November 8, 2020, John 15:4-17, ISSL Reflections Post 2

You will find this week’s Scripture from New Revised Standard Version, the Common English Bible and The Message here –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015%3A4-17&version=NRSV;CEB;MSG

IV.
Notice how Jesus speaks of “abiding” –

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:4-11)

V.
If someone asked you to name 8 ways or means you “abide” in Jesus how would you answer?

My suspicion is the first three things people might say would be, “Read the Bible, pray, go to church …”

Does that sound about right to you?

VI.
Notice how this is translated in the Common English Bible,

Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

… and in The Message,

Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you.

VII.
Let’s describe 5 ways we can “abide in” Jesus without repeating the three I mentioned above. What 5 ways do you think of?

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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