The 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)

ONE N.T. example:

Jesus prayed from a place of abiding - (numerous scriptures)

The results of prayer :

Job prayed from a place of fear - No answer

Saul prayed from a selfish place - No answer

Ezra sincerely prayed for direction - Prayer answered

Moses sincerely prayed for direction - Prayer answered

Esther prayed for the deliverance of the Jews - Prayer answered

Nehemiah prayed for the needs of others - Prayer answered

N.T. Example results

Jesus prayed from a place of abiding - EVERY prayer answered