Transcript

Abundant Life

All he ever really wanted in life was more. He wanted more money, so he parlayed inherited wealth into a billion-dollar pile of assets. He wanted more fame, so he broke into the Hollywood scene and soon became a filmmaker and star. He wanted more sensual pleasures, so he paid handsome sums to indulge his every sexual urge. He wanted more thrills, so he designed, built, and piloted the fastest aircraft in the world. He wanted more power, so he secretly dealt political favors so skillfully that two U.S. presidents became his pawns. All he ever wanted was more. He was absolutely convinced that more would bring him true satisfaction. Unfortunately, history shows otherwise. This man concluded his life emaciated and colorless; with a sunken chest; fingernails in grotesque, inches-long corkscrews; rotting, black teeth; tumors; and innumerable needle marks from his drug addiction. He died a billionaire junkie, insane by all reasonable standards. Howard Hughes died believing the myth that abundant life is found in the materialistic treasures of this world (Luke 12:15). He died believing his money could buy satisfaction.

Hughes is not alone. For a variety of reasons, countless others lack a joyful life. In a recent poll I read this week, 10% of all British people confessed they would be "better off dead." Tragically, those who are alive worldwide are "just getting by" weighed down with a plethora of burdens, struggles, expectations and anxieties. Many have turned to drugs, health, wealth and prosperity only to discover that these are a temporary fix, insufficient to bring total satisfaction. Few, if any, despite their attempts could honestly claim they are living a joyful, abundant life. Even Christians are not immune.

Author, singer, and Christian speaker Sheila Walsh told Leadership Journal, "The five years I was co-hosting the 700 Club were probably the five loneliest years of my life. I discovered the ministry is a very, very effective place to hide…I kept struggling with this huge inner turmoil, while the audience thought I was the embodiment of godliness. It was a very strange struggle. But God loves us enough that he doesn't want us just to survive. He wants us to live" (Sheila Walsh, "Staying Alive," Leadership Journal, Summer 2002).

She's right! God wants us to have abundant life! In possibly one of my favorite passages in the entire Bible our Lord Jesus promised in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

As a preparation for our testimony time and the Lord's Table, I would like to briefly answer three questions: What is abundant life? Where is abundant life found? And how may I receive abundant life? I trust the teachings of God's inspired Word will be of great blessing to your heart.

WHAT IS ABUNDANT LIFE?

Let's begin by answering the first question: What is abundant life?

I think we would all agree that the abundant life for which our soul yearns is one in which we experience an ongoing sense of inner peace, joy and security even in the midst of the worst trials life will throw our way. Abundant life is a life overflowing with continual contentment and satisfaction independent of our circumstances.

Maybe a word study will be of further assistance. Our English word "abundance" comes from two Latin words "ab and "undare." "Undare" means "to rise in waves" or "to overflow." The first definition gives the picture of waves washing upon the seashore. Living by the shore, we've all seen this one before. As soon as one wave is exhausted, another wave immediately surges upon the sand. There is never a time when this repetitive abundance of waves ceases. The other definition, "to overflow," gives the picture of a flood. I can remember the river in our backyard in Illinois overflowing its enclosed banks during times of heavy rain. Therefore, both of these definitions together in context speak of a continual overflow of blessings. Specifically applied to our situation, it's not just getting through life, rather it is enjoying life abundantly!

Even the Greek word used in our text, perissos, bears similar connotations. It has a mathematical meaning and generally denotes a surplus. The verbal form was used by Matthew to speak of the 12 baskets of food that remained, the overflow or abundance of food, after Jesus fed the 5,000 (These studies were obtained from J. M. Boice, John, 748).

I think we would all agree on our definition of abundant life. And I think we'd all agree, possibly from experience, that abundant life is not found by following the wisdom of the world. Therefore the question I have for all of you: Do you really want this life? Do you want the life you've always imagined but possibly have yet to ever experience? We'll, let us continue.

WHERE IS ABUNDANT LIFE FOUND?

There are some ultimate questions that every human deals with. Where did I come from? What is my purpose for being here? How can I find happiness and satisfaction? These are great questions and every human being will continue to search until they settle for an acceptable answer. Unfortunately most settle for a lie. They have lost sight of the God revealed in the Bible and settle for the second-rate pleasures of this world, which fail to bring any sense of inner peace and overflowing joy. Happiness and satisfaction are not found in the world, they are found a relationship with Jesus Christ. Simply put, the Bible teaches that life is found in Christ.

Elsewhere in this gospel Jesus said, "And you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life" (Jn. 5:40). And "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn. 14:6). In chapter 20, John tells us his purpose for writing. "But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" (Jn. 20:31; c.f. 1 Jn. 5:13).

In John 10:10 Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Eternal life is not only an ongoing existence with God in the future, but also a present reality of experiencing life as God intends. If we stay within the context, verse 10 is sandwiched between two of Jesus' great "I am" declarations. In verse 9 Jesus declares that He is "the Door" to salvation and satisfaction. This teaches that eternal life and meaning in life are only found through Christ (c.f. 2 Pet. 1:11). In verse 11 Jesus declares that He is the "Good Shepherd" who willingly dies for His sheep. This teaches that Jesus is personally concerned and intimately involved with those who are His sheep. He is not a distant deity. Rather He desires to minister for the benefits of His sheep. He as the Good Shepherd wants His sheep to have abundant life. As a matter of fact, our abundant life is essential for His reputation or His Name's sake.

Christian author and former sheep rancher himself, Phillip Keller said, "Any shepherd who is a good manager always bears in mind one great objective. It is that his flock may flourish. The continuous well-being of his sheep is a constant preoccupation. All of his time, thought, strength, and resources are directed to this end. Nothing delights the good shepherd more than to know his livestock are in excellent condition. He will stand in his pastures amongst the sheep casting a knowing eye over them, rejoicing in their contentment and fitness. A good stock man actually revels in the joy of seeing his animals flourishing."

Keller continues, "There are several reasons for this. First, and perhaps foremost, is the simple fact that…(the loving shepherd wants his sheep) in good health…(He wants them to) thrive under his care. (Second) his own reputation and name as an esteemed sheepman is reflected in the performance of his flock. All of his expertise and affection for the sheep is shown by how they prosper under his watchful eye." Keller, A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd and His Sheep, pg. 354-355)

These two reasons also apply to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of His flock. First, He wants us to be content, to thrive under His care. Second, His sheep that display a lack of satisfaction poorly reflect on His ability as a Shepherd to meet their needs. Psalm 23 declares, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Ps. 23:1). Therefore Jesus Christ wants His people to enjoy abundant life to glorify Him as a Good Shepherd. As John Piper so frequently says, "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."

One author clearly expressed the problem with a discontented, unsatisfied Christian. "I once asked a deeply religious man if he considered himself a truly pious person. He responded that while he aspired to be one, he felt that he fell short in two areas. One of those areas, he said, was his not being a happy enough person to be considered truly pious. His point was that unhappy religious people reflect poorly on their religion and on their Creator. He was right; in fact, unhappy religious people pose a real challenge to faith. If their faith is so impressive, why aren't these devoted adherents happy? There are only two possible reasons: either they are not practicing their faith correctly, or they are practicing their faith correctly and the religion itself is not conducive to happiness. Most outsiders assume the latter reason. Unhappy religious people should therefore think about how important being happy is-if not for themselves, then for the sake of their religion. Unhappy, let alone angry, religious people provide persuasive arguments for atheism and secularism" (Prager, Dennis, Happiness Is a Serious Problem, pg.4).

HOW MAT I RECEIVE ABUNDANT LIFE?

So we covered a definition of abundant life and have identified the Person who brings abundant life. But let's get very practical here. How does Jesus Christ impart to us abundant life? In John 1:4 and 14:6 Jesus is described as "the life." Being God incarnate, He is the standard and meaning of life. He not only defines life, He is the living embodiment of life! Since we have been created and now recreated in His image, satisfaction and joy are only found when we become more and more like Him!

How does it start? This is awesome! The Scriptures teach that the moment we trust Jesus Christ, He comes and takes up full residence in our heart in the presence of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:17, Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 16:19). Jesus said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mt. 28:20). You see, a remarkable exchange takes place the moment we trust Christ. Trusting Christ, placing our faith in Christ, is giving Him all that we are for all that He is. It's seeing our self crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20). It's dying to self (Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:9) whereby He might now reign as Lord in our lives. It's experiencing being "in Christ" (2 Cor. 5:17) and "Christ in me" (Col. 1:27). His life has now become ours! It's a great exchange! An exchange that happened ultimately at salvation but continues through the Christian life as we put off the old self and put on the new (Eph. 4:22f; Col. 3:10f). We trade our old self, once dead and bound to self-interest and pride and folly for a re-birth, for a new life in Him. We literally take on His life, which is "the life."

Therefore when we deny self and abide in Christ, or walk in the Spirit as opposed to walk in the flesh, we enjoy the abundant life as Christ lives His life though us. In John 15:11 Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." In John 14:27 Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." Abounding life in us is only found when Christ manifests His abounding life through us.

We need to realize that our lacking joy in life is not only a detriment to us, but it is also an insult to the glory of the Good Shepherd. The Word of God says He has promised us abundant life. Therefore if we are not enjoying abundant life, either the Word of God is in error, or Jesus has failed to keep His promise. I refuse to believe either of these is true. Therefore, those who believe in Christ (including myself), must take a deep internal look to see whether or not we are abiding in Christ and feasting on Him (Jn. 6:53) and trusting Him as the firm foundation for our well-being. Spiritually speaking, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst" (Jn. 6:35). The Psalmist declared, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever" (Psm. 16:11).

Oh yes, our faith at times is weak. Oh yes, we go through vicious trials. But the Scriptures promise that His grace is both abundant (Rom. 5:17) and sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). Yes we must walk by faith and not by sight, but yes we have the ability to fulfill the command to rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4). In that same epistle the Apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

On this Fourth of July weekend we remember the patriotic heroism of those who shed their blood during the American Revolution for our independence. Jesus shed His blood for our freedom in a much greater way. He died to give us eternal, abundant life. We enjoy this abundant life not through a declaration of independence, but rather a declaration of dependence on Him. How do I receive abundant life? By abiding in Christ and through faith trusting in His promises. For the Good Shepherd has promised His sheep abundant life. Do you have abundant life in Him?