Living an Abundant Life Through Grace and Community
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the abundant life that Jesus wants for me. Every morning is an opportunity to understand this and to enjoy the blessings of a wonderful marriage, friendships, and relationships that are a blessing to my life. It's also an opportunity to have influence and impact in the world, to enjoy everyday life as I worship, play, and work, and to enjoy the beautiful world God created. I was also reminded that God wants me to walk in a rhythm of grace, and that no matter what I've done in my past, Jesus Christ paid a high price for me to walk in grace.
In the second part of the sermon, I was encouraged to share my story of how a full life has impacted me. I was reminded that next week there will be one service at 10 a.m. and that everyone is asked to wear a jersey. The sermon also touched on the vision God has given us as a church and the impact that the church is having. I was reminded that the church should be a safe place where people can struggle and say that they are loved by God where they are, but that He loves them too much to leave them where they are.
Key takeaways:
- God wants us to live an abundant life and enjoy the blessings of relationships, influence, and the world He created. [44:30]
- No matter what we've done in our past, Jesus Christ paid a high price for us to walk in grace. [46:52]
- The church should be a safe place where people can struggle and say that they are loved by God where they are. [01:16:26]
- We are encouraged to share our story of how a full life has impacted us. [37:52]
- We are reminded of the vision God has given us as a church and the impact that the church is having. [39:34]
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. John 10:10
2. Psalm 92:12-15
Key Points from the sermon:
1. The church is on a mission to impact lives and communities.
2. Serving in the church allows individuals to discover and fulfill their God-given purpose.
3. Being part of a church community helps individuals to flourish and live a full life.
Observation Questions:
1. What does John 10:10 say about the purpose of Jesus' coming?
2. According to Psalm 92:12-15, what happens to the godly who are planted in the house of the Lord?
3. How does Psalm 92 describe the flourishing of the godly?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have life and have it to the full as mentioned in John 10:10?
2. How does being planted in the house of the Lord contribute to flourishing according to Psalm 92?
3. What does it mean to remain vital and green even in old age as described in Psalm 92?
Application Questions:
1. How can we live out the full life that Jesus promises in John 10:10 in our daily lives?
2. In what ways can we serve in the church to discover and fulfill our God-given purpose?
3. How can we ensure that we are planted in the house of the Lord and flourishing in our faith journey?
Devotional
Day 1: The Abundance of God's Blessings
God's blessings are abundant and ever-present in our lives. They come in many forms, from the beauty of nature to the love of family and friends, from the provision of our daily needs to the peace that surpasses all understanding. These blessings are a testament to God's love and care for us, and they serve as a reminder of His faithfulness and goodness.
Psalm 103:2 - "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
Reflection: Reflect on the past week. Can you identify specific moments where you experienced God's blessings? How did these blessings make you feel and how can you express gratitude for them?
Day 2: The Power of Right Thinking
Our thoughts have a profound impact on our lives. They shape our attitudes, influence our actions, and determine our overall outlook on life. The Bible encourages us to focus our thoughts on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.
Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Reflection: What thoughts have been dominating your mind recently? Are they in line with Philippians 4:8? If not, how can you shift your focus to things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy?
Day 3: The Importance of Corporate Worship
Corporate worship is a vital part of our spiritual growth. It is a time when we come together as a community to praise God, learn from His Word, and encourage one another in our faith. It is a time when we can experience God's presence in a unique and powerful way.
Hebrews 10:25 - "Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How often do you participate in corporate worship? How does it impact your spiritual health? If you're not regularly participating, what steps can you take to make it a priority?
Day 4: The Joy of Community
Community is a gift from God. It is a place where we can experience love, support, and encouragement. It is a place where we can share our joys and sorrows, our victories and struggles. It is a place where we can grow together in our faith and serve one another in love.
Acts 2:46-47 - "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Reflection: How are you currently experiencing community within your church? Are there ways you can deepen these relationships or create new ones? How can you contribute to the joy of your community?
Day 5: The Value of Accountability
Accountability is a powerful tool for spiritual growth. It provides us with the support and encouragement we need to stay on the right path. It challenges us to live up to our commitments and to strive for excellence in our walk with God.
Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Reflection: Who in your life holds you accountable for your actions and spiritual growth? How has this accountability helped you grow? If you don't have someone, who could you ask to fill this role?
Quotes
1. "There is none like you Jesus, you are the king, you are the savior of our soul. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord." - 30:32
2. "We have this tendency to say Okay God I Surrender and then we snatch it back... why not give the one who created the world who holds all wisdom in his hands total and complete control because he knows better than you." - 55:07
3. "We are a church on a mission... God has something for us to do and here's the mission Jesus made it plain and clear go into all the world and Make Disciples of all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit." - 56:18
4. "The thief comes only to steal kill and destroy I have come that they may have life and what kind of life a full life have it to the full... this is a promise that Jesus made and how you know Jesus doesn't go back on his promises that he delivers on his promises." - 40:07
5. "His cross his sacrifice is what makes full life possible plain and simple... it's an opportunity for you to take responsibility so Christ paid a high price for it right he offers it to you as an invitation but how many know you have a responsibility in it called investing." - 49:27