ABIDING IN THE BIBLE TEXT: John 15:4-8 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples Tunzo T Mnzava

The facts about ABIDING are ABIDING IN THE BIBLE ABIDING literally tells us about Dwelling in… Staying in place Remaining in sphere Continuing in intimate fellowship with … The facts about ABIDING are Abiding is GOD’S APPOINTMENT Abiding is an INDIVIDUAL’S DECISION Tunzo T Mnzava

5-FACETS OF CHRISTIAN ABIDING ABIDING IN GOD: Confessing Jesus and abiding in love! “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” 1John 4:15 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” 1John 4:16 Tunzo T Mnzava

5-FACETS OF CHRISTIAN ABIDING 2. ABIDING IN CHRIST – Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking Jesus’ blood “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him” John 6:56 3. ABIDING IN HIS WORD – Discipleship is the result of abiding in Jesus’ word “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” John 8:31 (also 2John 1:9) Tunzo T Mnzava

5-FACETS OF CHRISTIAN ABIDING 4. ABIDING IN HIS LOVE “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love” John 15:10 5. ABIDING IN THE LIGHT – This is possible if we love the brethren: “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him” 1John 2:10) Tunzo T Mnzava

ABIDING TRIGGERS BEARING FRUITS AND NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND In John 15, John talks about ABIDING – ALMOST NINE (9) TIMES Only ONCE (1) he is saying that we are chosen and appointed to bear fruits that will remain/endure!! V. 16 TWICE (2) he is emphasizing that fruit bearing is impossible WITHOUT ABIDING! V.4,5 Tunzo T Mnzava

ABIDING TRIGGERS BEARING FRUITS AND NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND The Bible says that our abiding will naturally result into BEARING FRUIT – and our bearing fruit will result into Our Heaven Father been glorified – V8 Ourselves been made into Jesus’ true disciples – V8 b. CHANGE IN OUR PRAYER-LIFE ! – Sure answers – “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” – V7 Tunzo T Mnzava

WE ARE EXHORTED TO ABIDE TEXT: 1John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked Tunzo T Mnzava

FALSE CLAIMS OF ABIDING He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him - 1John2:4 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked – 1John 2:6 How did he walk? Total obedience to God “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” – John 15:14 Humbleness “he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” – Phi 2:8 Loving – even loving enemies - …. And much more Tunzo T Mnzava

ABIDING TRIGGERS LOVE! He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes – 1John2:10-11 THE ACID TESTS OF ABIDING IN THE LIGHT How much do we really love the brethren? Love is manifest in hatred The presence / absence of stumbling on the way!! Are you still on the way of you have backslidden miles away in your secret ways? “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” – 1John 4:13. Tunzo T Mnzava

ABIDING TRIGGERS CHRISTIAN NORMAL LIVING! LIFE OF CONFESSING that Jesus is the Son of God and our Lord!! – 1John 4:15 Do you still believe that Jesus is the Son of God and your savior? Really? By word? By action? In public and in private? 2. Remaining in those Simple doctrines of the Bible that saved you!! “24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” – 1John 2:24-25 Tunzo T Mnzava

ABIDING ASSURES THAT OUR FUTURE IS SECURE! We shall have confidence to face him! “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” – 1John 2:28 “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” – Dan 12:2 Tunzo T Mnzava