Abide 1 – Stay Where You Belong – Message Notes

Abide-Craig Smee

Abide In Me – Week 1

Stay Where You Belong

Abiding means staying connected to Jesus as the source of life.

1. Stay Where You Belong

Most people don’t lose faith — they lose connection.

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 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. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 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.”

— John 15:1–4 (NLT)

Belonging isn’t about where you feel comfortable — it’s about where life flows from.

2. Change What You Live From

What holds your attention shapes your direction.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I

trust him.”

— Psalm 91:1–2 (NLT)

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no

compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”

— 1 John 3:17 (NLT)

Everyone lives from something. Our attention reveals our true source.

3. Learn to Breathe His Words

God’s Word isn’t fuel — it’s oxygen.“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and

it will be granted!”

— John 15:7 (NLT)

“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you

will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.”

— 1 John 2:24 (NLT)

God’s Word stabilizes your inner world and reminds you who you are when everything

feels loud.

4. Live Like You’ve Been With Him

Relationship always comes before function.

“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

— John 15:8, 11 (NLT)

Fruit and joy grow naturally from closeness, not striving.

5. Remain for the Long Run

Jesus trains us in abiding before crisis, not during it.

“And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be

full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”

— 1 John 2:28 (NLT)

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the

Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

— John 15:16 (NLT)

Faithfulness in everyday life prepares us for difficult times.

This Week

Don’t just text someone — call them.

Don’t just pray for someone — pray with them.Don’t just say you care — show up and be present.

Talk It Over

What is one place you’ve been drawing life from that isn’t Jesus?

What would it look like to intentionally practice abiding this week?

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