Abundant Life In Christ Series

Theme: Abundant Life in Christ

Text: John 10:6-18

Introduction:

The Lord is good, and his love endures forever. Earlier, we had learned about life from the perspective of the earth. Now, we would learn life in Christ and life after death. To start with, let us meditate on the Abundant life in Christ.

John 10:10: Jesus told his followers about the purpose of his coming through a similitude of a good shepherd. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (NRSV). I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance to the full, till it overflows (AMPC). I came so that they could have life—indeed so that they could live life to the fullest (CEB). My purpose is to give life in all its fullness (TLB). I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of (MSG). I came, that they have life, and have more plenteously (WYC).

Jesus, the good shepherd, is not going to abandon the sheep but give an abundance of everything and the fullness of life.

• Jesus is a Life-giver

• Jesus is an Abundant Life-giver

• Jesus is an Eternal Life-giver

Jesus is a Life-giver: There are many life insurance corporations all over the world. They can neither save your life nor give your life. Their assurance comes into effect after the life of the insurer. Insurance companies promise life support to your nominee after your life comes to an end. Your successor-in-interest is going to enjoy your insurance premium. Their assurance goes to the nominee of the insurer, but here Jesus assures that he has come so that they may have life. He has come as a life-giver. But Jesus came with a new life insurance plan. This plan helps you to have abundant life on the earth.

Life is a gift from God. He created all of us very wonderfully and beautifully (Psalm 139:14-15). He breathed his breath into our nostrils to have life (Genesis 2:7). Every day and in every stage of our lives. God is at work. According to Ezekiel 16:6, God gave life at our birth. The doctor and the nurses are looking at us and staring at us. Ezekiel describes, 'Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood, I said to you, “Live!”. Every birthday we must remember this verse and be thankful to the Lord. None of us has any right to live.

Then in our infant stage, he gave life. Moses, as three months old baby, floated on the waters of the Niles without destiny, without hope of life, but God prepared the princess to come to the river and save him, bring him up, train him in his life challenges (Exodus 2:3-10, Hebrews 11:24-25). Yes, the Lord allowed certain things to happen in our childhood to taste his love and testify for it.

He gave life at our adolescent stage and moulded us. Just think of Joseph his sojourn and sufferings for 13 long years to become a food minister and prime minister of Egypt (Genesis 50:20). We are what we are is a plan of God, and he brought us to this status.

Some of us have lost our life during our youthful days. We were dead and forgotten by many, sometimes by all. But Jesus gave life to us as he has given to a young man and a young girl. A young man was dead and carried for burial. He told that young man to get up. (Luke 7:14), to a young girl, Talitha Koum means little girl get up (Mark 5:35-36). Jesus brought back life to the dead persons. Today, whatever is our life situation and need, Jesus would give back and restore the lost blessings.

He gives life on our daily struggles: Jesus met a woman at a well of Samaria and led her to new life (John 4: 13). He healed a person at Bethesda Pool and made him walk with freedom from a longstanding ailment of life (John 5:8,15). Jesus met a man at Gadarenes and has given him a new life through restoring his humanity. Jesus gave him understanding and brought him to his senses. Henceforth that man lived as a sensible person (Mark 5:3-5,15). He is the best example of how Jesus changes a man’s life, purposes and destiny. That man went to Decapolis and witnessed for Christ (Mark 5:20).

Even at your old age, I will carry you (Isaiah 46:4). God is faithful, and he will be truthful to the end (1 Thessalonians 5:24. Psalm 48:14). Jesus involves in our day to day life experiences and blesses us. He is the life-giver. Also, he promised that he would give the abundant life.