Abide in Him
Jon Moorhead - 7/7/2025
In this message, Pastor Jon Moorhead explores what it means to "abide in Christ" through 1 John 2:17–3:10, emphasizing how true believers reflect their spiritual identity through enduring affection for God, sound doctrine, and righteous practice. He draws vivid contrasts between those who abide and those who fall away, explaining that abiding shapes our desires (affections), beliefs (doctrine), and behaviors (practices), each of which signals spiritual allegiance. Drawing parallels to "The Lord of the Rings," Pastor Jon uses Frodo's challenges to illustrate spiritual opposition and the critical importance of perseverance, purity, and truth in abiding in Christ.
Weekly Reflection
““Affection for the never-ending One is affection that will never end. Affection for the world is affection that can never last.”
— From Sunday’s sermon, "Abide in Him"”
On Sunday, we met three opponents to abiding in Christ: the seductive system of the world, the deceiving voices of antichrists, and the devouring schemes of the devil. But John doesn’t name these enemies to frighten us—he names them to clarify our confidence. If you are in Christ, your life—affections, beliefs, and actions—will show which side you’re on.
But let’s be honest: the world doesn’t seem like an enemy at first. It flatters. It entertains. It promises meaning. That’s why John commands: “Do not love the world.”
Here’s a resource that expands on the idea of enjoying God’s good creation without being worldly:
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This Week’s Challenge:
Pause and ask: In what ways are you letting the love of God captivate your heart, capture your beliefs, and control your practice of righteousness?
Name one thing you will commit to doing this week that will accomplish this.
Scripture:
1 John 2:15-3:9