“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?

1. Love (John 15:10)

2. Joy (John 15:11)

3. Other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

4. 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

"Living Large"

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
- Isaiah 54:2-3

Don’t wait for new resources. Use what you have now.

stretch your tent curtains wide
- Isaiah 54:2

Do not hold back

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
- Joshua 1:6

Live the life God intends 

lengthen your cords,
- Isaiah 54:2

Go deeper and draw closer to God

 strengthen your stakes.
- Isaiah 54:2

"Inviting Grace"

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

GOD’S INVITING GRACE  STILL REQUIRES OUR EFFORT

GRACE THAT SAVES US ALSO CHANGES US

“But by the grace of God I am what I am”
- 1 Corinthians 15:10

GRACE EMPOWERS US TO DO HIS WORK

…”his grace in me was not in vain”
- 1 Corinthians 15:10

On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10

"Enriching Grace"

Our needs, desires, and opportunities are unlimited - but our finances are limited.

Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints…
- 2 Corinthians 9:1-2

Every Christian needs to grapple with giving and generosity.

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
- Matthew 6:19-20

Three Giving Postures:

1. Got to Give

2. Give to Get

3. Get to Give

God’s ENRICHING GRACE belongs to those who give generously and cheerfully.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:8-9

God wants us to be enriched for others and for ourselves.

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
- 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

"Sufficient Grace"

Pain and suffering come in different shapes and sizes.

12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
- 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7

Pain and suffering come for everyone.

...a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me…
- 2 Corinthians 2:7

Who sends our pain and suffering?

a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-8

God’s sufficient grace transforms our experience of suffering.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Our perspective and practical responses change in light of God’s grace.

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10

"Sanctifying Grace"

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
- Titus 2:11-14

GRACE JUSTIFIES AND BRINGS SALVATION

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
- Titus 2:11

GRACE EMPOWERS US TO LIVE GODLY

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
- Titus 2:12

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
- Luke 9:23

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Ephesians 4:22-24

GRACE PURIFIES US AND TRANSFORMS US INTO CHRIST’S IMAGE

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
- Titus 2:14

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
- Philippians 1:6

"Justifying Grace"

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- Titus 3:3-7

REBELLION

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
- Titus 3:3

INTERVENTION

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
- Titus 3:4

 SALVATION

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy
- Titus 3:5

 TRANSFORMATION THROUGH JUSTIFICATION

by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- Titus 3:5-6

"Abundant Grace"

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 5:15-21 

SIN IS GREAT, GOD’S GRACE IS GREATER

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 6:23

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
- Romans 5:15

BECAUSE OF GOD’S ABUNDANT GRACE WE ARE JUSTIFIED

16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. - Romans 5:16

Justified  = Just-as-if-I’d never sinned

GOD’S ABUNDANT GRACE MAKES US RIGHTEOUS

19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
- Romans 5:19

He hides our unrighteousness with his righteousness, he covers our disobedience with His obedience, He overshadows our death with his death that the wrath of God cannot find us
- Author unknown

GOD’S ABUNDANT GRACE MAKES US VICTORIOUS

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
- Romans 5:17

14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
- Romans 6:14

"How’s Your Health"

Do you see it?

Remember not the former things, 
nor consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness
 and rivers in the desert.
- Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV

HEALTH: BODY

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
- Romans 12:1 NIV

HEALTH: MIND

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:2 ESV

HEALTH: SPIRIT

"Remember this -- the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you."
- 1 Corinthians 10;13 (LB)

"Admit your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
- James 5:16

WHAT IS OUR EXCUSE?

7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”
- John 5:7-8

 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
- John 5:9

Greater love has no man than this. That a man lay down his life for his friends
- John 15:13