The Abundant Life

TEXT:  John 10:10

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WE WANT TO ADD YEARS TO OUR LIVES, AND LIFE TO OUR YEARS?

B.      ABUNDANT LIVING IS NOT NECESSARILY LIVING A LONG TIME.

           - Methuselah - 969 years( Gen. 5:27 ).  What did he accomplish?

C.      DOESN'T DEPEND ON SECULAR KNOWLEDGE( Ecc. 1:18 ).

D.      NOT ACHIEVED IN ACCUMULATING WEALTH( Luke 12:15 ).

E.      WHAT IS THE SECRET OF ABUNDANT LIVING?

I.      A GREAT CENTER, FOUNDATION, HOPE, A PURPOSE.

A.      SOME LIVES HAVE AN UNCERTAIN CENTER - NOT US( Phil. 3:3 ).

B.      JESUS AND HIS WORD PROVIDE A SOLID BASE( Matt. 7:24ff. ).

          1.       See songs #204 and #437.

          2.       We come to him in trial( Heb. 12:1-2 ).

          3.       For forgiveness( 1 John 2:1-2 ).

          4.       For hope( Col. 3:1-2 ).

C.      JESUS IS EVERYTHING TO US( Act 4:12 ).

II.     OPTIMISM.

A.      PESSIMISTS NEVER TRY, NEVER ACCOMPLISH.

B.      OPTIMISTS TRY THEIR BEST AND OFTEN FAIL, BUT GAIN IN FAILURE.

C.      FAITH PRODUCES OPTIMISM.

          1.       Phil. 4:13.  God empowers us.

          2.       Rom. 8:31.  God is on our side.

          3.       Psa. 23:4.  God is with us.

          4.       John 14:1.  We trust him.

D.      OPTIMISM WILL CHANGE OTHERS ATTITUDE TOWARD US.

          1.       Optimism breeds optimism.  It Energizes !!!!!

          2.       Optimism inspires confidence in us.

          3.       Nobody likes to be around those who see only the dark side.

III.    WON'T MAKE A CAREER OF FINDING FAULT.

A.      FAULT FINDING IS A SYMPTOM OF PRIDE( Luke 18:9-13;  Matt. 7:3 ).

B.      RESULT OF USING THE WRONG STANDARD( 2 Cor. 10:12;  Jas. 4:11-12 ).

C.      SOURS US ON LIFE AND RUINS FRIENDSHIPS.

D.      IT CAN SPOIL OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD( Rom. 2:1 ).

E.      WE SHOULDN'T BE DISCOURAGED WHEN OTHERS CRITICIZE US.

          1.       Can't please everyone, some can't be pleased( Luke 6:26 ).

          2.       1 Pet. 4:19.  Let's just try to please God( Gal. 1:10 ).

IV.   REALIZES NOT ARE LIKE HIMSELF.

A.      UNITED BY WHAT WE BELIEVE( 1 Cor. 1:10;  Eph. 4:4-6 ).

B.      CHINAMAN ON THE MOST PECULIAR TRAIT OF AMERICANS, THE EYE.

C.      HOW ONE SEES LIFE EFFECTS HIS POINT OF VIEW.

          1.       We need to be tolerant, patient( Eph. 4:1-3 ).

          2.       Rom. 14:19;  12:18.  Seek peace and pursue it.

D.      WE ALL HAVE A COMMON GUIDE( John 8:12 ).  WE MAY BE

          DIFFERENT, BUT WE CANNOT SET ASIDE HIS WILL.

V.    THE ABILITY TO ADMIT MISTAKES.

A.      EASY WHEN I REALIZE THAT I'M NOT WRONG ANYMORE WHEN I DO.

B.      THE GREATEST MEN MADE MISTAKES:

          1.       Old Testament:  Moses, Abraham, David.

          2.       New Testament.  Paul( 1 Tim. 1:13 ), Peter( Gal. 2 ).

C.      ADAM AND EVE'S SHAMEFUL HOT POTATO( Gen. 3:9-13 ).

D.      THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DAVID AND SAUL?

E.      WE MUST CONFESS SINS TO BE FORGIVEN( 1 John 1:9 ).

F.      AVOIDING MISTAKES BY DOING NOTHING IS A MISTAKE( Jas. 4:17 ).

VI.   THE ABILITY TO FORGIVE.

A.      THE BEAUTY OF IT - "THE SCENT OF FLOWERS WHEN TRAMPLED."

B.      CAN'T RECEIVE IT UNTIL WE GIVE IT( Col. 3:13;  Matt. 6:15 ).

C.      FORGETFULNESS THE FRUIT OF FORGIVENESS( Heb. 10:17 ).

          1.       Eskimo word:  "not being able to think about it anymore."

          2.       Joseph and his brethren( Gen. 41:51 ).

D.      WHERE MERCY SUPERSEDES JUSTICE.

E.      WE NEED MERCY( Psa. 51:1 ), AND WE MUST SHOW IT( James 2:13 ).

VII.  COURAGE.

A.      FEAR RULES MANY LIVES è death, responsibility, pain, rejection, etc.

B.      GIVING IN TO FEAR HAS ITS COSTS( Matt. 16:25;  10:32-33 ).

C.      GOD IS OUR COURAGE( Deut. 31:6-8;  Rom. 8:31 ).

D.      WITHOUT HIM WE HAVE REASON TO FEAR( Psa. 27:13-14 ).

E.      THERE ARE SOME THINGS WORTH DYING FOR. \ >   Which takes the most

          THERE ARE SOME THINGS WORTH LIVING FOR./ >         Courage?

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE PURPOSE OF JESUS( John 10:10 ).

B.      THIS INVOLVES:

          1.       A better life now.

          2.       Eternal life in the future( 1 John 5:11-12 ).