Text:
John 10:10:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Theme:
Don’t Miss The Party
Introduction:
- Our text comes out of the Gospel of St. John, written by the Bible says, “the one whom Jesus loved”. John was that special disciple who was close to Jesus. So much so that John chose to focus on the Divinity of Jesus in his written Gospel. Jesus the Son of God! Jesus the Master of the universe! Jesus the one who came to save the world from sin and shame! This was the focus of John in this Gospel.
- In this verse, John 10:10, Jesus makes it clear that His purpose is give life and life more abundantly not to steal it, but to provide it…not to take it, but to establish it.
Body:
What is “life more abundantly”?
- What is life?
- Life is a compilation of the experiences of a living being.
- Life is the essence of a creature or entity.
- Life is the time span of the existence of a creature or entity.
- BUT FOR THE CHURCH:
- Life is the existence of God’s Spirit in the soul of the person.
- Life is a relationship with God and fellowship with Christ. Life is knowing that we are God’s, and He takes care of us.
- Life is experiencing the sanctification and justification that only God can provide through God’s Salvation.
- Life more abundantly is distinctly different — John 17:16-17 says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
- As it confirms in 1John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
- What is life more abundantly?
- Life more abundantly is eternal life.
- John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
- Life more abundantly is that life that you enjoy but would have never imagined or planned yourself.
- Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
- Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
- Life more abundantly is eternal life.
- God is always inviting us to “life and life more abundantly”
- Revelations 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
- As the old hymn says, “Come to Jesus. Come to Jesus. Come to Jesus just now.”
- As the contemporary invitation says, “We offer Christ to you, oh my brother. We offer Christ to you, oh my sister. He will give you brand new life…new life abundantly. Oh, come! Come on to Christ!”
Conclusion:
- So, Don’t Miss The Party of Life and Life more abundantly! It is truly a celebration for the believer.
- This party is not like the world’s party:
- The world’s party has music, dancing, alcohol, drugs, and lots of people
- This party has joy, peace, love, and JESUS!!
- Can’t you see the Divine Invitation….
- Date:
We often experience a foretaste of His Glory, but the actual date is scheduled, and only God the Father knows the exact moment. BUT YOU BE READY!!!
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1Thessalonians 5:2,6)
- Time:
Whenever you’re ready! Don’t be late or you’ll miss out eternally.
“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:13)
- Place:
In your heart … He’ll meet you there; you’ll hear Him knock.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelations 3:20)
- Attire:
Come as you are! He’ll be cleaning us up anyway. Now he cleanses us of unrighteousness, but later He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.
“ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)
- Tickets:
Admission is FREE. He’s already paid the price. He says that we couldn’t afford it…. it cost Him everything, even His very life!!
“ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Gift Suggestions:
Your heart. He already has everything else.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalms 51:17)
You Must RSVP!!!
- Don’t Miss The Party!! No RSVP, no Party!
- He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. He’s keeping a list of those who have RSVPed, called the “Lamb’s Book of Life”.
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)
- Don’t Miss The Party!
- TELL HIM!!
- Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire for change, unspoken, unuttered!
- TELL HIM!!
- Romans 8:27, “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
- TELL HIM!!
- Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
- TELL HIM!!
- The hymn says
I must tell Jesus
All of my trials
I cannot bear these burdens alone.
In my distress He
Kindly will help me
He ever loves and cares for His own.
I must tell Jesus
I must tell Jesus
I cannot bear these burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus
I must tell Jesus
Jesus can help me…Jesus alone.
Don’t Miss The Party!
#67
