Living the Abundant Life in Christ
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments that challenge our understanding of what it means to live a life of abundance in Christ. The story of Pastor Simeon and his wife, Kay, serves as a poignant illustration of how easily we can slip into a mindset that is far from the abundant life Jesus promises us. In their moment of discord, Simeon realized that harboring negative thoughts was not the abundance Christ had in store for him. This realization led him to face the situation, seek forgiveness, and turn back to God, echoing the plea of Psalm 80:3, "Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved."
The kingdom life, as Jesus exemplified, is not one of struggle and strife but one of victory and provision. It is a life where we believe in who Jesus is and trust that He will provide for our every need. This life of abundance is not just for the hereafter but is meant to be experienced now, on earth, as we help others find the kingdom. The kingdom life is compared to a treasure in a field, a treasure so valuable that a man sells all he has to buy the field and claim all the treasure within it.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to walk in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is not only the right standing with God through Jesus Christ but also the daily decision to do the right thing according to God's Word. When we combine our right standing with right living, we experience the peace and joy that come from the Holy Spirit.
The power we receive as believers is not limited to the gifts of the Spirit but extends to becoming overcomers. We overcome the enemy not by our strength but by standing in the righteousness given to us through Christ. The enemy's threats and chaos are overcome by choosing to believe in the truth of God's Word over our fears and temptations.
As we continue to delve into what it means to be a disciple, we must remember that it is a process of learning and following Jesus. It involves putting on the robe of righteousness, which is a process that requires action on our part. We must learn to walk in this righteousness by following God's Word, even when we stumble.
Key Takeaways:
- The abundant life promised by Jesus is not characterized by discord and negativity but by facing our challenges, seeking forgiveness, and turning back to God. This life is available to us now, and we must actively choose to live it out daily. [58:45]
- The kingdom life is like a treasure in a field, and we are called to claim not just the treasure but the entire field that God has prepared for us. This means embracing all that God offers, including righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. [35:42]
- Righteousness is twofold: it is the right standing with God through Jesus and the daily decision to live rightly according to God's commandments. This combination leads to peace and joy in our lives. [41:08]
- We are empowered to overcome the enemy not by our efforts but by standing in the righteousness of Christ. This power is manifest in our lives as we choose to believe God's truth over the enemy's lies. [44:47]
- Discipleship is a process of learning and following Jesus, which involves both understanding and applying God's Word. We must be willing to engage in this process, even when it requires us to get back up after we stumble. [56:35]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 10:10 - "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
2. Psalm 80:3 - "Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved."
3. Matthew 13:44 - "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus promise in John 10:10 about the kind of life He offers? How is this life described? [27:27]
2. According to Psalm 80:3, what is the plea made to God, and what is the desired outcome? [58:45]
3. In Matthew 13:44, what action does the man take upon finding the treasure in the field, and what does this signify about the kingdom of heaven? [35:42]
4. How did Pastor Simeon’s realization about his negative thoughts reflect the abundant life Jesus promises? [57:41]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "abundant life" in John 10:10 challenge common perceptions of what it means to live a fulfilled life? [27:27]
2. What does the metaphor of the treasure in the field in Matthew 13:44 teach us about the value of the kingdom of heaven? How should this affect our priorities? [35:42]
3. How does Psalm 80:3's plea for God to turn us back to Him relate to the process of repentance and restoration in our daily lives? [58:45]
4. Pastor Simeon’s story highlights the importance of facing situations and seeking forgiveness. How does this align with the teachings of Jesus on reconciliation and forgiveness? [57:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed or negative. How can you apply John 10:10 to shift your mindset towards the abundant life Jesus promises? [27:27]
2. The man in Matthew 13:44 sold everything to buy the field with the treasure. What are some things in your life that you might need to "sell" or give up to fully embrace the kingdom of heaven? [35:42]
3. Psalm 80:3 speaks of turning back to God. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God’s face and ask for His guidance? How can you make this a daily practice? [58:45]
4. Pastor Simeon realized that harboring negative thoughts was not part of the abundant life Jesus promised. How can you practice turning towards God and seeking forgiveness in your relationships? [57:41]
5. The sermon mentioned that righteousness involves both right standing with God and right living. What is one specific action you can take this week to live out your righteousness in a practical way? [41:08]
6. Think of a person who has offended you recently. How can you respond in a way that reflects the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit, as discussed in the sermon? [29:01]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of discipleship as a process of learning and following Jesus. What is one step you can take this week to deepen your discipleship journey? [26:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Forgiveness and Turning Back to God
Living an abundant life in Christ means facing challenges with a heart ready to seek forgiveness and turn back to God. It's easy to fall into patterns of discord and negativity, but these do not define the life Jesus has promised. Instead, the abundant life is characterized by confronting our issues, asking for forgiveness, and realigning ourselves with God's will. This requires a conscious decision to let go of harmful thoughts and behaviors, and to embrace the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. It's a daily journey of renewal, where each step taken in repentance is a step closer to the fullness of life that Jesus offers. [58:45]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me." - Psalm 51:10-11 (ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you may have harbored negativity. How can you seek God's forgiveness and turn back to Him in this area of your life today?
Day 2: Claiming the Fullness of God's Kingdom
The kingdom life is a treasure that we are called to fully embrace, which includes righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Like the man who found a treasure in a field and sold all he had to possess it, we too must be willing to give up everything that hinders us from claiming the fullness of what God has prepared for us. This means actively seeking and embracing all aspects of the kingdom life, not just the parts that are convenient or easy. It's a life of trust, where we believe that Jesus will provide for our every need as we help others discover the kingdom. [35:42]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Reflection: What might you need to 'sell' or let go of in your life to fully claim the treasure of God's kingdom that He has prepared for you?
Day 3: Living Righteously Through Christ
Righteousness is a gift from God through Jesus Christ, but it is also a daily choice to live according to God's commandments. This twofold aspect of righteousness leads to a life filled with peace and joy from the Holy Spirit. It's not enough to simply know we are in right standing with God; we must also act on it by making choices that align with His Word. As we do so, we find that our lives become a testament to the transformative power of God's grace, and we experience the true peace and joy that come from a life lived in obedience to Him. [41:08]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Romans 14:17 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that aligns with God's Word and demonstrates the righteousness you have through Christ?
Day 4: Overcoming by Standing in Christ's Righteousness
As believers, we are empowered to overcome the enemy, not by our own strength, but by standing firm in the righteousness given to us through Christ. This power is evident when we choose to believe in the truth of God's Word over the lies and threats of the enemy. It's a matter of faith, where we trust in God's promises and His character, despite the chaos that may surround us. By doing so, we become overcomers, living in victory and demonstrating the authority we have been given as children of God. [44:47]
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." - Revelation 12:11 (ESV)
Reflection: What fear or temptation are you currently facing, and how can you apply the truth of God's Word to overcome it as a testament to Christ's righteousness?
Day 5: Engaging in the Process of Discipleship
Discipleship is an ongoing process of learning from Jesus and applying His teachings to our lives. It involves understanding God's Word and putting it into practice, even when we stumble. Putting on the robe of righteousness is an active process that requires our participation. As we commit to following Jesus and His example, we grow in our faith and become more like Him. This journey is not without its challenges, but each step we take in obedience is a step toward becoming the disciples He has called us to be. [56:35]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." - Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to apply God's Word more diligently, and what is one practical step you can take today to walk in obedience to Jesus?
Quotes
- "The kingdom life is the life of abundance. You have everything that you need in every situation. And if you don't, God will provide it. You just believe and know it to be true." [35:03] (Download | )
- "When you and I learn to live like this, to live in these things, we're going to receive not just the treasure but the entire field that God has prepared for us." [42:47] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "The power is that you become an overcomer. That's the power. You're an overcomer. And most of the time we think the power of the Holy Spirit is in healing, is in casting out demons and all these different things. But the truth is the real power is that you are an overcomer." [43:43] (Download | )
- "The treasure that's available for you and me to walk in because we have this robe on is endless. And God's kingdom is called the abundance. When you wear your robe of righteousness, God brings provision, God brings healing, God brings deliverance." [49:38] (Download | )
- "Righteousness actually is two things. There's two things in righteousness. The first one is righteousness is the right standing in God through Jesus Christ. But there's another side of righteousness, that you decide to do the right thing." [40:23] (Download | )
- "And church when you add your right standing with you choosing your right living, you are going to receive peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." [41:50] (Download | )
- "You are an overcomer of the evil one. So amazing to think about. So the power of the Holy Spirit is not him working through you. Those are the things that he does through you because you're available." [46:38] (Download | )
- "We've got to learn to walk in the righteousness by following his word. So don't beat yourself up because you've made a mistake and you fell down. You get up and you continue to walk what God has put in front of you, amen?" [56:35] (Download | )
- "The abundant life is you overcoming every temptation of the enemy that he tries to throw at you. And I believe that all of us can definitely grow in that direction." [59:41] (Download | )
- "You're either receiving the victory that's already been won, or you're fighting for the victory every day and it's hard. How am I supposed to walk like a Christian when that person is doing this to me and that person is doing that to me?" [33:06] (Download | Download cropped video)
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