Today’s message summary of August 12, 2018 from Pastor Gus Brown:
How many people are able to stay in one position and be happy? Not many, but consider what it is to be fixed in Jesus Christ all day long?
How many of you can truly see Jesus Christ working in your life? Are you fixed in Him?
Being fixed in Jesus is self-taught. You have to learn how to be fixed and satisfied in Him; otherwise, you will be on the move constantly.
When you are not satisfied with your position in life, you will move in and out of relationships, friendships, work, marriages, houses, and so on. You are looking for something to hold on to that will bring contentment, security, and set forth a future for you.
Not being fixed in Jesus will only see Him as the One who provides salvation—it is indeed salvation from hell, but living the rest of your life in your way, under your rules, without Jesus or church interfering in your life.
Salvation is not the end…it is just the beginning. It is now time to learn what it means to be saved. Salvation can be described as obtaining the job that you were going after. Now that you have the job, there is still an expectation of performance with the employer. So it is with life as a believer in Jesus Christ. Now that you are saved, what is next?
The Holy Spirit was given for a reason. It was given to help the believer to live in the image of God before others.
An author summarizes John 15:1-8 in three words.
- Union (with Jesus)
- Communion (with fellow believers)
- Disunion (a separation from the world and the lifestyle of the world)
The first two points represent what people walk away from, and the third point is when people accept Jesus and never leave.
In the study of the vine and the branches we can see these points.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Jesus tells us our position in this relationship.
You are the branch.
Your purpose is to be fruitful.
He gives a reminder in John 15:5.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”
When people can see the evidence of God’s goodness in your life–bearing the right fruit–they will want to “pick” that fruit and be around you.
Because you can think and reason, you may believe that you can set our own course in life. The important part of this is knowing if that course involves Jesus Christ. Without Him, your course may lead you away from Him. This is why the words “abide” (KJV) and “remain” (NIV) are paramount. If you don’t remain in Jesus and His Word, you are believing/following the wrong things. (You can’t be a fruitful Christian without knowledge of the Word of God.)
Ephesians 4:27
…and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
Matthew 13:37-39
He replied: “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; and the good seed–these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.”
God’s Word must be fixed in your life in order to be fruitful. It is your choice to be fixed and to be present.
There are two types of branches: fruitful and unfruitful.
To be unfruitful represents the withering away of one’s Christian life. It represents what happens to a branch when it is separated from the vine. It may be away from the vine and look OK for a while, but over time, it withers.
Eventually, the branch becomes worthless and is ready for the fire. This is a picture of what it is like to be separated from God.
Take Simon’s name in this next passage and substitute it for your own:
Luke 22:31-32
“Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
Ephesians 6:16
In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
It is important for you to be alert to the things that Satan can and will attempt to do that will lead you away from Jesus.
If you remain in me:
- Ask Him anything.
John 15:7
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.”
- He will reveal His Word, and its truth, to you.
Luke 24:45
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
- He will answer your questions to help you to know how you are to live.
Colossians 3:5, 12
Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 