Embracing the Abundant Life in Christ
Summary
In John 10, Jesus draws a clear distinction between the purpose of the thief and His own purpose for our lives. The thief—ultimately, the devil—comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus declares that His purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life, a life marked by the fullness and abundance of God’s presence, not just material blessings. This “Zoe” life is the God-kind of life: real, genuine, robust, and eternal, beginning now and continuing into eternity. It’s not a promise of a trouble-free existence, but of a life that overcomes trials and finds deep satisfaction in God’s deliverance and presence.
To experience this life, it’s essential to recognize and respond to the Shepherd’s call. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls each of us by name, inviting us into salvation and relationship with Him. This call is personal and persistent, and responding to it is the first step toward a life of true abundance. But it doesn’t stop there. We must also become intimately acquainted with the Shepherd’s voice, learning to discern it above all others. This comes through immersing ourselves in God’s Word, spending time in worship, and yielding our will to His. Full surrender is required—laying down our own desires and taking up our cross daily, trusting that what we gain in Christ far surpasses anything the world can offer.
At the same time, we are called to run from the voice of the stranger—the devil, our flesh, and any influence that draws us away from God’s purpose. The enemy is relentless in his attempts to distract, discourage, and derail us, but his voice must become foreign to us. When temptation comes, we must be so sold out to Jesus that the enemy finds nothing in us to exploit. Our lives should boldly declare that we belong to Christ, and nothing can separate us from His love or purpose.
All of this is possible because Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for us and took it up again in victory. He has all authority, and because of His sacrifice and resurrection, we can let God’s purpose prevail in our lives, living in the richness and satisfaction that only He can provide.
Key Takeaways
- The thief’s strategy is subtle and persistent, aiming to steal our connection with God, kill our relationships, and destroy our God-given purpose. Recognizing the enemy’s tactics—whether through distraction, discouragement, or deception—equips us to stand firm and not allow his purpose to prevail in our lives. We must be vigilant, discerning the difference between the Shepherd’s voice and the thief’s schemes. [07:48]
- The “Zoe” life Jesus offers is not about material abundance, but about the fullness of God’s presence and purpose. This life is robust, genuine, and eternal, beginning now and continuing into eternity. True satisfaction is found not in what we possess, but in who possesses us—Christ Himself. [10:10]
- Responding to the Shepherd’s call to salvation is the foundation of a rich and satisfying life. Jesus calls each of us by name, inviting us into relationship and transformation. No matter our past or present, His call is persistent and personal, and answering it opens the door to a new beginning. [14:00]
- Intimacy with the Shepherd’s voice is cultivated through the Word, worship, and surrender. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and God’s presence, we learn to recognize His leading and distinguish it from all other voices. Full surrender—laying down our own will daily—positions us to experience the abundant life Jesus promises. [17:09]
- Living a sold-out life means the enemy finds nothing in us to exploit. When temptation or the voice of the stranger comes, our response must be decisive and unwavering. Our lives should boldly declare “sold out” to Jesus, so that every attempt of the enemy is met with resistance and the affirmation that we belong wholly to Christ. [22:30]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Scripture Reading: John 10
[03:00] - Two Competing Purposes: The Thief vs. Jesus
[05:00] - What is the Rich and Satisfying Life?
[07:48] - The Context: Jesus, the Pharisees, and the Blind Man
[10:10] - Understanding “Zoe” Life
[12:30] - The Tactics of the Thief and the Robber
[14:00] - Responding to the Shepherd’s Call
[17:09] - Knowing the Shepherd’s Voice
[19:30] - Surrendering Our Will
[21:00] - Running from the Stranger’s Voice
[22:30] - Living a Sold-Out Life
[24:16] - The Good Shepherd’s Sacrifice
[25:28] - Invitation: Three Groups Called to Respond
[29:39] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Let God’s Purpose Prevail (John 10)
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### Bible Reading
- John 10:1-11, 18
- Psalm 34:19
- Luke 9:23-25
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 10, what are the two different purposes described for our lives, and who represents each purpose? ([03:00])
2. According to the sermon, what does the word “Zoe” mean, and how is it different from just having material blessings? ([05:00])
3. What are some of the tactics the thief (the devil) uses to try to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives? ([07:48])
4. In John 10, how do the sheep respond to the voice of the shepherd compared to the voice of a stranger? ([17:09])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus describe Himself as the Good Shepherd, and what does it mean that He “calls His own sheep by name”? How does this show the personal nature of His relationship with us? ([14:00])
2. The sermon says the “Zoe” life is not about being trouble-free, but about overcoming trials. How does Psalm 34:19 (“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all”) help us understand what Jesus is promising? ([05:00])
3. What does it look like in real life to “run from the stranger’s voice” and make the enemy’s voice foreign to us? ([22:30])
4. According to Luke 9:23-25, what does it mean to “take up your cross daily and follow” Jesus? How does this relate to living a life of full surrender? ([17:09])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about the thief’s subtle strategies—distraction, discouragement, and deception. Which of these do you find most challenging in your own life right now? What is one step you can take this week to stand firm against it? ([07:48])
2. “Zoe” life is described as fullness in God’s presence, not just material things. Are there areas where you’ve been measuring your satisfaction by what you have, instead of who you belong to? How can you shift your focus this week? ([10:10])
3. Jesus calls each of us by name and invites us into relationship. Can you remember a time when you sensed God calling you personally? How did you respond, and is there a new area where you sense Him calling you now? ([14:00])
4. The sermon emphasized getting to know the Shepherd’s voice through the Word, worship, and surrender. Which of these do you need to grow in most? What is a practical way you can do that this week? ([17:09])
5. Living a “sold-out” life means the enemy finds nothing in us to exploit. Are there any “buttons” the enemy keeps pushing in your life? What would it look like for you to declare “sold out” in that area? ([22:30])
6. The pastor shared a story about telling the devil and her flesh to “shut up” when temptation comes. Is there a specific voice or influence you need to silence in your life? How can you do that in a way that’s bold and clear? ([22:30])
7. Jesus laid down His life and took it up again so we could live in victory. How does knowing this truth give you courage to let God’s purpose prevail in your life, even when it’s hard? ([24:16])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to recognize and respond to the Shepherd’s call, to grow in intimacy with His voice, and to boldly resist the voice of the stranger. Ask God to help each person live a “sold-out” life for Jesus this week.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Offers a Rich and Satisfying Life
Jesus contrasts the destructive intentions of the thief with His own purpose: to give us a life that is rich, satisfying, and abundant—not defined by material possessions, but by the fullness, genuineness, and eternal quality of life that begins now and continues forever. This “Zoe” life is God’s own kind of life, robust and overflowing, and it is available to all who come to Him. No matter what the enemy tries to steal, kill, or destroy, Jesus’ purpose for you is greater, and He invites you to experience a life beyond your wildest dreams, rooted in His love and presence. [07:48]
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 have settled for less than the abundant life Jesus offers? How can you invite Him to bring His fullness into that area today?
Day 2: Recognize and Respond to the Shepherd’s Call
The Shepherd calls each of His sheep by name, inviting them into salvation and a personal relationship with Him. He knows you intimately and desires for you to respond to His voice, leaving behind anything that keeps you from Him. No matter your past or how long you may have run from His call, today is always the right day to answer and step into the new life He offers, beginning a journey of transformation and purpose. [13:40]
John 10:3 (ESV)
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you sensed God calling you closer? What is stopping you from responding fully to His invitation right now?
Day 3: Know the Shepherd’s Voice and Surrender
A rich and satisfying life comes as you become intimately acquainted with the Shepherd’s voice, learning to follow Him in full surrender. This means spending time in His Word, worship, and presence, allowing His guidance to shape your choices and direction. Surrendering your will to His is a daily act—laying down your own way, taking up your cross, and trusting that following Jesus leads to true life, even when it means letting go of what the world values. [17:09]
Luke 9:23-25 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
Reflection: What is one specific way you can practice surrendering your will to God today, even if it feels uncomfortable or costly?
Day 4: Run from the Stranger’s Voice and Live Sold Out
The voices of the enemy, your flesh, and the world will try to lure you away from God’s purpose, but as you grow in Christ, these voices should become strangers to you. When temptation or distraction comes, you can boldly reject it, declaring that you are “sold out” for Jesus—unavailable for anything that would pull you away from Him. Let your life display to the enemy and to the world that your heart, mind, and actions belong fully to Christ. [21:30]
John 10:5 (ESV)
A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Reflection: What is one “stranger’s voice” (a temptation, distraction, or lie) you need to reject today, and how will you actively turn away from it?
Day 5: Trust the Good Shepherd’s Sacrifice and Deliverance
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for you willingly and has the authority to take it up again, ensuring your victory over the enemy. Even when you face trials, afflictions, or attacks from the thief, you can trust that the Lord delivers His people and that His sacrifice secures your freedom and purpose. Because of Jesus’ finished work, you can let God’s purpose prevail in your life, walking in newness, hope, and the assurance that He is with you always. [24:16]
Psalm 34:19 (ESV)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust Jesus as your Good Shepherd to deliver you and lead you into His purpose, even in the midst of difficulty?
Quotes
I tell you the truth anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold rather than going through the gate must surely be a thief and a robber but the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep the gatekeeper opens the gate for him and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out after he has gathered his own flock he walks ahead of them and they follow him because they know his voice they won't follow a stranger they will run from him because they don't know his voice skipping down to verse 7 I tell you the truth I am the gate for the sheep all who came before me were thieves and robbers but the truth you [00:00:04] (63 seconds)
That's how it should be when the devil comes to try to push our buttons. When he try to push our buttons to make us sin, when our flesh try to push buttons to make our sin a sin, he should see big red letters across our life saying, sold out. You cannot get anything from me. You cannot get my flesh to produce anything because I am sold out for Jesus. Amen. Yes. Yes. [00:23:24] (29 seconds)
So those are the three ways that we can let God's purpose prevail and live a rich and satisfying life. And this is all possible because of what Jesus said in a couple of other verses in this chapter. In verse 11, he says this. He says, I am the good shepherd. [00:23:54] (23 seconds)
The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. Amen. And then in verse 18, he says, no one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. Voluntarily. For I have authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my father has commanded. Zion, we can live. We can let God's purpose prevail and we can live a rich and satisfying life because Jesus died and rose again and took all the authority over Satan so he doesn't have to have authority over our lives. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you. [00:24:16] (42 seconds)
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