Go! And Live Life to the Full — The Abundant Life in Christ
John 10:10 (NLT): “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Introduction: Life to the Full
There’s a story told of a man who spent his whole life collecting expensive paintings. His walls were filled with priceless art — Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso. Yet, despite the beauty surrounding him, his heart was empty. One night, a fire broke out in his mansion. As he tried to save his paintings, he lost his life. The next morning, all that remained were ashes — and the tragic realisation that though he owned much, he had never truly lived.
My friends, Jesus came not merely to give us existence — but life in all its fullness.
Yet so many today are existing, not living. They chase money, pleasure, power, and success — but remain spiritually bankrupt. Jesus’ words in John 10:10 confront us with a choice: Will we follow the thief who steals life, or the Saviour who gives it?
1. The Thief’s Purpose: To Steal, Kill, and Destroy
Jesus contrasts His mission with that of “the thief.” In context, this thief is not merely Satan, but also false shepherds — spiritual deceivers who lead people away from the truth.
In John 9–10, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees after healing the man born blind. They claimed to be spiritual leaders, but their actions revealed otherwise. They robbed people of joy, truth, and freedom. They were thieves of the soul.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.”
The Greek word for “thief” is kleptes, meaning one who steals by stealth — the same root from which we get kleptomaniac. It describes someone sneaky and deceitful — not just violent robbery, but subtle deception. That’s how Satan operates — not always with open attack, but with whispered lies.
He steals truth by twisting Scripture.
He kills hope by sowing despair.
He destroys faith by substituting religion for relationship.
Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT):
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Satan is a spiritual predator. His goal is to destroy your faith, your family, your future. But praise God — he cannot steal what you willingly place in the hands of Jesus.
Charles Stanley once said: “When you put your life in God’s hands, you must expect Satan to attack — but you can also expect God to protect.”
And isn’t that true? Satan wants to rob you of peace, but he cannot touch the soul anchored in Christ.
Church, be alert! Guard your heart, your thoughts, your time. In an age of distraction, the thief often steals not with temptation, but with busyness. He steals prayer time with screens, worship with worry, fellowship with fatigue. But Jesus came to restore what the enemy has taken.
2. Christ’s Purpose: To Give Life — Abundant, Eternal, Transforming
Jesus continues: “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10b)
The Greek word for “life” here is zoe — not just biological existence (bios), but spiritual vitality — life that comes from God Himself.
And the phrase “rich and satisfying” (perissos) means overflowing, more than enough, beyond measure.
Jesus isn’t promising a life of luxury, but a life of spiritual abundance — peace that surpasses understanding, joy unspeakable, love unshakeable, and hope unbreakable.
John 14:6 (NLT): “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”
Christ does not just give life — He is life.
The source of all true life is found in Him alone.
R.T. Kendall said: “The Christian life is not difficult — it’s impossible, unless Christ lives it through you.”
That’s the essence of zoe — not self-improvement, but Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
Romans 6:23 (NLT): “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Sin pays a salary — death. But God gives a gift — eternal life.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer. You can earn death, or receive life.
And that life begins the moment you surrender to Jesus.
John Piper wrote: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
The abundant life Jesus offers is not found in possessions or comfort, but in the presence of God Himself. It’s satisfaction that flows from a heart redeemed and renewed.
3. The Shepherd’s Care: Personal, Protective, Powerful
Let’s remember the context — Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NLT)
In the ancient world, shepherds risked their lives for their flocks. They led, protected, and provided.
Jesus goes further — He lays down His life for His sheep.
The Greek word for “good” is kalos, meaning noble, beautiful, worthy.
Jesus isn’t just a competent shepherd — He is the perfect one.
Psalm 23:1–3 (NLT): “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.”
David spoke of the LORD’s sufficiency — “I have all that I need.”
That’s the abundant life — not having everything you want, but knowing you already have everything that matters in Christ.
Max Lucado beautifully wrote: “If God is enough for you, then you’ll always have enough.”
When Jesus is your Shepherd, you lack nothing that eternal life requires. You are guided, guarded, and graced.
4. The Cross and the Empty Tomb: The Source of True Life
Abundant life is not possible without the Cross.
Our sin separated us from God — our rebellion brought death. But Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for the sheep.
He took our sin, bore our shame, endured the wrath we deserved.
He died, was buried, and on the third day He rose again — defeating death, hell, and the grave!
Because He lives, you and I can live also.
John 11:25–26 (NLT): “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.’”
Tim Keller once said: “The gospel is not that we give God a good record, but that He gives us Jesus’ perfect record.”
At the Cross, our sin was exchanged for His righteousness.
At the empty tomb, our death was exchanged for His life.
That’s why Jesus can say, “I came to give life.”
5. The Call: Live in the Fullness of Christ
The abundant life is not just eternal — it is present.
Jesus didn’t come merely to prepare us for Heaven, but to transform our living on earth.
Galatians 2:20 (NLT): “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
When Christ lives in you, your life becomes a testimony of His grace.
A missionary once gave a Bible to a man in a remote village. Years later, he returned and found the man transformed — joyful, compassionate, peaceful. When asked what happened, the man smiled and said, “I read the Bible until the Bible began to read me.”
That’s what Jesus does — He transforms us from the inside out.
John Stott said: “The Christian life is the life of Christ reproduced in the believer by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
That’s the abundant life — the life of Jesus lived through us.
Gospel Invitation: The Door to Life
Friend, Jesus says in John 10:9 (NLT): “I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.”
There is only one door to eternal life — Jesus Christ.
Have you entered through that door? Have you received the life He offers?
If not, today can be your day of salvation.
You cannot earn it. You cannot buy it. You can only receive it — by grace, through faith.
Repent — turn from sin.
Believe — trust in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
Receive — the gift of eternal, abundant life.
He stands at the door of your heart, not to steal, but to save.
Conclusion: Go! And Live Life to the Full
Church, Jesus didn’t die to make bad people good. He died to make dead people alive.
He came that we might live life abundantly — joyfully, purposefully, victoriously.
So, go!
Go and live life to the full.
Go and walk in the freedom of grace.
Go and shine the light of Jesus in a world still walking in shadows.
Benediction:
May you know the Shepherd’s voice, follow His leading, rest in His care, and live in His abundance — until the day you see Him face to face, and life eternal becomes life complete.
