Abiding in Christ and He In Us John 15.1-8 Abiding in Christ and He in Us John 15:1-8 Introduction: A. Jesus used the familiar grape vine to illustrate the close fellowship that must exist between Himself and His disciples. He is the vine we are the branches. The relationship is so close that it can be said that each is abiding or dwelling in the other - “abide in me and I in you.” (v. 4). Paul said, “Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20). Without this vital connection we cannot survive and function spiritually. Abiding in Christ and He In Us

What Does It Mean? Benefits Means Alternative But what does it mean to abide in Him and He in us? How can we be in Christ and He in us at the same time? B. We hope that a close study of our Lord’s illustration will help us understand the benefits the means and the alternative to abiding in Him and He in us: Discussion:

Benefits Purging (prune, cleanse, purify) vv. 2-3 By application of His word - v.3; 1 Peter 1.22 Walking in light and confessing sins – 1 Jn 1.7-9 By trials and correction – 1 Peter 1.6-7; Hebrews 12.5ff; 1 Corinthians 11.32 I. The Benefits of This Abiding. A. He continually purges or cleanses or purifies us (John 15:2-3). 1. By application of His word (v. 3; 1 Pet 1:22) 2. By walking in the light and confessing our sins (1 John 1:7-9). 3. By the trials of a Christian (1 Pet. 1:6,7; Heb 12.5ff; 1 Cor 11.32).

Benefits He gives us the ability to bear fruit – vv. 4-5 We are His workmanship – Eph 2.10 Through Him we can do “all things” – Phil 3.12 Our prayers are heard and answered – v 7 If according to His will – 1 Jn 5.14 I. The Benefits of This Abiding. B. He gives us the ability to bear fruit (vv. 4, 5). 1. We are His workmanship created unto good works (Eph. 2:10). 2. We can do “all things” through Him (Phil. 3:12). C. He answers our prayers (John 15:7). 1. If the asking is according to his will (1 John 5:14). 2. If the desired answer is according to his will.

Means He abides in us by His word abiding in us Note substitution of “My words” for “I” – vv 4, 5, 7 We abide in Him as we abide in His word – John 8.31 Same is true of the Spirit abiding or dwelling in us – Col 3.16; Eph 5.18, 19 II. The Means of This Abiding. A. He abides in us as his word abides in us. 1. Notice the substitution of “my words” for “I” (John 15:4, 5, 7). 2. Likewise, we abide in Him as we “abide” in His word (John 8:31 ASV, NKJ). 3. Same is true of the spirit abiding or dwelling in us (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:18, 19). B. He continues to abide in us only if we bear fruit (John 15:2). 1. He gives us the ability to bear fruit. 2. If we do not use that ability we will be cut off. III. The Alternative to This Abiding. A. We either abide and bear fruit or not be his disciples (John 15:8). B. We can either abide and bear fruit or be cast away, gathered up and burned (John 15:2, 6). 1. Possible for a Christian to be cast forth – fall away. 2. Possible to grafted in again before the burning (cf. Rom. 11:23; Jas. 5:19, 20). Conclusion: A. We cannot abide him unless we are first in Him. We are baptized into Him (Gal. 3:26, 27). B. We will abide in Him and He in us as long as we continue to let his word abide in us and we abide in his word through obedience to it. Otherwise we will cast forth as a fruitless branch and be lost.

Means He continues to abide in us ONLY if we bear fruit – v2 He provides the ability If we do not use that ability, we will be cut off B. He continues to abide in us only if we bear fruit (John 15:2). 1. He gives us the ability to bear fruit. 2. If we do not use that ability we will be cut off.

Alternative We either abide and bear fruit or we ARE NOT His disciples – v8 We either abide and bear fruit or we are CAST AWAY – vv2, 6 Possible for Christian to be cast forth – fall away Possible to be grafted in again BEFORE the burning – Rom 11.23; James 5.19-20 III. The Alternative to This Abiding. A. We either abide and bear fruit or not be his disciples (John 15:8). B. We can either abide and bear fruit or be cast away, gathered up and burned (John 15:2, 6). 1. Possible for a Christian to be cast forth – fall away. 2. Possible to grafted in again before the burning (cf. Rom. 11:23; Jas. 5:19, 20). Conclusion: A. We cannot abide him unless we are first in Him. We are baptized into Him (Gal. 3:26, 27). B. We will abide in Him and He in us as long as we continue to let his word abide in us and we abide in his word through obedience to it. Otherwise we will cast forth as a fruitless branch and be lost.

Abiding In Christ and He In Us Cannot abide in Him unless we are first “in Him” - Galatians 3.26-27 We abide in Him only as long and only if His word continues to abide in us by our obedience to it Otherwise, “cast forth” and “burned” Conclusion: A. We cannot abide him unless we are first in Him. We are baptized into Him (Gal. 3:26, 27). B. We will abide in Him and He in us as long as we continue to let his word abide in us and we abide in his word through obedience to it. Otherwise we will cast forth as a fruitless branch and be lost.