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Abiding
in Christ, Abounding in Service
March
03, 2002
Pastor
Nicky Joya made it clear that the key to spiritual fruitfulness is to
pursue intimacy with God. "Since our goal in disciple-making is
to make fruitful disciples, we must learn to teach others to abide in
Christ. Through our lifestyle, primarily, and through pointing to
Christ, not us, as the source of our sufficiency," he said.
Quoting
the verses of John 15:1-8, three important truths were highlighted.
1.
Jesus Christ's body is our sufficiency.
To abide in Christ is to consciously recognize that Jesus is the
source of our sustenance and that without Him, we are nothing! Depend
on Him through fervent prayers.
"Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, unless it abides in the vine, so 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, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can
do nothing." (John 15:4-5)
2.
His Words are our steps.
To abide in Christ is to recognize that His Words are perfect and
authoritative. Obey wholeheartedly!
"If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you
wish, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)
"Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him,
'If you abide in My Word, you are truly disciples of Mine."
(John 8:31 in part)
3.
His plan is our sanctuary.
To abide in Christ is to recognize that His plan is always
good. Trust in His perfect plan for our lives.
"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 it, that it may bear more
fruit."
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