4.16.18 Praise & Prayer Prompt: Abundant Life

PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• In John 10:10 ESV, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Let’s talk about “abundant” today.
But first, I want to share a bit about the founder of Living Waters Ministries, Ray Comfort, who has a powerful sermon on the misconception that often accompanies salvation.
It’s titled, “Hell’s Best Kept Secret.”
I encourage you to Google it and listen.
The basis is that the reason New Christians leave the church is that they expected Christianity to give them “peace, joy, love, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.”
Christianity does give us those things, but not necessarily in the way we expect them.
With all that said, let’s go back to “abundant.”
When Jesus said He came to give life abundantly, He wasn’t talking about an earthly life.
He wasn’t promising riches and success.
Christians may enjoy those things, but it’s not a promise.
Because Jesus also said in John 16:33b NLT, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.”
That’s not the verse we tend to use to recruit for the Kingdom, is it?
Not many people would say, “Trials and sorrows? Sign me up!”
And to complicate things further, prosperity preachers just add to the confusion, making people believe that God is waiting to throw fistfuls of money down on all who believe.
The abundance Jesus promises is based on eternity.
It’s the abundant security of knowing we have a Savior.
It’s the abundant love He has for us.
It’s the abundant grace He generously gives us.
It’s the abundant cost Jesus paid so that we can live with Him for eternity.
Jesus gives abundantly, that’s the truth.
Today, as you pray, thank Jesus for His abundance.
Express gratitude that His love and power cannot run out but are offered freely to anyone who accepts Him as the Son of God and Savior of the world!
And pray for opportunities to share His abundant goodness with others!