Introduction

Welcome church! Today we’re continuing through our series, Sunday is Coming, where we look at Easter and its long-lasting effects for those who believe. Last week we looked back to the empty tomb and remembered that it is full of hope for those who believe. The death and resurrection of Jesus are divine realities with immeasurable implications. One of which is the abundant life available in Christ to those who believe.

And for all of us here today, that is good news. In part, because many of us live feeling as if there’s something more, or something missing, and we spend enormous amounts of time, energy, and money trying to locate the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

What we learn in Christ is that abundance of life isn’t measured in acres, accounts, or abilities. Don’t get me wrong, those things are great and they can definitely make life more interesting. But fullness and abundance of life are not found in things, but in a person.

Or to put it more precisely: abundance is found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…who traded His life for yours.

abundance is found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…who traded His life for yours.

Main Teaching

When I think of what abundant life might look like or feel like, I’m often drawn back to the very beginning, to the book of Genesis, where a world before sin is briefly described. As one author puts it:

“When we read about the garden of Eden in Genesis 1 and 2, we can’t help but feel drawn to its beauty and abundance and innocence. It must have been wonderful to live in such a pristine environment, with every need met, to experience an intimate marriage full of delight in each other, and to have a satisfying sense of purpose in ruling over God’s creation together.”

Imagine for a moment; Every need being met, a fully delightful and intimate marriage, working together with your spouse, unhindered, and unashamed. (Genesis 2:25). There’s no death, no sickness, no suffering, and no anxiety… because there’s nothing to worry about.

But, as we all know, the garden didn’t last, sin entered the story, and along with it every horrible atrocity and pain humankind could inflict upon one another. There was no way for us to work our way back to God, no matter how hard we tried, there was always something missing.

And that’s when Jesus enters the story… Did we welcome Him as a King? Did we treat him with hospitality and generosity as we should any weary traveler? Did we make Him feel at home? Obviously the answer is no, but even worse; We humiliated Him in the most vile and horrible way and left Him to die alone on a Roman cross.

Yet somehow, even after all that, Jesus was willing to trade His life for ours ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium