abide_just_as_you

Just As You Came To Him -- By Faith

Adapted from the writings of Andrew Murray

A Goodsoil Discipleship Lesson - Bro. A. Madonio

Lesson Introduction

What this lesson teaches:

* This lesson should remind us of why we came to Jesus. It should be a memory aid of our "newfound faith" that causes us to live it again - EVERYDAY!

* The grace of God comes down the pipeline of faith.

* We can truly "Abide In Him" - when we realize it takes the same faith we were saved with! It can be done - again! It is always available for us to rely upon!

Scripture references used:

* Colossians 2:6-7, Hebrews 10:38, Matthew 17:20, John 8:32, Matthew 7:11, 2 Timothy 4:7

Other scripture that may be helpful:

* Job 19:25-27, Psalm 27:4, Acts 4:12-13, Romans 3:22, 1 Timothy 6:12, Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 3:14-19, Hebrews 11, Luke 7:9,

Discussion questions for study:

1. Did you read this lesson in preparation for this week's discussion?

2. Colossians 2:6 says; "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him." What does this "continue" part mean to you? Continue in what?

3. Can you come to KNOW Jesus as Lord (not just intellectually) without faith (Read Romans 10:8-9 and Hebrews 11:6)? Can you live as a child of God without faith? Can you expect to receive the grace of God without faith (Read Ephesians 2:8)?

4. For many people, coming to Christ is the single largest hurdle that they will overcome in their lives. When times get tough as a believer, we need to look back at the faith that decision took and draw strength from that knowledge.

5. A life of GRACE is really only a life of FAITH - TRUE or FALSE? (Read Acts 18:27, Romans 11:5-6, and Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9).

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as lord, continue to live in Him,

rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,

and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Would you agree that, at least in part, we all came to Jesus in faith?

Yes or No (circle one)

Why do some Christians fall away from Jesus - backslide? There are many reasons, but all of them can be traced back to a loss of faith. Remember this: We needed faith to first come to Christ & we need continued faith to "remain in Him", or to "abide in Him".
Many good Christians forget this!

* They know they are "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1 & Galatians 3:24).

* But! They have forgotten the larger truth, which is that "the just shall live by faith"
(Hebrews 10:38).

A life of grace is really only a life of faith.

The one daily & unending duty we have as disciples

Much of the strength of our faith to believe comes by simply remembering Paul's admonition:

". . . just as you received Christ Jesus, continue to live in him"

It is vital that you never forget the feelings, thoughts, attitudes and desires you first had when you knew you really needed Jesus as your savior. Remember them? Most likely they were:

These difficulties were like mountains in your path -- at the time. But think: How were they finally removed?

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,

you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there'

and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Mountains are removed by the word of God and by faith!

You were not deceived or fooled. You found truth, and it set you free!

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Use: That same knowledge of faith to come and "abide with Him" everyday!

Egad! Do they seem worse -- those sins you have committed since you became a Christian?

You may be saying, "I know myself too well. It's no use. I shouldn't set myself up for disappointment. I could never completely 'abide in Him'. I'm just too 'dirty' and 'unworthy'."

NO! Just think! If you could merely remember the time when you first came to Jesus; remember how you were led, against all odds and against the screaming of your own fleshly feelings? Use your memories to increase your faith!

* You took Jesus at his word - and you were not disappointed!!

* Turn on the ol' brain for this one: He did this for you when you were a stranger and He didn't even know you. So think -- now that you are His own, won't He even more so fulfill His promises to you?

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

By faith (define it again: ), you first experienced God's initial grace (define "grace": ). By that same faith, you can enjoy the continuous grace of "abiding in Him".

What is it exactly that you have to believe anyway?

1. Believe Jesus when He says, "I am the vine". Do not think so much of yourself as a branch, or of abiding with Him as your duty, rather, fill your soul with the faith & understanding of what Christ the vine is & does.

A soul filled with large thoughts of the vine (what are "large thoughts"? - define what this means to you) will be a strong & fruitful branch.

2. Know this: you are His branch -- you are in Him. Realizing this and feeling this makes living in Him - "abiding in Him" so simple. Eventually you will realize the wonderful feeling of, "I am in Him". All Jesus needs is your acceptance to be what He has made you to be; to remain where He has placed you in Christ!

Remember: Jesus' love has prepared a home for you within Himself.

Take note: All this talk in this lesson of "abiding in him", of "filling your soul", of thinking of Jesus as a "vine" & you as a "branch" - all these concepts are descriptions of things at a spiritual level. Of course, if someone performed surgery on you and looked inside, nobody would see a "soul" (or a sole or a haddock or sturgeon or a Spurgeon even!) or an apartment for Jesus or the Holy Spirit to live in.

These things do occur in a spiritual realm, and this spiritual realm is not a place to be ignored! It is real! It can and does affect you! It is the realm where we will spend eternity, and so in that sense, it is more real than this "temporary" physical realm we see today.

This spiritual realm is also where the spiritual warfare takes place, with the prize being the souls of people. Some of you have even seen the affects or results of spiritual warfare in your lives or in the lives of someone you know. Please understand this: Things that happen in the spiritual realm cause things to also happen in our earthly realm. Draw on the spiritual power that is available in a relationship with Jesus -- this gives legitimacy to calling on His mighty name, and you can win battles for our Lord!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

All it takes is faith!

Abide in Him & you're on the way!




		Abide In Jesus Just As You Came To Him -- By Faith Adapted from the writings of Andrew Murray A Goodsoil Discipleship Lesson - Bro. A. Madonio




Lesson Introduction What this lesson teaches: * This lesson should remind us of why we came to Jesus. It should be a memory aid of our "newfound faith" that causes us to live it again - EVERYDAY! * The grace of God comes down the pipeline of faith. * We can truly "Abide In Him" - when we realize it takes the same faith we were saved with! It can be done - again! It is always available for us to rely upon! Scripture references used: * Colossians 2:6-7, Hebrews 10:38, Matthew 17:20, John 8:32, Matthew 7:11, 2 Timothy 4:7 Other scripture that may be helpful: * Job 19:25-27, Psalm 27:4, Acts 4:12-13, Romans 3:22, 1 Timothy 6:12, Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 3:14-19, Hebrews 11, Luke 7:9, Discussion questions for study: 1. Did you read this lesson in preparation for this week's discussion? 2. Colossians 2:6 says; "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him." What does this "continue" part mean to you? Continue in what? 3. Can you come to KNOW Jesus as Lord (not just intellectually) without faith (Read Romans 10:8-9 and Hebrews 11:6)? Can you live as a child of God without faith? Can you expect to receive the grace of God without faith (Read Ephesians 2:8)? 4. For many people, coming to Christ is the single largest hurdle that they will overcome in their lives. When times get tough as a believer, we need to look back at the faith that decision took and draw strength from that knowledge. 5. A life of GRACE is really only a life of FAITH - TRUE or FALSE? (Read Acts 18:27, Romans 11:5-6, and Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9).



So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 Define "faith": Would you agree that, at least in part, we all came to Jesus in faith? Yes or No (circle one) Why do some Christians fall away from Jesus - backslide? There are many reasons, but all of them can be traced back to a loss of faith. Remember this: We needed faith to first come to Christ & we need continued faith to "remain in Him", or to "abide in Him". Many good Christians forget this! * They know they are "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1 & Galatians 3:24). * But! They have forgotten the larger truth, which is that "the just shall live by faith" (Hebrews 10:38). A life of grace is really only a life of faith. The one daily & unending duty we have as disciples is to believe! Much of the strength of our faith to believe comes by simply remembering Paul's admonition: ". . . just as you received Christ Jesus, continue to live in him" Colossians 2:6 It is vital that you never forget the feelings, thoughts, attitudes and desires you first had when you knew you really needed Jesus as your savior. Remember them? Most likely they were: * Dirtiness * Guilt * Sinfulness * Weakness * Powerless * Pridefulness These difficulties were like mountains in your path -- at the time. But think: How were they finally removed? "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 Mountains are removed by the word of God and by faith! You were not deceived or fooled. You found truth, and it set you free! "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 Use: That same knowledge of faith to come and "abide with Him" everyday! Egad! Do they seem worse -- those sins you have committed since you became a Christian? You may be saying, "I know myself too well. It's no use. I shouldn't set myself up for disappointment. I could never completely 'abide in Him'. I'm just too 'dirty' and 'unworthy'." NO! Just think! If you could merely remember the time when you first came to Jesus; remember how you were led, against all odds and against the screaming of your own fleshly feelings? Use your memories to increase your faith! * You took Jesus at his word - and you were not disappointed!! * Turn on the ol' brain for this one: He did this for you when you were a stranger and He didn't even know you. So think -- now that you are His own, won't He even more so fulfill His promises to you? YES YES YES YES YES YES YES If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11 By faith (define it again: ), you first experienced God's initial grace (define "grace": ). By that same faith, you can enjoy the continuous grace of "abiding in Him". Review: What is it exactly that you have to believe anyway? 1. Believe Jesus when He says, "I am the vine". Do not think so much of yourself as a branch, or of abiding with Him as your duty, rather, fill your soul with the faith & understanding of what Christ the vine is & does. A soul filled with large thoughts of the vine (what are "large thoughts"? - define what this means to you) will be a strong & fruitful branch. 2. Know this: you are His branch -- you are in Him. Realizing this and feeling this makes living in Him - "abiding in Him" so simple. Eventually you will realize the wonderful feeling of, "I am in Him". All Jesus needs is your acceptance to be what He has made you to be; to remain where He has placed you in Christ! Remember: Jesus' love has prepared a home for you within Himself. Take note: All this talk in this lesson of "abiding in him", of "filling your soul", of thinking of Jesus as a "vine" & you as a "branch" - all these concepts are descriptions of things at a spiritual level. Of course, if someone performed surgery on you and looked inside, nobody would see a "soul" (or a sole or a haddock or sturgeon or a Spurgeon even!) or an apartment for Jesus or the Holy Spirit to live in. These things do occur in a spiritual realm, and this spiritual realm is not a place to be ignored! It is real! It can and does affect you! It is the realm where we will spend eternity, and so in that sense, it is more real than this "temporary" physical realm we see today. This spiritual realm is also where the spiritual warfare takes place, with the prize being the souls of people. Some of you have even seen the affects or results of spiritual warfare in your lives or in the lives of someone you know. Please understand this: Things that happen in the spiritual realm cause things to also happen in our earthly realm. Draw on the spiritual power that is available in a relationship with Jesus -- this gives legitimacy to calling on His mighty name, and you can win battles for our Lord! I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 timothy 4:7 All it takes is faith! Abide in Him & you're on the way!

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