Play

Abundant Life

Wayne Galloway
06/07/20 - Sunday Evening Worship

Abundant Life

Jn. 10:10

 

Introduction:

1.  Jesus frequently used images to communicate magnificent spiritual truths.

2.  Some today call these images “word pictures.”  “Word pictures” are figures of speech used to capture both the imagination and the emotion in a way that can powerfully communicate to another individual.

3.  Jesus used one of these word pictures in Jn. 10 as he described his relationship to his people as that of a shepherd to his sheep.

4.  In order to better understand the image we need to understand something about first century shepherding.

     a.  The shepherd and the sheep spent a lot of time together.  So much time, in fact, that

           there was a certain joining or bonding that took place between the sheep and the

           shepherd.

     b. They were so close that the sheep knew the voice of their shepherd.

     c.  They depended upon him for food, water, and protection.

     d.  In the evenings shepherds would bring their sheep to a sheepfold, an enclosed

          area, fenced off, to keep threatening animals out, and to keep the sheep safe.

      e.  More than one flock could be kept in a sheepfold.  In the mornings when it came

           time to go out the shepherd would call to his sheep and they would separate

           themselves from the sheep of other flocks and follow their shepherd because they

           knew his voice.

5.  Jesus began his instruction by saying . . . Reading of 10:1-6.

6.  He explained the “word picture” in vs. 7-18.

7.  Shepherding is all about providing life for the sheep:  feeding, watering, protecting them from thieves, robbers, wolves or anything else that would seek the life of the sheep.

8.  In vs. 10 Jesus describes his work as the good shepherd.  He says, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”

     a.  Jesus is saying that he came that his sheep might thrive. 

     b.  That they be vigorous and healthy.

     c.  That they might be fat and sassy.  Like little calves, with tails over their heads,

           running playfully through the pasture.

9.  The gospel of John focuses particular significance upon the life available to us in Jesus Christ.

 

Discussion:

 

I.  This is Jesus’ objective:  “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”

 

     A.  Is this the kind of life you want to live?  Who wouldn’t?

     B.  Is this the kind of life you are living?

           1.  Jesus not only wants us to have life.

           2.  But to have it abundantly.

     C.  The nature of this life.

           1.  It is eternal (Jn. 10:28).

                 a.  They shall never perish.  No wolf will destroy.  No sickness will

                       overtake them.

                 b.  No one shall snatch them out of my hand.   No thief or robber will

                      take them.

           2.  Eternal life is available now (Jn. 3:15; 6:47; 1 Jn. 5:11-13).

      

II.  The life that is available to us involves an exchange (Jn. 10:11).  “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

      A.  It is a voluntary laying down  (Jn. 10:17-18).

            1.  It is motivated by a love that stems from ownership (10:11-12;15:13).

            2.  It  evidences concern (10:13-15).

      B.  It is a substitutionary death:  the good shepherd for the sheep.

            1.  Son gives life to whomever he wishes (Jn. 5:21).

            2.  Has authority to give eternal life (17:2-3).

      C.  He is the means of life.  Lays down his life for the sheep.

            1.  “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through

                 Me” (Jn. 14:6).

             2. “Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

       D.  He is the one who gives the water of life (Jn. 4:14).

       E.  He not only gives food for eternal life (Jn. 6:26ff), but he is the bread of life

            (6:32-35).

       F.  He has power to take up his life again (Jn. 10:17-18).

 

III.  Hearing and believing are actions critical to having eternal life (Jn. 5:24).

 

       A.  Note how belief/obedience is key to having eternal life (Jn. 3:36).

             1.  Not just believing that something is true.

             2.  But believing in (depending upon) Christ.

             3.  Naturally leads to obedience.

       B.  Believing leads to life in His name (Jn. 20:30-31).

             1.  The place of the word in believing (Jn. 5:39-47).

             2.  Words of eternal life (Jn. 6:63, 67).

       C.  But alas, some men love darkness more than the light of life (Jn. 3:36).

       D.  Involves giving up life in this world (Jn.12:25-26).

             1.  Denial of self.

             2.  In favor of dependence on the great shepherd.

        E.  Those who believe will be raised up at the last day (Jn. 6:40; 11:25-26).

        F.  They are the ones who have life and have it abundantly.

        G.  They celebrate life in their eating of the Lord’s supper.

              1.  They are participants in the life of the Lord.

              2.  They are sharers in his body and his blood (1 Cor. 10:16ff).

              3.  They have life through him.   And they have it abundantly.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  Do you have life?

2.  Do you have it abundantly?