06-01-2025 Abiding in Christ
Text: John 15:1-11
As Jesus preached and taught during His time on earth, He used familiar things to explain the mysteries of God. This allowed the people to relate the heavenly things He was showing them through what was familiar to them. Some of the things He used to compare and explain the concepts of the true nature of God our Father include: the promises of mansions, the Spirit, peace, the bread, the light, the door, the good shepherd, the way, the truth, the life, the vine, and the branches. Our text today is from John 15:1-11 where Jesus said: “ (1) I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. [husbandman means gardener] (2) Every Branch in Me that beareth not fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He purges it [purge means prune], that it may bring forth more fruit. (3) Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in Me. (5) I am the Vine, you are the branches; He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing. (6) If a man abides not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My Disciples. (9) As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; continue you in My love. (10) If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. (11) These things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Notice that the word “abide” is used eight times in these ten verses. We’re told in Revelation 3:20 and Colossians 1:16 that He abides in us and in verses 4-8 of our text that we abide in Him. What does it mean to ‘abide’ in Jesus and to have Jesus abide in us? It means to be part of Him, and that He is a part of us, and together we have a relationship with Him always doing our best to live as He lived while on earth. So, let’s look at the benefits we receive when we abide in Him and allow Him to abide in us.
We see in verse 7 that to abide in Christ makes our prayers more effective. Whatever we ask will be answered. Sometimes He will say yes, sometimes no, and sometimes we will have to wait. An active prayer life is an important aspect of a Christian life. It’s how we communicate with Heaven and get through the times of trials and trouble that we experience that include financial problems, worries over work, family health issues, and when we lose the strength to continue to fight the Chistian fight. These are the times that our prayers are most active and most urgent. Abiding in Christ allows us to maintain an active and effective prayer life so that when emergencies strike, we can rest assured that God is watching over us and will get us through the issues we are facing. But it’s also important that we use our prayers to praise and thank Him often for all He has done for us. James 5:16 tells us that the prayers of a righteous person will be powerful and effective. But Psalm 66:18 reminds us that sin in our hearts can block answers to our prayers.
Verse 8 tells us that when we abide in Christ, our fruit will be perpetual or continuing. As Christians when we live in a way that allows others to see Jesus in us can cause others to come to know Him as their Savior. We will ‘bear fruit,’ means others can brought into the family of God because of us. We do this by personally witnessing to others and being an example of living a Christian life so other can see and become interested enough to want to know more about Jesus and want to know Him as well. We may not be aware of the effect our Christianity has on some people. But if we’re faithful in how we live, the seed will be planted and eventually take hold often without our knowledge. Or, if we’re lax in living our Christian life, we could discourage others from wanting to be a part of this life. So, we must always be aware of our actions and reactions as we experience the good and the bad things in life that happen to us all. When we abide in Christ and He in us it will allow us to live our faith in order to honor Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us.
When we abide in Jesus, our earthly obedience will ultimately bring us heavenly joy. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that as the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus will carry us through all the days of this life if we keep our eyes on him. Jesus endured the Cross with joy, in spite of the agony and shame it brought because it was necessary in order for us to be forgiven of our sins. Believing and living this opportunity that has been given us is why we can be joyful in a life that is often difficult. We’re told in Acts 15:23-25 that Paul and Silas were joyful in prison in spite of being in a dungeon with their backs bruised and bleeding from the beating they received. Late one night they were praying and singing hymns and as the other prisoners listened a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the prison causing the doors to open. The jailer had heard all that was happening and was prepared to kill himself thinking all the prisoners would be gone. But when he found them all still there, he was so grateful that he washed the wounds of Paul and Silas, took them to his home, and fed them. This jailer and his entire family came to believe in Jesus because of their actions in prison. That was the fruit produced by their actions even when placed in horrible conditions.
Our Christian faith strengthens us when we abide in Christ so we can get through all of life’s difficulties. When we experience them, all we need do is pray and trust that all things will be worked out for our good in accordance the will of God. Each time that we experience the help of our Lord, our faith grows stronger and allows us to live with joy rather than worry. When we abide in Christ, it's important that we continually confess all our sins and communicate with Him regularly through prayer. We’re to live following the example that Jesus showed us while He walked this earth that includes helping others and studying God’s Word. Are we going to slip and fall at times? Absolutely we will. That’s why constant confession is important. Then we can receive all of the blessings He has to offer us as He will always call us His friends. Abiding in Jesus gives us a friend that is far closer to us than any of our earthly friends could ever be. Exercise your faith and always trust in the love that He has for each one of us. Afterall, it’s His love for us that caused Him to joyfully accept the Father’s plan of salvation where He willingly died on the Cross for you and for me.
Until we meet again, may God bless and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.