Final Orders
Pt. 3: Staying In Jesus
Louie Marsh, 8-2-2026
Intro – August special days
1) I must REMAIN in Christ
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:1-4 (ESV)
- Clean – Katharos= “free from impure mixtures…spotless, pure.” As believers we start the Christian life cleaned up!
- Abide-Meno= “to remain in the state of being where you started, also carries the ideas of enduring and of intimate fellowship. Used 118 times in the NT: 1 Cor.13:13; 2 Tim. 2:13.
Example – building a house of cards! Bryan Berg, holds the Guinness record with a 127-story, 24-foot-high house of cards. SHOW PICTURE!
Abiding in Christ is the KEY to living like He lived. Only then can you bear fruit, only then can the Spirit (sap) flow through you. A lack of fruit may indicate a lack of abiding.
Abiding Means:
1) I’m totally DEPENDENT on Christ.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. John 15:5 (Mes)
Obviously speaking of spiritual things. This really throws us back on Grace. You can’t do anything for God – to impress Him. Only His Spirit working through you will get the job done!
2) I show my connection to Christ through GOOD WORKS.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:7-8 (ESV)
We don’t work to be saved, approved, accepted, forgiven, etc. We work to give God Glory!!
When We do this proves we’re disciples!
DISCIPLES ARE FOCUSED AND NEARLY OBSESSED WITH GOD’S GLORY!
3) I understand that OBEDIENCE brings joy!
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:10-11 (ESV)
If you want the joy of the Lord, you’ve go to DO what he says! In effect we obey not just because it’s right, but also because we know there’s a payoff down the road – pure, blissful JOY!
4) I Love SACRIFICIALLY
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13 (ESV)
24 But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 1 Chronicles 21:24 (ESV)
Sacrifice must cost something or it isn’t sacrifice! That’s true in every area of life!
5) I pray with CONFIDENCE!
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16 (ESV)
No, this doesn’t mean that God will do anything and everything I ask. There’s no way He’s turning over the running of the universe to me, you or anyone else! So why does Jesus keep saying, anything?
A verse not on your outline helps!
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14 (ESV)
There are 2 keys here –
- The more closely I abide in Christ, the more Christ centered and in God’s will my prayers will be – so I can pray with confidence!
- When I do pray wrong I don’t have to worry, God won’t do anything outside His perfect will – so I can relax and let it all hang out when I do pray! Because I’m confident that my Father loves me and won’t ever do anything improper no matter who asks Him!
6) I make Jesus a TRUE friend
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. John 15:14-15 (ESV)
Last week we talked about our special relationship with Christ – this week we see it more clearly. We are to be friends with the Son of God! If that doesn’t blow your mind, you aren’t paying attention!
- Do I spend enough time with my friend Jesus?
- How honest am I with Him?
- How much do I do for Him?
- Does the way I prioritize my time, talent & treasure reflect this friendship with Christ?
11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:11 (ESV)
It all starts by giving my life to Christ and making Him my Forgiver and Leader
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