Awakening to the Abundant Zoe Life in Christ
Summary
In our journey through life, we often encounter moments that make us feel truly alive. These moments, whether they are personal achievements or significant life events, remind us of the vibrancy and fullness that life can offer. Today, we conclude our series on spiritual awakenings, focusing on the awakening to life. This awakening is not just about the physical or chronological life, referred to as "bios" in Greek, but about "zoe" life—a life of quality, richness, and eternal significance that Jesus offers us.
Jesus, in John 10:10, speaks of a life that is abundant and full, a life that transcends the mere accumulation of more—more money, more possessions, more achievements. Instead, He invites us to a life that is deeply connected to God, a life that is both transformative in the present and eternal in the future. This zoe life is illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son, where the father offers his sons the bios life, but the true fulfillment comes from returning to the father and experiencing the joy and celebration of being found.
To truly awaken to this zoe life, we must celebrate what God celebrates. The stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son all emphasize the joy and celebration that occur when what was lost is found. This celebration is not just for the individual but is shared in community, reflecting the unity and connection that God desires for us.
Moreover, we are called to contribute to God's dream, which is for all people to know they are loved and to find their way back to Him. This dream, encapsulated in the Great Commission, should drive us to live beyond ourselves, to prioritize connection over mere achievement, and to unite in purpose and mission.
As we reflect on these truths, let us pray for the confidence to live a new life, a zoe life, and to continually seek more of God's presence and abundance in our lives. May we not settle for just existing but strive to live fully in the richness of God's love and purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. Awakening to Zoe Life: Jesus offers us a life that is abundant and full, not just in terms of material wealth or achievements, but in the richness of knowing God and experiencing His presence. This zoe life is transformative, impacting both our present and our eternal future. [06:11]
2. Celebrating What God Celebrates: The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son teach us the importance of celebrating when the lost are found. This celebration is a reflection of heaven's joy and should be a central part of our lives as believers. [16:52]
3. The Power of Connection: True fulfillment comes from connecting with others, as God designed us for community. Prioritizing relationships over mere achievements leads to a more fulfilling life, both spiritually and physically. [22:03]
4. Contributing to God's Dream: God's dream is for all people to know they are loved and to find their way back to Him. This mission should drive us to live beyond ourselves, uniting in purpose and mission to reach others with the love of Christ. [28:07]
5. Praying for a New Life: We are encouraged to pray for the confidence to live a new life, a zoe life, that is rich in God's presence and purpose. This prayer is a reminder that we can always experience more of God and His abundant life. [30:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:01] - Overcoming Overthinking
[02:55] - Moments of Feeling Alive
[03:54] - Series Conclusion: Spiritual Awakenings
[04:41] - Awakening to Life
[05:34] - The Thief and Abundant Life
[06:11] - Understanding Abundant Life
[08:15] - Bios vs. Zoe Life
[09:16] - The Quality of Zoe Life
[10:09] - Zoe Life in the Present and Future
[11:18] - The Prodigal Son and Life
[12:05] - The Lesson of More
[13:17] - Awakening to Zoe Life
[13:51] - Celebrating What God Celebrates
[20:29] - Connecting with Others
[27:28] - Contributing to God's Dream
[30:25] - Praying for a New Life
[31:57] - Invitation to Zoe Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 10:10
2. Luke 15:11-24
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 10:10, Jesus contrasts His purpose with that of the thief. What does Jesus say He has come to offer, and how does this differ from the thief's intentions? [06:11]
2. The sermon mentions two types of life, "bios" and "zoe." How are these two types of life described, and what distinguishes them from each other? [09:16]
3. In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24), what does the father do when the son returns, and how does this reflect the concept of "zoe" life? [16:22]
4. What are the three stories Jesus tells in Luke 15, and what common theme do they share regarding celebration? [16:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "zoe" life challenge the common cultural understanding of an abundant life as merely having "more"? [07:08]
2. In what ways does the celebration of the lost being found, as seen in the parables, reflect the values of the kingdom of God? [16:52]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of connection and community. How does this align with the biblical examples of the early church in Acts 2? [25:07]
4. How does contributing to God's dream, as described in the sermon, align with the Great Commission and the story of the prodigal son? [28:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are pursuing "bios" life over "zoe" life? What steps can you take to seek a more abundant life in Christ? [09:16]
2. The sermon encourages celebrating what God celebrates. How can you incorporate more celebration of God's work in your daily life and community? [17:53]
3. Consider your current relationships. How can you prioritize connection over achievement in a way that aligns with God's design for community? [22:03]
4. The sermon speaks about contributing to God's dream. What is one practical way you can participate in the Great Commission this week? [28:07]
5. The pastor shared a personal story about feeling truly alive. Can you recall a moment when you felt fully alive in your faith? What contributed to that feeling, and how can you seek more of those experiences? [02:55]
6. The sermon encourages praying for a new life. What specific area of your life do you need to pray for transformation, and how can your small group support you in this prayer? [30:25]
7. Reflect on the unity of the early church. How can you contribute to unity within your church community, especially in areas where there might be differences? [24:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Awakening to the Abundant Life
The concept of "zoe" life, as offered by Jesus, is about experiencing a life that is abundant and full, transcending material wealth and achievements. This life is deeply connected to God, transforming both our present and eternal future. In John 10:10, Jesus speaks of this abundant life, inviting us to move beyond the mere accumulation of more—more money, more possessions, more achievements—and instead embrace a life rich in knowing God and experiencing His presence. This transformative life is not just about existing but living fully in the richness of God's love and purpose. [06:11]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you are merely existing rather than truly living? How can you invite God into this area to experience His abundant life?
Day 2: Celebrating Heaven's Joy
The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son emphasize the joy and celebration that occur when what was lost is found. This celebration is not just for the individual but is shared in community, reflecting the unity and connection that God desires for us. As believers, we are called to celebrate what God celebrates, making this joy a central part of our lives. This heavenly joy is a reflection of the celebration that takes place in heaven when the lost are found, and it should inspire us to rejoice in the restoration and redemption of others. [16:52]
Luke 15:7 (ESV): "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has recently experienced a spiritual breakthrough or return to faith. How can you join in celebrating their journey and support them in their walk with God?
Day 3: The Power of Connection
True fulfillment comes from connecting with others, as God designed us for community. Prioritizing relationships over mere achievements leads to a more fulfilling life, both spiritually and physically. The richness of "zoe" life is found in the depth of our relationships and the love we share with others. This connection is a reflection of God's desire for unity and community among His people. By investing in relationships and prioritizing connection, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the fullness of life He offers. [22:03]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Identify one relationship in your life that needs strengthening. What practical steps can you take this week to invest in and nurture this connection?
Day 4: Contributing to God's Dream
God's dream is for all people to know they are loved and to find their way back to Him. This mission, encapsulated in the Great Commission, should drive us to live beyond ourselves, uniting in purpose and mission to reach others with the love of Christ. By contributing to God's dream, we align our lives with His purpose and become part of His redemptive work in the world. This calling challenges us to prioritize connection over mere achievement and to live with a sense of mission and purpose. [28:07]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: What is one way you can actively participate in God's mission this week? Consider how you can share His love with someone who may not yet know Him.
Day 5: Praying for a New Life
We are encouraged to pray for the confidence to live a new life, a "zoe" life, that is rich in God's presence and purpose. This prayer is a reminder that we can always experience more of God and His abundant life. By seeking God's presence and abundance, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and purpose in our lives. This new life is not just about personal fulfillment but about living in alignment with God's will and experiencing the fullness of His blessings. [30:25]
Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience God's transformative power? Spend time in prayer, asking God to fill you with His presence and guide you into a new life rich in His love and purpose.
Quotes
1) "Today, we're concluding this series that we've been in the past few weeks in which we've been unpacking these five, five spiritual awakenings. Five spiritual awakenings that can help us not only find our way back to God, but can help us to find more of God. To keep coming back to Him. To experience more of God and more of His presence, His goodness in our lives. If you missed any of those messages, you can go on our website or on the YouTube channel and watch those." [03:54] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The awakening to life is ultimately what we experience in baptism. When we identify with the death of Jesus on a cross, and His burial in a tomb, and His resurrection from the grave. But as important as baptism is, baptism is just a moment in time. It's just a beginning. And so often after our baptism, after we make that important decision to be baptized to the command of Jesus Christ, to be immersed in Him, so often we can kind of go through, we can go through life where it just seems like we're going through life. Rather than actually having life flowing through us." [05:34] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "But Jesus intended us to live more than just a bios life. And so there's another word that's used in the New Testament in the original language for life. And it's the word zoe. The word zoe. It includes a bios kind of life. But it goes way beyond just a bios life. Because while a bios life is about quantity. And it's about more of the same. Zoe is more about quality of life. It's a life that comes from knowing God. And ultimately refers to eternal life with God. In heaven. It's a life that will never end. But zoe life is not just about eternal life. Zoe life is also about having a better life here and now in this world that we live in right now." [10:09] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And so when Jesus says, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. He was using the word, not bios, but zoe. He was referring to a kind of life that changes us. A kind of life that changes our present. But also a life that changes our future as well. And so finding our way back to God. And experiencing more of him and more of his presence in our lives. It's about discovering this zoe life that Jesus talked about." [10:59] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "More. More. More. Will never fully satisfy. And that's a lesson that we all need to learn. That more will never ever fully satisfy. Some of us. We learn it earlier than others. Some people never really learn it. They go to the grave having never learned that. Some people on their deathbed. With all their life behind them. Finally learn. That more will never fully. Satisfy. We must learn that lesson." [12:43] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Friends at one time. Every single one of us. We were lost. We were lost. We were dead. In our sins. And if you have found your way back. To God. Then you have the absolute best. Reason to celebrate. Like hands down. There's no better reason to celebrate. Not even the chiefs winning another Super Bowl. Yes I said it. I will need a bodyguard. To walk out to my car later. But I said it." [17:20] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "We must keep celebrating. What he's done in our lives. And what he continues to do. In our lives. You've been found. If you're a believer. If you're a follower of Jesus. You have been found. You have been given a chance. To make peace with your past. And you have the forgiveness of Christ. Because of his sacrifice. Upon an old rugged cross. You've been given purpose for living. And you've been given hope. For the future. We must celebrate. And if you want. To experience more of the Zoe life. Not just a Bios life. But the Zoe life. You must never stop celebrating." [18:26] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Friends do not ever underestimate. The power. And importance. Of unity. It is so important. So important. That prior to Jesus going to the cross. Jesus prayed for unity. He prayed that his followers. His believers. His church would be one. That they would be unified. In the midst of diversity. In the midst of differences of opinion. In the midst of different political. Parties. They would be unified. That they would have a unity. That would hold them together. That would build up the church. That would be a witness. And a testimony. To the watching world." [24:04] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "We were created for connection. We were created to do life together. And here's what I find. Absolutely fascinating. Because I love it. I just love it when science confirms. What we read in the Bible. Science confirms. That connection. Community. It actually tends to lead to longer bios lives as well. That God has created us to need those relationships. The zoe life in us. That they work together. That when we have connection and community with each other. It actually leads to a better bios. Natural. Chronological life as well." [26:53] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "The story of the prodigal son. Is what awakens us to zoe life. This abundant life. This life to the full. It's the story of the prodigal son. That changes our priorities. Changes our desires. Which ultimately changes. Our hearts. Throughout this series. I've been encouraging you. To pray a very simple prayer. And I want to encourage you. To pray a simple prayer again. Right now. In this week. And it's this. God awaken in me. The confidence. That I can live a brand new life." [29:59] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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