Throughout the New Testament, those who possess saving faith in Jesus are referred to people who are “in Christ.” Jesus illustrates what it means not just to profess faith but to possess the faith that saves in the Parable of the Vine. The resultant experience of God’s love and the fulness of joy in Christ is available to all who will heed the command to abide in Jesus.

Outline:

· Fruit of Saving Faith

· Abiding in Christ

· Love and Joy

In the last of his “I Am” statements, Jesus proclaims the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in sending the Son to seek and to save the lost. Using the imagery of a grape vine, we learn that God loves his children and never ceases to work in our lives as we are drawn to Jesus and prepared for a glorious eternity.

The only way to understand love is to look to God. God is love, and he has called us to love as Jesus loves us. This week, we finish our exploration of the exposition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Jesus said the world will know who are his by how they love one another. Love is commanded and mentioned throughout Scripture. This week and next, we consider a popular passage that helps us understand what it means to love.

Peace is not possible without following Jesus as Lord, but for those who follow Jesus as Lord, peace is promised and freely given. The peace that surpasses all understanding is the peace in Christ Jesus that characterizes Christians, even Christians navigating through perilous storms.

Outline:

· Peace from God

· Peace of the World

· Receiving the Gift of Peace

God’s greatest gift entails the giving of himself. In love he sent the Son to fulfill all righteousness and make the once-for-allsacrifice for the sins of all who will believe and follow Jesus as Lord. In Part 1, we considered what it means to love Jesus savingly. In Part 2, we learn how this is possible as we rest in the comfort and assurance that God dwells with and in those who belong to him. How? He sent “Another Helper.”

We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone; however, the evidence of saving faith is a transformed heart that eagerly seeks to please God and abides by his Word. Contrary to many claims today, obedience and love are not enemies. They are close friends who always walk hand in hand in the life of a believer. We turn to the Word of God and read the clarity with which Jesus speaks, leaving no room for error on this topic.

Outline:

· Evidence of Love

· How Do You Know You Love Jesus?

· Assurance for the Redeemed Sinner

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible” (1 Peter 1:8). This reflects the experience of all Christians today, but the 11 Apostles needed to be preparedfor life and ministry without the physical presence of Jesus. As people who live by faith not sight, our encouragement comes from knowing God by knowing Jesus and living in constant fellowship with him through prayer. We return to the evening of the last supper and the teaching and promises of our Lord.

Outline:

• Seeing God
• The Gift of Greater Works
• Ask and Receive