“ABIDING”, THE CORE OF A
CHRIST-CENTERED MARRIAGE
John 15:1-11
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. The command that precedes all the “impossible”
marriage commands: (Eph. 5:18b) (See also Ps. 127:1;
Phil. 2:13; 4:13)
1. Defining being “filled with the Spirit”: “The command
means to be constantly ‘controlled by’ the Holy Spirit in
your mind, emotions, and will. Paul explains that this same
means to allow the Word of Christ to dwell (taking it in
daily and obeying His instructions promptly and
completely, moment by moment) in you richly.” (Col. 3:16)
2. “Quenching (grieving) the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 4:30; I
Thes. 5:19) . cuts off the spiritual nourishment that alone
satisfies are heart’s deep seeded longings in any
relationship. We therefore strive to be filled by other
sources, since we lack the where-with-all to fill these
empty longings in ourselves. (work, relationships,
accomplishment, etc.) (Compare Jn. 6:27,35 with Jer. 2:13)
B. “Abiding”, the commentary for being filed by the Holy
Spirit: vv. 1-11
1. Defining the word: “Remaining in fellowship with
Christ by measuring my thoughts and actions against His
Word and immediately confessing those areas that “miss
the mark” to first of all, others and ultimately to Him, so
that my life is clean continually before Him
throughout each day. It is for believers only.”
2. The fruitfulness of abiding: “The character of Jesus
Christ put on display (Gal. 5:22-23) in my relationships
with other believers and a lifestyle that makes Him known
to others who are lost, being reproduced in my life on an
ongoing basis (Jn. 15:16).
3. The goal is abiding and not fruitfulness, since
fruitfulness is the natural result of abiding: v. 2 (the word
used 10 times in 11 verses)
C. Abiding illustrated in relationships with a helpful
barometer: (See back)
II. “ABIDING” UNPACKAGED AND ILLUSTRATED: vv. 1-11
A. The responsibility of the nourishing vine, Christ:vv. 4,5, 9
1. The fruit of the Spirit in relationships rather than the
fruit of the flesh: v. 8a (Compare Gal. 5:15-17 with
5:22-23)
2. The fruit of leading others to Christ: v. 8a (Jn. 15:16)
3. To love each branch: v. 9 (Rom. 5:8)
B. The responsibility of a potentially fruit producing branch, the
believer: vv. 2, 4-5, 7
1. Confession “abiding in me” and the promised results – no
confession, no growth: v. 7 (See barometer)
“Our debt to Christ is enormous, and His forgiveness is extravagant.
In light of this, Christ allows no excuse for refusing to seek or
withhold forgiveness from others.”
- Daily taking in God’s richly “My words abiding in you” – no
nourishment, no growth: v. 7 (I Pet. 2:2)
a. The preaching of the Word: (Acts 2:46; Heb. 10:25)
b. The daily study of God’s Word – daily family alters:
(II Tim. 2:15)
c. The memorizing of God’s Word: (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2) - Prompt obedience to God’s Word in spite of potential
consequences – and the ultimate results: vv. 10-11
C. The responsibility of the pruning Gardener, the
Heavenly Father: vv. 1-2
1. The painful and ugly act of pruning at the right time,
in the right way:
2. The nourishment restored and the branch’s response
– much fruit: v. 8
- Vines that reject the pruning – broken relationships:
v. 6 (I Cor. 11:30-31)
5.
III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in practice)
A. Examine the fruitfulness of your (marriage) relationship
in light of how many years you have been saved.
(I Cor. 3:1-4; Heb. 5:11-14)
B. The man (Josh. 24:15; Deut. 6:1-9) must make the choice
to embrace both halves of the “abiding core” of a family
while the wife is faced with the choice to embrace and
follow through, with this “abiding core”. (Pro. 14:1)
(the priority of not being unequally yoked with an
unbeliever)
C. Identify and address today the faulty “cisterns” you are
depending upon, to come through for you, and embrace
the all-inclusive satisfying “water of life”. (mate, friends,
children, career, wealth, ministry, sports etc.) (Mt. 6:35;
Rev. 22:17)
Sinners Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I was made by you and I was made for you, but
I have been living for myself. I am sorry for that self-rule you call sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ being my creator God, died, was buried,
and rose again to pay the insurmountable debt that my sin has
created since birth. So right now, I am turning from a life of going my
own way, to by faith, place my trust in Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of
all my sin, and to get me to heaven, when I breath my last breath.
Lord Jesus, from today on, I am yours. Thanks for saving me, this
very moment, in Jesus name, Amen.
If you just made this life changing decision, we would love to draw
along side and help you grow now in Christ. Call Grace Bible Church
at (509) 684-5936. If get an answering service, we will promptly get
back with you as soon as possible. You can also connect with us on
Facebook. Once again, share this worship service now with all your
loved ones on Facebook to give the good news of the gospel to those
who might have hesitated to visit this local church or with those who
live miles away.