Life Abundant
A Sermon on John 10:10
Originally preached Oct. 27, 1957
Scripture
10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Sermon Description
What does the average person think of Christianity? In this sermon on John 10:10 titled “Life Abundant,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that a simple survey would reveal that people commonly believe Christianity is nothing more than a set of chains on one’s life. The average person views Christianity as a prison cell in which one is chained to laws and moral restrictions that steal their very life. This is unacceptable to the non-Christian who wants to experience life. This desperation to experience life leads to leaving the tranquility of the countryside for the life which the city offers. They do this not knowing that the city is a thief, it will offer pleasures that rob them of their life, and ultimately destroy the soul. Why does the average person think this way? Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones explains that they have a wrong view of life. Life is eternal. Thus, in John 10, Jesus proclaims that He came as the true shepherd to bring life and bring it abundantly to His sheep. It is a life that will be eternal and can be lived in glory with God and Christ forever through the forgiveness of sin that He provided on the cross.
Sermon Breakdown
- People have a false view of Christianity and the Christian life. They see it as negative, narrow and restrictive.
- Jesus says the exact opposite - he has come to give life and give it abundantly. This shows the wrong view people have of Christianity.
- The first reason for this error is that people don't understand the true nature of life and their own lives. They have a false view of what life is.
- Life is not just about having a "good time" and constant pleasure. Life is desperately serious with big decisions and consequences.
- Life is dangerous with spiritual forces trying to destroy us. Our eternal destiny is at stake in this life.
- The second reason for the error is that people are wrong about the life they think they have. What they call "life" is actually robbing, killing and destroying them.
- This life robs us of God, innocence, purity, honesty, truth, energy, health, peace, rest, happiness and ultimately the soul itself.
- This life kills our moral sense, conscience, refinement, sensitivity, sense of shame, desire for better things, hope and leaves us in cynicism.
- People are also wrong in their view of Jesus. They see him as just a moral teacher making demands, not as the one who came to give life.
- Jesus came from heaven to give his life as a ransom to give us eternal life which we cannot obtain ourselves.
- The final tragedy is that people are wrong about the abundance Jesus gives. They think Christianity is about giving things up, but it's about gaining life.
- The life Jesus gives expresses itself through our mind, heart and will. It gives us a new way of thinking, love, joy, peace, romance, thrill, energy and work to do.
- This life grows, develops and increases. It never ends, even in death, but continues for eternity. It's a foretaste of the glory to come.
- We must ask if we have this life that satisfies our mind, heart, will and soul and will be with us in death and beyond. If not, we face eternal destruction.
- We can have this life by coming to Jesus and asking him for it. He will give it to all who come to him.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding "Life More Abundantly" According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What does Jesus mean when He says "I am come that they might have life more abundantly" in John 10:10?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Jesus means He came to give us true, full, and complete life that satisfies every aspect of our being. This is in contrast to the thief (Satan) who comes "to steal, kill, and destroy." Jesus offers a life that grows, develops, and is eternal—not merely physical existence or worldly pleasures. Lloyd-Jones explains that this abundant life includes "a new principle of life" that transforms our minds, hearts, and wills, giving us spiritual life when we were "dead in trespasses and sins."
Why do many people have a negative view of Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the average person today views Christianity as "something negative, narrow, small and cramped." They see it as "a kind of collection of vetos and restrictions, prohibitions and restraints." This misconception leads people to reject Christianity because they believe it will rob them of enjoyment and freedom. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that sometimes Christianity has been misrepresented as merely morality or rules, but emphasizes this is a complete misunderstanding of Christ's true message of life.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the reality of non-Christian "life" according to this sermon?
Lloyd-Jones describes non-Christian life as one that actually steals, kills, and destroys contrary to what people believe. Specifically, it: - Robs people of innocence, chastity, purity, honesty, and truthfulness - Drains people of energy rather than giving it - Robs people of health through overindulgence - Steals peace and rest, leaving people unhappy and anxious - Kills the moral sense and conscience - Destroys refinement and judgment - Kills the sense of shame - Ultimately destroys the soul itself
He calls this "the masterpiece of the devil" that what seems to offer happiness actually robs people of it.
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the primary misunderstanding about Jesus?
The primary misunderstanding is viewing Jesus as merely "a teacher or an example, a moral exemplar" who makes impossible demands. People fail to grasp the significance of Jesus saying "I am come"—that He came from heaven, from eternity, from "the bosom of his eternal Father in glory." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that people don't realize Jesus came not to take from us but to give Himself as a sacrifice, to "give his life a ransom for many" so that we might have true life.
What are the characteristics of the abundant life Jesus offers?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the abundant life Jesus offers: 1. Is complete and satisfies the whole person—mind, heart, and will 2. Provides understanding and meaning for the mind 3. Offers love, joy, peace, and excitement for the heart 4. Gives energy and purpose for the will 5. Grows and increases rather than diminishing with age 6. Never ends—it is eternal and continues beyond death
Lloyd-Jones describes this abundant life as "but a foretaste of that which is to come," with the full experience awaiting in eternity.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.