Our passage for the New Year:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:4-5 (ESV)

1. What does it mean to abide in Christ? To abide in our crucified and risen Lord means to be at one with his person, will and purpose by remaining in personal communion with him so that we bear good fruit that is pleasing to the Father.

2. How can we abide in Christ this year? Abide in Christ's love.

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."   John 15:9, 10

"This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."   John 15:12-13

3. Christ's teaching about abiding in his love

• God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are the source of divine love
• Christ loves us
• We abide in Christ's love through faithful obedience to his commandments
• Christ has commanded us to love one another
• The greatest expression of love is to lay down our lives for one another

4. Abiding in Christ's love today

• Receive his love by trusting in Christ and his word
• Pray for one another
• Let God's love move us and take concrete form in creative service to one another and the world

Conclusion and Call to Respond