CHRIST IS NOT A THIEF

Robert L. Pendergrass

John 10:10

Thesis: To address the err that Christ and Christianity are useless and unnecessarily burdensome.

Introduction:

1. We sometimes meet individuals who say “your way is old school” or “your way is so hard.”

2. This is wrong, because there is only one way. (Eph. 4:4-6)

3. The only way is Christ’s way. (Mat 6:18; 1Cor. 3:11)

4. We want to examine this augment looking at (John 10:10) and understand how good we have it in Christ.

Discussion:

I. The Thief Cometh Not but To Steal.

A. Satan had something he wanted to take from us.

1. He wanted to take our relationship with God away from us. (Gen. 3:1-7)

2. God allowed him so that he could give us free will to choose him or not to choose him. (Job 1:6-12, 20-22, 2:1-10, 42:10-17; Mal 3:2-3; 1Cor. 10:13; Pro. 17:3)

B. Satan took us captive

1. We were once in the Grasp of Satan with no way to be restored. (Mark 3:27)

2. Christ defeated satin (1Cor. 15:21-22)

C. Satan has stolen from us eternal life in the presents of God.

II. The Thief Is Cometh Not but To Kill.

A. Death is always in the wake of Satan’s influence.

1. Satan introduced the thought of killing. (John 8:44)

2. God hates killing so must that he made it an offence punishable by the death of the killer. (Gen. 9:5-6)

B. People killing people even from the beginning.

1. Cain, son of Adam, killed Abel his brother. (Gen. 4:1-10)

2. God hates killing but wickedness brings about killing. (Rev. 21:8)

C. People are killing themselves by drowning in sin.

1. By falling away and sinning unto death (Mat. 1Jn. 5:16-19)

III. The Thief Is Cometh Not but To Destroy.

A. Satan’s influence reeks destruction on its subjects.

B. We, through his influence, are destroying trust among ourselves. (John 8:44; Pro. 14:34)

C. We, by Knowledge of his ways, have destroyed our relationship with God. (Isa. 59:1-4, 7-9)

IV. I Am Come That They Might Have Life.

A. Jesus is the good shepherd. (John 10:1-5)

B. God still loves his creation. (Mat. 6:34; 9:36)

C. Jesus redeemed his creation. (Isa. 53)

V. That They Might Have It More Abundantly.

A. The Gospel will benefit its follower SPIRITUALY

1. We will go to heaven when life is over. (John 14:1-4; Heb. 6:19)

2. We will be in the presence of God. (Rev. 21:2-4)

B. The Gospel will benefit its follower MENTALLY

1. It will have us think on good things. (Phil. 4:8)

2. It will have us flee evil thoughts. (Mat. 15:17-20)

C. The Gospel will benefit its follower EMOTIONALLY

1. Not having to fear punishment for evildoing. (Pro. 28:1)

2. Comfort in knowing that, no matter what, Christ will save us in the end. (2Thes. 1:7-10)

D. The Gospel will benefit its follower PHYSICALLY

1. Commanding them to flee sin in the flesh. (1Thes. 5:21-22)

2. Commanding us to follow the good shepherd in righteousness. (Col. 3:1-6; 1Tim. 6:11)

Conclusion:

1. The wage of sin is death but God would gift us eternal life if we would obey him. (Rom. 6:23)

2. In reality, it’s easier to be a Christian than to have to face the repercussions of our sins. (Mat. 11:28-30)

3. Besides, the retirement package is much, much better!

4. If we can help you to become a Christian or if you are a fallen away Christian and need the prayers of the church; would you come forward now as we stand and sing.