Finding Peace and Fruitfulness Through Abiding in Christ

Summary

In a world filled with confusion, anxiety, and conflict, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond—especially when global events seem so far beyond our control. Yet, God has not given us a spirit of confusion, but of peace and a sound mind. Even when we don’t know exactly how to pray or what to do, Jesus has already shown us the way: to pray for God’s kingdom to come, for His peace to reign, and for our hearts to be aligned with His. In His kingdom, there is no war, no hatred, no division—only peace, restoration, and love. While we wait for that kingdom to be fully realized, God offers us glimpses of it here and now, especially as we surrender our anxieties and trust Him with what we cannot control.

This journey of faith is not about striving to meet a set of spiritual “height requirements” or impressing God with our good behavior. The lists Paul gives us in Galatians—the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit—are not qualifiers for entry into God’s family. Instead, they serve as spiritual “checkups,” much like a doctor’s visit, to help us see what’s really going on inside our hearts. The fruit of the Spirit is not something we manufacture by sheer willpower; it’s what naturally grows when we are connected to Jesus, the true vine. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains attached to the vine, we cannot produce love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits unless we remain in Christ.

Too often, we fall into the trap of performance-based religion, thinking that if we just try harder, God will love us more or be more pleased with us. But God’s love is not earned by our striving. Our best efforts, apart from Him, are like offering up things He never asked for. The secret to a fruitful, Christlike life is not more effort, but more abiding—remaining, resting, and making our home in Jesus. When we intentionally set aside time to simply be with Him, to be aware of His presence, and to let His Spirit work in us, the fruit begins to grow naturally. This is the upside-down way of God’s kingdom: rest, not striving, is the soil where the Spirit’s fruit flourishes. As we abide in Christ, He produces in us what we could never achieve on our own.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Peace in a Confusing World
When faced with overwhelming events and conflicting voices, it’s easy to feel lost or anxious. Yet, God offers a peace that surpasses understanding, inviting us to trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers. Our role is not to control outcomes, but to surrender our fears and pray for His kingdom to come, knowing that true peace is found in His presence. [08:25]

- The Fruit of the Spirit as a Spiritual Checkup
The lists in Galatians are not spiritual entrance exams, but diagnostic tools. They help us discern what’s growing in our lives—whether the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit. Rather than striving to impress God, we use these “metrics” to see where our hearts are aligned with Christ and where we need His transforming grace. [42:22]

- Striving vs. Abiding: The Counterintuitive Path
Our natural instinct is to try harder, to grind out goodness by sheer willpower, hoping to earn God’s approval. But in God’s kingdom, fruitfulness comes not from striving, but from abiding—remaining connected to Jesus, the true vine. The Spirit’s life flows through us when we rest in Him, not when we exhaust ourselves with religious effort. [54:58]

- Abiding in Christ: Making Your Home in Him
To “remain” or “abide” in Christ means to make our home in Him, to continually return to His presence, and to let His Spirit fill and shape us. This is not a passive waiting, but an intentional practice of being with Jesus—setting aside distractions, quieting our hearts, and welcoming His life-giving Spirit to work in us. [56:59]

- Rest as the Soil for Spiritual Growth
If you’re weary from trying to be a “good Christian,” Jesus invites you to rest in Him. Instead of another round of striving and failing, take time to simply be with Him—pause, breathe, and let His Spirit do what your effort cannot. In this Sabbath rest, the fruit of love, joy, peace, and all the rest will begin to grow, not by your might, but by His Spirit. [01:06:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Responding to Global Confusion and Anxiety
[03:10] - Praying for God’s Kingdom and Peace
[08:25] - Surrendering Control and Trusting God
[10:45] - Turning to God in Uncertainty
[12:09] - Understanding the Two Lists in Galatians
[33:37] - The Heart Checkup Analogy
[41:27] - God’s Unconditional Love and Our Spiritual Metrics
[42:22] - Fruit as Evidence, Not Entrance
[44:49] - The Fruit Inspection: What’s Growing in You?
[48:57] - The Trap of Performance-Based Religion
[53:59] - God’s Love Is Not Earned by Striving
[54:58] - Abiding vs. Striving: The Vine and Branches
[56:59] - What It Means to Abide in Christ
[01:06:58] - Resting in Jesus and Practicing Abiding
[01:11:54] - Guided Time of Abiding
[01:16:25] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Abiding, Not Striving: The Fruitful Life in a Confusing World”

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### Bible Reading

- Galatians 5:16-26 (The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit)
- John 15:1-8 (Jesus, the true vine; abiding in Him to bear fruit)
- Philippians 4:6-7 (“Do not be anxious about anything… the peace of God will guard your hearts”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Galatians 5:19-23, what are the two lists Paul gives, and how are they different from each other?
2. According to John 15:4-5, what is the only way a branch can bear fruit?
3. In Philippians 4:6-7, what does Paul say is the result of bringing our anxieties to God in prayer?
4. The sermon compared the fruit of the Spirit to a “spiritual checkup.” What does that mean, and how is it different from a spiritual entrance exam? [[36:39]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the fruit of the Spirit is not a “qualifier” for God’s family, but a “metric” or “checkup.” Why is it important to see the fruit this way, and how does it change our motivation for spiritual growth? [[42:22]]
2. Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). What does this reveal about our ability to produce spiritual fruit on our own?
3. The sermon describes striving as “trying to grind out goodness by sheer willpower.” Why is this approach ultimately unhelpful, according to both the sermon and the Bible passages? [[54:58]]
4. The sermon talks about “abiding” as making our home in Jesus. What does it look like practically to abide in Christ, and how is it different from just believing in Him? [[56:59]]

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### Application Questions

1. When you look at the “fruit” growing in your life right now, what do you see? Are there areas where you notice more of the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit? What might that reveal about your heart? [[44:49]]
2. The sermon says that God’s love is not earned by our striving or good behavior. Do you ever find yourself trying to “impress” God or earn His approval? What does that look like for you? [[53:59]]
3. Think about a time when you tried to “grind out” love, joy, or peace by sheer effort. How did that go? What would it look like to approach that area by abiding in Christ instead? [[54:58]]
4. The sermon suggests that rest, not striving, is the soil where the Spirit’s fruit flourishes. What is one practical way you could intentionally “abide” or “rest” in Jesus this week? (For example: setting aside 10 minutes to be still, pray, or simply be aware of His presence.) [[01:06:58]]
5. Is there a specific anxiety or situation in your life right now that feels out of your control? How could you practice surrendering it to God in prayer, as Philippians 4:6-7 encourages? [[08:25]]
6. The sermon described “abiding” as making your home in Jesus—returning to Him, quieting your heart, and letting His Spirit work in you. What distractions or habits tend to pull you away from this? How could you make space for abiding this week? [[56:59]]
7. If you’re feeling weary from “trying to be a good Christian,” what would it look like to accept Jesus’ invitation to rest? How might that change your relationship with God and others? [[01:06:58]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to spend a minute in silence, simply being aware of God’s presence, and ask Him to grow His fruit in each person’s life.

Devotional

Day 1: God's Peace in a Confusing World
Even when the world feels chaotic and confusing, God offers us a peace that surpasses understanding—a peace that is not dependent on circumstances, but is rooted in His presence and sovereignty. When we feel anxious or uncertain, we are invited to bring our worries to God in prayer, trusting that He is in control and that His peace will guard our hearts and minds. As we release our burdens to Him, we experience a foretaste of the perfect peace that will come when His kingdom is fully realized. [08:25]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one specific worry or confusion you are carrying today? Take a moment to pray and intentionally hand it over to God, asking Him to fill you with His peace in place of anxiety.


Day 2: The Fruit of the Spirit as a Spiritual Checkup
The fruit of the Spirit is not a list of requirements to earn God’s approval, but a way to check the health of our spiritual lives—evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work within us. Just as a doctor uses metrics to assess physical health, we can look at the fruit growing in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—to see how closely we are walking with God. If we notice areas where the fruit is lacking, it’s not a reason for shame, but an invitation to let God work with us to bring about growth and transformation. [42:22]

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: As you reflect on your life, which fruit of the Spirit do you see most clearly, and which one feels lacking? Ask God to help you grow in that area, and consider what might be hindering that growth.


Day 3: Abiding in Christ, Not Striving
True spiritual fruitfulness does not come from striving or trying harder to be good, but from abiding—remaining—in Jesus. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it stays connected to the vine, we cannot produce love, joy, or peace on our own. Our role is to stay close to Jesus, making our home in Him, so that His life and Spirit flow through us and naturally produce good fruit. The more we rest in Him, the more we become like Him, not by our own effort, but by His power at work within us. [01:02:02]

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 is one practical way you can intentionally “abide” in Jesus today—whether through prayer, worship, or simply being still in His presence?


Day 4: Resting Instead of Striving
When we get caught in the exhausting cycle of trying to be “good enough,” Jesus invites us to come to Him and find rest. Instead of grinding out more effort to produce spiritual fruit, we are called to pause, be still, and simply be with Him. In those quiet moments of rest and awareness of His presence, God does the work of planting and growing His fruit in us. Making space for Sabbath rest and unhurried time with Jesus is not laziness—it’s the way to true transformation and peace. [01:06:58]

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: Set aside a specific time today to stop striving and simply rest in Jesus’ presence. How does it feel to let go of your efforts and just be with Him?


Day 5: God Wants to Produce His Fruit in You
God’s desire is not for you to impress Him with your own goodness, but to allow His Spirit to produce supernatural fruit in your life as you abide in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is not a job for you to accomplish, but a gift God wants to grow in you and through you for His glory and your joy. As you remain in Him, trust that He is at work, making you more like Jesus and drawing others to Himself through the evidence of His love, joy, and peace in your life. [01:16:25]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV)
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God to do the work of transformation, rather than trying to force change on your own? Invite the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in that area as you abide in Christ.

Quotes

So this isn't a list of do's and don'ts to live or die or get into heaven or stay out of hell. It's more like a checkup. Just to see how it's going in this process of you becoming like Jesus who had a perfect heart, who was full of love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and all the fruit. [00:42:14] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

If what you see growing in your life is sexual immorality, and anger, and drunkenness, and if you aren't seeing growth of love, and joy, and peace, and faithfulness, and self-control, if that sinful fruit is growing out of you, and the Christ-like fruit is not, then something's wrong on the inside. And again, God's not mad at you. You're not out of the family. He's not sentencing you to death. It just means that he and you have some stuff, again, to tweak, to tweak. [00:47:15] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

He wants us to be so full of his Spirit on the inside, that on the outside, our lives are just impossibly full of love, and joy, and peace, and patience, and kindness, and all those good fruits. [00:48:41] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus says, Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch can't produce fruit if it's severed from the vine. And you can't be fruitful unless you remain in me. He says, yes, I'm the vine, you're the branches. See, here's his illustration, right? Those who remain in me and I in them will produce much fruit, but apart from me, you can do nothing. [00:56:15] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

So Jesus is saying, look, we both want the same thing, right? We want your heart to be right, we want you to have an amazing, abundant, eternal, purposeful, supernaturally fruitful life, but you can't get there on your own. You're gonna need my Spirit, right? My creative force, my life flowing through you. So good fruit is not about striving to impress Jesus. It's about abiding and living and remaining in Jesus. [01:01:32] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

If that's what you want, if you want more love and more joy and more peace, that's not accomplished by you working harder or being better or doing gooder or running faster or accomplishing more, it's accomplished by living in Christ. It's accomplished by the Holy Spirit of Jesus living in you and Him pushing His creative, life-giving Spirit into you and through you to produce this incredible Christ-like life of love and joy and peace and all the fruit. [01:02:08] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

Do you ever just get tired of trying so hard to be a good Christian? I do. Do you ever just get like frustrated? You know, I'm trying to be righteous. I'm trying to be kind. I'm trying to have self-control. And it seems like it's just not happening, you know? And then it's the loop, right? I try really hard. I'm going to have more self-control. I'm going to have more kindness or love or whatever it is, more peace. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. And I try really hard, and I strive really hard, and I grip my teeth, and then I fail. And then I feel ashamed, and then I feel guilty, and then I recommit. Only this time I mean it, right? And it's the same loop, just playing out for our whole lives. Jesus said, if you're tired of that, he said, if you're weary, if you're just worn out from all of the striving, let me tell you what he didn't say. Come to me, and I'll give you some more work to do. What'd he say? He said, come to me, and I will give you rest. [01:06:13] (75 seconds) Edit Clip

What if you just took a break from striving and use that time to just abide and to just remain and to just be with Jesus and just rest in Jesus and to just be at home in him and just welcome him to make himself at home in you? And then what if that became a habit? Just, you know, stealing time every day. Not to do anything to impress him, not to try to be more patient, not to strive to have more self-control, not straining and stressing and striving to be loving and joyful and peaceful, but just slowing down and remembering that you are in him. [01:08:17] (60 seconds) Edit Clip

Wouldn't it be funny if Jesus was right? Wouldn't it be weird if you just started to see love and peace and patience and kindness and self-control growing in you? And wouldn't it be just awesome to see that the secret to more good fruit is not more effort. It's just being in Christ. Just being aware of his spirit in you. [01:10:25] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

God wants the same thing you want. He wants you to have a life that is full of joy and peace and love and patience but that fruit is not a job for you. It's not about you showing off for God or getting out of hell. It's about what God wants to produce in you, what God wants to produce through you as you abide in His Son, in Him and as His Holy Spirit abides in you. [01:16:15] (28 seconds) Edit Clip