Part 1 - What Is the Abundant Life?

Introduction

Well, last week We talked about the reason many Christians today are not experiencing the abundant Life that God makes possible through Jesus Christ. I hope you were here for that. If not, I would strongly encourage you to go to our website and give it a listen. Because it turns out, that message became a launchpad for the new 5 week series we will begin this morning that I am calling “More Than Enough” Living the Abundant life. I talked a lot about this abundant life last week and it occurred to me that some may not even know what I was talking about or what Jesus meant when He said in John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

So we are going to take a few weeks and see if we can unpack that, if for no other reason than we may gain a better understanding of what we may be missing.

I think just about everyone longs for a full and abundant life. Our culture often paints a picture of abundance as having more – more money, more success, more possessions, more pleasure. And we might assume that if we just achieve that next goal, or acquire that next thing, we’ll finally be satisfied.

Yet time and again we hear stories of people who reach the top and still feel empty. In a famous 60 Minutes interview, NFL quarterback Tom Brady reflected on his three Super Bowl rings and asked, “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? … God, it’s gotta be more than this.” Despite his incredible success, Brady admitted, “I wish I knew” what would truly satisfy. Comedian Jim Carrey said a similar thing once. He said he wishes everyone could get rich and famous and have everything they dreamed of, Why? “so they can see that it’s not the answer”

Hook: These real-life comments from two people who most would agree from a worldly point of view, had everything a man could ever want, resonate because they expose a common experience: worldly abundance often leaves us wanting more.

If the “good life” were simply about wealth or achievements, then it would stand to reason that those who have the most, would be the most fulfilled – but often, they aren’t.

So what’s missing?

Jesus speaks directly to this deep question. In John 10:10 that I just quoted, He promises, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Today, as we kick off this series on “Abundant Life,” I want to invite you to explore with me, what Jesus meant by abundant life and how it contrasts with the world’s definition.

The scriptures we will focus on this morning are of course John 10:1–11 – where Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd – and Psalm 23 – the classic psalm of the Lord as our shepherd. Through these passages, we’ll see that true abundance is not about material stuff, but about a relationship with the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Father, would you open our eyes and hearts to understand the life You offer us.”

1. The World’s View vs. Christ’s Promise of Abundance

In John 10:10 we see Jesus begins by contrasting two very different intentions: the intent of “the thief” and the intent of Himself, the Good Shepherd. In context, “the thief” represents anything or anyone that promises life apart from God – false shepherds, the enemy (Satan), or even the false values of the world. These, Jesus says, steal joy, kill hope, and destroy meaning. The world’s idea of “abundant life” can be like a thief – it promises fulfillment but often leaves us empty. Let’s consider the worldly perspective versus Jesus’ perspective:

Worldly Abundance: Bigger, richer, faster. The world measures abundance by quantity: a high bank balance, career success, luxury, comfort, fame. It says more is always better. Yet what we often see is that pursuing these as our ultimate goal often leads to anxiety, emptiness, and even an early demise.

King Solomon, who literally had it all – wealth, palaces, feasts, and achievements – reflected at the end of his life that it was “vanity and a striving after wind”, with nothing truly gained under the sun.

We’ve all seen how more stuff never fully satisfies; we just end up craving “a little bit more.” Worldly abundance can become a trap: as Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?”.

Illus: Think of lottery winners whose lives spiraled downward, or celebrities with mansions who feel alone. The thief’s lie is that life is found in possessions and status, but this only steals our attention away from God and others, often destroying peace and relationships in the process.

In Contrast, Jesus speaks of...

Kingdom Abundance: which is deeper, richer in spirit. Jesus’ promise of abundance is about quality of life, not quantity of things. He said He came to give us life “to the full” – a life that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal. This kind of abundance isn’t measured by our bank account or résumé; it’s measured by a soul satisfied in God.

And Jesus warns that wealth and status are not God’s priorities for us. In fact, if abundant life were about material riches, Jesus Himself would have been the wealthiest of men – yet He lived simply (Matthew 8:20). In fact, during His short roughly 3 year ministry, He was homeless! Clearly, true abundance is something beyond material. It’s the richness of a life connected to our Creator. It’s the kind of fulfillment that even a poor, persecuted apostle Paul could have when he said he had learned to be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11–12).

Illustration (Contrast): The world’s version of abundance is like a shiny apple that’s rotten at the core – it looks pretty good on the outside, but once you take a big bite...yuck.

Jesus’ version is like an overflowing fountain of fresh water – it continually renews and gives life. Christ cautioned that chasing worldly treasure can “steal” our hearts (Matthew 6:19–21), whereas receiving the life He offers gives us a treasure that cannot be taken.

So, in John 10:10 Jesus effectively says: Don’t fall for the thief’s deception. All those things that promise life apart from God, will ultimately rob you. But I have come to give you the real thing – life abundant.

So, this raises the question: What exactly is this abundant life Jesus gives?

2. Jesus the Good Shepherd: Source of Abundant Life

Scripture: In John chapater 10, if we back up a few verses we see Jesus uses a vivid metaphor: V7- “I am the Door of the sheep…V9 - Whoever enters through me will be saved… v10 - I came that they may have life abundantly. v11 - I am the Good Shepherd. v15 -The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

In these verses, Jesus identifies Himself as both the Door and the Good Shepherd. Let’s nor move past that too quickly:

Jesus said, “I Am the Door” – The Entry to Life: In a sheepfold, the door or gate is the way in and out to safety and pasture. There is only one door, not two. Not an entry and an exit so that shepherd has to keep an eye on two doors. One way in. One way out. Jesus is saying that through Him we enter salvation and freedom. He is the entry point into a new reality of life. By entering through Jesus, we are saved and we “find pasture” (v.9) – a picture of nourishment and rest. In other words, Jesus is the way to life with God. He later says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). There is no abundant life apart from Him, because only the Creator can lead His creatures to true fulfillment. Just as a door leads from one environment to another, Jesus leads us out of the barren life of sin and into the green pastures of a reconciled life with God.

Jesus said, “I Am the Good Shepherd” – being a good shepherd involves care and sacrifice: As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows us by name, cares for us, and even lays down His life for us (v.11). Here is a key difference: The thief takes life; the shepherd gives His life. In fact, our abundant life flows directly from Jesus’ sacrifice. By dying for our sins and rising again, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, opened the way for us to truly live.

He said in John 10:10 that giving abundant life is “an essential goal of His mission” Think about that – Jesus left the glory of heaven and went to the cross so we could have this abundant life! It’s that important to Him.

Jesus said I came to give Life, but not just any kind of life. He came to give a life that He called “More Abundant” – Definition: The Greek word for “abundantly” (perissón) means “exceedingly, beyond measure, more than expected”.

One Bible commentator notes it implies “a superabundance” of – life overflowing! This doesn’t mean a trouble-free life, but a life filled with the good things of God.

Jesus’ main purpose, as one commentary puts it, was the “fullness of life” for His people – “Under His protection and by His gift they can experience the best life can offer… full satisfaction and perfect guidance.” Only in Christ do we find that kind of deep satisfaction and direction. Abundant life is ultimately eternal life. And don’t miss this. Eternal life is defined in John 17:3 as knowing – “the only true God and Jesus Christ” which starts now and lasts forever. It’s not simply about living forever in heaven, but about knowing God personally now. It’s a quality of life anchored in eternity.

Biblical Insight: All through the Gospel of John, “life” is a major theme – mentioned about 36 times we see Jesus is repeatedly revealed as the source of true life. Consider His miracles: when He turned water into wine at the Cana wedding, He showed that when He is present, ordinary water becomes abundant, joyous wine – symbolically, He brings overflowing joy.

When He fed the 5,000, there were basketfuls left over – again, abundance. And here in John 10, Jesus explicitly says He is the source of life to the full. In contrast, without Jesus we might exist, but not truly live as God intended.

Illustration: Think of a gadget that needs a power source. We are like that – we were created to be plugged into God as our source of life. Trying to power our lives with worldly plugs (money, success, etc.) is like trying to charge a device with the wrong charger – it doesn’t truly work and may even damage the device. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is our true charger, the only source that gives us the “full battery” of life.

So, what is abundant life? To summarize this point:

Abundant life is life with Jesus and in Jesus – a life beyond measure overflowing with His love, purpose, and joy. It means we are known by the Shepherd, safe in His hand, and satisfied by His presence. Now, to understand this more concretely, I want to invite you to turn to Psalm 23, which beautifully illustrates what a life of abundance under the Shepherd’s care looks like.

3. Life with the Shepherd: Psalm 23’s Picture of Abundant Life

Scripture: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (in Him, there is nothing I lack) … v 5 -my cup overflows.” – Psalm 23:1,5.

Psalm 23 is probably the clearest portrait of the abundant life from a sheep’s-eye view if you will. In this well known psalm, David describes six blessings of having the Lord as his Shepherd – promises that correspond to the “life to the full” Jesus gives. Let’s take a minute and walk through Psalm 23 and see how it depicts a life of spiritual abundance in the care of our Good Shepherd: First we see...

Provision – “I lack nothing”: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Because God is our Shepherd, we have everything we truly need. “Left to ourselves, we lack everything that matters… But when we belong to the One who is self-sufficient and inexhaustible, we will lack nothing. He provides for us.” This is not a blank check for every whim, but a promise that God’s children will not lack any good thing He knows we need (see Psalm 34:9–10 “9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” ). Abundant life begins with contentment in God’s provision. The world says “you need more to be happy,” but the sheep with a good shepherd rests content because all needs (physical and spiritual) are met in Him. Next we see...

Rest & Restoration – “He makes me lie down… He restores my soul”: Sheep will only lie down when they feel safe and satisfied. The Shepherd provides green pastures and still waters – symbols of peace and rest. In our hectic lives, how abundant does true rest sound to you? Jesus invites us, “Come to me… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He restores our soul – rejuvenating our inner being with His presence. Abundant life includes inner peace and refreshment that the world, with all its stress, cannot give. In Christ, even in busy seasons, our souls find a place to lie down and breathe. (Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is rest in God’s care!) We aslo see that the abundant life under our good Shepherd provides...

Guidance & Purpose – “v3 - He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”: A sheep on its own easily gets lost, but under a good shepherd it is led on the right paths. Likewise, an abundant life is one guided by God’s wisdom and righteousness. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads us not just anywhere, but in the right direction – towards holiness, and love, and ultimately, toward Himself. He does this “for His name’s sake”, meaning His guidance in our lives displays His goodness and brings Him glory. Practically, this means we’re not wandering aimlessly; in Christ our life gains direction and purpose. We start living not just for selfish goals but for God’s purposes, which is way more fulfilling. As Jesus said in John 10:4, “the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” Part of abundant living is learning to discern and follow the Shepherd’s voice above the many noisy voices of the world. In v4 we see the provision of...

Companionship in Trials – “I will fear no evil, for You are with me”: Abundant life does not mean the absence of dark valleys. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” I think we all know that in this fallen world, we will still face difficulties – illness, loss, hardships – but here’s the difference: we never face them alone. God’s presence is the ultimate source of courage. As one pastor noted, Psalm 23 doesn’t say God will steer us around every valley, but that He walks with us through the valley. The worst life can throw at us (even death’s shadow) cannot rob us of our peace, because our Shepherd stays by our side. Abundant life is a fearless life, not because we are strong, but because He is with us and His “rod and staff” (symbolizing protection and guidance) comfort us. There is a deep security in knowing that whatever comes, the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us.

In v 5 we see...

Joyful Blessing – “My cup overflows”: This is a picture of overflowing joy and blessing. David says, “You prepare a table before me… You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Imagine a cup filled to the brim, running over – that’s abundance! It’s not just enough; it’s more than enough. This joy isn’t based on circumstances (after all, the table is set “in the presence of my enemies,” v.5, meaning even amid conflict or struggle, God nourishes us with joy and honor). Jesus said in John 15:11, “I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” A full joy – that’s abundant life. It’s the kind of joy that can praise God even in prison like Paul and Silas did, or sing in the storm. Our cup overflows because God’s grace and love are inexhaustible. And finally we see...

Eternal Hope – “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”: The final promise of Psalm 23 is an eternal home with God. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Here is the ultimate extent of abundant life: it never ends. Goodness and mercy (God’s blessings and steadfast love) pursue us now, and we have the guarantee of forever with Him.

Jesus echoed this in the New Testament, promising, “I go to prepare a place for you… that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3). Abundant life transcends this earthly life – it carries us through death into eternal life in God’s presence. As Christians, we can live abundantly now because we know our future is secure. Even death itself becomes merely the “shadow” we pass through (Psalm 23:4), not a dead-end, because Jesus conquered death. This eternal perspective frees us to live boldly and generously here and now.

Summary of Psalm 23: When the Lord is your Shepherd, you have provision, peace, guidance, companionship, joy, and hope. This is the “package deal” of abundant life in Christ. It’s essentially a life of relationship with the Shepherd. and notice how personal the language is: “The Lord is my shepherd… You are with me… my cup overflows.” It’s not a theoretical idea; it is an experienced reality of fellowship with God.

So with all of that in mind, pause and ask yourself this morning: Does this describe my life? Am I experiencing this kind of abundance in my soul? Jesus came not just to give us rules or even just to forgive our sins (as critical as that is) – He came to bring us into this abundant life with God. If we’re not experiencing much of that, maybe we’ve been grazing in the wrong pastures or listening to the wrong voice. So I would be woefully remiss at this point, if i did not ask you to consider how you can personally embrace the abundant life Christ offers.

Application: Experiencing Abundant Life Today

Abundant life isn’t just a theory to admire; it’s a reality to live out daily. and here is the thing that I think even some in this room know far too well: It’s possible to know Jesus and yet not fully walk in the abundance He provides (a sheep can wander even if it has a good shepherd!). So how can we respond to this message in practical ways? Here are a few applications for the day and age in which you and i live – ways to align with the Kingdom view of abundance:

Stay Connected to the Shepherd: Prioritize your relationship with Jesus above all. The essence of abundant life is knowing Jesus (John 17:3), so our first call is to abide in Him. Just as sheep flourish by staying near the shepherd, we thrive by remaining close to Christ. In practice, this means making time with God non-negotiable – through prayer, reading Scripture, worship, and community with other believers. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches… if you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). We can’t bear the fruit of abundance (like love, joy, peace) if we disconnect from the vine. So, evaluate: is Jesus truly at the center of my life’s priorities, or have other pursuits crowded Him to the margins? Make it your aim every day to hear His voice and follow (John 10:27). Maybe start your day by listening – reading a psalm or a Gospel story – and praying, “Lord, lead me today.” Cultivate an awareness of His presence as you go about your work, family time, and rest. As we do this, His life flows into us. So Stay connected to the shepherd. Next...

Redefine “Abundance” in Kingdom Terms: Cultivate contentment and gratitude. The best way to combat the worldly mindset is by intentionally adopting God’s definition of abundance. Gratitude is a powerful practice here. Instead of fixating on what you lack, thank God for what you have. Every day, identify blessings – big or little – and praise the Shepherd for His provision. Doing this has the tendency to shift our focus from scarcity to God’s abundance. To hear Jesus’ voice, practice gratitude – recognize not what we lack but what we have. This aligns our hearts with the truth that “I shall not want.” Also, simplify and trust: if abundant life isn’t about stuff, we can hold material things loosely. Practice contentment by saying “enough” when the world says “more.” Strive to limit your social media or advertising intake if it fuels discontent. By the way, if you haven’t figured this our yet, that is EXACTLY what it does. It fuels discontent.

Choose generosity over hoarding – when we give, we demonstrate we believe God’s grace won’t run out (our cup overflows!). Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these [material] things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). In other words, put God’s priorities (loving Him, loving others) first, and trust Him to take care of your needs. This frees us from the rat race and lets us live in God’s rest and provision. And finally,

Find Your Fulfillment in Serving God and Others: Instead of chasing success as the world defines it, invest in things of eternal value – relationships, service, character. Abundant life is outward-focused, not selfish. Jesus, our model, “came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Ironically, when we pour out love to others, we find our cup is even more full. Try using your talents to bless others, volunteer to help the needy, or simply be present with your family and friends. These kingdom investments bring joy that buying another gadget never will. Maybe God is nudging you to step into a ministry or to reconnect with someone who needs encouragement. Don’t ignore those promptings – that’s part of following the Shepherd’s lead. Living generously and lovingly is living abundantly.

The key is to remember that abundant life is a gift we receive through faith and also a life we actively embrace by following Jesus daily. It’s not automatic; we make daily choices to walk with the Shepherd or wander toward the thief. By staying close to Jesus, renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) to value what He values, and living for His glory, we taste the fullness of life He promised.

Conclusion

So let me leave you with this. In fact, let’s go back to the question we started with: “What is the abundant life?” Simply put, the abundant life is life in Jesus Christ – a life where He is our Shepherd and we are His beloved sheep.

It’s not about having a perfect, pain-free existence or accumulating a mountain of possessions. It is about having a full heart, a soul that is at peace, and a purpose that matters for eternity. It’s about being able to say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.”

Think again of Tom Brady’s poignant question: “There’s gotta be more than this.” The good news is Yes, there is more! There is a “more” that this world can never provide — and Jesus came to give it. It’s a life where even in sorrow, there can be unexplainable joy; even in lack, provision comes; even in confusion, guidance is given; even in death’s shadow, we fear no evil. It is a life overflowing with God’s goodness and mercy, pursuing us every day.

Invitation: Jesus extends an invitation to each of us today: Come to Me and live abundantly. Maybe you are here this morning and you realize you’ve been chasing the world’s version of the good life and it’s left you unsatisfied. Jesus invites you to exchange that emptiness for His fullness. He is the Door – question is, will you enter in and trust Him? Maybe you’ve known the Lord for a while, but you feel like you’re not experiencing that “overflow” lately. The Shepherd’s call to you is the same: “Draw near to Me. Listen to My voice again. I want to restore your soul.” He hasn’t withheld abundant life from us; sometimes we just need to surrender anew to His leading.

So as we close in prayer, I encourage you to respond. If you have never begun a relationship with Jesus, that’s step one – receive Him as your Savior and Shepherd. (John 10:9 says “Whoever enters through Me will be saved.”) If that’s you, you can pray today, asking Jesus to forgive your sins and give you this new life. For those of us who are already His sheep, let’s commit to truly following our Shepherd – trusting His provision, resting in His presence, and redefining our idea of “life” around knowing Him. Imagine a church where every person is living abundantly in Christ – what a witness to a striving world that would be!

Closing Statement: Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” The world offers empty promises, but Christ offers a life that is full to overflowing. He gave His life so we could have it. Let’s not settle for less! As we leave today, may we do so with the words of Psalm 23 on our hearts and the reality of our Good Shepherd guiding our steps. The abundant life is ours in Jesus – let’s live in it, to the glory of God. Amen?

Let’s pray

Father, first of all, thank You for being our loving Shepherd and for sending us Jesus, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us and came so that we may have life abundantly. Father, we live in a world that promises abundance through wealth, status, or pleasure, we acknowledge that none of those can truly satisfy our souls. You alone offer the fullness of life that we long for. Today, I want to pray especially for those who have not yet trusted in Jesus as Savior – please open their hearts to respond to Your voice calling them by name. Draw them to put their faith in You, to receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation, and to step into the abundant life only You can give.

And Lord, for those of us who already belong to You, we ask that You search our hearts and reveal where we have been pursuing the world’s version of abundance instead of the fullness found in Christ. We confess that we often chase after material comfort, success, or approval, thinking these will fulfill us, when apart from You they leave us empty.

Please forgive us for the times we’ve sought life in anything other than You. By Your grace, draw us back into close fellowship with You each day. Teach us to trust You more deeply, to walk in intimacy with Jesus, and to find our contentment in Your presence – knowing that with You as our shepherd, we have all that we need. May our lives overflow with Your goodness and joy, may our lives shine as a testimony of what it means to live abundantly in You. We ask all of this in the strong name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sources:

The Holy Bible, John 10:1–11; Psalm 23 (ESV)

GotQuestions Ministries – “What did Jesus mean when He promised an abundant life?”gotquestions.orggotquestions.orggotquestions.org

CalvaryChapel.com – Andy Deane, “There’s Gotta Be More Than This – Tom Brady” (2017)calvarychapel.comcalvarychapel.com

Grace Communion Intl. – “John 10:10 – The Abundant Life” (Biblical commentary)archive.gci.orgarchive.gci.org

Haven Today – Charles Morris, “7 Abundant Promises from Psalm 23”haventoday.orghaventoday.org

Pastor Johanna Rehbaum – “The Door to Abundant Life” (Sermon blog, 2020)pastorjohanna.blogspot.compastorjohanna.blogspot.com