ABIDE IN JESUS 

• Because Coming is the Invitation…Abiding is the Expectation.

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• Because Coming is a Moment. Abiding is a Lifestyle.

JOHN 15:1–8 (ESV) - “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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ABIDE? 

The word ABIDE means:

• To REMAIN
• To STAY CONNECTED
• To MAKE YOUR HOME
• Abiding is DEPENDENCY.
• Abiding is CONSISTENCY.

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BIG IDEA

Fruit is not something you Force — it’s something that Flows from Connection.

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THE PROGRESSION

COME → ABIDE → FRUIT

• COME is the Invitation
• ABIDE is the Relationship
• FRUIT is the Evidence

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HOW DO WE ABIDE? 

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1. SET THE GOAL

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Colossians 3:1-4 NIV - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

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2. CREATE A SYSTEM

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Genesis 1:1-2 NIV - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

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• “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” – Atomic Habits

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Colossians 1:15-20 NIV - ¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

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• “The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game. – Atomic Habits

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3. CUT – WHAT DRAINS WITHOUT PRODUCING

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John 15:2 ESV - Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

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• This is not punishment. It’s PROTECTION.

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God loves FRUIT more than FAMILIARITY.

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• God is More Committed to Your Fruit Than Your Comfort.

4. PRUNE – WHAT PRODUCES FRUIT SO IT PRODUCES MORE

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John 15:2 ESV - Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

Hebrews 12:11 NIV - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

John 15:6 ESV - If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 

John 15:7 ESV - If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

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When you abide:

• Your DESIRES ALIGN
• Your PRAYERS MATURE
• Your REQUESTS REFLECT HIS HEART
• Your FRUIT ABOUNDS
• John 17:20-21 NIV - ²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Ask yourself:

• What drains me spiritually?
• What looks productive but produces no fruit?

• You don’t have to do more. You don’t have to try harder. You just have to STAY CONNECTED.

Abide in the Word

Abide in Prayer

Abide in Obedience

Abide in Love

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