Pew 2 You
Pastor John Carlson
From Normal to Abundant Life
July 3, 2016
Highlights:
1.) Abundant life has nothing to do with:
– how much money you make
– your circumstances
– your biblical doctrines
2.) 3 examples of God bringing abundant life outside of the box we put Him in:
– blind man from John 9
– nothing, no rules and regulations set
by the Pharisees, could take away
from the abundant life he had after
he having spent a few moments with
Jesus
– woman caught in adultery from John 8
– Jesus ministers abundant life to
individuals despite the law, other
people, or what they’ve done.
– Job
– Job and his friends all had put God in
a box based on what they believed in
their time
3.) The keys to having an abundant life:
– be in the word
– be open to the revelation of God’s Word
to you
– learn to rejoice always
Discussion Questions:
1.) What does living the abundant life mean to you? Share a new revelation about living an abundant life that you received from today’s message. Are you currently living a normal Christian life or an abundant one?
2.) Share an example of a time in the past when you’ve put God in a box because of human understanding, the law, or general theological insight to that specific problem. How could that have limited God’s ministry in that situation?
3.) When we glory in our tribulations, like Paul, we can experience the abundant life. Abundant life is available in the midst of our pain, suffering and trials. How can you apply this truth to your current circumstances or a trial your currently going through?
Key Scriptures:
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10 NLT
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NLT
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:1-5 NLT