Kingdom Living Series

The Key to Abundant Living

Fettes Park Baptist Church13th July 2014

Alvin Chew

Matthew 7:24-27

Your 3 wishes..

I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

How does “abundant life” look like to you?

What is the bible’s perspective of Abundant Life?

The Abundant Life that Jesus offers

The unshakeable life Free from loneliness Free from worry

Free from the need of the approval of others

Free from the need to keep up with the Joneses

Constant peace and joy Free from lust

Free from bitterness & anger

• Strength to live a life of love

instead of a life full of anger,

hate and enmity.

• Strength to bless those who

curse you or disapprove of you.

• Strength to “turn the other

cheek” or “walk the extra mile”

when treated unjustly.

Abundant Life & Strength are ….

• The “Good News” or Gospel of the kingdom

• This abundant Life is available to all through Jesus

• It is available here and now for those who believe and

obey.

Matthew 7:24-27

““Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into

practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came

down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house,

yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone

who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like

a foolish man who builds his house on sand. The rain came down, the

stream rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell

with a great crash.”

Summary

• A parable.

• Two men – one wise and one foolish.

• The wise man “heard and obeyed” and the foolish

didn’t.

• The wise man’s life was unshakeable while the foolish

man’s life was destroyed when hit by the storms of life.

• Its a lesson about obedience.

Obedience is the KEY to experiencing Abundant Life

Obedience Theme in STM

• The narrow gate that leads to life is obedience V13-14

• The fruit of a good tree is obedience V15-20

• The true disciples are those who obey V21-23

• The strong foundation is built on obedience V24-27

Obedience theme in other NT passages

Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives

freedom, continues in it not forgetting what they have

heard but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:22-25

Obedience & Abundance

Are inseparable

How do we become people who “hear and obey”?

Cultivating Obedience

Obedience can be cultivated ..

• By coercion – force a person to obey by some

kind of punitive rules or methods.

• By a love relationship – a person obeys out of

love and trust.

Examples of Obedience by Coercion

• The Law and punishment for disobeying (Deut 28:15-68)

• Parents chastising children (Proverbs 13:24)

• Government and Company Policies

Obedience through a Love Relationship

• Obedience with affections – A person obeys out of

love, trust and deep respect for another person.

• Example: Jesus & Peter

If you love me, keep my commands.

John 14:15

Love precedes obedience

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,

because fear has to do with punishment. The one who

fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

The Kind of Love

God initiates …

• We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

• I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn

you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 3:13)

Our Response

• Know that God loves you, he died for your sins and

offers you abundant life..

• Love God in return by seeking to know Him more & to

obey His will.

Grow in love & obedience to Jesus

• Solitude – Have a date with Jesus!

• Scripture – Have your life centered on what scriptures say..

Summary and Conclusion

• We have learned what abundant life means according

to the bible.

• We have learned that the key to abundant life is

believing in Jesus and obeying Him.

• We have learned that having a growing love

relationship with Jesus will help us to obey Him more.