"the Benefits Of Abiding In Christ The Vine"

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(John 15:16) "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

(John 15:5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

(John 15:1-4) (1) "I am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman." (2) "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (3) "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (4) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

(John 15:6-10) (6) "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (7) "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (8) "Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (9) "As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." (10) "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in his love."

PREFACE SUMMARY

Beloved, I found an old photo of some seagulls standing in line like children, three of them calmly sitting on the hood of my 18-wheeler, looking at me through the window. The calmness of these wild birds always fighting one another is something to see, especially how they are lined up like little schoolchildren to minister to a hurting man of God. This happened around 2008 near Salt Lake City, Utah, when I was going through some heartening trials that would put some people on a psychiatrist's couch.

Did you know abiding in Christ is the key to unlocking a fulfilling life? If you seek a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment, look no further than abiding in Christ. Abiding in Christ isn't just about attending church or reading the Bible; it's a way of life. It means seeking God's will and following His guidance, even when it is difficult. Beloved, by embracing this lifestyle, you'll unlock the full potential of your faith and grow in spiritual maturity, enjoying all the benefits that come with it.

Beloved, to experience the abundant life, we must learn to abide in Christ, the true vine. To abide in Him, we must find a way into the vine. The good news is that God has provided a way for us to access the vine, and that way is through the precious blood of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In contemporary society, it has become increasingly common for individuals to seek God only in times of crisis or difficulty, treating Him as a mere backup plan for their lives. When we rely on God solely when we face challenges, we risk reducing our connection to Him to a transactional one, where faith can be manipulated for personal gain.

Beloved, when we pursue God's calling for our lives, we will experience spiritual growth. This is known as "The Prayer of the Five-Fold Blessing," which covers crucial areas such as relationships, emotions, and finances, including physical and spiritual well-being. When unsure how to pray for someone, we should confidently ask the Lord to bless them in every area of their life. We can rest assured that God will meet them exactly where they are and bless them abundantly.

"CHRIST THE VINE IS OUR SOURCE OF LIFE"

As we transition into this crucial part of our message, let us take a moment to reflect on our past experiences and the state of our hearts and minds before we encountered the transformative light of the gospel. Consider the challenges and doubts we faced, the moments of confusion and darkness that seemed to overshadow our lives, until the radiant message of salvation broke through, bringing clarity and purpose to our journey.

Beloved, did you know that the vine spoken of in the fifteenth chapter of St. John's gospel represents Christ, the very essence of life? Our connection to life is found in him; we cannot produce life alone outside of Christ the Vine.

Did you know our wonderful creator reveals his plan to redeem humanity through nature? It is fascinating that just like the blood running through our veins carrying the necessary oxygen and other nutrients we need to live, we get our life nutrients from abiding in Christ the Vine,