Ps Tony CamenetiThe Power of Abiding
We’re living in the last of the last days:
For those who don’t know the signs of the times - they could be concerned
For us that know - we are comforted - and we look up because our redemption draws near
I realise the world has had other times like this - the Spanish Flu - world wars
The main difference is we are nearing the end of an age - the allocated time for the church age (which is in the 2000 year bracket) - is coming to an end
I noticed Jesus prayed more intensely as His sacrifice for mankind approached:
He usher out an age and usher in an age - I don’t think I would be exaggerating if I said
We are in a time that effective and fruitful prayer would help us individually and also the church globally.
John 15:5 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.
The vine is where life is - the branches need the vine
Jesus is the vine - we are the branches - we are dependant upon Him - we need Him
Apart from Him - we can do nothing of a spiritual nature - (the world and it’s systems continues on - people without Him study-work hard-and achieve-but those aren’t things of a spiritual nature)
Jesus is talking about bearing fruit for His kingdom
For matters of the kingdom - we are the most fruitful when we ABIDE in Him and allow His Words to abide in us
ABIDE: a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, or relation): — abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, tarry (Greek Strong’s Dictionary)
Both of these are decisions we make - God gave us a free will
So we choose to STAY-REMAIN-DWELL-ABIDE IN HIM
We also choose to put His Word FIRST PLACE
So today we’ll be looking into…The Power of Abiding
Or…Bearing Much fruit by Relationship and Revelation
Let’s read the context of these verses:
John 15:4 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.
John 15:5 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.
John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (ESV)
Here are some things we’ll talk about today:
What kind of fruit is He talking about?
Bible accounts of prayer results
What place are we praying from?
Three things concerning His Words abiding IN us
What Kind of Fruit is He Talking About?
John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Jesus is talking about prayer fruit
Notice that He gives 2 qualifiers for answered prayer - or prayer fruit
One: Abide in me and Two: Allow My Words to abide in you
He makes a bold and resolute statement saying: “ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you”.
He adds more to His bold statement in verse 8:
John 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (ESV)
He tells us His Father (our Father if you are Christian) is glorified when we have our prayers answered
He calls that bearing fruit
He then said: answered prayer is proof we are His disciples - (a disciple is a Christian who is taught and trained up)
I have heard them called - (a disciplined one)
NOTE: I said that to make sure there isn’t confusion - you can be a Christian and not have your prayers answered
NOTE: some Christian Worldviews say God is sovereign and He decides if He wants to answer our prayers
Jesus said: If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you - ASK and it will be done
We need to look into this today
Bible accounts of prayer results:
Going back to the O.T. we see those who prayed from different places:
Because today we are talking about praying from a place of relationship and abiding
So…
Job prayed from a place of fear - (Job 1:4-5, 3:25)
Saul prayed from a selfish place - (1 Samuel 15:30)
Ezra sincerely prayed for direction - (Ezra 8:21-23)
Moses sincerely prayed for direction - (Duet 9:9-19)
Esther prayed for the deliverance of the Jews - (Esther 4:16)
Nehemiah prayed for the needs of others - (Nehemiah 1:3-4)