His disciples, and how does this reflect His understanding of their mission in the world? [04:04]
3. What are the three key areas Jesus focuses on in His prayer for His disciples in John 17, and how are they interconnected? [12:42]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between protection and consecration in the life of a believer? [10:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does abiding in Christ transform our desires to align with God's will, and why is this important for effective prayer? [02:57]
2. What does Jesus' prayer for unity among His followers reveal about the nature of the church and its mission in the world? [12:42]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that eternal life begins now, and how does this understanding impact our daily lives? [05:47]
4. How does the concept of consecration challenge our current priorities, and what does it mean to be wholly dedicated to God's will? [07:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you ensure that your prayers align more closely with God's will rather than personal desires? [02:57]
2. Jesus prays for the protection of His disciples within the world. How can you actively seek God's protection while engaging with the world around you? [04:04]
3. Consider the unity within your church community. What steps can you take to promote and maintain unity among believers, especially when disagreements arise? [12:42]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of consecration into your daily routine, setting yourself apart for God's purposes? What specific changes might this require? [07:13]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's priorities. Identify one area in your life where your priorities may not align with God's. What practical steps can you take to realign them? [32:09]
6. Jesus offers His joy to His followers. How can you embrace this joy in your relationship with Him and in your participation in His mission? [42:36]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a vessel for God's work. How can you allow God to work through you in your family, workplace, or community this week? [02:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Abiding Transforms Desires
Abiding in Christ is more than a passive state; it is an active, ongoing relationship that transforms our desires to align with God's will. When we abide in Him, our prayers become powerful and effective because they are rooted in His purposes rather than our own. This abiding relationship is not about asking for personal desires but about becoming one with God's purposes, allowing Him to work through us in every aspect of our lives. As we remain in Christ, our hearts and minds are renewed, and we begin to desire what He desires, leading to a life that reflects His love and grace. [02:57]
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 desires or goals in your life need to be surrendered to God so that they align with His will? How can you actively abide in Christ today to transform these desires?
Day 2: Protection and Consecration
Jesus' prayer for His disciples emphasizes the importance of protection and consecration. He prays for their protection, not to remove them from the world, but to keep them safe within it, highlighting that eternal life begins now through a relationship with God. This protection is about spiritual safety and the strength to withstand the challenges of the world. Consecration involves being set apart for God's purposes, wholly dedicated to His will. It is not just about purity but about being devoted to God's mission, allowing Him to use us for His glory. [05:47]
1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you seek God's protection in your daily life while remaining engaged with the world around you? How can you consecrate yourself to God's purposes today?
Day 3: Unity Reflects the Trinity
Unity among believers is a powerful testament to the world of the gospel's transformative power. Jesus desires His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is not just a goal but a reflection of the unity within the Trinity, essential for the church's witness to the world. Paul emphasizes the importance of unity within the church, urging believers to strive for it through prayer and action. The unity of the church is a reflection of God's love and is crucial for demonstrating the gospel's impact on our lives. [12:42]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your church community today? What specific actions can you take to promote peace and understanding among fellow believers?
Day 4: Prioritizing God's Priorities
Our challenge is to prioritize God's priorities, especially when they don't align with our own. We must have a plan to pursue unity and pray for it, recognizing that our prayer life is not just about personal needs but about the church's health and unity. This requires intentionality and a commitment to fight for unity within the church and pray for it globally. By aligning our priorities with God's, we become more effective in our witness and more attuned to His work in the world. [32:09]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What are some of your current priorities that may not align with God's? How can you adjust your focus to seek His kingdom first in your daily life?
Day 5: Embracing Joy and Identity in Christ
The path forward involves embracing the joy that Jesus offers, a joy rooted in our relationship with Him and our participation in His mission. This joy is a gift, not something we earn, and it empowers us to live out our calling as members of the body of Christ. We are called to embody our identity in Christ, checking in on the church's well-being as we would with our own families, and engaging in practices like fasting and prayer to strengthen our unity and witness. Embracing this joy allows us to live fully in the identity God has given us. [42:36]
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
Reflection: How can you embrace the joy of the Lord in your life today? What practices can you incorporate to strengthen your identity in Christ and your connection to the church community?
Quotes
"Jesus says, the Son of God, the eternal Son of God, and we know that the eternal Son of God took all flesh in Jesus, so he never had a beginning. The Son has no beginning, but Jesus had a beginning, and that's what the incarnation is, right? He says, I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be willing, even as we are willing." [00:04:04] (29 seconds)
"Eternal life is not entrance into a place. It is entrance into a relationship that culminates. It goes to a new phase, but it's not beginning when that phase starts. It begins when you know the Father through the Son by the Spirit. Here's what I like to say. Eternal life is one of those things that if you've got it, you will get it. If you don't got it, you won't get it. So don't wait to get what you don't got. Just get it so you can got it." [00:06:04] (33 seconds)
"The purpose of keeping them is to consecrate them. Hello? The purpose of keeping is for consecration. It's not protect them. Let them be. They live an average life in whatever country they find themselves in, right? In Jesus name. No. The purpose of being kept is so that you can be set apart from the Father. The Father keeps you two -second apart. Are you with me? That's the goal of your life." [00:09:30] (29 seconds)
"Y 'all, the reason is because we think Paul just wanted to preach the gospel to new people, which he did. But y 'all, if the Jew and Gentile issue broke the church in the first century, there's no need to go to Spain. If the gospel could not unite Jew and Gentile, the Roman Empire, he wasted his life. So Paul was writing them to beg them to pray that this money drop goes well, and it gets them out. It gets stopped on the wages of people who didn't like that Jew and Gentile were coming together." [00:23:46] (31 seconds)
"Strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers of Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints. Translation. They take this money and I'll give it to you now. Strive together with me in your prayers. I'm going to say strive. He's basically saying pray with everything in your heart when you get this letter, that what I am about to do goes well." [00:25:44] (28 seconds)
"Make more my friends. God is in you, but the flesh wants to conceal it. Make more my friends because someone is making war on you. Make more my friends because cruise control is simply what I do. Make more my friends. Jesus wants to give you His very own joy. Make more my friends. Loathe yourself at the word of God to the poor. Make more my friends. You get to display the triune God's love. Make more my friends. God is the hand. The church is the glove." [00:40:17] (30 seconds)
"He wants everything we're talking about to be what He produces in you and through you as an individual and corporate body. He wants to gift you righteousness. He wants to gift you salvation. He wants to gift you the joy of being in on the action of giving and receiving with the Triune God. That's it. He wants to gift it to you. You don't have to earn it from Him. It's all gift. His joy is a gift. The unity of the Trinity is a gift." [00:46:06] (27 seconds)
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