The Secret To Abiding

Temple Baptist Church - 9-14-2008

John 15:1-7

Introduction: This will probably be my last message in this series on “Abiding In Christ.”

A. Over the past few weeks, we have seen both the blessings and cursing of either abiding or not abiding in Christ. Abiding in Christ is a personal choice that God gives to every believer.

B. Do not misunderstand me at this point. God’s commandments are just that, commandments! He does not give us choices in this matter. “Abide in me” is a direct command with no options.

C. As His dear children, we continue to be “free moral agents” as God gives us the ability to choose right or wrong, to abide or not to abide.

D. He then lists the blessings and cursings as He did for the children of Israel as they came into the Promised Land. We also have our Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim in the New Testament.

1. Abiding in Christ brings about blessing:

a) Abiding in Christ brings security - Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

b) Abiding in Christ brings cleansing - John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

c) Abiding in Christ Brings confidence - 1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

d) Abiding in Christ brings usefulness and fruitfulness - John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

e) Abiding in Christ brings victory - 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

f) Abiding In Christ brings reward - Hebrews 6:10 For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

2. Not abiding in Christ brings about cursing:

a) Not Abiding In Christ Brings About Pruning - John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

b) Not Abiding In Christ Brings About Withering - Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

c) Not Abiding In Christ Brings About Burning - 1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

d) Not Abiding In Christ Brings About Regret - Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth [are] vanity.

e) Not Abiding In Christ Brings About Loss - 1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

E. At this point, I want to make a biblical observation: WE HAVE BEEN SOLD A “BILL OF GOODS” BUT SATAN AND THE WORLD!

1. The Bible says that the “god of this world” has blinded the minds of those who believe not and he has! The world is deluded! The world is deceived! The world is being destroyed!

2. What about the believer? Satan and the world has told the child of God that living for God does not pay! Satan and the world says that living for God is both hard and not worth while.

a) The Lord is our life!
b) The Lord is our Friend!
c) The Lord is our Protector!
d) The Lord is our Provider!
e) The Lord is our Comforter!
f) The Lord is our Joy!
g) The Lord is our Strength!
h) The Lord is our Wisdom!
i) The Lord is our Companion!
j) The Lord is the Lover of our soul!

F. And He is not worth living for? That is ludicrous!

THE SECRETS OF ABIDING

Psalms 25:12-14 What man [is] he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way [that] he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

1. The Secret Of Happiness In Life Is Abiding In Christ (Happiness is a result of an inward joy and contentment. These, for the believer, come only through abiding in Christ.)

a. You Will Never Find Joy Outside Of Christ - Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

b. You Will Never Find Contentment Outside Of Christ - 1 Timothy 6:6 -11 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

c. You Will Never Find Fulfillment Outside Of Christ - Colossians 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.

2. The Secret Of Abiding In Christ Is Obedience (Obedience is a vital part of everyday life for everyone. So is obedience to God a vital part of the believer’s life.)

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

a. You Must Obey The Gospel To Be Saved - Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

b. You Must Obey The Truth To Be Safe - Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

c. You Must Obey The Spirit To Be Sanctified - 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:

3. The Secret Of Obedience To Christ Is Love (Obedience is both easy and a blessing when the One subject to is the Object of your love. “Lovest thou me more than these!”)

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

a. We Love Him For His Marvelous Grace - 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

b. We Love Him For His Wonderful Goodness - Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

c. We Love Him For His Continual Graciousness - 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.