{"id":109,"date":"2009-06-24T17:16:05","date_gmt":"2009-06-24T22:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=109"},"modified":"2009-09-02T10:52:30","modified_gmt":"2009-09-02T15:52:30","slug":"three-reasons-to-abide-in-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=109","title":{"rendered":"Three Reasons to Abide in Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

John 15:1-11<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Preached Wednesday June 24, 2009<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Today we continue our study about how to make a grand success of the Christian Life. \u00a0<\/span>Tonight\u2019s subject is abiding in Christ.\u00a0 <\/span>Some well meaning, but misguided Christians use this passage to attempt to prove that one can lose his salvation.\u00a0 <\/span>We will uncover that fallacy this morning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>This passage is the key to understanding the very reason that a born-again believer remains on Earth.\u00a0 <\/span>There are some common misconceptions about this as well.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We must remember the context of John 15.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus has been preparing the disciples for the most horrifying experience imaginable \u2013 the crucifixion of their Savior.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus has already equipped the disciples with the example of servant-hood, the assurance of Heaven’s mansions, and the coming of the Comforter \u2013 the Holy Ghost.\u00a0 <\/span>Now Jesus turns His attention to a crucial element in the Christian walk.\u00a0 <\/span>If anyone is to have supernatural power flowing through them; if you want to be used mightily by God to have compassion and make a difference, you must learn to abide in Christ.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The word “abide” means to “stand fast or remain”.\u00a0 <\/span>In another sense, it means “to submit to”.\u00a0 <\/span>So then, the key to having supernatural power flowing through you is to remain grounded in and to submit to Jesus Christ as your source of strength and power.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Our passage this morning lists three reasons that a born-again person has to abide in Christ.\u00a0 <\/span>The truth that will be shared in the next few minutes, I believe, will be pivotal in your life.\u00a0 <\/span>If you grasp the motivations that Jesus shares with His disciples you may never approach the Christian life the same.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>You must abide in Christ in order to produce fruit.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

John 15:1,5 <\/span><\/em>– <\/span><\/em>I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 5 I am the vine, ye are<\/span> the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Here we find an interesting word picture painted by our great Teacher, Jesus Christ.\u00a0 <\/span>Once again He uses a metaphor that was very familiar to the people.\u00a0 <\/span>Grapes and olives were very important to the economy in Israel.\u00a0 <\/span>Everyone knew how it worked.\u00a0 <\/span>The husbandman, or fruit farmer, would plant and care for the vines.\u00a0 <\/span>The purpose, though, was not mere beauty, but in order to obtain fruit from those vines.\u00a0 <\/span>The farmer would go over the vine very carefully and remove branches that were not bearing fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>He could not afford for anything to sap strength from the vine and ultimately cause a lower production of fruit. \u00a0<\/span>From the fruit the farmer would gain income and \u2013 most importantly \u2013 obtain seeds to produce more fruit-bearing vines or trees.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/strong>Jesus explains the symbolism here. First of all, verse one of John chapter 15 tells us that God the Father is the husbandman or farmer.\u00a0 <\/span>Fruit production is on our Heavenly Husbandman’s heart. Secondly we find that Jesus is the vine, and those of us who are born again Christians are the branches.\u00a0 <\/span>From Christ flow all the nutrients necessary for the branches to bear fruit. So to review, this metaphor pictures God the Father as the Husbandman, Jesus as the vine, and born again believers on this earth as the branches.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Now we come to the most important and, tragically, most misunderstood element of this metaphor \u2013 the fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>Often the assumption has been made that the fruit spoken of here in John 15 is the same fruit that is referred to in Galatians 5:22-23.\u00a0 <\/span>Let us examine the passage and see if this assumption is correct.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Here we see what God’s Word calls the fruit of the Spirit, yet Jesus is telling us in John 15 that we will be the ones bearing the fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>The fruit here in Galatians 5 is the evidence of the indwelling and influence of the Holy Spirit. Remember that when Jesus was teaching in John 15, the Holy Spirit had not yet indwelt believers. This did not occur until after the Resurrection.\u00a0 <\/span>Our passage then, is speaking not of the fruit of the Spirit, but rather the fruit of a Christian.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>In order to better understand what God meant by the term “fruit” in John 15, we must see how other passages of Scripture describe the term “fruit”:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Genesis 1:11-12 – <\/span><\/em>11<\/span><\/span><\/em> And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.\u00a0 <\/span>12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When God says something once, you should listen, but if He repeats it, one must really sit up and notice.\u00a0 <\/span>The phrase “whose seed is in itself” is repeated when describing what fruit is.\u00a0 <\/span>The technical difference between a vegetable and a fruit according to the dictionary is that a fruit always contains seeds.\u00a0 <\/span>Fruit then, in this metaphor, has to be referring to reproduction or, more specifically, soul-winning fruit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Luke 19:10 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The passion that drove Jesus was winning the lost.\u00a0 <\/span>In these last few hours before He is separated from His disciples, He wants to make sure that they understand the importance of fruit bearing, or producing fruit from soul winning.\u00a0 <\/span>God’s design and desire for us is that we reach the lost.\u00a0 <\/span>There are several passages of scripture that make this fact clear.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Psalm 126:5-6 – <\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span>They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.\u00a0 <\/span>6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Mark 16:15 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Luke 10:2<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

John 4:35<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span>Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. Therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We must abide in Christ in order to produce fruit because fruitless branches are removed and cast aside.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 15:2,6 – <\/span><\/em>2<\/span><\/span><\/em> Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch<\/span> that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them<\/span> into the fire, and they are burned. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 9:27 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>There are several things to consider when interpreting these verses.\u00a0 <\/span>First of all, the fruitless branch is taken away.\u00a0 <\/span>It is removed from its possibility to be a productive fruit bearer.\u00a0 <\/span>Some would say that verse 2 is speaking of unsaved people, but Jesus says “every branch in me”.\u00a0 <\/span>These are saved people who have not produced soul winning fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>Verse 6 shows that if someone does not abide in Christ and produce soul winning fruit, then they are cast aside.\u00a0 <\/span>They wither.\u00a0 <\/span>They are carried away.\u00a0 <\/span>Now this picture is not one of a believer losing his salvation and going to Hell, but instead it is a graphic illustration of what happens when a life that could have been greatly used by God is cast aside as useless.\u00a0 <\/span>This is the ultimate fate of a fruitless branch \u2013 a life cut short.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 5:16-17 – <\/span><\/em>16<\/span><\/span><\/em> If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

John 15:16 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that<\/span> your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The very reason we are saved and remain on this Earth is to reach the lost with the truth and see them truly saved.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus is not speaking of “1-2-3, pray with me, and from the church they will flee!”\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus is teaching that if you are right with Him, abiding in Him, then fruit (souls) that you have personally reached will be the natural result.\u00a0 <\/span>If you are not winning souls, something is desperately wrong! The Scriptures are full of stories about people that have been taken to Heaven early because they were hindering the work of God \u2013 Samson, Ananias, and Sapphira are just a few.\u00a0 <\/span>Thankfully, we see another principle in John 15.\u00a0 <\/span>If Jesus does see a believer starting to bear fruit, He will immediately take action to help that branch bear even more fruit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 15:2-3 – <\/span><\/em>2<\/span><\/span><\/em> Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch<\/span> that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>God is interested in increasing your fruit production.\u00a0 <\/span>Some believe that a new believer should spend much time learning doctrine and developing character before they go soul winning.\u00a0 <\/span>According to these verses, when a new believer, starts to produce fruit, God the husbandman will quickly act to purge that young branch in order to get more fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>God purges the branches through His Word.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 15:4-5 – <\/span><\/em>4<\/span><\/span><\/em> Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are<\/span> the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Fisherman’s training is great to help you learn verses and methods that are effective in reaching the lost, but ultimately this supernatural event of salvation will not come apart from the power of God.\u00a0 <\/span>If a branch cannot get enough sap, it cannot bear fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>If you are not abiding in, that is you are not submitted to, or, remaining in Jesus Christ, you can go out on Thursdays, but supernatural fruit will be limited. We have already learned that it is dangerous to be a fruitless soul winner.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>There is one last thing to consider regarding abiding in Christ in order to produce fruit \u2013 God is glorified as we win souls.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 15:8 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Some confessions state that “man’s chief purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”\u00a0 <\/span>Some imagine this to include a multitude of rituals, alms deeds, and good works.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus summarizes the whole concept.\u00a0 <\/span>Do you want to glorify God?\u00a0 <\/span>Win souls!\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.\u00a0 <\/span>If anyone claims to be His disciple, yet does not do that which is most upon His heart is not right with God.\u00a0 <\/span>There are many ways to serve the Lord, but all things are done to one ultimate end \u2013 reach the lost!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

II.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>You must abide in Christ in order to experience answered prayer.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

John 15:7 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>In this verse, we find Jesus reminding us of one way we abide in Christ \u2013 His words must be in us.\u00a0 <\/span>As we fill ourselves with the perfect Word of God, then it can flow from us and reach a needy world.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When we abide in Christ and His Word, we will find that our prayers are influenced by His desires.\u00a0 <\/span>When His desires become ours, we will see our prayers answered in a powerful way. So then, our walk with Christ directly affects the very people for whom we pray.\u00a0 <\/span>When you miss devotions and Christ’s words are not in you, then your prayer life suffers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

James 4:2 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Psalm 37:3-4 – 3<\/span> Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.\u00a0 <\/span>4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

James 5:16 <\/span><\/em>– <\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span>Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When I was a senior in high school, I experienced a personal revival.\u00a0 <\/span>After having turned from many sins that had the potential to destroy my life, I started to grow close to God, and abide in Christ.\u00a0 <\/span>I used one study hall as my prayer time.\u00a0 <\/span>I listed many friends that were unsaved and prayed for them day after day.\u00a0 <\/span>Years later, I had the chance to meet some who were on that list, and most of them \u2013 one way or another \u2013 had been saved!\u00a0 <\/span>As you abide in Christ, you will experience answered prayer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

III.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>You must abide in Christ in order to experience full joy.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

John 15:9-10 – <\/span><\/em>9<\/span><\/span><\/em> As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father\u2019s commandments, and abide in his love. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus tells us to continue in His love and follows this up with an admonition to obey His commandments.\u00a0 <\/span>You may wonder how obeying commandments fits with the Gospel of grace.\u00a0 <\/span>Obedience here is not out of fear of Hell, but rather deep gratitude for the privilege of being saved by Grace alone and being able to share this message with others.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Romans 8:15 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Good works, then, glorify God because they back your aggressive Gospel message that you share to all who listen.\u00a0 <\/span>You go to church in order to get what you need, adjust your life, to become a more effective and fruitful minister of the Gospel.\u00a0 <\/span>Everything in your Christian walk centers around equipping you as you abide in Christ so that you are able to glorify God by reaching the lost.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ephesians 4:11-12 – <\/span><\/em>11<\/span><\/span><\/em> And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Obedience out of love both regarding the commandments of a clean life and aggressive, confrontational soul winning will result in unquenchable joy in your inner being.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 15:15 <\/span><\/em>–<\/span><\/em> Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>This is a joy that remains!\u00a0 <\/span>It will not wear off when the emotions of the special meetings are but a distant memory.\u00a0 <\/span>The joy that comes from abiding in Christ’s commandments will outlast your troubles and trials.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/strong>This joy is also a joy that is full.\u00a0 <\/span>The root meaning of the world full is “complete”.\u00a0 <\/span>If then, you abide in the love of Christ, keeping His commandments and winning souls, your joy will be complete.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>You have heard some pivotal truth today.\u00a0 <\/span>You exist as a born-again Christian for the purpose of producing soul winning fruit.\u00a0 <\/span>The only way to do that is to abide \u2013 remain in \u2013 submit to \u2013 Jesus Christ.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus wants to answer your prayers.\u00a0 <\/span>That will happen as you abide in \u2013 submit to \u2013 Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus wants you to experience true joy \u2013 not the temporary pleasure of sin.\u00a0 <\/span>The only way to do that is to abide in \u2013 remain steadfast \u2013 submit to Jesus Christ your Savior.\u00a0 <\/span>What changes do you need to make right now?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

John 15:1-11 Preached Wednesday June 24, 2009 \u00a0 Introduction: \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Today we continue our study about how to make a grand success of the Christian Life. \u00a0Tonight\u2019s subject is abiding in Christ.\u00a0 Some well meaning, but misguided Christians use this passage to attempt to prove that one can lose his salvation.\u00a0 We will uncover … Continue reading Three Reasons to Abide in Christ<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wednesday-evening-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=109"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109\/revisions\/125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}