The Abundant Christian Life
John 10:10
In the western panhandle of Texas is a small town named Texline. It had an ostentatious beginning in the late 1800s as a thriving center along a new railroad line. Within a few years, though, most of the shops had closed and the town’s population shrivelled to about 400. In 2000, the population was still just over 500. One online description of Texline says that it has “a city limits sign at one end, another at the other end, and not much in between.” (Source: https://odb.org/2008/10/06/not-much-in-between/)
Unfortunately, many professing Christians live lives that could be described in a similar way. Their Christian experience begins with a conversion and will end when they take their last breath, and there is not much in between! Jesus did not intend for it to be this way. Jesus said that He came so that we could "have life and have it more abundantly."
We often focus on the fact that Jesus came to be the sacrifice for our sins. Praise God He is the ultimate sacrifice! By His precious blood we have been set free! But Jesus did not just come to deliver us from the consequences of our sin. He did not just come to provide us with eternal life...He came so that we could live an abundant life here and now!
Before we go any further, let me say that the abundant life is not a promise of health and wealth. John MacArthur said "Abundant life is not about having stuff. It’s about having peace, having Joy, (it's about) having God".
The abundant life is not a life void of troubles and trials. Jesus never promised that the abundant life would be an easy life. In fact, He warned us of the opposite - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer! I have overcome the world.”
The word “abundant” in the original Greek means “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, exceptionally more. Abundant speaks of "a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than one would ever expect or anticipate.”
The abundant life is only possible through Jesus Christ. - John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 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.
When someone meets Jesus, everything changes! When one puts their faith in Christ they are "born again", this marks the beginning of the "new life". Every born again Christian has life, however, not every Christian enjoys the abundant life. The problem is not that Jesus fails to give abundant life, the problem is that we fail to receive what He is offering us! The fact is, that abundant Christian life is available to you today.
- I want to take some time and examine "The Abundant Christian Life".
- Let's begin by considering:
I. THE CONTRAST OF THE ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE - v10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...
Before mentioning the abundant life that He desires for His followers, Jesus speaks of the type of life that the enemy brings. He says that the "thief comes to steal, kill and destroy".
When we hear this description, we automatically think of Satan. This is not necessarily the case. In the context of these verses, Jesus identifies Himself as "The Good Shepherd". He draws a contrast between the Good Shepherd and "the thief". The "thief" represents all false teachers and false religious systems. The "thief" is one who falsely claims to be the Christ. In the past, these individuals had come in His name seeking to steal His glory. There were many who had come before Jesus claiming to be the Promised One. There have been many to come after Jesus' time on earth, and there will be more to come in the future.
The "thief" comes for his own selfish purposes. He comes with the intention of destroying the flock. Jesus makes it clear that the thief is a threat to the sheep. When he enters the fold, he seeks to use the sheep for his own personal gain. The thief is not the least bit concerned about the welfare of the sheep.
The "thief" in John 10:10 may not be a direct reference to Satan himself, but you can rest assured that false prophets, false messiahs and false religions all work under Satan's direction! Satan does not want what is best for you... he only seeks what will benefit his evil schemes. That is not the case for Jesus, The Good Shepherd. Jesus truly wants what is best for each and every one of us.
- Notice if you will:
II. THE SOURCE OF THE ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE
Whereas the thief comes to "steal, kill and destroy" the Good Shepherd comes to bring life. Jesus is the source of that life. He states this to be His purpose for coming to this world. Jesus said "I am come that they might have life"
In the previous verses Jesus says that He is the door. This means that He is the only way that we may enter into eternal life. - v7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 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.
Jesus doesn't just come so that we can have life. He makes it perfectly clear that He desires for us to have "abundant" life. The Good shepherd wants the sheep to experience a life that is immeasurably better. The Good Shepherd knows His flock, He leads them to green pastures... and He protects us from harm and danger.
Whereas the thief only seeks destruction, the Good shepherd is willing to lay down His life for the sheep! - v11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. - Because of His sacrifice, we have the opportunity to live life eternal.
- I find it very encouraging that there is an abundant life available here and now! But I must warn you, there are come conditions concerning this abundant Christian Life. Notice if you will:
III. THE PREREQUISITE OF THE ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE
Jesus says that "I am come that they might have life". Who are the "they" that he is referencing? In the context Jesus is referring to His people. The Good Shepherd is speaking of His sheep. This means that in order to live the abundant Christian life... you must be... A CHRISTIAN!
Here is where I give you some really good news. If you are not a Christian, you can become one today! And if you are a Christian, you can begin living an abundant Christian life today! It is Jesus' desire that all of His followers live the abundant Christian life. The abundant life is not a life that is reserved for a few super saints! It is the life that Jesus expects each of His followers to live.
The church should be filled with people living the abundant life. But, if you have looked around lately, it seems that there are very few who have any real experience living this kind of life!
Vance Havner used to say that - "The church is so subnormal that if it ever got back to the New Testament normal it would seem to people to be abnormal"
Jesus paid a high price for us to be able to live the abundant life. May we seize this amazing opportunity and live the Christian life to the fullest!
- Let's take a moment and consider:
IV. THE TIMELINE OF THE ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE
Eternal life does not begin when you die, eternal life begins at the moment of your conversion. Too many Christians are living their lives focused on the after life and in the process they are missing the life that God has planned for them here. Yes, we have some amazing things waiting for us in Heaven. But don't let this life pass you by. God has a plan for your to live a great life now. This abundant life is to be enjoyed here and now.
From the very instant that you are saved, you qualify for the abundant Christian life. Jesus intends for you to life the abundant life from the time you are born again until you go to be with Him in glory!
- Concerning the abundant life, we have seen the contrast, the source, the prerequisite and the timeline. But just what does the abundant Christian life look like? Well, before we close I would like to examine:
V. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE
v10 I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
There is visible evidence in the lives of those who are actively living the abundant Christian life. The abundant life that God desires that we live is a life that mirrors the life that Jesus lived while here on earth. We will never achieve sinless perfection in this life. We will never live like Jesus lived as long as we wear this sinful flesh. But we should strive to be like our Master. When we do, the characteristics that were seen in His life, will be evident in our lives.
- When you see the abundant Christian life you will see that:
A. IT IS A LIFE MARKED BY SURRENDER
Jesus is the greatest example of surrender. He willingly left the glories of Heaven and surrendered to the Father's will. He was fully in submission to God's plan. Let us never forget the agony of our Savoir in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew what was coming the next day. He knew the pain that He was about to endure. Jesus cried out to His Father saying "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42)
In order to live the abundant Christian life we must reach that place of full surrender. We must come to a place where we say Father, not my will but yours be done. we must be willing to say "Lord, I'll go where you want me to go!" "Lord, I'll do what you would have me to do!" "Lord, I'll stay as long as you would have me to stay!" When we reach this point, we are well on our way to the abundant Christian life!
- Intertwined with surrender is obedience. This leads us to another truth about the abundant Christian life
B. IT IS A LIFE MARKED BY OBEDIENCE
When you are fully surrendered to the Lord, you will obey His will. You follow His direction. Jesus' life was a life of obedience. Paul illustrates this so well in - Philippians 2:6 (Jesus) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus was God but He laid aside some of His divine attributes. He humbled Himself as a slave. He took on a robe of human flesh and was born as a human being. He did this in obedience unto God. His obedience led Him to a criminals death on a cruel cross.
We may face some difficult times in this life, following God may cost us, there may be pain and sacrifice, but there is no greater place to be than in the center of God's will. When you are in the center of God's will... when you are surrendered and obedient, you can live the abundant Christian life!
-Moving on we will see another evidence of the Abundant Christian life. Notice that:
C. IT IS A LIFE MARKED BY FELLOWSHIP
There were multiple times where we see Jesus get away from the crowds and even separate Himself from His disciples in order to spend time with His Heavenly Father. This is an action that is missing in the lives of many Christians, but it is a vital element in the abundant life. The fact is, you cannot have an abundant life if you do not commune with God.
Fellowship with God requires communication! This means that God's Word and prayer must be part of our lives. We must get alone with God. We must talk to Him and we must listen to Him and when we listen to Him, He will tell us what He would have us to do for Him.
- This leads us to the next mark of the abundant Christian life. Notice:
D. IT IS A LIFE MARKED BY SERVICE
Jesus said that "the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
Jesus' life was a life of service. All throughout the Gospels we see Him serving others. One of the greatest pictures of His humble service was when He washed the feet of His disciples. Within a few hours, Judas would betray Him, Peter would deny Him and the rest would abandon Him. He knew this would happen but He served them anyway.
We should do no less. We have been saved to serve, there is work to be done and the abundant Christian life is a life of service.
- The abundant Christian life is a life that is marked by surrender, obedience, fellowship, service and finally we will see that:
E. IT IS A LIFE MARKED BY STEADFASTNESS
Jesus came to this earth to seek and save the lost. And as we have seen today He came so that we "might have life and have it more abundantly". - He did not stop until His mission was complete.
The abundant Christian life is one of determination and consistency. If you are up one day and down the next, you are not living the abundant Christian life. If you are on fire for a time and then back in the world a few weeks later, you are not living the abundant Christian life.
We must plant our feet and remain surrendered and obedient to the Lord. We must remain committed to our area of service to the Lord. If we will do these things, we can abide in that abundant Christian life that Jesus desires for us to have.
Matthew Henry, the well-known pastor and Bible commentator, was on his deathbed in 1714, at age 52. He had suffered the loss of his first wife and of three children. He was relatively young and could have complained about his early death.But he said to a friend, “You have been used to take notice of the sayings of dying men. This is mine—that a life spent in the service of God, and communion with Him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that one can live in the present world” - Source: (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible [Revell], p. 1:xiv).
He was a man who truly understood the meaning of the abundant Christian life! What about you, are you thriving in the Christian life or are you merely surviving? Are you making an impact for God or are you living life for yourself? Are you advancing His Kingdom or building your own?
Do you have it in your mind that you have to wait until you get to Heaven to really enjoy the Christian life? If so, you are missing out on a wonderful, abundant life. Jesus came to ensure that you could have this abundant life. Don't neglect such a great opportunity!
Maybe you are not living the abundant life because you are not saved. There must be birth before there is life and in this case, there must be new birth before there can be spiritual life. I invite you to come and surrender to Jesus today,
If you are saved, I invite you to take those steps to draw closer to your Savoir. If you will, then you can live "The Abundant Christian Life".
