“Embracing Change To Experience Life!” Living An ABUNDANT LIFE In Christ! John 10:10

to steal and kill and destroy; John 10:10…. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV)

UNHAPPY and DISSATISFIED people. INTRODUCTION Our world is full of UNHAPPY and DISSATISFIED people.

Everybody has an answer! What is the solution? Everybody has an answer!

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end The Bible says this in Proverbs 14:12…. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (NIV)

"How do I find happiness and satisfaction in life?"

to steal and kill and destroy; John 10:10…. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV)

What did Jesus mean when He said that we can have “life to the full?”

A good dictionary will define the word “FULL” “complete, perfect, being at the highest or greatest degree, the maximum.”

“a life that is complete, …. successful, superior, having an abundance It would mean “a life that is complete, not lacking in anything essential.” …. successful, superior, having an abundance of quality and life!

Jesus also came to give us an ABUNDANT LIFE. Eternal life + "life to the full!"

…. because they don’t know what it is! Why are so many Christians not living life to the full? …. because they don’t know what it is! Jesus said…. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

MAIN POINTS 1. There Really Is An ABUNDANT LIFE!

is full of all the things money can’t buy. Abundant Living Is A Life That Is Filled With The Things That Are Good For Us The ABUNDANT LIFE is full of all the things money can’t buy.

James 1:17…. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (NIV)

“… You do not have, because you do not James 4:2…. “… You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (NIV)

all these negative characteristics from a person’s life. B) The Abundant Life Is Free From The Things That Are Bad For Us GOD CAN REMOVE all these negative characteristics from a person’s life.

1 Corinthians 6:11…. “And this is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (NIV)

2. ABUNDANT LIVING Is Found In Christ And No Where Else!

Everyone who does not have Jesus in his life, will not be able to experience true ABUNDANT LIVING!

“…unless we believe in Him, we will all die in our sins.” John 8:24…. “…unless we believe in Him, we will all die in our sins.” (NIV)

a non-Christian experience Happiness.... a non-Christian experience – limited in quality and is temporary.

A person cannot live an “ABUNDANT LIFE” if they are spiritually dead. Anyone without the saving grace of Jesus, is SPIRITUALLY DEAD. A person cannot live an “ABUNDANT LIFE” if they are spiritually dead.

Ephesians 2:4,5…. “ (v.4) ... God, who is rich in mercy, (v.5) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions….” (NIV)

3. God Is Inviting You To Experience An ABUNDANT LIFE!

“….God, who richly provides us with everything for 1 Timothy 6:17…. “….God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (NIV)

It is God’s desire that all His children discover happiness and satisfaction in (this) life.

“What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15…. “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” (NIV)

4. How To Identify The ABUNDANT LIFE?

The "ABUNDANT LIFE" means that there is an abundance of something. … referring to LIFE ITSELF. … getting the most out of life. … living life to the fullest.

“ ...do not worry about our life, what we will eat Matthew 6:25…. “ ...do not worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, and what we will wear.” (NIV)

If we allow ourselves to remain preoccupied with what we consider to be basic necessities, we will not be able to enjoy ABUNDANT LIFE!

It is NOT necessarily a life of What Abundant Life Is NOT? It is NOT necessarily a life of comfort and ease

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you James 1:2…. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (NIV)

2) It is NOT dependent on outside circumstances

3) It is NOT glamorous or outwardly impressive

Matthew 7:13…. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (NIV)

4) It is NOT necessarily obtained quickly

5) It is NOT easy to obtain

5. You Can Know How To Receive This ABUNDANT LIFE!

God graciously gives it There is no magic formula. God graciously gives it to all who seek it.

Matthew 7:7–9…. “ (v.7) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (v.8) For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; ….

…. and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7–9…. …. and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (v.9) ‘Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?’ ” (NIV)

Matthew 7:11…. “If you ... know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.” (NIV)