“Encountering Jesus: Learning to Abide – Part II”
Speaker: John J Roberts
Series: Encountering Jesus – Part II
Date: March 3, 2024
Text: John 15:1-17
Introduction
A – Allow Access
B – Be still, Be present
I – Invitation
D – Dialog
E – Expectation
Jesus, going with us into every part of our day, is his idea! Not Ours
Matthew 28:19, 20
I – Invitation: Abiding looks like invitation.
John 14:18-20, 25-27
The Intentional Invitation.
The Prayer of Intention
Adapted from the work of John Coe, and Kyle Strobel, Talbot School of Theology.
The idea here is to take 3 to 4 minutes as soon as you come awake in the morning.
Prayer of Honesty: Matthew 6:21
Prayer of Intention: “Lord, what is going on in my heart right now with You, with others, with my life, my situations? Search me, O God, and know my heart. Open my heart to you today in truth, lest I deceive myself.” (Confess any idolatry)
Prayer of Presenting Oneself: Romans 12:1-2
Prayer of Intention: “Lord, I am here, I present myself and my will to you as my act of worship. Here I am.”
Prayer of Identity: I John 3:1, 4:10
Prayer of Intention: “Lord at the core of my soul, I am not just a warrior or one who wants to control or be successful this day. God, whatever I do today, I want to do this in you. I don’t want to do this alone, in my own power or as a way to hide and cover. I don’t want to find my identity in anything but Christ. I am in Christ, I am the beloved, and that is my true identity.” (Confess any idolatry of the self, seeking my salvation in some role, identity, competency apart from the love of Christ.) forgiven, fully accepted in his love. Whatever I do today I want to do it with and in him. That is my true identity. And when I fail in this, remind me again, oh, God, that I am ever your beloved.”
Prayer of Concerns: Philippians 4:6-7
Prayer of Intention: “Lord, here is what is on my soul… Take them, they are yours. Lord, I am yours. Help me to be with you in these things. Help me abide in you here, and all that this Stay holds. I want to be faithful to you and all that you call me into. Here I am. And here are my concerns. Amen.”
Build routine pauses into your day…
Conclusion
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
-St. Patrick’s Prayer, Shorter Version
Questions for Reflection:
1. Are there areas of your life that you are purposefully leaving Christ out of? If so, why?
2. Can you recognize some areas in which you are unintentionally leaving Christ out of parts of your day? Or aspects of your life?
3. What is one practice that you will try and incorporate into your day in the coming week?
Project for the coming Week:
1. Spend time in reflection on John 15:1-17. Read it daily. Write it out at least once. Read it aloud each day.
2. What do you notice about it?
3. What are the longings that it inspires in you?
