This past Sunday was a powerful and emotional Sunday. As we study the Bible, we have to pay attention to the context of what is happening around us and in our church. All too often we reduce God in relation to our life. We see him as small, insignificant, or uninvolved. But when we open the Bible, we will begin to see him as perfect, awesome, holy, powerful, and greatly involved. We will see Him as Big! We will see Him as Divine!
Last week as we talked about salvation and discipleship we shared:
- Salvation is not an event or a place – it’s a relationship
- Salvation and Discipleship are connected
Read John 15:4-11 What word repeats?
Remain [meno] = abide, connect, continue, endure (11x’s) [ongoing]
What is fruit? Outward sign of spiritual life Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 2:6-7
Let me give you a picture of what I am talking about:
Remember the joy of meeting your spouse
1. In the beginning:
- Spending time together
- Talking to each other (Love Letters)
- Putting the other first
2. How do you continue loving when: Things are great, hard, or ordinary
What gives a relationship JOY is connecting and remaining in a growing relationship so how can we REMAIN in a growing relationship with Jesus?
Remain in His Word v.7
- And God said,…Genesis 1:3
- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was… John1:1
- The message is heard through the Word of Christ. Rom. 10:17
Are you committed to the Word? (Reading, studying, memorizing)
Remain in His love v.9
- “but look also the interests to others. Phil.2:2-5
- “Love must be sincere…”Romans 12:9-16
God has given me a few snapshots of love in community over the past few weeks from the context of Mount Ararat. One was two weeks ago while at camp we were worshipping and sharing the Lord’s supper with over 800 people. Our group was sitting up in the bleachers near the top. I was focused in on the worship. I had my head bowed as I sung. Then I felt a nugde against me. I looked up and it was Logan a new kid we had brought with us. He was inviting me to join hands with he and his friends. It blessed my heart to have a physical reminder of how I am connected to the body of Christ. I am so thankful I went to camp this year.
The second picture was the next week I was with our children’s ministry. The Bible Studies, the worship services, the activity schedule was very different from the week before. But on Wednesday night worship, the kids were singing “Glory to God”, and I was standing in the back of the room singing and watching. All of sudden our guys pulled out of their row and began to form a line where they all grasped hands to continue singing. It was beautiful. Though younger God was giving me a picture of our children’s environment being so focused on Jesus that they were willing to love one another despite their differences.
The third picture was with our adults. I have shared from the pulpit about the struggle of Tom Holmes. His last weeks were some of the hardest weeks to watch a healthy man decline in health. But I can also say, that his last weeks were also some of the most beautiful weeks I have ever experienced. Watching the church be the church was an amazing sight. People who loved and knew Tom well to neighbors who knew Tom casually to people who had never met him rally around his family to demonstrate love during a dark hour. I have never been more encouraged to be a part of such a beautiful family.
Remain in His commands v.10
- If you are experiencing conviction about a sin(s) then repent & believe.
- You cannot hold onto sin and Jesus.
Remain in His joy v.11
Conclusion
Are you attached to the true vine – Jesus? Are you bearing fruit?
Are you growing in your relationship?
Are you committed to the Word? (Reading, studying, memorizing)
Are you committed to loving like Jesus? (Marriage, church, work)
Are you obeying His commands? (God cannot bless disobedience)
Are you experiencing His joy? (What he wants for you)
