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John Brown – What Is The Abiding Life?John 15:1-11, Acts 17:24-25, Mark 10: 42-45, Isaiah 46: 1-4, Psalm 50: 12 – 15, Psalm 116: 8-14. I’ll have to admit that following John’s sermon today was not easy. You really had to be there. If you missed it, let me urge you to view it on the web as soon as it’s available. It’s not long, but is full of great stuff that you and your group members need to know. John begins by remind us of some things that are truth in the Word that we need to hear. The peace that He gives cannot be disturbed. All of us have been deceived before by the John Browns of the world. They have trained you to listen to them rather than teaching you to hear what the Father is saying. The safe ground for any teaching is Him. In the very end, He will even join the deceiving. Our security cannot rest in the teaching of men, even if it is the truth. In the 1800’s the teaching of Dispensationalism began. It put Jesus’ teaching under the Law and was only meant for Israel. (National Israel has never been in Christ.)What the disciples heard Jesus say in Matthew 28:19 was to go to the Jews in the world. The error of Dispensationalism is that the message of Jesus was only for Israel and not for us. All of what Jesus taught is for us. This Gospel of the kingdom is for us, now! In verses 1 – 5 John asks some questions and makes some statements: How can a branch be in the vine and not abiding? A branch does not choose to leave the vine. (The vine actually is the one that cuts off life from the unhealthy branch.) The ultimate issue is fruit. It’s not about us (branches). The fruit is not for us (branches). The fruit is for others. The Father is only glorified by fruit, not by pretty leaves. (Cheap grace gives a gospel that doesn’t need to produce fruit.) What is the Abiding Life? In verses 6 – 11: Vv 6 – 7 – The abiding life receives the words of Christ. Ask the Father for the Word and we shall have it. V 8 – The Father is glorified in the fruit that is produced by our asking Him for it. V 9 -- We will love what He loves V 10 -- When we abide in Him, we keep His commandments. Acts 17:24 – 25 Our God is not served by human hands Mark 10:42 – 45 Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. Isaiah 46:1 – 4 The Father is a God who serves. We can’t do anything or Him. He needs nothing. Psalm 50:12 – 15 The Father owns it all. It is He that rescues us, not the other way around. Psalm 116: 8 – 14 Like little Oliver we ask, “I want some more, please. I want some more!” We lift up our cup for Him to fill. We just want more Lord, more!