The Gospel of John Abundant Life John 10 & Various Verses A S WE VE SEEN ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, people hear what they want to in Jesus words. This is especially true when it comes to His promises. Not surprisingly His words are often interpreted to be promise us what we want rather than wanting what He has to offer. This is especially true when Jesus promises an abundant life. This is frequently taken in the most basic way, a promise of health, wealth, and whatever. For example on his website Kenneth Hagin notes Jesus Is Willing... Be Healed! Most Christians today don't have a problem seeing Jesus in His earthly ministry as the Healer. They don't question that He was anointed by God and that He had the power to heal sickness and disease (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38). Most Christians don't even question so much Jesus' ability to heal people today as they do His willingness to demonstrate that healing power on their behalf. However, any question about Jesus' willingness to heal is answered very vividly in this account of the leper in Luke chapter 5. And since Jesus hasn't changed (Heb. 13:8; Mal. 3:6), and He was willing to heal then, He is willing to heal now. He's willing that you be healed. We need to have faith not only in Jesus' power and ability to heal, but also in His willingness and compassion to heal. We should no longer question whether or not Jesus wants us healed, because He provided healing for us in His great act of redemption. And He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He hasn't changed! He is still saying today, "I will!" 1 The problem is, people don t want to take God on His terms and accept that He wants what is best for us as He defines it. to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:7 9 ESV). But then again, we all know Paul simply was lacking the faith to be healed. VII The Christ Revealed to Israel Chapter 2:1-12:50 R. The Good Shepherd - Supplement Verses 7, 11, 10 1. I Am Verse 7, 11 2. An Abundant Life Verse 10 Introduction: As I noted last time, I thought for the beginning of a new year it was appropriate to focus on Whom we worship and what He wants for and from us. And so as I promised last year, I wanted to come back to Chapter 10 and focus on two areas. 1 www.rhema.org
In the last session we examined Jesus seven I am statements. If you missed that study it is available on our website, GKragen.com. Today we move on to look at the abundant life. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10 ESV). 2. An Abundant Life: Let s start first by trying to define the word abundant and to see how it is used in Old and New Testament contexts. The dictionary defines it as: existing or available in large quantities; plentiful: there was abundant evidence to support the theory. Boice explains the Greek derivation by stating The Greek word for abundance, perissos, has a mathematical meaning and generally denotes a surplus. In this sense it is used of the twelve baskets of food that remained after Christ s feeding of the five thousand, as related in Matthew s Gospel (14:20). It is translated remains. The comparative is used to say that John the Baptist excelled the Old Testament prophets in dignity and importance (Matt. 11:9) and that love is more important than all sacrifices (Mark 12:33). 2 a. Old Testament: From the definition, it is easy to see that if one is to understand how it is used in scripture, then it is context that identifies our interpretation. In the Old Testament God promised abundant blessings. Consider the following passages. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 34:12 15, 25 31 ESV) 2 Boice, James Montgomery, Boice Expositional Commentary, Vol. 17, Those Who Received Him (John 9 12), Baker Books Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI 1999, p. 748. ) 262 (
It is here God promises Israel the abundance of blessings that she will experience when He restores her during the Millennium. The focus is on material blessing because God has promised a physical kingdom for Israel. Obviously there are spiritual blessings as well, but that isn t the primary thrust here. So in the Old Testament the idea of abundance centers around God s material blessing of Israel. But this blessing always comes within the context of her obedience to God and an ongoing positive fellowship with Him. In other words though the abundance is identified as material it flows out of an existing spiritual abundance. Those who preach a prosperity gospel, using a misapplication of the Old Testament truths, focus on the material and miss the point that this is simply the outflowing of an abundantly positive spiritual relationship with God. b. New Testament: Which brings us to the perspective that Christ presents in the New Testament. And in spite of severe scripture twisting by the prosperity teachers, Jesus is clearly focusing on spiritual abundance. And the most obvious gift that comes as abundant life is eternal life. Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30-31 ESV). With eternal life when we go to be with the Lord we will be fully actualized. That is each of us will be the us God intended us to be before the fall. So it is in the heavenly context that we will fully understand what it means to live an abundant life. we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20 21 ESV). But don t fall into the trap of believing that an abundant life is totally in future tense. We are to experience an abundant life now. Now clearly the focus isn t physical but spiritual. For those who believe that God promises health, wealth, and prosperity to those who have faith, consider the lives of the apostles, who with the except of John died the martyr s death. Or look at Hebrews 11 and the lives of the saints, many of whom also lost their lives because of their obedience to God. Certainly they didn t live an abundant life according to the definition of the prosperity teachers. So let s go back to definitions. Boice notes Our English word abundance comes from the two Latin words ab and undare which mean to rise in waves or to overflow. The first translation gives a picture of the unceasing rise of the waves upon a seashore. There the waves rise again and again. One wave surges forward and exhausts its force on the sand, but another follows and another and another. Thus it will continue as long as time lasts. The other picture is of a flood. This makes us think of a river fed by heavy rains, rising irresistibly until it overflows its banks. The abundant life is, therefore, one in which we are content in the knowledge that God s grace is more than sufficient for our needs, that nothing can suppress it, and that God s favor toward us is unending. 3 3 Boice ) 263 (
Jesus, speaking of service to God, tells us that there is work in service, but He says my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:30 ESV). In other words Jesus, through the Spirit, calls us to the specific work designed for us and provides what we need to carry it out. Accordingly an abundant life is one that brings spiritual blessing and opportunities to share these blessings with others. Producing the fruit of the Spirit is a sign of abundant living. In the Review and Expositor we read Jesus taught that it is by their fruit that men may be known (Matt. 7:16, 20). He also taught that abiding in him and bearing fruit go together, just as non-abiding and no fruit belong together (Jn. 15:1 6). Paul is explicit in declaring what is the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith [or fidelity], gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:23). The Spirit s presence in a life may be known by such fruit. It is this that he produces when admitted into one s person and life. Spirituality is not known by bizarre or superficial behavior patterns, ecstatic or ascetic practices. Where the Spirit is there is liberty (II Cor. 3:17). Likewise, where he is there is love (Rom. 5:5). Where the kingdom of God is, there are peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:16). God is the God of hope, and he will fill one with joy and peace and cause one to abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13), Jesus came to give life in abundance (Jn. 10:10), and it is healthy and abundant life which best reflects the presence of the Holy Spirit. 4 So there are a number of aspects to the abundant life for believers, but the focus is more on what we experience in serving the Lord and the related blessings that come to us. Also the abundant life means experience the reality of God s presence in our lives and the blessings that come with Him. Since Jesus talks of His provision of an abundant life in relationship to His being the Good Shepherd, Boice uses Psalm 23 to identify aspects of that life. ADONAI is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water, he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name. Even if I pass through death-dark ravines, I will fear no disaster; for you are with me; your rod and staff reassure me. You prepare a table for me, even as my enemies watch; you anoint my head with oil from an overflowing cup. Goodness and grace will pursue me every day of my life; and I will live in the house of ADONAI for years and years to come (Psalms 23:1 6 CJB). Boice identifies four provisions of God found in the psalm. First is guidance. We are directionless without the intervention of the Holy Spirit, at least if our desire is to walk in God s paths. The Good Shepherd guides us. Sheep are stupid creatures. In fact, they are probably the most stupid animals on earth. One aspect of their stupidity is seen in the fact that they so easily wander away. They can have a good shepherd who has brought them to the best grazing lands, near an abundant supply of water still they will wander away over a hill to where the fields are barren and the water undrinkable. Or again, they are creatures of habit. They can have found good [Jn, p. 750] grazing land due to the diligence of the shepherd; but then having found it, they will continue to graze upon it until every blade of grass and even every root is eaten, the fields ruined, and themselves impoverished. 5 4 The Holy Spirit in the New Testament, Review & Expositor 63 (1966): 147. 5 Boice, p. 749-750. ) 264 (
Does this sound like anyone you know? How greatly blessed are we that the God who holds the universe in His hand wants to guide us in our walk. The next area Boice identifies is safety. And obviously the safety we re promised isn t physical, though God may choose to give us that out of His graciousness. The point here is that the shepherd walks through the dangerous areas with the sheep. The abundant life is experienced in how, in dependency on God, we walk through the trials of life. Because, as we saw earlier with Paul, God allows trials as a basis for spiritual growth and strength building. Yes, we d like to avoid them, but unfortunately it seems we only grow through them. going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. (Matthew 26:39 ESV) The other aspect to safety is spiritual safety. As we walk in the Lord He protects us from the attack of the enemy. He defends us from the accusations of Satan. David also speaks of God s provision. He meets the needs of His sheep. Of course implicit in the idea that God meets our needs is that He is the one who gets to define what those are. And yes, God for His own reasons may choose to materially prosper someone. But that is not His primary concern. God s provision is for our service and it is through that service that we are greatly blessed. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:1 ESV). Finally, as we ve already discussed David notes that God provides us with an eternal home. d. Application: An abundant life is one that is filled with God and all that comes with that relationship, love, joy, satisfaction, spiritual production and production. In other words, it is a life of abiding. So while the fully actualized abundant life comes when we go home to be with the Lord, we can live in all the fullness of the Christian walk God provides for us in the here and now. The current abundance in our life is available as we consistently abide in Him. abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:4 7 ESV). Are you experiencing an abundant life? If not what do you think may be the reason? As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father s commandments and abide in his love (John 15:9 10 ESV). ) 265 (
Consider what it means to abide to stay, to continue; to dwell, lodge, sojourn, to remain, to rest, settle, to last, endure, to survive, to be existent, to continue unchanged, to be permanent, to persevere, be constant, be steadfast, to abide, to be in close and settled union, to indwell, to wait for. 6 So does this give a hint as to why we experience the abundant life to the extent we do? We can have an abundant life, a truly satisfied fulfilled life, even in the midst of trials to the extent we abide in Christ. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming (1 John 2:28 ESV). Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out life s little day; Earth s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see O Thou who changest not, abide with me. I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the tempter s pow r? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heav n s morning breaks, and earth s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. 7 6 Mounce, William D. Mounce, Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, 2011. 7 Lyte, Henry F., Abide in Me, public domain ) 266 (