The Abundant Life

The Abundant Life

Rom 6:10-13

June 17, 1984

Intro:  Jesus said in John 10:10, that he had come to give us life and with that life more abundance.  We know that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ by the avenue of faith.  John 3:16 says that whosoever believes in Jesus Christ will not perish but have everlasting life.

     It is great to have eternal life but Jesus wants us to have so much more.  He wants us to have abundant life.  All believers can have abundant life if they wish too.  The problem is so many are living below their potential in Christ.

     For life to be abundant, it must be abundant in resources and that only unlimited source of life is Jesus Christ.

To have an abundant life you must have a yielded life.

1.        How to live an abundant life is no secret, it is revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus died so that mankind could have their sins forgiven.  This is received by the avenue of faith.  Faith is trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

2.       The abundant life comes when you realize the potential Christ has given you.  He died so the promises of God would be available to you as a Christian.  Faith identifies you with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.  You have said no, to the world, the flesh and the devil and that you belong to Christ. 

3.       You are saying to the flesh that you are not going to live under shame, guilt and fear.  You are going to do what Christ, the word and the Holy Spirit says. 

4.       Faith has identified you with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is through Christ’s resurrection that you have power over pain, sickness and death.  Through resurrection power you have crucified the old passions of the flesh.  You are rising above these things and Christ has given you the power to say no to your old life.  It is possible to live above sin.  It is possible to live a life without guilt and shame.  To do that you have to yield to Jesus Christ, His plan and purposes for your life.

Paul`s advice on the Abundant Life from Col 3:1-5

1.        If we a risen with Christ we are to seek the things which are above.  These are found in prayer and reading the word of God.  This also means that we are to put our plans, purposes and priorities in the hand of God.

2.       We need to realize that our lives are hidden in Christ.  We belong to Him and are His.  We shall appear with Him in glory when we are hid in Him.

3.       Christ is our life.  Without Him we are still dead in our trespasses and sin.  We cannot do anything of real value without Him. 

4.       We are mortify our members that means to say no to the old self.  It was the thing that separated us from God.

5.       All these instructions must be followed by action.  Faith without works is dead said James.  Yielding is action.  A sanctified life is one that puts God first and desires to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.

You can have eternal life by faith but to have life to the fullest you are to live it by faith.

1.       You are righteous in Him but it is also important to know that His righteous life is in you.  This is one thing that needs to shown more than talked about. 

2.       Paul says that we are to show the righteousness of Christ by what you do. 

3.       1 John 3:7 says that he who is righteous will do righteousness.  The Open Bible says that this means not practicing sin.  The Christian is one that does not practice sin.  This means to no to the world, the flesh or the devil. 

4.       We are called to live like Christ and follow His example of righteousness, words, attitudes and actions.  Part of Christian stewardship is doing acts of love in honor of Christ.  Doing the things that please Christ.

We called to live for Christ and have Him live through us.  We are Christ hands and feet.  As the old song says, “Lord make me an instrument.” 

1.        God in His grace has made Christ known to us.  We are to let His light and life shine through us.  This is called practical Christianity.  We are to say no to the flesh and our old desires.  We are to say yes to the things taught to us in the Bible. 

2.       Paul says that we are to say no to lust, selfishness and sin that rule the body.  Don’t be instruments of unrighteousness.  Refuse to be a gossip or backbiter.  Avoid vain talk, contempt for others, foolish thoughts and words. 

3.       We are to instruments of righteousness.  Have good conversation, be an encourager.  Show Christ in your thoughts, words and deeds.  Do things that help, heal and bring victory in others.

In the verses we have looked at today a believer has a choice.  You can yield to God and have abundant life or say yes to the world, the flesh and the devil and live a defeated life.  Seems the choice is simple or is it?

1.       God wants us to the power of the yielded life.  You can live above the circumstances and it all begins by yielding to Christ and allowing Him to live through you.

2.       Christ wants to live through you.  He wants to guide you into life and all you have to say is yes to Him.  The abundant life is the abiding life.  Living for Christ.  Following Him with all your heart. 

3.       I believe that abundant life should be the norm not the exception.  It is spiritual life in depth.  The reality that without abundant life you remain empty and unfulfilled.   God wants you to have a fulfilling life and this only comes as you yield to Him.

Conclusion

1.        The abundant life is for all.  The problem is that many are living below their potential.  God wants us in victory.  He wants us to be spirit controlled and led.

2.       The abundant life is yielding to Christ, the word and prayer.  It means saying no to your old selfish nature. 

3.       You show righteousness by your actions, words. motives, thoughts and attitudes.  Abundant life comes as you say no to the old things and yes to all Christ wants in your life.   

4.       Have a life that shows you know Christ, yield to Christ and you will have a life pleasing to God.