ABIDE

Raymond Marshall

Woodland Church

Sunday, March 1, 2026

(Psalm 27:1-5, NIV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”

1.  Abiding with Christ draws us closer to His presence

(James 4:8, NIV) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”

2.  Abiding with Christ reveals His heart for us

(1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV) “However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love him

(Psalm 23:1-3, NIV) “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

3.  Abiding with Christ reveals His heart for the lost

(2 Peter 3:9, NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

(Luke 19:10, NIV) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

(Romans 5:8, NIV) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

(Luke 15:10, NIV) “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”