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Staying with Jesus

1 Staying with Jesus (Following Jesus, Part 3)

Following Jesus, Part 3

DISTRACTIONS

I’m easily distracted.

The other day as Pat was cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast I noticed we needed another roll of

paper towels. We keep a supply of them down in our laundry room. So, I picked up a couple of items to

put into the recycle basket on my way by and headed down the stairs.

As I walked by the entry way I noticed my sandals were there – not where I usually keep them – and I

wondered why they were there. I got to the bottom of the stairs and tried to remember why I had gone

downstairs.

I knew it was something important, but just couldn’t figure it out, so with the recycle things still in my

hands, I went back upstairs to the kitchen and stood there looking around.

I noticed the empty paper towel holder – I was holding the empty paper towel tube in my hand to put in

the recycle bin – and then I remembered why I had headed downstairs. So I headed back downstairs

repeating to myself, “paper towels, paper towels …” until I retrieved the new roll and headed back

upstairs.

You may think this is funny, but it is no laughing matter. If it hasn’t already, your turn will come!

There are lots of things in life to distract us – there are so many things trying to get our attention.

There’s the news, politics, TV, music, games, books, lawn work, our jobs, Facebook … I have gotten on a

time or two just to do a quick check on something – and suddenly realized it’s an hour or two later.

These are just a few of the distractions we may face – there seems to be an endless supply.

All of this is not an accident you know. The enemy of our souls, Satan, knows that if he can keep us

distracted, he can lead us pretty much wherever he wants to. We are no match for him. He is ruthless.

He is willing to use anything or anyone to keep us away from Jesus and bring about our eternal

destruction.

Our only hope for eternity is to actually make Jesus the highest priority, to give Him the first part of

everything in our lives – our time, our finances, our love, etc. – and then let all the other things fall into

place according to the values He teaches us.

Jesus said:

Staying with Jesus


“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

(Matthew 6:33, NIV)

So how do we move from where we are, from just talking about how important this is, to actually

putting it in practice in our lives? How do we wade through all the distractions of life so in the end, we

are where we really want to be?

LAST WEEK

Last week we explored how this process begins by looking at this invitation from Jesus:

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28, NLT)

We start moving away from all the distractions by deliberately coming to Jesus and freely admitting that

we are full of sin – freely confessing that we don’t have what it takes to do what He wants. And then,

asking Him forgive and cleanse us. He said:

“… I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NLT)

He gives us rest by forgiving us and cleansing us. He promised:

If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from

all wickedness. (1 John 1:9, NLT)

… If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have

been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in place of your

character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.

(Steps to Christ, page 62)

STAYING WITH JESUS

How do we stay in that place of rest? How do we keep growing closer to Jesus? How do we stay with

Him?

Jesus’ invitation continues on; He says:

“… Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you

will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

(Matthew 11:29-30, NLT)

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Staying with Jesus


I like the way the Message paraphrases this passage.

“… Walk with Me and work with Me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I

won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live

freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:29-30, the Message)

“Walk with Me”, “Work with Me”, “Watch how I do it”, “Keep company with Me” – These are the keys

to staying with Jesus!

So, what does this look like in a practical way? How does it work in our everyday lives?

BREATHING/PRAYER

When my son, Jonathan, was in the seventh grade, we took SCUBA diving classes together. And when

we went on a mission trip together during his freshman year in high school, we had the opportunity to

dive off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean.

We had a great time, although I must admit being down 60-70 feet below the surface dependent on an

oxygen tank for air makes me feel a bit claustrophobic.

A few years later on a mission trip to Belize I had the opportunity to dive again. For some reason my wet

suit seemed to small, it was extra tight around my chest making it hard for me to expand my chest to

take a good breath.

The first dive went pretty good, but on the second dive I just couldn’t catch my breath and it started to

make me nervous. We were down about 45 feet when I started coughing. Our natural instinct is to then

spit anything out of our mouths to clear your airway and take a good breath.

This is not a good idea under water. We had trained for this, so I successfully fought to keep the

regulator in my mouth and cough into it but it left me out of breath and feeling fearful so I surfaced and

rested in the boat while the other finished their dive.

Breathing may be one of the most important things we do.

Paul said:

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for

you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)

“Never stop praying” it says. In the KJV it says “Pray without ceasing” and the NIV translates it as “Pray

continuously” – sounds a lot like breathing doesn’t it?

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In fact, many Bible scholars have called prayer the breath of the soul. It is that important!

Most of us use prayer as a last-ditch effort, when we have tried everything else.

Many use prayer to get what they want – as if God were some cosmic Santa Claus. God certainly invites

us to bring our requests to Him, but prayer is so much more.

When we breath, we exhale impurities – primarily CO2 – and inhale air with O2. It is a give and take. We

give away stuff that is bad for us and take in stuff that is essential for our life. Both are critical parts of

breathing.

Prayer is intended to be like that too. We give Jesus our sin-polluted lives with our bad attitudes and

habits, and He gives us new life. Prayer is a give and take.

We open our hearts to Jesus as we share with Him our hopes and dreams, our pain and sorrow. He

pours His love back into us giving us forgiveness and healing, guidance and peace, passion and love.

Learning to recognize His voice in our impressions and circumstances is critical and it only comes

through practice. It’s like swimming, you only learn it by doing it. No amount of study or reading can

take the place of experiencing it.

EATING/BIBLE STUDY

When I had surgery a couple of years ago for Diverticulitis, I found I could hardly eat. My appetite got

worse as I was supposed to be getting better.

As a result, I lost a lot of weight – most of which I have found again. I had no energy. The less I ate, the

less I wanted to eat and the more depressed I got.

They would not let me leave the hospital until there was evidence that my intestines were working

properly. I spent a couple days longer in the hospital than they thought I should have because I was

having a hard time producing the evidence they wanted. I wasn’t eating enough.

While not as immediately critical as breathing, eating good food is essential for health. Not eating is just

as fatal as not breathing, it just takes a bit longer.

When Jesus gave us the Lord’s Supper He used bread and grape juice to remind us that He wants to

become as much a part of us spiritually as the food we eat becomes a part of us physically (Luke 22:7-

23).

Early in His ministry Jesus said:

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Staying with Jesus


“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and

will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24, NIV)

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point

to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” (John 5:39-40, NLT)

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in

me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35, NLT)

“The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63, NIV)

Jesus’ Word is the Bible. We find Him in the Scriptures.

We all get hungry and eat something. What we eat on a regular basis generally determines how healthy

we are.

We are all “hungry” for God – we are made that way. We can satisfy that hunger by taking in God’s

Word, allowing Jesus to become as much a part of us as the food we eat. Or, we can seek to satisfy our

appetite in other ways.

What we take into our mind determines the direction of our life. If we spend time with Jesus through His

Word, we will move His direction!

EXERCISING/LIVING FOR JESUS

After my surgery, I was not as strong as I had been. I couldn’t walk as far, I got tired quickly. My body

lost much of its strength. Muscles atrophy fast.

It took me several weeks of significant effort to get back into shape again. The only way to get stronger

is to move, to use and stretch your muscles.

The same is true spiritually. As important as prayer and connecting with Jesus through the Bible are, we

will not really grow until we start putting what we learn into practice.

That learning to swim principle again – you have to get into the water!

Jesus expressed His desire for us through what He called a “New Commandment” – although the

principle was not new. He said:

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you

should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my

disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT)

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When we are talking with Him in prayer and allowing Him to teach us through His Word, He will direct

our steps.

We need to ask Him to make us aware of opportunities to love others, then we need to step into them.

It will not always be convenient. It may cost us time, energy, and money. It will cause us to step out of

our plans into His plan. It won’t always be fun or rewarding – but it will always be right.

We have to trust that He meant what He said when He was here:

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

(Matthew 6:33, NIV)

This is what it means when He said:

“Take My yoke upon you ...” (Matthew 11:29, NLT)

THE 3-LEGGED STOOL

If you were here when Lee Venden shared his seminar on getting to know Jesus, he used the example of

a 3-legged stool – which is a very stable arrangement.

In order for you to stay with Jesus; you must …

Talk to Jesus in prayer as you would talk to a friend.

Spend time with Him in His Word, listening to His voice and getting to know Him better.

Live with Him each day and be willing to share His love with others as He gives you the

opportunities.

It’s really just that simple!

It is not complicated, but it is hard!

It’s hard because Satan has dedicated his resources to distracting us – to keep us from it.

If it is going to work, it has to become your first priority, it can’t be a tack-on. You can’t do it as you have

time, you have to take that time first.

Prayer needs to become as natural to us as breathing.

Taking time to meet Jesus in His Word must become as important to us as eating.

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Staying with Jesus


And sharing His love with others should just be our regular routine, the way we move through life each

day.

When we come to Jesus and give our lives to Him, we stand before God as if we had never sinned. Jesus

perfection covers us!

When we stay with Jesus day after day – talking with Him, spending time listening to Him in His Word,

and then living out what we learn – not only does Jesus perfection cover us, it begins to work its way

into our lives. We start becoming more like Him.

In Hebrews it says:

For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, “This is the new covenant I will

make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will

write them on their minds.”

Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”

(Hebrews 10:14-17, NLT)

This is the result of staying with Jesus. This will lead us to an eternity with Him! It is worth making this

our top priority.

Why not start today!

_______________

If you click on text this color it will take you to more complete references, the ability to compare

translations, previous sermons, or to pertinent websites.

To check out previous sermons in this series, click on the title below.

Home with Jesus, Following Jesus Part 1, Preached June 18, 2016

Coming to Jesus, Following Jesus Part 2, Preached June 25, 2016

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Proverbs 14:12 (NLT): There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

(Proverbs 14:12, NLT)

Isaiah 30:15-18 (NIV): This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would

have none of it. 16 You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore, you will flee! You said, ‘We

will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore, your pursuers will be swift! 17 A thousand will flee at the

threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a

mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.”

18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For

the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (Isaiah 30:15-18, NIV)

Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT): One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two

brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – throwing a net into the water, for they fished

for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for

people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20, NLT – see also

Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:2-11, John 1:35-42)

Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT): “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust

destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where

moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure

is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole

body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with

darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted

to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and

drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father

feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a

single moment to your life?

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28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They

don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as

they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into

the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will

we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father

already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and

he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is

enough for today.” (Matthew 6:19-34, NLT)

Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT): As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax

collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and

followed him.

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many

tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his

disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do.” 13 Then

he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer

sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know

they are sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT): Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy

burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble

and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the

burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 (the Message): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get

away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me

and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything

heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, the Message)

Matthew 19:16-30 (NLT): Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I

do to have eternal life?”

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17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to

answer your question – If you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” the man asked.

And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal.

You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”

21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money

to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the

Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again – it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God

everything is possible.”

27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”

28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his

glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the

twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or

mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and

will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and

those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” (Matthew 19:16-30, NLT)

Luke 19:42-44 (NLT): “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But

John 3:3-8 (NLT): Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see

the Kingdom of God.”

4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s

womb and be born again?”

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Staying with Jesus


5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water

and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual

life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:3-7, NLT)

John 3:14-17 (NLT): “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of

Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who

believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge

the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:14-17, NLT)

John 5:24-27 (NIV): “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has

eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a

time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those

who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have

life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”

(John 5:24-27, NIV)

John 5:36-40 (NLT): “But I have a greater witness than John – my teachings and my miracles. The Father

gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. 37 And the Father who sent

me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me – the one he

sent to you.

39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point

to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” (John 5:36-40, NLT)

John 6:32-35 (NLT): Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father

did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who

comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.

Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32-35, NLT)

John 6:61-65 (NLT): Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this

offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The

Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have

spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the

beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That

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Staying with Jesus


is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

(John 6:61-65, NIV)

John 8:49-51 (NIV): “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you

dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the

judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (John 8:49-51, NIV)

John 10:1-10 (NLT): “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than

going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through

the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep

recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After

he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know

his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his

voice.”

6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained

it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were

thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who

come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and

satisfying life. (John 10:1-10, NLT)

John 12:47-50 (NIV): “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I

did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects

me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last

day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that

I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the

Father has told me to say.” (John 12:47-50, NIV)

John 13:34-35 (NLT): “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have

loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that

you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT)

John 14:1-7 (NLT): “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more

than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going

to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will

always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we

know the way?”

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Staying with Jesus


Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except

through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you

do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:1-7, NLT)

John 14:1-6 (the Voice): “Don’t get lost in despair; believe in God, and keep on believing in Me. My

Father’s home is designed to accommodate all of you. If there were not room for everyone, I

would have told you that. I am going to make arrangements for your arrival. I will be there to

greet you personally and welcome you home, where we will be together. You know where I am

going and how to get there.”

Thomas said: “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the path?”

Jesus replied: “I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life. No one comes to the Father except

through Me.” (John 14:1-6, the Voice)

John 15:1-8 (NLT): “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of

mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will

produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given

you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed

from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce

much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is

thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be

burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you

want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This

brings great glory to my Father.” (John 15:1-8, NLT)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT): Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for

this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)

Hebrews 10:14-18 (NLT): For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made

holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, 16 “This is the new covenant I will

make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will

write them on their minds.”

17 Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”

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Staying with Jesus


18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

(Hebrews 10:14-18, NLT)

1 John 1:8 – 2:6 (NLT): If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the

truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to

cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and

showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

2 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we

have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly

righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins

of all the world.

3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I

know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the

truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we

know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

(1 John 1:8 – 2:6, NLT)

Revelation 21:1-8 (NLT): Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth

had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem,

coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He

will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe

every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these

things are gone forever.”

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said

to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is

finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will

give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these

blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft,

idol worshipers, and all liars – their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second

death.” (Revelation 21:1-8, NLT)

Revelation 22:1-7 (NLT): Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street.

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Staying with Jesus


On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each

month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be

there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written

on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there – no need for lamps or sun – for the Lord

God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The

Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen

soon.”

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this

book.” (Revelation 22:1-7, NLT)

E.G. WHITE REFERENCES

Selected Messages, Book 1, page 96: Every soul has a heaven to win, and a hell to shun. And the angelic

agencies are all ready to come to the help of the tried and tempted soul. He, the Son of the

infinite God, endured the test and trial in our behalf. The cross of Calvary stands vividly before

every soul. When the cases of all are judged, and they [the lost] are delivered to suffer for their

contempt for God and their disregard of His honor in their disobedience, not one will have an

excuse, not one will need to have perished. It was left to their own choice who should be their

prince, Christ or Satan. All the help Christ received, every man may receive in the great trial. The

cross stands as a pledge that not one need be lost, that abundant help is provided for every soul.

We can conquer the satanic agencies, or we can join ourselves with the powers that seek to

counterwork the work of God in our world (Selected Messages, Book 1, page 96)

Steps to Christ, pages 44-45: There are those who profess to serve God, while they rely upon their own

efforts to obey His law, to form a right character, and secure salvation. Their hearts are not

moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the

Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven. Such religion is worth

nothing. When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of

communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be

forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Those who feel the constraining love of God,

do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the

lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With earnest desire

they yield all and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek. A

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Staying with Jesus


profession of Christ without this deep love is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery.

(Steps to Christ, pages 44-45)

Steps to Christ, pages 62-63: The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been – just what

it was in Paradise before the fall of our first parents – perfect obedience to the law of God,

perfect righteousness. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the

happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way would be open for sin, with all its

train of woe and misery, to be immortalized.

It was possible for Adam, before the fall, to form a righteous character by obedience to God's

law. But he failed to do this, and because of his sin our natures are fallen and we cannot make

ourselves righteous. Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly obey the holy law. We have

no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has

made a way of escape for us. He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to

meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His

righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your

life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in place

of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.

More than this, Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain

this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long

as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. So you may

say, "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and

gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20. So Jesus said to His disciples, "It is not ye that speak, but

the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Matthew 10:20. Then with Christ working in

you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works – works of righteousness,

obedience.

So we have nothing in ourselves of which to boast. We have no ground for self-exaltation. Our

only ground of hope is in the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and in that wrought by His

Spirit working in and through us. (Steps to Christ, pages 62-63)
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