READ: JOHN 10:1-18 [MIGHT HAVE LIFE…MORE ABUNDANTLY]
The thief cometh not, but for
to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have
life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Never let the Devil tell you that you miss out in being a Christian
Never let him imply that Christianity is a dead matter and that
there is life only to be had in serving him in the pleasures of this
present evil world
This is one of the greatest lies the Devil ever told, and he has told quite a few
It is the great lie he keeps coming back to
Such is the blindness of the world because of sin, this lie can keep doing/rounds
Must be the most long running discredited story/ever told & yet each generation embraces it without hardly a second thought
It was the germ of the temptation in the Garden/Eden. "Ye shall be as gods" implied that A/E were missing out on something by not taking the forbidden fruit
Was it the same for Cain when he took himself off from the
presence/Lord & build himself a God-free zone where he could freely
indulge every lust he had?
Was this why the later generations who sprang from his lineage are
credited with the invention of the harp and the organ - instruments
useful to the advancement of an hedonistic and anti God culture?
Our text is the Saviour's truth to counteract the devil's lie
He confronts it straight on and lays the axe at the very root/tree
He states clearly: I am come etc.,
4 main points/consider:
1) THE ARRIVAL OF THE SAVIOUR:
"I am come…"
A/ An important difference/tense from previous communications from God
Whole OT spoke One who would come
When others were challenging the devil's lie…they projected their hearers ahead into time
Lived by faith in One who (at their time) was yet to be born and that faith proved/saving faith
But here the language most dramatically changed to the present: "I am come"
He announces here his arrival/scene
B/ He came from the excellent glory
This One who speaks is the E/God
He created this world long before He stepped into it
Up to His incarnation, He was always & only in the presence of His Heavenly Father
Angels/glory fell at His feet & cried "Holy, holy, holy"
Taught clearly in 12:41 referring to Isaiah 6
C/ He came into a sin cursed world
Already spoke of the Satanic choices men made in the early days/race
4,000 years on & there had been no improvements
World: still full/darkness: Men still murdered/destroyed etc.,
Christ's greatest enemies were not the harlots/great sinners but the religious establishment of his fellow Jews
You say: Did they not have the light/God's word?
Ans:- Yes…but they made it of none effect/traditions
Negated every striving/God upon their souls
Wrapped themselves up in a cloak of appalling self righteousness &
boasted before a thrice holy God that they were not as other men are
D/ Came via the womb of the Virgin Mary
Not only the E/God but also a real man, though born without sin
He was subject to many of the limitations/men: He knew tiredness/hunger/thirst etc.,
He subjected himself to the law/God and kept it perfectly
E/ These things are so beyond any serious dispute that John in his 1st epistle:
Every spirit that confesseth not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that
spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and
even now already is it in the world. (4:3)
We have even dated our calendars from this most wonderful event
It is universally acknowledged (at least nominally) while the
hatred/rage and machinations of self serving atheists against it
only testify further to its truth
THE ARRIVAL: I am come
2) THE AIM OF THE SAVIOUR'S COMING:
that they might have life
Little word that means "in order that"
A/ Everything God does has a purpose: No loose ends/God
No aimless actions or wasted efforts
His purposes are eternal & they are sure:
For the LORD of hosts hath purposed,
and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall
turn it back? (Isaiah 14:27)
B/ His saving intentions are specifically directed towards His sheep (context)
Much might be said about this…suffice: Any man if anxious may work upon the thought that he is one/Christ's sheep.
Ultimate proof: Such will follow Christ etc., (v 2-5)
But let none use the great truths here expounded as an excuse to stay away from Christ
No theological/intellectual reason to do so
An excuse is not a reason. Excuse: sleekit masquerade of truth
C/ Many/these sheep for whom He came: still dead/trespasses & sins (Ephesians 2:1)
Hence the need/life
Have life (text) is the same idea of might be saved (3:17)
One dead/trespasses & sins needs to be saved from that lost condition
Spiritual death does not negate spiritual responsibilities towards God
The spiritually dead still sin against God, Still heap to themselves more/more wrath as they sin every moment of every day
Just can't walk away from their responsibilities towards God
Why are such dead/trespasses & sins? Ans:- Because they chose death & not life (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Every time an unsaved man neither negatively rejects the gospel or
positively embraces the sinful…he consolidates himself in a
spiritual death culture
He chooses his own eternal separation from God
Who can he blame, but himself?
Jesus said: This is the condemnation,
that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil. (3:19)
D/ This life which Jesus gives came through His death (v11)
Truth/Substitution: "For" i.e. on behalf of
Bare our guilt
He took the sting of death upon Himself
Paid/price on Calvary's brow
No mere fiat/decree could accomplish this
God's holy law isn't looking for words but blood: Exodus 12:13 and He saw it in abundance at Calvary:
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water (19:34)
Again: He was wounded etc., (Isaiah 53:5) On Calvary
God in Christ did something wonderful: He destroyed him that hath the power of death i.e. the devil (Hebrews 2:14)
3) THE ABUNDANCE OF THE LIFE THE SAVIOUR GIVES:
Give us a chance to explore this life which Jesus gives:
A/ Life as opposed: condemnation
Sin not only condemns…but it actually damns
I was once condemned but never damned
Damnation is irreversible
But Jesus came and took my damnation for me and now there is no (and cannot be any) condemnation for me
God's wrath against my sin has been spent
What an abundant justification I have: I am now justified from all things (Acts 13:39)
Even when the arch accuser himself (Satan) brings a charge…the case is thrown out (Romans 8:33)
We talk about clever lawyers but who could be more diabolically clever than Satan "Father/lies?"
B/ Abundant life is its quality
Energises the soul
Gives the soul back its proper function: To glorify God and enjoy Him for ever
The fruit (evidence) of this life/described: love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
When a man gets this life, he is given power to break the chains of sin and live a holy life
This is the evidence that you possess this life
If missing…everything to fear
C/ Abundant life in its quantity: Never ends
If only ended at the grave…still be good but tinged
Yet so tinged we would be of all men most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19) that something so good could be taken away
Ten million years from tonight, we will still be enjoying without any wear/tear this abundant life of Jesus Christ
D/ This act is embraced by an act of simple faith (v9)
Best/easiest way to gain admission into a place is to simply open the door and go in
Bible presents salvation in such simple terms
E/ None who ever embrace this life ever regret it
None recant on their death bed
Any regrets are that they never took the fullest advantage of their great gains
Regret how little they really lived it out
But no regrets about entering in upon it or complaints about it's quality
Indeed: many have willingly gone to martyrs death rather than give it up
Polycarp: "Eighty & six years have I served Jesus and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"
4) THE ALTERNATIVE TO THE LIFE WHICH THE SAVIOUR GIVES:
A/ Already mentioned: Satan is a liar
Text (note: singular) he is seen a thief/murderer and destroyer
3 fold cord not easily broken
This is the bit the world's propaganda machine doesn't tell you about
Satan has carefully edited this bit out
Only when it is too late does it become so obvious that even the most carnal worldling cannot deny it
But there is a salvation… etc.,
Appeal
THE END