The Abundant Life

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: John 11:25-26In John 11, Jesus raises His friend, Lazarus, from the dead; this miracle is an illustration of the abundant life we can have in Jesus Christ, before and after death.First, we must exercise faith in Jesus.John 11:25-26 says, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die…’”There are many walking about with beating hearts, yet they are dead because they’re alienated from God. They have existence but don’t have life.Our society will try to raise us from our spiritual death by pushing examples for us to follow. People suggest we change our environment or get a good education. But death is still death; the secret of abundant life is salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.We can experience freedom through Jesus.After Lazarus was raised, Jesus instructed Lazarus’ friends to loosen him from his graveclothes. (See John 11:43.) When we come out of the tomb, there are some things about our former life that we must shake off: old loves, sinful language, lusts. It may not happen immediately, but as we grow in grace, we will be unwrapped from our former ways.We can enjoy fellowship with Jesus.After Lazarus was raised from the dead, he sat down for a meal with Jesus. Once we put our faith in Jesus and experience freedom from sin, we can have fellowship with Him; He calls us friends.Adrian Rogers says, “Being saved is not some sort of penalty that you pay to get to Heaven. When I invite you to come to Jesus, I’m not inviting you to a funeral; I’m inviting you to a feast.”Finally, we must express our faithfulness to Jesus.After Lazarus’s resurrection, he received death threats from those who wanted to deny Jesus’ power. But Lazarus could not be intimidated because he was no longer afraid of death.Realizing our souls are forever alive in Jesus Christ is the way to an abundant life.Apply it to your lifeDo you exhibit abundant life in Jesus Christ? Is there something about you that cannot be explained apart from a miracle? Realize your witness today; be the example and evidence of abundant life in Jesus Christ.