Life that Abides

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'“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.'

- John 15:1-11 ESV

Abiding in God requires action.

Abiding is more than action.

'Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ' 

- John 15:13 ESV

Abiding in God is a way of life.

To abide in God is to live in His love.

This is How We Do It

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

Engage culture and community

Establish biblical foundations

““Go and make disciples of all nations…”

- Matthew 28:19 ESV

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

- John 3:16 NIV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 

- Matthew 7:24-27 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

- John 10:10 NIV

Equip disciples with basic ministry skills

… and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you…

- Matthew 28:20 NIV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

- Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Empower disciples to make disciples

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:20 NIV

When Love Stops

Love should continue.

'Let brotherly love continue.'

- Hebrews 13:1 ESV

Love is costly.

'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.'

- Hebrews 13:2-3 ESV

God’s love for us informs the way we love others.

'So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.’

- Hebrews 13:12-16 ESV

Let love continue through you.

'Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. '

- Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

This kind of love can’t be stopped.

Unchanging

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. - Hebrews 13:8-9

Know what stays

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

- Hebrews 13:8

Know what moves

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.

- Hebrews 13:9

Know what strengthens

It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace…

- Hebrews 13:9

The Race Marked Out for Us

The Starting Line

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

- Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

The Race

'And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? '

- Hebrews 12:5-7 NIV

'No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. '

- Hebrews 12:11-13 NIV

The Finish Line

'You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” ‘

- Hebrews 12:18-21 NIV

'But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ‘

- Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV

Fully Known Yet Fully Loved

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

- Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

It's also man's innate longing to be fully accepted and fully loved. But real love can only be experienced when you are fully known.

“Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives…’”

- Ephesians 4:8 ESV

3 L’s That We Need to Apply in Order to Live Victoriously

1. Let Go

“…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”

- Hebrews 12:1 ESV

2. Look to Jesus

“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”

- Hebrews 12:2 ESV

“…by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

- Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

3. Look Ahead

“…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

- Hebrews 12:2 ESV

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar…”

- Hebrews 11:13 ESV

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

- Colossians 3:2 ESV

Faith Moves

Faith was made to move.

'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.' 

- Hebrews 11:8-10,17-19 ESV

How does faith move?

Faith responds.

'Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went... ' 

- Genesis 12:1-4 ESV

Faith releases.

Faith reckons.

'He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. ' 

- Hebrews 11:19 ESV

Faith remains.

Faith receives.

'These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar…. ' 

- Hebrews 11:13a ESV

Substance

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

- Hebrews 11:1-7 ESV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

- Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Know Him.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain

- Hebrews 11:4 NKJV

Walk with Him.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

- Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Act on what He says.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark…”

- Hebrews 11:7 NKJV

A Faith that Pleases God

'Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. '

- Hebrews 11:1-6 ESV

'...Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated…'

- Hebrews 11:35b-37 ESV

Faith that pleases God focuses on God.

Don’t see God’s goodness through your circumstances. See your circumstances through the goodness of God.

Beyond the Curtain

Big Idea:

God's work was never meant to stop with us. As He transforms us, He sends us to strengthen one another and invite others to experience the hope we've found in Christ. Behind the Curtain, God changes us. Beyond the Curtain, God moves through us.

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:19-25

Stay connected to the source

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. - Hebrews 10:22

4 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. 5 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. - John 15:4-5

Stand firm in the promise

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23

Live beyond yourself

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works - Hebrews 10:24

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35