2--And it implies an act/action that is NOT done just once, but which is an ongoing, regular activity -- a PROCESS that takes place over time.

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1 1 "ABIDING IN CHRIST" (John 15:1-8) 2018 Rev. Dr. Brian E. Germano [PROPS NEEDED: (1) PPT slides of grapes growing on vines; (2) White Grapes in clusters for ALL congregants placed in large Bowls around/near worship space] [LaGrange First U.M.C.; ] --I-- 1. Read Text: John 15:1-8 and Pray. 2. Because of the intense heat & humidity of Middle Eastern summers, grapes have always been a common fruit throughout where Jesus lived and ministered. A--On the media screen we see some pictures of grapes, some in clusters by themselves, others growing on their grapevine. [CYCLE THROUGH PPT GRAPE SLIDES] B--As we cycle through these, let me remind us that since grapes were the source of the most common drink in Jesus' day (wine, of course), the metaphor I've just read from today's scripture in John 15 would have "hit home" for audiences in Jesus' time,... C--...For here we have Jesus using it to describe what life with God is like through Him. 3. In our own lives, their comes a point in which the "flower" of our own personal faith (like the grape plant) can bloom into a "fruit" when we have certain experiences like accepting Christ as our Savior, becoming a church member, or having a profound encounter with Christ at a religious retreat or event. A--But like a grapevine and its grapes, the "fruit" of our spiritual lives cannot simply be left alone once birthed through experiences like these. B--As important as first-time commitments of faith are, if our salvation is to grow and develop into mature spiritual fruit, then (like the vinedresser did with the grape vine) it must be constantly tended to -- it can't simply be left alone to grow on its own. C--That's why the word "abide" (in NRSV) is so important in today's scripture. In Vs. 5, Jesus says "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." 1 1--The word "abide" comes from a Greek word (meno) which literally means "to stay in a given place,... or relation; to continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, or tarry for something." 2 2--And it implies an act/action that is NOT done just once, but which is an ongoing, regular activity -- a PROCESS that takes place over time. 3

2 D--So, my point is that "abiding in Christ" over time is the KEY to developing mature spiritual fruit in our everyday lives [REPEAT PHRASE...] But what exactly does that look like? How do we "abide in Christ" in practical terms? Let me offer at least three suggestions: --II-- 5. First of all, we can "abide in Christ" by STAYING IN GOD'S WORD -- that is: by being disciplined in our reading and studying of the holy scriptures (the Bible). A--You see, in many ways God's Word is like the "nutrients" of a grape vine plant: The grapes can only grow into mature, healthy grapes by being connected to the vine and soaking up the nutrients which the vine feeds them. 2--Without that connection, the grapes wither and die. B--And without our daily connection to God (who is OUR vine) through the reading and studying of His Word, we can't ever expect to soak up the spiritual "nutrients" which are so necessary for us to grow and mature in faith. C--I remember once reading an article by Steve Winger where he tells about being on a ski trip in which he was surprised to see a number of blind people skiing down the slopes. Evidently, they were able to actually ski by staying directly behind an instructor, listening closely for directions on how & when to turn on the way down. 1--Winger comments that remaining, or "abiding," in Jesus means following him in the same way -- listening to him through His Word and following him When we "stay in God's Word," we're better able to hear (and follow) Him down the treacherous "slopes" of life. 3--So let me ask: Do YOU have a regular time to read and study God's Word each and every day?...perhaps a regular devotional time where you read some portion of the scripture (maybe using resource guides like The Upper Room)? D--You see, we "abide in Christ" first of all by staying in God's Word. 6. But a second way that we "abide in Christ" is by STAYING IN GOD'S PRESENCE -- that is: by being regular in our participation and attendance in worship and prayer. A--In many ways, God's presence is like the sun in the sky which soaks a grape plant in convection energy, giving the grapes the strength they need to maintain health and grow into mature fruit.

3 B--Well, regular worship and prayer does the same thing for a Christian: when we take time to worship and pray (individually AND corporately), it allows us to soak up the power and energy of God which is so necessary for our life of faith. 5 C--You know, someone has pointed how it seems that people who've been married for a long time begin to look alike -- have you ever noticed that (actually we begin to look like our dogs, too)? 1--For whatever reason, they start having the same kinds of facial expressions; 2--They often finish each other's sentences; 3--They sometimes even begin to actually have the same kinds of physical characteristics....why is this? 4--Well, perhaps it's because when people have lived and "abided" with one another over a period of time, they begin to actually resemble one another. 6 D--It's the same in our relationship with God through Christ: as we "abide in [Jesus'] presence" through worship & prayer, we become more Christlike. In a very real way, we begin to take on the spiritual characteristics of Jesus Christ himself A 3rd way that we can "abide in Christ" is by STAYING CONNECTED WITH GOD'S PEOPLE -- that is: by maintaining a constant fellowship with other Christians. A--In many ways, we could say that our connection with other Christians is like the grapes on a grape vine, which (you'll notice) rarely grow independently, but instead usually only together in clusters. 1--In other words, even nature itself has learned that some things grow stronger, healthier, and more easily when they're grown together than if they try to "go it alone." 2--In the same way, we as Christians need EACH OTHER -- we need the community and fellowship of other people of faith because it's biblically impossible to grow and mature APART FROM a regular connection with them. B--We don't get suckered by the myth that says we can be strong Christians without being an active part of a church or local community of believers. We just can't! 8 C--Some of you may have heard it before:"a Christian without a church is like......a student without a school;...a soldier without an army;...a citizen who won't vote;...a seaman without a ship;...a child without a family;...a drummer without a band;...a ballplayer without a team;...a honeybee without a hive;...an ember of coal without a fire;...a scientist who does not share findings with colleagues;...a party that you have all by yourself." 3

4 4 D--You see, we need our connection to each other in order to become vibrant, mature Christians. --IV-- 8. The bottom line in all of this is that "abiding in Christ" is not something we do merely "once and for all time." A--Instead, it's an ongoing process whereby we continually give Jesus more and more of our lives, so that he can fill us with His Holy Spirit & use us in ever greater and greater ways. B--So, my prayer is that wherever any of us is in our own spiritual journey, that we would NOT be content merely to "stay put," but that we would instead grow and mature in God as we "Abide in Christ" by Staying in God's Word, Staying in God's presence, and Staying connected with God's people (with other Christians). 9. [PRAY] 10. [HOLY COMMUNION] 11. [After you receive Holy Communion, if you're willing to "Abide in Christ" in these three ways, I want to invite you to find the bowls filled with white grapes and take a few grapes and/or clusters. You can save them, eat them, or whatever, but let them remind you of how God wants you to "abide in Him." (Be sure to leave some for others!)] ENDNOTES: 1 Verses 7-8 of today's scripture from John 15 go on to tell us, in fact, that IF we "abide in Him," the "fruit" which is developed through our lives is a great spiritual fruit which glorifies God. Please note that even though the English word "abide" used in the KJV and NRSV Bible versions is not used very often in today's culture, it is actually a better translation of the Greek word meno than the words "live" or "remain" that are used to translate it in Bible versions such as NIV, TNIV, and THE MESSAGE. 2 Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary, Word#G This is one reason why we as Wesleyan Christians do NOT believe that biblical salvation is a "state" that we achieve once and for all -- it's not something we "have" or "don't have"... that we are "saved" or "not saved." Instead, biblically it's a relationship with God through Jesus in which we (as the apostle Paul says) are continually "BEING saved..." (Read Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:2; and 2 Corinthians 2:15). Yes, it has a beginning point, just like the grape plant when its fruit first appears. But remember:...to become a mature fruit, the grape doesn't open out fully developed or completely ripe. Instead, the fruit of the grape vine needs sunlight and nutrients and the care of an attentive vinedresser in order to grow and ripen into mature grapes. So it is with our Christianity: it's not enough for us give our hearts and lives to Christ ONCE at some event or commitment time such as Confirmation, Graduation, revival, etc. Instead, "abiding in Christ" biblically means that we learn to give him our hearts and lives DAILY -- that we walk and talk with him daily, and learn to imitate him more and more for the rest of our lives.

5 4 Steve Winger (Lubbock, Texas), cited in Leadership, Vol. 15, no The great 19 th -century evangelist Andrew Murray once challenged people to "Remember the great need you have of the grace and assistance of God. [Consequently, (he said)] you should never lose sight of Him, not for a moment" (Andrew Murray, The Believer's Secret of the Abiding Presence, cited in Christianity Today, Vol.38, No.13). Of course, his point is that if we as humans are in constant need of God, then the only way we can have God always available to us is by us constantly remaining in his presence. 6 7 Steve Brown, "The Prime Principle," Preaching Today, Tape No Read Philippians 2:5. 8 Oh, we might can have a "head" knowledge about the Bible and God, and even about Christ, but apart from our connection with others we can't be challenged enough to stretch and extend the borders of our faith so that grow and mature in our spiritual fruit.