The Abiding Lesson Six — E.A. Johnston

The Union Between Christ and His Church

In lesson six of the abiding in this session today friends We will look at the aspect of the union between Christ and his church. In verse 6 of chapter 15 we read 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. Here we see some descriptions of backsliders and castaways. This message friends is a very serious message on the state of the church and our relation to it and our responsibilities to the body of Christ.

The whole teaching of the abiding life is another way to describe the body of Christ and all its branches of activity. Some have the gifts of hospitality. Some are pastors some teachers. Some are hands and some are feet, but we each are part of the body of Christ.

Which is the church. The union between Christ and his church is a very tender one. For there comes a future day of the marriage supper of the Lamb. Where all the saints are gathered together to enjoy him forever in the meantime.

Gospel Witness and the Mission of the Church

To those of us who are still in this world We must be busy in the spread of the gospel for the sake of souls and the glory of God. If we are saved individuals, then. The salvation of others should be our driving passion.

We should be doing all we can to tell others about the one who came down here. So we can go up there. Christ Jesus hung naked on a Scandalous cross as a substitute for sin. He held nothing back from Calvary.

So we could have life. How can we? Hold anything back from him with our life. What are we doing with our lives for him if we really believe in this? Principle of the abiding. Then why are we abiding in him?

Is it just for selfish reasons or we? Abiding in him to see soul saved or we abiding in him in a hope of just smuggling our own souls to heaven. Our text makes mention of withered branches and the danger the lion of being gathered for the fire.

The Danger of Spiritual Backsliding

A withered branch represents the backslider and heart. Who was filled with his own ways? I wonder how many in our? congregations Across our land fall into the category of a backslider. I wonder how many deacons and elders are more full of the world than the Holy Spirit.

I wonder how many pastors right now are out of step with God at this very moment. I'll never forget the story about Duncan Campbell who at the time was a busy pastor in a church in the Highlands of Scotland.

He was upstairs one morning in his study preparing a sermon for a upcoming convention of ministers. And he heard his singing Taking place downstairs in the parlor. It was his 16 year old daughter happily singing a hymn.

He went downstairs to listen to her. He asked her Lassie what is there to sing about so early in the morning at six o 'clock? She came over and sat in his lap and exclaimed. Oh Daddy, I have just spent an hour with Jesus.

Isn't Jesus wonderful daddy. Duncan Campbell felt like a knife had stabbed him in his heart. He slowly walked back up the stairs admitting to himself that Jesus wasn't wonderful to him at this particular moment in his life.

He had to come to grips with his own backslidden condition where his love for Christ had been flickering down. Ministry had become a mere routine. He was dutiful, but the flame had practically gone out.

After that incident in his life He resigned the pastorate went back into the mission field and soon He was in the midst of what later became known as the Lewis revival in the Scottish Hebrides. Where was said that the whole island was saturated with the presence of God?

But first Duncan Campbell had a Reconnect to the true vine and abide in a love relationship With his master before God could use him in revival. The withered branch is no use to anybody but itself and it lies in danger of apostasy.

Abiding in Christ as the Source of Spiritual Fruitfulness

Look at Demas how he left the Apostle Paul for the world. This union between Christ and his church is a vital union between the branches and the vine apart from him. We can do nothing nothing of any eternal worth and what has more eternal worth than a soul.

A Church is only a composite of its members. If the members are Vitally connected to the vine in a red-hot love relationship with him then they will have on their heart What is on God's heart which are the souls of man?

That church will have authority and influence in their community for the sake of souls and the glory of God. They will be reaching that community for Christ. If the church is Mainly comprised of members who are in a backslidden Self-seeking state then that church will not function as it should as the body of Christ.

Everything is out of whack. The abiding comes with the responsibility to be gospel witnesses to the lost around us. If we are not sharing the gospel and Reaching the loss then our Priorities are out of place and it's an indictment against us as proof that we are not abiding in the vine as we should for if we were Then eternity would be our driving force and seeing souls brought to Christ as our Motivating factor.

Continuing in Christ's Love

I believe the abiding comes down to love. Jesus said as the father hath loved me. So if I loved you Continue ye in my love. To abide in him Means to continue in his love. How's your love life friend? Are you continuing in your sweetheart love for Jesus if you are?

Then you will also Love the souls of men and do all you can to reach the loss with the spread of the gospel. A Withered branch lies in great danger. The Apostle Paul Felt very deeply about this aspect of the Christian life and he gives us a warning found in 1st Corinthians 927.

But I keep my body under and bring it into subjection. Lest that by any means when I have preached to others myself Should be a castaway. That word castaway in the Greek is the word of Doc Emo's and it means unapproved rejected worthless like a withered branch.

Spiritual Warfare and Returning to Intimacy with Christ

The Christian life is a battleground where our enemies are the world the flesh and the devil. They're real opponents. We must stay on guard be dressed in the armor of God From Ephesians chapter 6. And we must stay connected to Jesus Christ the genuine vine.

To have power over sin and to live above the world. But to have the abiding power of the Spirit as a reality in our life. We must be absolutely sure we are connected Truly connected to the vine in a vital union with Christ Jesus.

If your walk with God friend has been more of a withering one than an abiding one It's time to repent and get back into the reality of a close intimacy with Jesus again. Even the best of men have struggled with this through the centuries.

There was a time in the life of Martin Luther where all hell was coming against him as Papal Rome was bearing down hard upon him and persecution and threats and Luther's wife looked at him one day and said you look as if God is dead.

Even Luther had a rise from his withering position and get back into vital communion with his Lord. The abiding is a supernatural walk with God a walk in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Tap into the genuine vine and stay connected to him.

Abiding Power for Gospel Proclamation

For it is through the abiding that the gospel spreads its influence across the globe. It is through the abiding that the gospel has power. Remember that word Terry as described by the Greek word Menno.

Listen to Christ's reference to it in his instructions to his men and all who follow him regarding the Great Commission as recorded in Luke 24 in verse 49 49. And behold, I send the promise of my father upon you.

But Terry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high. The abiding both keeps us from a withering condition and it endues us with power from on high to proclaim the gospel for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.

Let us keep these things in mind friend as we take this time for our session of prayer.