Browse Bible Study Resources

Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 18 April 2021 : "Abiding in Christ the True Vine"

Text: John 15:1-9
18 April 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. Life can be very challenging

a. Growing older can be very hard
b. When illness comes, many hardships can come our way
c. What can we do?
i. Some give up on faith and life altogether
ii. We do not have to do so

2. An encouraging word from the Lord Jesus

a. “Abide in Me”   (John 15:4)
i. Don’t give up on your faith in the Lord
ii. Stay true to Him
b. “And I in you”
i. The Lord Jesus will remain with us
ii. He will not leave us
c. As we abide in the Lord Jesus, we will find
i. Spiritual life and strength
ii. The ability to cope and persevere

ABIDING THE LORD JESUS

1. Abiding in the Lord Jesus

a. To “abide” means to “remain, to continue”
b. To abide in Jesus means to remain in a close relationship with Him
c. Abiding in Jesus is necessary because we draw from Him
i. Life
ii. Strength
iii. The ability to bear fruit

2. Jesus explains our relationship with Him by using an image of a vine and its branches

a. When the branches remain in the vine   (John 15:5)
i. They draw life from the vine
ii. They draw strength from the vine
iii. They become fruitful
b. But if the branches do not remain in the vine   (John 15:6)
i. They become weak
ii. They eventually die
c. Spiritual truths taught
i. Jesus is the vine
ii. We are the branches
iii. We must remain in Him to find life, strength and fruitfulness

3. How can we abide in Jesus?

a. By letting His Words abide in us   (John 15:7)
i. Keep your favourite Bible verses close to your heart
ii. Pray and ask for good things (e.g. life, strength, being a blessing to others)
b. By abiding in His love   (John 15:9)
i. God the Father has loved us, and Jesus has loved us
ii. Keep all that reminds you of the Lord’s love close to your heart

CONCLUSION

1. We have every encouragement to abide in the Lord Jesus

a. He has provided His Word
b. He allows us to approach God in prayer for the things we need
c. He has loved us

2. Our part

a. Abide in Him, in His Word and in His love
b. Find life and strength to cope with your challenges