Hinderances to Abiding

SERIES: The Essentials to a Healthy & Productive Christian Life

MESSAGE: Hinderances to Abiding

TEXT: John 15:1–11 (NASB)

DATE: February 22, 2026

MESSAGE BY: Pastor Tim Lewis

1. What hinders us from abiding in Christ?

   A. Abiding in others – you cannot abide in Jesus and abide in other masters/teachers. (Vv. 1, 4–5)

   (Matt. 6:24; Deut. 6:4–5, 13–15; Ps. 1:1–6)

   B. Disobedience.

   (Ps. 66:18; 1 John 2:3–6; 1 John 1:6–8; 1 John 3:4–10, 21–24)

   C. Filling my mind and soul with the words and voices of the world. 

   (1 John 2:15–17)

   D. Distraction and wrong focus. 

   (1 John 2:26–29; 1 John 3:1–3; 1 Cor. 9:24–27; Heb. 12:1–3)

   E. Refusal to forgive. 

   (Matt. 6:12, 14–15; Luke 6:36–37; Eph. 4:31–32; Matt. 18:33, 35; Mark 11:25–26)

   F. Living for self-centered agenda.

   (Matt. 10:38–39; Luke 12:15, 20–21, 34)
   

2. What must I do to abide?

   A. Get honest about your sin and rebellion. 

   (1 John 1:9)

   B. Fix your focus on knowing and obeying Jesus. 

   (Heb. 12:2)

   C.  Trust Jesus.

   D. Forgive yourself and others.

   E.  Communicate with Him.

   (1 John 1:3–4; 1 John 5:13–15)