The
Christian life includes a one-time faith decision to trust Christ and receive
Him as your Savior. But there’s
more. The Christian life also includes
acceptance of and belief in Biblical truths.
But there’s more. In the Bible
the Christian life is defined as more than a one-time decision and adherence to
doctrinal truths. John tells us that
abiding in the life and love of Christ, as a branch is nourished and
strengthened by the vine, is the essence of the Christian life.
Abiding
in Christ means thinking about him, resting in him, trusting in him, relying on
him. Abiding in Christ means considering
him, considering him deeply, considering him personally. We can’t do that in a hurry. It’s can’t be something we squeeze into our
busy routines. It can’t be something we
do when we’ve nothing else to do.
Before you
come to church Sunday, let me encourage you to take time to read John 15. If we understand and apply Jesus’
words correctly, it will turn our priorities upside-down. Most of us are preoccupied with our
performance as Christians, rather than being occupied with the person of
Christ. We are more interested in the
results we achieve than in simply resting in Him—abiding in Him. We want His power, but ignore His person. Abiding in Christ focuses on Him as the source
of our life and strength, but we frequently rush past the person of Christ to working
for and seeking the fruit of our union with Him.
Worship
is one primary way we abide in Christ.
It is one of the ways we demonstrate our love for Him. It is one of the ways we demonstrate our love
for each other as Christ commands.
Notice what Jesus says in John 15: 26-27: But
when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of
truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you
also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
One of the unique blessings of Christ in
establishing his New Covenant with us is this gift of the Holy Spirit to those
who are in Christ—to those who have belong to him by faith. The Holy Spirit is sent to us by Jesus. The Holy Spirit is sent to us from the
Father. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of
Truth. The Holy Spirit bears witness to
Jesus. When we understand who the Spirit
is and what He has been sent to do, we will have a better understanding of
worship. We will be how essential
worship is to our spiritual growth, to our joy, to our ongoing relationship
with Christ. It is the Spirit who opens
our mind and heart understand and know the truth of God’s Word. It is the Spirit who opens our eyes to see
Jesus and perceive His glory. Without
the Holy Spirit we cannot worship.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to do His work in your
life. Pray for the Holy Spirit to
prepare you and help you to worship.
In this week’s passage we will also hear Jesus say,
“No longer do I call you servants, for
the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you
friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to
you.” (Jn 15:15) As a part of our worship we will sing “What
a friend We Have in Jesus”. Irish born
Joseph M. Scriven (1819-1896) was 25 years old, in love and to be married. The day before his wedding his fiancé died in
a tragic drowning accident. Heartbroken, Joseph sailed from his homeland to
start a new life in Canada. While in
Canada working as a teacher, he fell in love again and became engaged to Eliza
Roche, a relative of one of his students. Once again, Joseph's hopes and dreams
were shattered when Eliza became ill and died of pneumonia before the wedding
could take place.
Music historians tell us that Scriven’s faith in
God sustained him. He trusted Jesus and
took Him at His Word. Scriven took the
command of John 15:12 seriously. Soon
after Eliza's death, Joseph Scriven joined the Plymouth Brethren and began
preaching for a Baptist church. He never
married, but spent the remainder of his life serving others and giving all his
time, money and even the clothes off his own back to help the less fortunate
and to spread the love and compassion of Jesus wherever he went.
Around the same time that Eliza died, Joseph
received word from Ireland that his mother was ill. He could not go to be with
her, so he wrote a letter of comfort and enclosed one of his poems entitled What
a Friend We Have in Jesus. That poem was later published and became one
of the Church’s favorite hymns. (iiographical
Information from Then Sings My Soul, 150 0f the World’s Greatest Hymn
Stories)
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.
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