John 10 10 NKJV 10 The thief does

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John 10: 10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and

John 10: 10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The Abundant Life • Christianity at times gets a bad rap • When some

The Abundant Life • Christianity at times gets a bad rap • When some think of the Christian life they think of all the “thou shalt not’s” in the Bible • They may say that if you are a Christian it means that you can’t do x or y or z

The Abundant Life • This is often the argument of those who are opposed

The Abundant Life • This is often the argument of those who are opposed to God’s way • However, there are some “Christians” who view it this way as well • Some view their Christian life as necessary to get to heaven, but they also view it as anything but joyous

The Abundant Life • Is that how God meant for the Christian life to

The Abundant Life • Is that how God meant for the Christian life to be? • There was purpose to the coming of Christ • “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10: 10)

The Abundant Life • Christ never meant for the Christian life to be a

The Abundant Life • Christ never meant for the Christian life to be a difficult or burdensome life • Christ’s coming to save the world from sin was to give us life and to give it more abundantly • How do you view the life that Christ has given you?

Focus & Restrictions • Certainly there are some things that the Bible clearly speaks

Focus & Restrictions • Certainly there are some things that the Bible clearly speaks out against • These things are not fitting for a child of the King • When God tells us to avoid something, He does it for our own good

Focus & Restrictions • However, there are restrictions in everything in life § In

Focus & Restrictions • However, there are restrictions in everything in life § In the home § At school § At work § In sports § In life

Focus & Restrictions • We do not deny or rebel against any of the

Focus & Restrictions • We do not deny or rebel against any of the others on that list due to restrictions • It boils down to what we choose to focus on • There are pros and cons to everything; which do we weigh more heavily?

Focus & Restrictions • We know through God’s word and life experience that the

Focus & Restrictions • We know through God’s word and life experience that the pros far outweigh the cons • Christians are able to enjoy life much more than those who are lost • One reason is because fear and worry are absent from the Christian life

A Case Study • There are some who think the world offers a more

A Case Study • There are some who think the world offers a more abundant life than Christ does • Solomon wanted to find true and lasting happiness and joy • Solomon explored both a life of godliness and a worldly life to see which was better

A Case Study • Solomon tried it all • “Whatever my eyes desired I

A Case Study • Solomon tried it all • “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure” (Ecc. 2: 10) • Solomon did everything the world would say to do to be truly happy

A Case Study • Through all that Solomon tried, he continued to say over

A Case Study • Through all that Solomon tried, he continued to say over and over that it was all “vanity” • Solomon brought his findings to a conclusion at the end of Ecclesiastes • “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecc. 12: 13)

A Case Study • Everything the world offers brings temporary satisfaction at best •

A Case Study • Everything the world offers brings temporary satisfaction at best • What God offers to us is something that will last all of eternity • The question is, are we willing to explore the abundance of life that Christ offered to give?