Listen - Watch - MP3

Living In The Zone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A popular phrase used in sports and business is being in "The Zone." It refers to that state when everything is clicking and you're doing everything right. You can't miss a shot, you anticipate what the opposition is doing, you have a quick answer for every question. 

 

Every person that has ever played sports or performed in public knows what it's like to out of the zone. There are days when you can't think straight, can't perform well, and nothing seems to go your way.

 

In the Christian life there is a zone that makes it easier to walk in faith, live in obedience, see our prayers answered, experience joy, and handle adversity. It is a zone that Jesus challenges us all to live in. Jesus said...(v. 4) Abide in me, and I will abide in you. (NASV) Where you abide is where you stay.

 

Jesus calls us to remain in His presence throughout the day. At times we forget and begin our days in a mad rush, moving from one crisis to the next, draining ourselves of peace and joy, finally we collapse in exhaustion. Jesus is telling us we don't have to live that way. We can experience an abundance of life and a fullness of joy if we abide in him.

 

Your spiritual life depends on your connection to the “true vine.” Each of us must answer two questions.

 

>Are we connected to the vine, is the life of Christ flowing within us?

>Are we producing - no fruit - some fruit - or an abundance of fruit?

 

 

 

LIVING IN THE ZONE
John 15:1 - 8

 

Living in “The Zone” of His presence...

 

I. Your Life Will Become More Productive.

 

(v. 5) He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit. NIV

 

Jesus is our source and abiding in Him will help you be more productive

Jesus provides the power you need in your life to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

 

II. You will Learn To Be More Selective.

 

(v. 1-2) My father is the gardener...every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. NIV

 

In the principle of pruning, we learn to separate…

 

The good from the bad - and - the good from the best.

 

Examples of the kinds of things he prunes away.

• Time wasting activities
• Destructive relationships
• Sinful behavior

 

III. Your Prayers Will Become More Effective.

 

(v. 7) If you abide in me, and my words in abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

 

Such a promise is possible because when you abide in Christ your prayers become less self-serving.

 

In Christ you see the world as a mature believer.

 

The miracle is not only in the answered prayer, it is in the change God works in your desires.

 

Our Challenge is to learn to live in “The Zone”

• Acknowledge His presence in each event.
• Recognize that He is with you.
• Abide in Him, and you will never be the same.

 

Jesus is the “true vine” bringing life nourishment to the branches that they might produce fruit.

 

When separated from the vine the branches will wither and die.