January 7, 2024
Abide in Me: John 15:1-12
As part of our sermon series in the new year, we are immersing ourselves in 12 verses from John 15. In this revelatory teaching, Jesus invites his disciples – and us – to make our home in Him, as Christ abides in us. This relationship is as vital as we desire it to be. God’s Word is one pathway to engaging more with Christ, and opening ourselves to be loved, pruned, taught, changed. The more we read, meditate, marinate and memorize scripture, the more we learn of God’s true nature and our state of blessedness. With a friend or two, or your small group, commit to memorizing these 12 verses this month. Together, let’s immerse ourselves in Christ’s word and press into this blessed heritage, together, in these first five weeks of 2024.
John 15:1-12
1 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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, as I abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 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. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.
If abiding seems an enigma, or the practices of faith do not provide the answers we seek, receive the wisdom of 17th century mystic, Madame Jeanne Guyon as a realistic adjustment to our expectations of the faith journey.
“If knowing answers to life’s questions is absolutely necessary to you, then forget the journey. You will never make it, for this is a journey of unknowables—of unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles and most of all, things unfair.”
–Madame Jeanne Guyon
Abiding with God – learning what this means and why it matters – is not so much a skill we must master, but a Master we must meet. It’s the most important relationship we can say yes to on this earth.