LIVING THE ABUNDANT LIFE..          		Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  5-6-01  P.M.    			John 10:1-10    		 
	Have you ever had someone encourage you to buy some product because they were so pleased 
with it and excited about it?  You do know that "satisfied customers" are the best kind of advertisement.  
Do you think that might work with the things of the Lord?  If more of us were truly "living the abundant life" 
that Christ promised... our neighbors, friends, and relatives would be interested in our "product".
	Here are three words that will get us on the "right track" for living the Abundant Life In Christ.... 
I.  SALVATION..   "I am the Door.."
  A. There Is A "Door"..  vs.9    (Provision) 
    1. He is the Good Shepherd.. giving His life.. for Jews & Gentiles, 15,16 
	- That is the provision.. eternal life is a GIFT 
    2. He is the "Door" into the "sheepfold".. 
  B. There Must Be An "Entrance"..  "if any man enter.."   (Possession) 
    1. Where sin abounded.. grace did much more abound.. Ro.5:20 
    2. When we show "repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ".. Acts 20:21 
	- We are on our way in !! 
  C. There Is Certainty.. "he shall be saved.."  (Promise) 
    1. God's mercy shed upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ..  Titus 3:5,6 
    2. Abundant mercy.. has begotten us again unto a lively hope.. 1Pe.1:3
 ** Have You "Been There, Done That?" 
II.  SATISFACTION.. "go in and out and find pasture.."  The Abundant Life.. 
  A. It Is Life Eternal.. John 3:16; 10:28 "shall never perish" (Jn.3:15; 6:54,68; 17:2; Ro.5:21; 1Jn.2:25; 5:11,13 
    1. The Gift of God..  Ro.6:23 
    2. The Life of God..  Eph.4:18  (the unbelieving are alienated from..) 
  B. It Is Life.. On the Edge.. 2Pe.1:4-10 
    1. Noah.. found grace in the eyes of the Lord..  build a "boat". Gen.6:8,13,14 
    2. Abraham.. "leave your home and family.."  Gen.12:1-4 
    3. Joseph..  did the right thing.. and went to prison for it! Gen.39:20 
    4. Jeremiah.. told the truth and was put in the dungeon.. Jer.37:16; 38:6... 
    5. Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego.. would not worship other "gods".. Dan.3:18-20 
    6. Daniel.. wouldn't stop praying.. put in the lion's den.. Dan.6:16 
    7. Apostles.. would not stop preaching about Christ.. Acts 5:28,29 
  C. It Is Life..  Elevated.. on the highest level!! 
    1. Protection.. Jn.10:28,29  "in good hands!" 
    2. Purity.. sin is forgiven, Holy Spirit dwells within, the blood of Christ keeps on "cleansing us from all
	unrighteousness.."  1Tim.1:5-7; 5:22; 2Tim.2:22; 1Pet.1:22; 1Jn.3:3 
    3. Promise.. 2Pet.1:11 
III.  SERVICE..  "go in and out.." 
  A. Labor.. 
    1. Paul labored "more abundantly"..  1Cor.15:10 
    2. We are to be "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.."  1Cor.15:58; Phil.4:12,13 
  B. Love.. 
    1. Paul's love for them.. 2Cor.2:4.. "more abundantly for you.." 
    2. Paul's prayer for them.. Phil.1:9  "that your love may abound.." 1Thes.3:12 
    3. Paul's use of Titus' example..  2Cor.7:15 
    4. Jesus' teaching.. Mt.5:44; 22:37,39; Jn.8:42; 13:34,35; 15:12 
  C. Laugh.. (great joy..) 
    1. When you deliver the "Good News"..  Mt.28:8; Ro.15:32 
    2. When sinners are converted.. Luke.15:7; Acts.15:3; Phil.4:1... 
    3. When you are hated & reproached for Jesus' sake.. Lu.6:23; Acts.13:52; 2Cor.7:4; Jas.1:2; 1Pet.4:12-14 
    4. When you have given liberally in spite of deep poverty.. 2Cor.8:2 
    5. When you finish the course & the ministry given by the Lord.. Acts.20:24 
    6. When you are ultimately rewarded in the presence of the Lord.. Mt.25:21 
WOW !! ARE YOU LIVING THE ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST ??? 
   DAVID.. "RESTORE UNTO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATION..." 
     THEN WILL SINNERS BE CONVERTED UNTO THEE..   Psalm 51:12,13