#20 Discover Abundance in Christ
Time Stamps
00:00 - Welcome from Matt and Jan
04:05 - Talk: Discover Abundance in Christ with Dave Connolly
07:32 - The Misunderstood Promise of John 10:10
13:45 - What "Abundant Life" Really Means in Scripture
19:13 - Finding Contentment in Every Circumstance
31:33 - Conversation Street: Identifying What Robs Us of Abundance
38:12 - Creating Sacred Spaces in a Distracted World
Beyond the Prosperity Gospel
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
It's one of Jesus' most quoted promises – life to the full, abundant life. But what does this actually mean?
This Sunday, Dave Connolly continued our "Becoming Whole" series by unpacking what Jesus really meant by offering us an "abundant life" – and it might not be what many of us have been taught.
Dave began by addressing a common misinterpretation of John 10:10 – the idea that following Jesus guarantees material prosperity, physical health, and freedom from problems. This "prosperity gospel" interpretation has influenced many, but as Dave pointed out, it doesn't align with the overall message of Scripture.
"Some Bible preachers and teachers quote John 10:10 as support for the idea that Christianity leads to physical prosperity," Dave noted. "Yet what I read in the New Testament usually emphasises a radically different result in following Christ."
The Bible repeatedly warns that following Jesus will involve persecution, taking up our cross, and facing opposition. So if abundant life isn't about material prosperity, what is it about?
What Jesus Really Offered
To understand what Jesus meant by abundant life, Dave took us back to the context of John 10. The passage develops the biblical theme of shepherds and sheep, contrasting Jesus (the Good Shepherd) with false shepherds who come "to steal and kill and destroy."
In John's Gospel, the concept of "life" appears 36 times – more than any other New Testament book. This "life" consistently refers to eternal life, but with a broader meaning than just life after death.
The Greek phrase for "have it more abundantly" means "to have a superabundance of things." As Dave explained, "When we try to live life our own way, we find that life is a dull, desperate, empty thing. Yet when we walk with Jesus, there comes a new vitality, a superabundance of life."
During Conversation Street, Matt unpacked this further: "The Greek says, 'I've come that you may have Zoë,'" referring to the Greek word for God's kind of life. "If we just measure [abundant life] by pound notes or dollar bills or the square footage of our house, we are totally missing the point."
This abundant life Jesus offers is "life as God has it" – a higher level of living that transcends circumstances, characterised by peace, joy, and contentment regardless of external conditions.
Contentment: The Secret to Abundance
Perhaps the most profound insight from Dave's talk was his reference to Philippians 4:12-13, where Paul writes:
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
This passage reveals that abundance isn't tied to having more, but to being content regardless of what we have. As Jan reflected during Conversation Street, "I think that is the key... Paul was saying, 'I've known what it is to be full, I've known what it is to be hungry'... he was content with very little, and he was content when things were better."
Matt added that contentment means "being independent of the circumstances – regardless of what's going on around me, I can live independently of that because I'm living through Christ who strengthens me."
This profound understanding shifts our entire perspective on abundance. Rather than measuring fullness of life by what we possess or what we lack, true abundance is measured by our capacity to find contentment through Christ in any situation.
What's Stealing Your Abundance?
If Jesus came to give us abundant life, why do many Christians still feel like they're just surviving rather than thriving? Jesus gives us a clue in the first part of John 10:10 – "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."
During Conversation Street, Matt and Jan explored what "thieves" might be robbing us of the abundant life Jesus offers:
1. Apathy and Withdrawal
Jan shared how sometimes when she feels low or depressed, she withdraws rather than running to God: "It's like a little child wanting a hug, and the mum or dad with their arms open wide, and then the kid just doesn't get there."
2. Distraction
Matt identified distraction as his biggest thief: "I think in the world in which we live, there is so much distraction... We don't like to get bored now – we stand in a queue, we'll look at our phones, we'll do this, we'll do that." This constant stimulation prevents us from connecting deeply with God.
3. Lack of Sacred Space
Both Matt and Jan discussed the importance of finding "sacred spaces" – places where we can withdraw from distractions and connect with God, just as Jesus would "go up the mountains" to be alone with the Father.
For Matt, these sacred spaces include walking in the park, working in his woodshop, hiking in the Lake District, or even flying on airplanes where "no one can call me." For Jan, driving alone in her car becomes a sacred space for thinking and listening.
"Jesus would be with people, he would be with crowds, but he would withdraw," Matt observed. "In the world in which we live, finding that sacred space, that place where you can avoid distraction, just be with God – that's where abundant life is."
Choosing Colour Over Black and White
Jan shared a powerful analogy for what it means to miss out on abundant life: "It's like watching a black and white TV when there's a perfectly good colour one in the other room."
This imagery captures perfectly what happens when we settle for less than the full life Jesus offers. We may be getting by, seeing the same content, but missing the richness, the depth, the vibrance that God intends.
As Matt reflected, abundance includes "an abundance of peace when life is all crazy in turmoil, an abundance of joy when everything around you tells you not to have that, an abundance of calm and wisdom when you don't know the right answer."
Your Path to Abundance
As we continue our "Becoming Whole" series, Dave's message challenges us to rethink what Jesus meant by offering abundant life. Here are some practical steps to embrace this true abundance:
Identify your thieves – What is robbing you of abundant life? Is it distraction, apathy, fear, or something else?
Create sacred spaces – Where can you regularly withdraw to connect with God? It doesn't need to be spectacular – a local park, your car, or even a quiet corner of your home can become a sacred space.
Practice contentment – Following Paul's example, begin to practice contentment in all circumstances, recognizing that your ability to be content comes "through Christ who strengthens me."
Embrace God's definition of abundance – Let go of cultural definitions of abundance focused on accumulation, and embrace God's definition centered on spiritual richness, peace, joy, and purpose.
Remember, abundant life isn't dependent on your external circumstances but on your internal connection with Christ. As Jesus said, he came that we "may have life, and have it to the full" – not because he removes all challenges, but because he empowers us to live above them.
Join us next Sunday as Sharon continues our "Becoming Whole" series with "Being His Workmanship," exploring what it means to be created in Christ Jesus for good works.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)
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