Abiding in God's Presence: The Source of Life
Summary
In my sermon, I focused on the essential theme of remaining in God's presence, emphasizing the importance of abiding in Christ as the source of our spiritual life and fruitfulness. I began by referencing John 15:4, where Jesus instructs us to abide in Him, and Romans 8:6, which contrasts the outcomes of a carnally minded life with a spiritually minded one. I stressed that our very purpose is to be close to God, and without this closeness, we are merely existing rather than truly living.
I highlighted the dangers of dry and dead religion, especially in the face of the challenges ahead, and the necessity of being presence-centered individuals who not only live but transform the world. I warned against the idols of self and vanity, particularly prevalent in our city, and called for a re-centering on God's presence, which should be the measure of our success, not worldly metrics like wealth.
I urged the congregation to consider their spiritual address, whether it's rooted in the presence of God or if they are vacillating between two worlds. I pointed out that the fruit of our lives is a testament to what we are connected to, and that we must be branches that bear good fruit, indicative of our discipleship in Christ.
I also spoke about the process of grafting, as an analogy for how we, though not naturally part of the 'tree' of God's people, can be engrafted into Christ and become indistinguishable from those naturally born into faith. I warned that just as branches can be broken off due to unbelief, we too must remain in faith and not take our salvation for granted.
I concluded by calling for a response to God's presence, not just in worship and prayer but also in how we receive and act upon His word. I emphasized that our relationship with God should not be casual but marked by a deep, abiding connection that influences every aspect of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Abiding in Christ is not a passive state but an active, continuous choice to live in harmony with the Spirit of God. It requires a conscious decision to align our lives with God's will and to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. This alignment is not just for moments of worship but should permeate every aspect of our daily lives, from our thoughts to our actions. [01:10:24]
- The presence of God is not a location we visit but a reality in which we are called to dwell. The New Testament speaks of a life where God's presence is a constant, not an occasional experience. This shift from visiting to dwelling in God's presence is a result of the access granted to us through Christ's sacrifice, which tore the veil and opened the way to a personal relationship with God. [01:08:39]
- The fruit of our lives reveals the source we are connected to. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit without the tree, our spiritual fruitfulness is dependent on our connection to Christ, the true vine. The presence or absence of fruit in our lives is a clear indicator of our spiritual health and our discipleship. [01:18:59]
- Grafting is a powerful metaphor for our inclusion in the family of God. Regardless of our origins, through faith, we can be grafted into Christ and become part of His living body. This process is not based on our natural birthright but on the grace of God that allows us to be adopted into His family. [01:20:42]
- The fear of the Lord is a foundational aspect of wisdom and discipleship. It is not merely reverence but a recognition of God's holiness and justice. This fear should lead us to a life of humility and obedience, understanding that our standing with God is not based on our merits but on His grace and our continued faithfulness. [01:23:12]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 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."
2. Romans 8:6 - "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 15:4, what is necessary for a branch to bear fruit? How does this relate to our spiritual lives? [56:21]
2. In Romans 8:6, what are the outcomes of being carnally minded versus spiritually minded? [57:05]
3. The sermon mentioned the process of grafting as an analogy for our inclusion in the family of God. Can you describe this process and its spiritual significance? [01:20:03]
4. What are the two idols mentioned in the sermon that are prevalent in our city, and how do they affect our spiritual lives? [01:28:49]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of abiding in Christ as described in John 15:4 challenge the idea of casual Christianity? [01:11:04]
2. What does it mean to be spiritually minded, and how can this mindset lead to life and peace according to Romans 8:6? [01:27:02]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of remaining in God's presence. How does this idea of "remaining" differ from merely visiting God's presence? [01:08:00]
4. How does the metaphor of grafting help us understand our relationship with Christ and our place in the family of God? [01:20:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific times or activities where you can intentionally focus on abiding in Christ? How can you make this a consistent practice? [01:10:24]
2. The sermon warned against the idols of self and vanity. Can you identify any areas in your life where these idols might be present? What steps can you take to re-center on God's presence? [01:28:49]
3. Think about your spiritual address. Are you rooted in the presence of God, or do you find yourself vacillating between two worlds? What changes can you make to ensure you are consistently dwelling in God's presence? [01:16:01]
4. The sermon mentioned that the fruit of our lives reveals the source we are connected to. What kind of fruit are you currently bearing, and what does it say about your spiritual health? [01:17:09]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in your life, recognizing His holiness and justice? What practical steps can you take to live a life of humility and obedience? [01:23:12]
6. The sermon called for a response to God's presence in worship, prayer, and action. How can you ensure that your relationship with God is not casual but marked by a deep, abiding connection? [01:31:42]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to remain in Christ more faithfully. What practical steps will you take this week to abide in Him and bear good fruit? [01:34:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Pursuit of Divine Harmony
Living in harmony with the Spirit of God is an active pursuit that requires a conscious decision to align our lives with God's will. It is about making a continuous choice to prioritize our relationship with Him, ensuring that our daily thoughts and actions reflect this commitment. This alignment goes beyond moments of worship; it is about letting the Spirit infuse every aspect of our lives with divine purpose and direction. It is a journey of constant self-examination and reorientation towards God's desires for us, a path that leads to a deeper understanding of His will and a more profound experience of His presence. [01:10:24]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively seek to align your daily decisions with God's will, starting today?
Day 2: Dwelling in God's Unceasing Presence
The presence of God is a reality we are invited to inhabit continually, not merely a place we visit sporadically. This shift from occasional visits to a permanent dwelling in God's presence is made possible through the sacrifice of Christ, which grants us unfettered access to a personal relationship with the Divine. As believers, we are called to recognize that God's presence is not confined to specific locations or times; it is an ever-present reality that we can experience in every moment of our lives. By embracing this truth, we can live in a way that reflects our constant communion with God, allowing His presence to shape our identity and actions. [01:08:39]
"For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." - Ephesians 2:18 ESV
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily routine?
Day 3: Bearing Fruit Through Divine Connection
The fruitfulness of our lives is a direct reflection of our connection to Christ, the true vine. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit by itself, we cannot exhibit the qualities of love, joy, peace, and other spiritual fruits without a deep and living connection to Jesus. Our spiritual health and discipleship are evidenced by the fruit we bear, which serves as a testament to the source we are connected to. It is essential to remain intimately joined to Christ, allowing His life to flow through us so that we may flourish and contribute to the kingdom of God. [01:18:59]
"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." - John 15:5 ESV
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to nurture your connection with Christ to ensure you are bearing His fruit in your life?
Day 4: Grafted into the Family of God
Grafting serves as a powerful metaphor for our inclusion in God's family. Through faith, we are grafted into Christ, becoming an integral part of His living body. This spiritual grafting is not dependent on our natural lineage but on the grace of God, which allows us to be adopted into His family. As engrafted members, we share in the life and nourishment of the vine, growing and thriving alongside those who were naturally born into faith. This process of grafting reminds us of the transformative power of God's grace and the new identity we receive as His children. [01:20:42]
"And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree." - Romans 11:17 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your identity as a grafted member of God's family and live out that identity in your community?
Day 5: Embracing a Life of Godly Fear and Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, guiding us into a life of humility and obedience. This reverential fear acknowledges God's holiness and justice and leads us to recognize that our standing before Him is based on His grace and our faithfulness. It is a fear that transforms our hearts, inspiring us to live in a way that honors God and aligns with His righteous standards. By cultivating this fear, we develop a foundation for wise living that influences our decisions and actions, drawing us closer to the heart of God. [01:23:12]
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" - Psalm 111:10 ESV
Reflection: How can the fear of the Lord reshape your approach to challenges and decisions you face today?
Quotes
1) "It doesn't matter what the news cycle says. I will remain in Him. Come on, this is a church of people who remain in God, who abide in Him, who bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is the proof of their discipleship. You are the disciple of Jesus because you have denied yourself. You have taken upon His image. You have been grafted into the vine by the faith that God has given unto you by grace. Hallelujah." [01:35:35]
2) "But there is something that is going to stand against the wind. You ever seen a tree that was dead and the wind begins to blow? It just collapses, but a tree that is living can resist the wind that is blowing because of the life that is moving through it. I am telling you tonight, if you want to thrive in the kingdom of God and yet even survive in the hour ahead, you've got to get in his presence." [01:02:50]
3) "If you're living outside of the presence of God, if you don't have that deep shalom, that steady peace of God in your soul or you have gotten caught up working for God versus being with God or if you have gotten distracted by what God can do versus who God is, I am inviting you today to a re-centering adjustment to understand that today is a day where you can re-center your heart and your mind." [01:05:57]
4) "The tree that you remain in isn't always the tree that produced you. The tree you abide in, the vine that you live on is not always the one that birthed you. Did you grow up in church in the kingdom of God? That does not mean that you're going to stay there by yourself just doing what you want. Did you grow up in an environment where God wasn't a thought? Let me tell you, you can abide in the vine." [01:20:42]
5) "Consider the goodness and severity of God on those who fell severity, but toward you, goodness, if, if to you, goodness, severity fell on those, but to you, goodness, if you continue. Now that first word that I read for abide is minnow. This word carries it in its root, epimenom, and it means to remain or stay. I feel the Holy Ghost right here." [01:23:12]
6) "We must walk by the Spirit to live in the Spirit. And if we're going to live in the Spirit, we must stay in stride with the Spirit. You have to understand, this is a picture of like being in lockstep with the Spirit. If you've seen a marching band or an army, there's somebody that's got a cadence going and everybody is moving with the cadence that is going forth and they're walking and marching in lockstep and they're not separating one from another." [01:10:24]
7) "Christianity and its fruitfulness in your life can be distilled down to this one very thing. Do you remain in Him? Is Christianity to you going to church so that you can get what you need and then going home to do what you want? Or is it to remain in Him? Because if it's not to remain in Him, do you guys want me to preach the Bible to you? You will be cut off and thrown into the fire." [01:15:05]
8) "We talk about the fear of God sometimes and sometimes people think that that's an odd concept to fear God. I'm telling you. And then they try and placate it and it says, well, it's just the awe of God. You should fear God. There is a side, and a lot of us have not been discipled in this element of the kingdom, but there is a side of God that is severe." [01:24:14]
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