Tom Hall SERMONS 1 John 1:5-10
Starting Over To Win
1 John 1:5-10
Most of the people I know are tried of making resolutions. Most of us have made them only to feel the weight of more guilt after we break it. I want to ask the question in a different way. What are your desires this year? What are your plans to achieve them? How will you plan to grow spiritually? It has been said “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
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The Abundant Life
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 (NASB)
The abundant life. Everybody strives to get it. However, it just might be important to find how just what means. In our society, the vast majority of people view “the abundant life” as being successful. It would be have enough money (whatever that means), living in the perfect house, driving a fancy car, etc. In other words, as people would say today, Living Large! This is contrary to what Jesus taught. He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 (HCSB) The abundant life is not nor has it ever been about possessions or success.
Life comes only from God! We read in Genesis, the book of beginnings, where “… the LORD God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7 (HCSB) God is the giver of life, the only One who can give life! Abundant life come when we yield to His purpose for our existence and follow Him! Jesus said, “… I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NASB)
God, the Creator of the universe, has given us the two greatest gifts that we could ever get. God gave us life! The opportunity to explore this world of creation, the opportunity to create with our hands, the opportunity to love, and the opportunity to be loved. Throughout this journey, sin entered into the world. Instead of enjoying this gift of life by honoring God, we perverted it. The Apostle Paul writes, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator …” Romans 1:25 (NASB)
The second gift He gave was a “new life”. Paul writes, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14 (NASB) The abundant life can only be found in Jesus Christ! Allow Him to live in you and through you today.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the marvelous gift of life. You are my creator and my redeemer. I will praise You this day in all that I do. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
