Series: Abiding in the Vine IV
Message – Abiding in the Vine IV.mp3
This week we have a treat, Steven Grossl, a man in our church and a personal friend of mine lead a small group while my wife and I were out of town. His wife Stephanie recorded the discussion group with her phone so the recording is not the normal quality, but I think you will enjoy the more casual, discussion type format of this lesson as Steven leads it. So sit back and join us in the living room as we discuss Abiding in the Vine.
This is a statement the group began with in order to “prime” their hearts towards listening and retaining what was discussed.
“Blessed am I because my eyes do see and my ears do hear!
I anticipate God’s revelation in my life!”
There were two topics presented to the small group for discussion in encourage them to think through the topic and facilitate growth.
Topic #1. Abiding in the Light = Abiding in Him
Discuss how believing into Christ and placing the whole of our relational trust in Him in our every moment is the same thing as both abiding in Him AND abiding in the light.
In our very first teachings on Abiding in the Vine, Mark brought up this verse,
“I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not abide in darkness.” ~ John 12:46
Not abiding in darkness is the same thing as “abiding in the light or abiding in Him”.
First John tells us, “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Our verse in John 12:46, however, tells us that the purpose for Christs coming – as a Light into the world – was so that, upon seeing the Light, we may believe and as a result NO LONGER abide in darkness (or so that we WOULD abide in the light…in Him).
When this verse says “believe” it can mean to believe INTO Christ for initial salvation, but it can also mean to place all of our relational trust in Him in our every moment as believers.
So often Christians approach “abiding in the Vine” as something we do automatically since we are already “in Him”. However, the abiding this verse is talking about is not one of position (like the fact that the branch is connected to the vine), but one of interaction (where the branch is completely dependent upon the vine and draws all of its life from that source ALONE).
Abiding in the light is to abide in an ever increasing relationship of knowing and trusting Him. “THE LIGHT” is an expression for immediate and increasing understanding. It means to know Him – by way of experience – IN THE NOW.
This is NOT knowledge of the past (like a memory) it is living and vital – just like a branch with a vine.
Here are a few verses for connective tissue…
“But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…” ~ 1 Jn. 1:7
Remember that “fellowship” means co-partnership. We are lock-armed with Him in the Kingdom work of bearing fruit and encouraging growth in others as we are walking (abiding) in the light.
“(19) …this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. (21) But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God.” ~ Jn. 3:19-21
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the grain-measure, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” ~ Matt. 5:14-16
In this last verse WE are called the light of the world – a city of refuge. Our light is likened to our fruit (or good works which come from abiding) which glorifies our Father.
Learning how to flow with the Spirit is essential to Abiding!
I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
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Blessings!