What Does It Mean To Abide?
Pastor Weston Stutz
September 29, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Welcome: Acknowledge the congregation, check in with them.
Light-hearted humor about age and Christian music (e.g., "Open the Eyes of My Heart").
Recap the journey we've been on:
The series on the Holy Spirit.
Transitioning from our previous study on the Book of John: "This is the Way."
Emphasize how Jesus lived a life driven by the Holy Spirit.
Set the tone for today’s topic:
Emphasize that the Holy Spirit is not just a theological concept but an invitation to experience and be led by God daily.
Jesus as the Model for a Spirit-Filled Life
Jesus lived a life led by the Holy Spirit, showing us the best way to live, not just die.
He didn’t just come for the cross; He came to show us how to live.
Key takeaway: Jesus is not just the best way to die; He’s the best way to live.
Jesus’ Life as an Example
Jesus’ life shows us how to:
Preach, heal, save, build community, and live a full life.
Jesus’ invitation: “Follow Me” — a call to live a Spirit-filled life.
The Holy Spirit: Not Just Information, But Desperation
The essence of this series: “Holy Spirit, come.”
It’s a prayer, not just a concept.
We’ve learned theological truths about the Holy Spirit, but now it's about a desperate desire to be filled.
The Journey of 2024
Personal goal: Being more led by the Spirit.
The creation of an acronym, "ABIDE," as a tool for daily practice.
This tool was first for personal growth, then shared with the staff, and now it’s being shared with everyone.
The Acronym: ABIDE – Practicing the Presence of God
Awareness
Abiding starts with awareness. What do you think about first when you wake up?
Science shows that what we think about first sets the tone for our day.
Biblical Insight: We were created to orbit around God, not the created things (Romans 1:20-25).
Beauty
The importance of recognizing God’s beauty above all else.
Example of Eve: Her downfall began when she became captivated by something other than God’s beauty (Genesis 3:6).
David’s prayer (Psalm 27:4): “One thing I ask… to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.”
Increase
God’s presence and will should increase in our lives as our own desires decrease.
John the Baptist's words: “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Jesus’ example in Gethsemane: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Practical Application: The Remaining Elements of ABIDE
Inquire
After focusing on awareness, beauty, and increase, ask God what He wants you to do today.
Make your requests known, as God cares about your needs.
Decipher
Write down any thoughts, names, or ideas that come to mind during your prayer.
Determine which thoughts are from God by testing if they lead to humility, faith, or generosity.
Engage
Finally, take action. Obedience is the key to hearing more from God.
The Lord's Prayer as a Model of ABIDE
Jesus teaches us to pray in this exact pattern:
Awareness: "Our Father in heaven..."
Beauty: "Hallowed be Your name..."
Increase: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done..."
Inquire: "Give us this day our daily bread..."
Decipher: "Lead us not into temptation..."
Engage: "Forgive us our sins as we forgive others..."
Conclusion: Living a Life Led by the Spirit
Our lives are about remaining connected to God, abiding in Him every day.
Challenge: Spend time in ABIDE daily, allowing God to fill you.
Close with prayer, inviting everyone to consider the areas of their life where they need to decrease so that God may increase.
Biblical References
Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way that seems right to a man, and in the end, it leads to death."
John 5:19: "Very truly, I tell you, the son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the son also does."
John 15:1-5:
“I am the vine; my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing."
Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Ecclesiastes 3:11: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Romans 1:20-25 (Paraphrased): Describes how people exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped created things rather than the Creator.
Genesis 1:31: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."
Genesis 3:6: "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it."
Psalm 27:4: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Romans 12:9: "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
John 3:30: "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Luke 22:42: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Matthew 4:17: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Romans 12:1-2: "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Reflection Questions
How does your daily life reflect being "led by the Holy Spirit" rather than your own ideas or desires? In what areas might you need to surrender more control?
What specific actions can you take to live a life that is "fruitful" and pleasing to God, rather than seeking approval from others?
In moments of decision-making, how often do you ask, "What is God asking me to do?" instead of relying on your own understanding or goals?
Reflect on a time when you followed your own way that seems right but later realized it led to negative consequences. What could have changed if you had sought God’s direction?
Are there any areas in your life where you've been trying to achieve success or fulfillment without relying on God as your source? How can you shift your focus to abide in Him more fully?
Daily Activities
Morning Guidance
Activity: Spend 10 minutes each morning in quiet reflection, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions for the day.
Application: Start your day with a simple prayer, “Holy Spirit, come. Lead me today,” and remain open to His guidance throughout the day.
Surrendering Control
Activity: Identify one area in your life where you've been leading yourself instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
Application: Surrender that area to God in prayer, asking Him to guide you and give you the strength to follow His direction.
Scripture Meditation
Activity: Find a specific Bible verse about the Holy Spirit and meditate on it daily for a week.
Application: Write the verse on a card or your phone, read it multiple times a day, and ask God to make it real in your life.
Recognizing God’s Beauty
Activity: Practice gratitude by listing three things every day that show the beauty of God’s work in your life.
Application: Share one of these moments with someone else, explaining how you see God’s beauty in that experience.
Worship and Listening
Activity: Set aside time to worship God without any distractions, focusing solely on His beauty and presence.
Application: As you worship, ask God to reveal Himself more fully to you, and listen for any guidance He might provide during that time.
