The tool for an abundant life

   Text: John 10:10 b "... I am come that they might have life, 
     and that they might have it more abundantly."




AN ABUNDANT LIFE. What ideas does this bring to mind. One may may think of a life with everything and nothing missing, others may think of a long life. What God is telling us here is that in Him we can expect a life of "QUALITY". A life where we are supplied with all that is necessary to serve Him and maintain a Christian life in Him. But as in all things we need to work at it, there are alwaysthings that we must do. In the New testament we can see the miracle cures of our Lord Jesus Christ: The water to wine - they were toldto fill up the jars. The man with the crippled hand was toldto stretch it out, the lepers were told to walk a great distance and wash themselves in a pool. These "actions" are "Actions of Faith". something we must do to show the Lord that we trust in His word. To get our "abundant life" so that we may serve Him better there are some things which need to be done. We need to build our life on Him.  But in everything to do a good job we need to use the correct tools. My father always says that "If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well" to do things well we need to use the correct tools, it is hard to dig with a rake or eat soup with a fork! her we will look at just 4 of the many tools God has given us to build our lives around Him. 

I. The Word of God - The Bread of Life in John 1:1 it tells us that Christ is the word - in the origional text the introduction of "word" is properly interpreted as "verb" which gives it a better meaning, this then tells us that the Word of God is "active" as a verb is a word of action. It tells us that God is an "active God" a "Living God" so His word is most important to us. We cannot serve Him if we do not know Him or His Word. We need to spend time to study and put into practice the Word of God. The Word tells us in Matthew 28:19-20 gives us the action he wants from us, this is not possible if we do not know His word. 

II. Communion - Congregate - fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 tells us we must not stop meeting together! there is comfort and strength in numbers. Christians should be helping eachother, praying for each other's needs. this is not possible if we do not know each other!. Christians need to work" together, share together, and worship together. 

III. Fasting - fasting should not be looked upon as a "sacrifice" God does not want sacrifices, His Son was the last sacrifice. What he wants is "Devotion". quality time deoted to Him, the time we take to prepare, eat, and clean up after each meal could be up to 1 hour, he wants those three 1 hours in one day to be devoted to Him, devoted to study and prayer. In Matthew 17:21 it tells us that some bad spirits cannot be cast out if not by fasting! it is a powerful tool God has given us. 

IV. Prayer. Prayer is our only comunication directly to God. Prayer is talking to God in the same way we talk to our biological father! How can you know God if you do not talk to Him, He wants you to know Him as a father and friend. Prayer is needed to get answers from God in dificulties, to worship Him, to put your petitions and requests to Him. God's word tells us "Pray continually" that is everyday all the time, converse with God, tell him how you are feeling,what you need and how gratefull you are!  In Romans 10:9-10 it tells us that to have eternal life we need to confess with our mouth! and heart! we need t comunicate with Him = PRAYER.

These 4 tools are the basis of the Christian life, these are what are needed to build on your life in God, in Christ.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL. 
PASTOR COLIN CARVELL