Jesus is the Door to the Abundant Life
What is the abundant life?
If you’re Christian, you must have a great life, right? You’re such a good person, you don’t lie or cheat, so I bet you don’t have major illnesses, no financial worries and you probably don’t stress about work, right? God just makes it all good for you!
Has anyone asked you those questions? Maybe not as directly but there is a common misbelief that Christians lead a charmed life. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Now, in one way, we do lead a charmed life. We have hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We know that when trials and tribulations come–and they will come–He is always by our side. We are never alone. That is a charmed life!
Beware of temptations
But because of our hope, we have a constant barrage of false idols trying to replace that hope. It could be our own ego, money, status, the list goes on. Even more dangerous are the dangers from within the church. The false teachers who lead us away from Christ and encourage us to focus on our actions as a way to an abundant life are the ones to fear.
The abundant life is not about earthly possessions but about our spiritual well-being, now and eternally.
Who is it for?
Abundant life is being reconciled with God. He wants to give us life. He even died so that we might live. And it is for the whole world. Anyone who believes will receive it. So, then, who would choose not to receive such a wonderful gift? People are led astray by evil teachers who are described below as false shepherds.
False shepherds make all kinds of promises that they cannot keep. They may promise health, wealth, and happiness. Some others might promise an afterlife filled with riches.
But the abundant life is about the resurrection, and by His resurrection, we will be reunited in eternal life. Until then, we are nourished by the Word of God and His deep, unfailing love for us.
Thanks be to God for the abundant life!
Here is the full sermon text from John 10 :
I am the Good Shepherd
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
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Announcements
Vacation: Pastor Jenson will be taking some time off starting on Thursday, May 4, and returning on Thursday, May 11. Please contact Deacon Poe in his absence.
Bible Study: Our midweek Bible study will meet this week, May 3rd but will recess on May 10th.
Voters Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Sunday, May 21 at 3 pm via Zoom.
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