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    ABUNDANT LIFE: INTRODUCTION

    John 10:7-11, 14-15
    January 3, 2010
       
    Today we have a brand new year stretching before us.  Today we have the opportunity for new resolutions.  Today we have the ability to make a new start.  Today we have a chance to begin a new life.  Jesus said, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance—to the full, till it overflows” (John 10:10, amp).

    Many people live lives of “Quiet Desperation.”  Shakespeare described such a pitiful existence: “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.  It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury—signifying nothing.”

    Jesus, however, offers something much better.  He offers the kind of life that not only fills our eternal needs, it also fulfills our earthly needs.  Furthermore, if our needs were truly filled, all destructive addictions like alcoholism, drugs, gambling, promiscuity and compulsive shopping would disappear.  That’s because people who succumb to these vices are really attempting to satisfy legitimate human cravings.  They are trying to eliminate their emptiness, abolish their misery and fill their needs.

    Unfortunately, these things don’t satisfy.  They only create more problems.  The Psalmist said, “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psa. 107:9, niv).

    Then, Paul gives us a wonderful promise.  “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, nlb).

    So, what are these deep unfulfilled needs that make us miserable and cause us to destroy our lives?

    And, more importantly, how does the Gospel of Jesus fill these needs and give us Abundant Life?

I.  First, it’s natural for human beings to judge and rebuff each other.  Because of this most of us have been so slighted and alienated over the years that we feel rejected.  But Jesus offers total acceptance.  He said, “(He) who comes to me I will most certainly not cast out—I will never, no never reject one of them who comes to me” (John 6:37, amp).

2.  Second, it’s natural for human beings to criticize and revile each other.  Because of this most of us have been so hurt and despised over the years that we feel unloved.  But Jesus offers unconditional love.  He said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you . . . The greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends ” (John 15:9, niv 13, nlb).

3.  Third, it’s natural for human beings to degrade and dishonor each other.  Because of this most of us have been so disrespected and humiliated over the years that we feel worthless.  But Jesus emphasizes our value.  He said, “Not even a sparrow . . . can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it . . . (but) you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows” (Matt. 10:29,31).

4.  Fourth,  it’s natural for human beings to intimidate and threaten each other.  Because of this most of us have been so intimidated and bullied over the years that we feel insecure.  But Jesus offers absolute security.  He said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, nlb).

5.  Fifth,  it’s natural for human beings to blame and accuse each other.  Because of this most of us have been so shamed and condemned over the years that we feel guilty.  But Jesus offers complete forgiveness.  He said, “Those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24, nlb).

6.  Sixth,  it’s natural for human beings to have different opinions and get different advice.  Because of this most of us have made so many wrong decisions over the years that we feel confused.  But Jesus offers guidance.  He said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth . . .” (John 16:13-15, nlb).

7.  Seventh,  it’s natural for human beings to impose rules and regulations on each other.  Because of this most of us have had so many rules and constraints over the years that we feel restricted.  But Jesus offers liberty.  He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:32,36, nlb).

8.  Eighth,  it’s natural for human beings to withdraw and abandon each other in a crises.  Because of this most of us have been so let down and disappointed over the years that we feel helpless.  But Jesus offers his presence and full support.  He said, “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt.  28:20b, nlb).

9.  Ninth,  it’s natural for human beings to be apathetic and undisciplined.  Because of this most us have become so aimless and unfocused over the years that we feel frustrated.  But Jesus gives us purpose.  He said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations . . . Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you . . .” (Matt.  28:19-20a).

10.  Tenth,  it’s natural for human beings to experience depression and misery.  Because of this most of us become so discouraged and pessimistic over the years that we feel despair.  But Jesus gives us hope and joy.  He said, “I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11, nlb).

    It’s obvious that every individual has certain needs, including: acceptance, love, value, security, forgiveness, guidance, liberty, support, purpose and hope.  If any of these basic needs are unmet, we feel empty and incomplete.  That why Jesus offers Salvation.  Over and over during his ministry on earth, when the Lord met hurting people he would declare, “You are made whole.”  He meant “all of your needs are filled and you lack nothing.”

    Once, Dr. Robert Sculler responded to an atheist by saying: “Sir, if just before I die, I should find out that there is no God and my faith was unfounded, I’d say, ‘Even so, I wouldn’t change a thing.  My Christian life gave me so many benefits that I’m still glad I lived as I did.’”

    Here are some of the those benefits:

    1.  “I was accepted by my church family.”
    2.  “I felt loved by God and my fellow Christians.”
    3.  “My work in the church gave me a feeling of value.”
    4.  “I experienced peace and security instead of anxiety and insecurity.”
    5.  “I was forgiven and my guilt was abolished.”
    6.  “I was strengthened and guided in times of uncertainty.”
    7.  “My faith freed me from a lot of rules and regulations.  I had liberty.”
    8.  “I had a loyal support group during sorrow and tragedy.”
    9.  “My faith gave meaning and purpose to my life.”
    10.  “I had hope instead of despair.”
    If something consistently produces such positive results, then it’s real.
   
    When we realize these benefits, then we can experience the “Abundant Life” Jesus promised.

    According to legend, the little boy who gave Jesus his “loaves and fishes” saw Jesus’ miracle and said, “Wow!  If he can do that with my lunch,  What could he do with my whole life?”  Each of us could ask the same thing: What if I gave him my whole life?  What if I gave him my time?  Would my day look different?  Would I get the priority things done?  Would he enable me to accomplish more of his work? What if I gave him my talents?  Would I discover some hidden special abilities?  Would he develop them more fully?  Would he allow me to influence every life I encounter?  What if I gave him my treasure?  Would I be able to invest in things that will last throughout eternity.  What if I didn’t stop at time, talents and treasure?  What if I gave him my hopes and my dreams?”

    That’s the way to realize abundant life!  Jesus said, “Whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it [his higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God]” (Mark 8:35b, amp).
   
    To the lost, He’s the way.  To the weak, He is strong. 
    To the dead, He’s the life.  To the sad, He’s a song.
    To the thirsty, He’s drink.  To the poor, He is wealth.
    To the hungry, He’s bread.  To the sick, He is health.
    Every pain He can ease.  Every heart, He can thrill.
    Every fear, He can sooth.  Every need, He can fill.

    That’s what Jesus offered when he said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10:10, nas).

    Life is precious.  If a medicine were produced today that guaranteed life, it would be in great demand.  Suppose there were such a capsule.  If a person was involved in a fatal accident, the medic could slip that capsule in the victim’s mouth and immediately life would return.  If a patient died on an operating table, the doctor could administer the medicine and all would be well.

    If there were a pill that would ensure only one day of additional life, people would panic to get it.  Just suppose a pill were produced that would give everlasting life.  People would beg, borrow or steal to get enough money to purchase it.  No effort would be spared in order to mass produce the product.  Long lines would form in front of all the businesses that sold it.  The demand would be overwhelming.

    The doctor discovering it would be praised.  His fame would make his name a household word.  His popularity would be unexcelled.
    Well, Jesus did that!  And he offers not only life, but “abundant life!”

(WC1669)

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Copyrighted 2010 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. 

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Miles E Wesner

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