Living life to the full

Sermon Title: “Living Life to the Full”

Scripture Anchor: John 10:10 (AMP)

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

Introduction: When Life Feels Fragile

Family, we’re gathered here today with a mix of emotions—grief, reflection, maybe even questions. We’ve lost someone we knew. A colleague. A friend. And it reminds us just how fragile life really is. It shakes us. It makes us pause and think.

We don’t usually like thinking about the end of life. We’re busy surviving, working, achieving. But moments like this are holy interruptions. They ask us: “How are you living your life?”

Because Jesus didn’t just come so we could go to heaven one day. He came so we could live fully today—a life that overflows with meaning, love, purpose, and joy.

Let’s talk about that kind of life.

Point 1: Life is a Gift, Not a Guarantee

James 4:14 (AMP)

“Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. What is secure in your life? You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes into thin air.”

We often live like we have unlimited time—like we’ll get to the important stuff “one day.”

But the truth is: we are vapour. Mist. A moment.

So how are we spending that moment?

Are we present with our families?

Are we chasing things that fade?

Are we holding grudges instead of offering grace?

Every day we wake up is mercy. It’s a chance to live better, love deeper, and walk closer with God.

Point 2: God Has Set Eternity in Our Hearts

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (AMP)

“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart—a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God…”

There’s a longing in all of us—something that says, “There must be more.” That “more” is eternity. It’s purpose. It’s meaning that doesn’t fade when the paycheck hits or the weekend ends. Only God satisfies that longing.

This is why chasing full life without Jesus always leaves us feeling empty. He is the source of fullness. Want to live well? Start with the One who gave you breath.

Point 3: Jesus Doesn’t Offer a Small Life—He Offers a Full One

John 10:10 (AMP)

“I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

Jesus isn’t offering just a few blessings here and there. He’s offering a life that overflows—even in pain, even in loss, even in ordinary moments. It’s not about how long we live—it’s about how well we live.

When Jesus is your centre:

Work becomes worship.

Friendships become ministry.

Struggles become strength training.

You begin to live full, even when things don’t feel perfect.

Point 4: Honour Their Life by How You Live Yours

Philippians 1:21 (AMP)

“For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].”

We honour our colleague’s life not just in memory, but in how we choose to live from here.

Let their passing remind us to:

Re-evaluate our priorities

Speak kindly, forgive quickly

Dream boldly, give generously

Love fully, live intentionally

We don’t honour people best through flowers and speeches—we honour them when we start living with eternity in mind and gratitude in our hearts.

Conclusion: Choose Life, Choose Jesus

So what now?

What do we do after the service, the tea, the condolences?

We choose life. We choose Jesus—the only One who gives life that’s full and lasting.

We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we can decide how we live today.

Live with passion.

Live with perspective.

Live with Jesus at the centre.

Prayer

“Father, thank You for the breath in our lungs. Thank You for the life You’ve given us. Today we remember that life is short, but full when it’s lived in You. Help us to live intentionally, to love deeply, to forgive freely, and to walk closely with You. Comfort those who are grieving. Heal the brokenhearted. And lead us into a life that is full—till it overflows. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”