Message Notes

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