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No Advanced Degrees
John 15:4-5
You don’t need to advertise a fire.
1. Hear
John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
2. Come
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
3. Abide
4. Repeat
“The Christian life is a long obedience in the same direction.” Eugene Peterson
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The Abiding Word
John 15:1-8
Abide = “In Christ”
Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” 182 times
in his letters.
The Abiding Life is a slow cooker not a
microwave
Abide
Saturate
Listen
Obey
How do we saturate in the word?
1. By Being Intentional
2. By Studying
3. By Memorizing
“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, than memorizing
Scripture. No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced.
Your faith will be solidified” – Chuck Swindoll
4. By Meditate
Psalms 1: 1-3
“As you read the Scriptures, pause frequently to meditate on the meaning of what you are reading. Absorb the Word into your system by dwelling on it, pondering it, going over it again and again in your mind, considering it from many different angles, until it becomes part of you.” - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
When I study the Word, I am seeking to
illuminate what it
means. But when I meditate on the Word,
it is me that is illuminated by it.
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What is the fruit that we should bear?
Galatians 5:22
1. The fruit not the root
2. Fruit is proof
3. The work of the Gardener
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Abiding
LoveJohn 15:1-17
John 13:34-35
1. Abiding Love is New
2.Love is the Fruit
3. Love is the Command
4. Love must be our Natural State of Being
5. Love Changes everything
The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love. - Dwight L. Moody
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1. We Are the Branches
I am the vine; you are the branches.
“The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” – John Wesley
2. We are all connected to One Vine
Eph. 4:4-6 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
3. We are united by Joy
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
4. We are united by our struggles
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you
5. We are united by Mission
The New Testament speaks of Jesus’ Ecclesia (Church). Ecclesia comes from two words, ek, meaning “out,” and kaleo, meaning “to call.” The Church literally means “the gathering of the called-out ones.” – Derwin Gray
- Our Abiding in Christ has a purpose
- Each branch must bear its own fruit but it is still connected to the same vine.
