Recommended resources on the topic of discipleship and spiritual growth

Sermon by Pastor Tony Evans on John 15: Abiding with Jesus

John 15:1-6 NJKV - “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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

To abide with Jesus we need to understand a few things:

1. Jesus is the source of life.

1 John 5:11-12 – “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

2. Apart from Jesus we are unable to accomplish anything of lasting significance.

John 15:4-5 – “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

Remain: abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present

It has the idea of consistent connection.  It is a deep, close intimacy that lasts over time, as opposed to a casual acquaintance.  It has the idea of Christ taking up residence in us, and our taking up residence in relationship with him.

Where there is no abiding…there is no fruit.

Discussion Questions:

• What does abiding with Jesus mean to you? What does it look like in your life?
• What gets in the way and hinders you from abiding with Jesus?
• What fruit will your life produce as you abide with Jesus?

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