13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Matthew 5:13-1650 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
- Mark 9:5034 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
- Luke 14:34-35
“Absent or Abiding?”
God wants us.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
- John 15:1-3
God wants us to abide in Christ and be fruitful.
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
What kind of “fruit” does God want us to bear?
Love (John 15:10)
Joy (John 15:11)
Other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
New Disciples
35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
- John 4:35-36
If we don’t abide in Christ, then we won’t receive the things that only Christ can give.
6 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.
- John 15:6
God provides us with a choice: abide in Christ and live, or be absent from Christ and slowly die.
How do we abide in Christ?
1. By reading the Bible, the Word of God.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you…
- John 15:7
2. By talking to God in prayer.
...ask whatever you wish…
- John 15:7
3. By obeying God.
10 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. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
- John 15:10, 14
If we abide in Christ, His fruit will abound and abide in us.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- John 15:7
"Put a Ring on It"
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
4 who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
- Psalm 15:1-2, 4
FOLLOWING GOD REQUIRES 100% COMMITMENT
We don’t commit because we’re afraid of missing out on something
We don’t commit because we’re overcommitted to the wrong things
WHEN YOU COMMIT TO GOD YOU WILL NOT MISS OUT ON ANYTHING GOOD
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
- Psalm 84:11
COMMITMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH GOD’S CHARACTER
Jesus was sent as proof of God’s commitment to us
JESUS DIDN’T WAVER ON HIS COMMITMENT TO SAVE US
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
- Matthew 26:39