Living The Abundant Life

Living the Abundant life

John 10:7-18, Psalm 23

Intro.

Jesus came to give us ABUNDANT LIFE

I wanted you to see this phase in the context of the

Good Shepherd.

Jesus is THE door.

Shepherd would lie in the gate.

He gives his life for the sheep. Vs. 11

He did this willingly. Vs. 18

We who are saved are the sheep in this parable.

We enter the sheepfold only through him. Vs. 9

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the

truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

This is an interesting parable in the light of Psalm 23.

I. The Good Shepherd provides all our needs. Vs. 1

A. He provides Food and Water

1. I will not want…anything.

2. God provides. Luke 12:22-31

Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your

need according to his riches in glory by Christ

Jesus.

4. Do you know how much time and energy the

world spends searching for these things. Vs. 30

5. I don’t have to worry about those things.

Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful

mind.

B. He provides shelter.

1. Shelter from danger

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that

they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

2. Shelter from the world

A. We are not to conform to the world.

1. Worldly influences

2. Worldly dangers.

B. We are not to love the world

3. He gives me the comfort of “green pastures”

II. The Good Shepherd leads us. Psalm 23:3-4

A. He corrects me with his rod.

1. A stick with the root ball.

2. Might be uncomfortable at the beginning.

3. Keeps from going the wrong way.

a. Keeps me straight.

b. Keeps me keeps me on track.

c. He keeps me going in the direction of His will.

d. He corrects me when I “step out of line”

B. He guides me with is staff.

1. A walking stick.

(Might or might not have the crook on it we see in Christmas plays)

2. He leads us through hard times.

:Shadow of the valley of death”

3. His leading removes fear

a. From evil

b. Strongs Hebrew dictionary

adversity, affliction, bad, calamity sorrow,

trouble, wickedness and wretchedness

AND evil

C. We are comforted by His leading us knowing

we are in His will. (They comfort me”)

III. The Good Shepherd blesses us. Vs. 5

A. He blesses me in the presence of my enemies.

1. They see God blessing me.

2. It may cause envy, enough go the they want to

come into the fold.

B. He anoints me with oil

1. Abundant blessing

2. Often done to sheep for their comfort.

C. My cup runs over.

1. Over-abundant blessings.

2. Grandparents pouring coffee in their saucer.

3. His blessing more then we can contain

Prov. 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it

maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

IV. The Good Shepherd provides a permanent home

A. The Sheepfold was temporary

B. The shepherd holds us securely in his hand.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

1. The gift of eternal life.

2. We are held as his possession (Hand)

3. Cannot be removed from his possession

C. That’s why David could say. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)

D. Jesus called it a mansion.

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions…

Conclusion

Have you stepped into the sheepfold?

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and

find pasture.

The Good Shepherd invites you to come in.

It is a step of faith.

Trust the Shepherd who laid down his life for you.

Discover the Abundant life that He offers you.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have

life, and that they might have it more abundantly.