LIVING IN ABUNDANCE STARTS WITH ME!

Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

LIVING IN ABUNDANCE STARTS WITH ME!

The TV show Seinfeld broke all kinds of records as a TV sitcom. What was interesting about Seinfeld is that it was noted not to have a plot; that it’s nothing connected with anything; you know, he would show up and start with this kind of funny routine and go on to the show, and nothing seemed to have much to do with anything; it was a plotless sitcom, and it went to the top of the charts. They were analyzing why Seinfeld was so popular. It was concluded that Seinfeld was popular because the folk watching it were in the same situation as the sitcom: plotless, no clue, aimlessly going from situation to situation; going from one day to another day; one job to another job; one place to another place; without rhyme or reason; unconnected from the rest of the world. The sad truth is most Christians today are living like that. They are living decaffeinated lives like a stationary bike ever spinning, never going or arriving anywhere. I don’t know how many people like to get out and drive. I call them “Anywhere Drivers.” These people simply like to get on the road and drive; you’re not going anywhere; you just want to drive. It’s a pretty day, let’s go riding. I’m an “Anywhere Driver” and love to drive, but even after a while, that gets old.

· If you want momentary happiness, serve yourself.

· If you want lasting fulfillment, serve someone else.

There is a difference between temporary and lasting happiness; one leads to freedom, and the other to bondage. Either can be ours; it depends on the decision we make. “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 NIV

Maybe it’s time to fully surrender. If you are going to live in Abundance, some areas of your life have to be left empty.

God’s word to somebody in here is when you get your fresh start; you don’t have to try to go back and fix what other people still don’t understand; just leave it empty. You don’t have to go back and try to reconcile what others want to keep broken; just leave it empty. You don’t have to go back and repay what was done in the past; leave it empty; you don’t have to remind yourself repeatedly, leave it empty; you don’t have to guilt yourself for not doing or not being, leave it empty. Because the fact that you are here right now is proof enough that you have a fresh start. Some aspect of your life has to be left empty, and that’s the essence of Abundance.

A. Guarantee - This verse reminds us that when we are saved, we are saved from the wrath of God. No longer are we lost sinners living under His condemnation and doomed to an eternity in Hell, John 3:36; “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” When we come to Jesus by faith, we are delivered from the threat of divine retribution and are delivered from the threat of eternal separation from God, John 5:25.

Love ... keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

• We serve a God of another chance, not a God of second chances.

• Your past does not define you. God defines you.

B. Place - Note the words “In Christ.” Jesus is the One Who makes all the difference. You can be in the church and die lost. You can be a good neighbor and die lost. But, when you are in Jesus, you are saved to the uttermost and fully secured, “we are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Pet. 1:5. Jesus is the ONLY refuge for the soul of man! He is the only safe harbor where we can find salvation, forgiveness, hope, and everlasting life. To know Him is to be a partaker of life eternal.

Anyone the Son sets free is free indeed. “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

“In Christ Jesus.”— BEING IN HIS FAVOR. ENJOYING HIS GRACE. BEING IN HIS NAME. SHARING HIS HONOR. BEING IN HIS HEART. FILLED WITH HIS LOVE.

In Him by faith. In Him for fruitfulness. In Him for fellowship.

In Him is to be clothed with the beauty of the Lord. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away and behold all things become new.” Therefore there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, all of God’s acts toward you are yes and amen!

C. Confirmation - Some people won’t believe you until they see confirmation of a changed life. Some people won’t acknowledge you until they see evidence that you live a life of abundance. Some folk won’t trust you until you can prove your actions by your words.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

You do not know how God might use your life to change someone’s life.

But you need to demonstrate confirmation of your changed life. “…walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Here’s how you do it.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

“you have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you; and the life which you now live in the flesh you live by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you.” Gal. 2:20