Explores Jesus' purposeful sacrifice, His selflessness, and the promise of eternal salvation.
Good morning, dear family in Christ. We gather today, not as individuals, but as a community of believers, united in our common love for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here, not because we are perfect, but because He is. We are here, not because we have all the answers, but because He does. In the midst of our trials, tribulations, and triumphs, we find solace, strength, and sustenance in His Word.
Today, we will be turning our hearts and minds towards the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John, specifically verse 10. It reads:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
What a powerful testament to the love and purpose of our Savior!
We will be focusing on three main points today: the Sacrificial Savior, the Son's Selflessness, and the Secured Salvation. Each point will serve as a beacon, illuminating the path of understanding as we navigate the depth and breadth of this profound Scripture.
As we prepare to delve into the Word, let's remember the words of Max Lucado, who once said, "Though the Bible was written over sixteen centuries by at least forty authors, it has one central theme--salvation through faith in Christ." Indeed, it is in the Bible that we find the living Word of God, the ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and guidance.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts and open minds. We ask that you would guide us as we study Your Word. Give us wisdom and understanding, Lord, so that we may grasp the fullness of Your message. Open our eyes, that we might see the beauty and depth of Your truth. Open our ears, that we might hear Your voice speaking to us through the Scripture. And open our hearts, that Your Word might take root and bear fruit in our lives. We pray all these things in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
In the heart of the Gospel, we find a story of love so profound, so powerful, that it transcends human comprehension. It's the story of a God who loved us so much that He willingly gave up His only Son for our salvation. This is the essence of the Scripture we're focusing on today. The Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 10, paints a vivid picture of two contrasting figures. On one hand, we have the thief, whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. On the other hand, we have Jesus, who came so that we may have life, and have it to the full.
The thief: He represents all that is evil, all that seeks to separate us from the love of God. He is the embodiment of sin, death, and destruction. But Jesus, He is the embodiment of life, love, and salvation. He is the one who came to give us life, not just any life, but life in abundance.
Now, let's take a closer look at this life-giving figure, this embodiment of love and salvation.
Firstly: We must understand the magnitude of the sacrifice that was made. Jesus was not just any man. He was the Son of God, the Word made flesh, the one through whom all things were made. He was perfect, without sin, yet He chose to take on our sin, our guilt, our punishment. He chose to die so that we might live. This is the ultimate act of love, the ultimate sacrifice.
Secondly: We must recognize the purpose of this sacrifice. Jesus didn't die just to save us from death. He died to give us life, and not just any life, but life in abundance. This means a life of joy, peace, and love. A life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. A life that is not defined by our circumstances, but by our relationship with Him.
Thirdly: We must understand the nature of this life. This is not a life that is free from trials, tribulations, or suffering. In fact, Jesus Himself said that in this world we will have trouble. But He also promised that He has overcome the world. This means that no matter what we face, we can have peace, we can have hope, we can have joy, because we know that our Savior has already won the victory.
Fourthly: We must understand the means by which we receive this life. It is not through our own efforts, our own goodness, or our own righteousness. It is through faith in Jesus, and His sacrifice on the cross. It is by grace, through faith, that we are saved.
As we continue to reflect on the richness of John 10:10, we find ourselves drawn to the image of the Son's Selflessness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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